10 Best Places to Visit in Colombia
Are you planning your trip to Colombia? Here's a list of the 10 best places you simply can't miss when traveling in this popular South American country. When visiting Colombia, make sure these ten must-visit destinations are on your itinerary.
What are the best places to visit in Colombia, and what are the must-visit attractions you simply cannot miss?
Colombia is a country of contrasts with plenty of amazing places, so this is a million-dollar question. For us, it was quite heartbreaking to select only a limited number of must-see highlights in this South American country.
Beautiful Caribbean coast with white sand beaches and rough waves transforming slowly into high Andes mountains covered with ice and snow.
Suddenly you are exploring the red hot desert, thinking hard if you are still in the same country. Then you can explore colorful Colombian colonial towns, look for the lost city deep in the jungle or carry on to Amazon Rainforest.
And of course, there is the coffee!
It seems that Colombia has it all, and it is not an easy task to choose the top destination one should visit.
We've handpicked ten places you can't miss when in Colombia. Try to put them all in your Colombia travel itinerary!
OUR LIST OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN COLOMBIA
What do you imagine when you hear the name of the South American country, Colombia?
Now, try to think again, and don't say aloud the first thing which has come to your mind.
In the last decade, Colombia is trying hard to get rid of stereotypes often connected with the country's dark past, and the endeavor is now finally bearing fruit.
Over the past few years, Colombia has experienced a tremendous increase in the number of travelers arriving in the country, and we couldn't be happier to hear that.
Colombia was the first country where we landed after a year in Canada, with all our belongings in two backpacks.
We were excited but also a bit reserved because we did not know what to expect.
Is it a truth that all violent shadows from the past are gone, and we can travel freely around the country without the constant fear of being robbed, or should we cover only the well-trodden path and cross borders from Colombia to Ecuador as soon as we can?
These were exactly our thoughts.
Although Colombia still naturally has issues that simply can not dissolve overnight, and you should always use your common sense when traveling around, the country treated us more than well.
In the end, we traveled around Colombia for more than two months, and this country completely stole our hearts.
That's why the first thing that comes to our minds when we hear the word Colombia is love.
Exploring Colombia for two months gave us a rough idea of what to include in the list of best Colombian places. We could have included dozens of other places in this blog post, though this is our top 10.
#1 LOS NEVADOS NATIONAL PARK
If anyone had told us before traveling to Colombia that our favorite and one of the most memorable experiences would be hiking in Los Nevados National Park, we would not have believed him for many reasons.
One of them is that we'd never heard about this park before. Yet, it is the truth.
Walking through the unique and fragile ecosystem called paramo, seeing 5000 meters high volcanoes covered with snow up close, and even climbing the glacier of Nevado Santa Isabel is still very high on the list of best activities we've done in South America.
But not only nature was the reason why we enjoyed Los Nevados National Park so much.
Another reason was the incredible hospitality of people living in the park.
You can hike in the national park only for one day, but honestly, we suggest you stay at least overnight to get the raw experience.
When working on your Colombia itinerary, try to allocate two to four days to appreciate the beauty of Los Nevados National Park fully.
We opted for the 4D/3N trek in Los Nevados National Park with Paramo Trek (it is not recommended to hike in the park alone), and thanks to them and their knowledgeable guides enjoyed our time the best we could.
#2 SALENTO
Salento is one of the most popular destinations among international travelers, and we could not wait to see with our own eyes why this place is rated so high.
We figured that out very soon after our arrival. Not only Salento is a picturesque town nestled high in the Andes and surrounded by sloping green hills, but it also lies in Colombia's Zona Cafetera. And it means only one thing.
Coffee in Salento is everywhere.
You can taste a cup of coffee on the streets, visit one of the top coffee shops, or, like we did, head directly to the source.
In Salento, we took a coffee plantation tour, saw the whole process of how coffee is made, and at the end, we could, of course, taste several different varieties of coffee, which was for many of us the main reason why to visit the farm.
But Salento has one more tourist attraction.
Cocora Valley, which is located only 20 minutes drive from Salento, and hiking in Cocora Valley is often the reason that puts the colonial town of Salento among the best places to visit in Colombia.
Who wouldn't like to hike under the giant wax palms, national trees of Colombia, which can be up to 60 meters tall?
WHERE TO STAY IN SALENTO
Budget: Hospedaje Vista Hermosa Salento | Mid-range: Casa de las Dos Palmas | Luxury: Hotel Terasu Salento
#3 TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
Are you looking for a place in Colombia where you can totally unwind? Well, you've just found it.
Tayrona National Park is one of the most sought-after destinations in Colombia, and for a good reason.
Beautiful white sand beaches, deep jungle, monkeys jumping from one tree to another, rough sea, coconuts falling from high palms, and sweaty hikes.
All of this is Tayrona National Park.
We spent 4 days in Tayrona National Park (and three insanely hot nights) and genuinely enjoyed our time in the park.
Swimming, exploring the jungle or relaxing on one of many beaches are the main activities here, and to have the most of your time, we recommend you to spend at least one night in the park so you won't feel rushed.
We realize that Tayrona National Park has from time to time a problem with over-tourism, especially during peak dates such as summer season, holidays and weekends when locals travel a lot.
Try to plan your visit accordingly as the number of visitors can hugely affect your experience.
WHERE TO STAY IN TAYRONA NP
Budget: Ecohotel Yachay Tayrona | Mid-range: Playa Brava Teyumakke | Luxury: Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos
The convenient base for visiting Tayrona National Park is a former colonial city of Santa Marta.
In Santa Marta, you can explore the centro historico, spend a night before traveling to the park, and leave your luggage in one of many hotels (check before you make the reservation).
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA MARTA
Budget: Yulucky Hostel | Mid-range: Masaya Hostel Santa Marta | Luxury: Hotel Suite Boutique El Cactus
#4 MEDELLIN
The city of eternal spring, Medellin, is a place you can't miss when in Colombia. There are so many things to do in Medellin, so skipping this place is simply not an option.
Medellin is the second-largest city in the country, and it is incredible to watch almost live how it is changing and improving.
Who wouldn't know at least bits of a sad history of Medellin?
Murders, poverty, and drug cartels were everyday bread here in Medellin, and the city was once called the most dangerous city in the world.
But thankfully, Medellin is nowadays a city of transformation.
Although it still has a few problems, the city has become a must-visit place for travelers and a cool place to work and live for expats.
Even though we cannot imagine living here ourselves for a longer period, we can definitely recommend you to spend here at least three days to appreciate all the must-see places and the atmosphere fully.
Many dangerous neighborhoods in Medellin such as notoriously known Comuna 13 are not completely off limits anymore (although go with a local guide for safety reasons), and the city center is thriving.
One of the highlights in Medellin is taking a city tour, where you will learn more about the complicated past and old and new architecture as well.
Walk the streets in Medellin with your eyes wide open because street art and graffiti are everywhere around.
If you get tired of busy streets, head to Arvi Park, an ecological nature preserve high above Medellin.
When in the area, we also recommend you to take a one-day trip to Piedra del Penol and the colonial colorful town of Guatape.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEDELLIN
El Poblado: 574 Hotel | Laureles: Hotel Medellin Gold | Belen: Hotel Zona Verde | Envigado: Arame Hotel | El Centro: Medallo Social Hostal
#5 JARDIN
Jardin is a small town not that far from Medellin, and it quickly became one of our most favorite places we've visited in Colombia.
Maybe it was the laidback feel, maybe the coffee culture we could observe on the main square, one way or the other, we kept extending our stay in Jardin.
Colombia has many pretty colonial towns where it is easy to lose track of time and solely indulge in life without feeling rushed.
We believe this is one of the most important commodities people nowadays seek when traveling, and Jardin is exactly the place where you can do it without feeling guilty.
We would like to tell you that Jardin is still a well-kept secret and a place off the beaten path, but we are not sure about it anymore.
Thankfully, the town still keeps its charm and authentic atmosphere.
There are plenty of things to do in Jardin due to its location amidst lush green hills.
You can explore the countryside, go horseback riding, take an old cable car for splendid views, or go looking for cock-of-the-rock, a beautifully colored native bird of South America.
WHERE TO STAY IN JARDIN
Budget: Hotel Jardin Antioquia | Mid-range: Hotel Kantarrana Urbana Jardin | Luxury: Casa Passiflora Hotel Boutique
#6 CARTAGENA
Cartagena is a captivating city, a place you unquestionably cannot miss when traveling around this South American country.
Cartagena, the crown jewel of Colombia, is a large city with an international airport, and it is not an exception that for some people, this city on the Caribbean Coast is the first destination they have on the ultimate Colombia itinerary.
Colorful and narrow colonial streets, unique houses with photogenic doors, location close to the sea, street vendors selling exotic fruits, lively vibe, complicated history, architecture, coffee, buzzing nightlife, many cute coffee houses, and restaurants, it seems that Cartagena has it all and it is hard to resist.
And why should you visit Cartagena?
Yes, the city is touristy, but we think it should not put you off visiting it.
In Cartagena, you can always find a little cute, photogenic door no one has ever captured before, get lost in the street only locals know about, or meet a local who remember old times and wants to share his memories with you.
As you can see, there are many best things you can do in Cartagena.
If you have only one day, you should not skip walking the historic center and the streets of Getsemani district.
But if you can, plan a day or two more so you can take a one day trip outside Cartagena - we have opted for Fort San Fernando de Bocachica - have time to look for street art or visit an iconic fortress Castillo de San Felipe.
WHERE TO STAY IN CARTAGENA:
Budget: Hotel La Magdalena | Mid-range: Hyatt Regency Cartagena | Luxury: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
#7 VILLA DE LEYVA
Only a couple of hours' drive from Bogota lies Villa de Leyva, a well-preserved colonial town where the architecture hasn't changed much from the 16th century.
The town is not exceptional only because of the architecture, colonial buildings, and stone streets, but also because of the settings.
Villa de Leyva is perched in the Andes, which, altogether with moody clouds rolling over later in the afternoon, create the genius loci and Instagram-like pictures.
When in Villa de Leyva, you cannot miss the central square, which is one of the largest plazas in the Americas!
Villa de Leyva is often rated among the best places to visit in Colombia, and it is not well-known only among foreigners, but primarily among locals, who usually flood the city on Friday evening and leave around Sunday midday. But no worries.
Once you are done with sightseeing, it is time to explore Villa de Leyva's countryside and make sure you visit Pozos Azulas, but also a small museum dedicated to fossils found in the area.
WHERE TO STAY IN VILLA DE LEYVA:
Budget: Casa de Huéspedes Faletto | Mid-range: Villa Gaddiel | Luxury: Hotel Plazuela de San Agustín
#8 BOGOTA
Nestled between green hills, Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, is the kind of place you need to get used to it a bit, but the city will reciprocate when you do.
Generally, South and Central America's capital cities are often not highlights on travel itineraries, but Bogota is different.
Yes, the streets are crowded, you can see enormous poverty everywhere around even when you wander off the center only for a couple of hundred meters, and drivers are honking their horns without reason.
Still, Bogota has an unmistakable atmosphere, and if you travel solely to Colombia, chances are you will land here, and the city will be the first destination in the country.
There are plenty of things to do in Bogota, and you can easily spend here three or four days if you wish. Make sure your travel plan includes visiting La Candelaria, Bogota's historic colonial center.
If you don't know where to start exploring, join a free walking tour where you get the general knowledge of Bogota's history and see most of the city's architectural attractions.
Bogota is also well-known for museums (you should not miss Museo del Oro and Museo Botero).
Thanks to the higher altitude, enjoy the acclimatization hike to Cerro de Monserrate, offering perfect views over the city, street art, and graffiti.
Safety in Bogota: Bogota's city center is a place where everyone wants to be, not only tourists but also locals, especially on weekends.
Watch your belongings all the time.
My phone was stolen when leisurely walking on the main street in the center. If you want to know more about safety in South America, read our detailed post Is It Safe to Travel to South America?.
WHERE TO STAY IN BOGOTA
Budget: Hotel San Francisco de Asís | Mid-range: Hotel Ibis Bogota Museo | Luxury: Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
#9 SAN AGUSTIN
For us, San Agustin is a special place. As we were on our way to another beautiful colonial town, White City of Popayan, we wanted to make a quick stop there.
However, due to Martin’s back injury, we spent much longer here than we had planned.
For a traveler without back issues, we recommend visiting San Agustin for at least two days.
The small town is unique for the picturesque settings (the most common way to get around is by jeep or on horseback), and especially for the UNESCO archeological site called San Agustin Archaeological Park.
The park is pretty vast, and you can spend here anything between three to four hours to see all the statues, tombs, and carvings in the park.
We must admit that Colombian cuisine was not our favorite, so we couldn't be happier when we found a true gem in San Agustin, a vegetarian restaurant called El Tomate.
We are aware that San Agustin usually do not make it on the lists of the best places to visit in Colombia, but we feel this destination is really underrated.
On the other hand, if you do not mind getting off the Gringo trail and want to explore this department that also features the Tatacoa Desert, you should not wait too long, as we are quite sure this place will be discovered soon.
WHERE TO STAY SAN AGUSTIN
Budget: Hotel La Gaitana | Mid-range: Masaya San Agustin | Luxury: Akawanka Lodge
#10 BARICHARA
Barichara is sometimes called the prettiest town in Colombia.
But it is tough to tell which one of the colonial cities in such a large country is the best.
We liked Barichara for the cobbled stone streets lined with whitewashed houses and churches.
We rank Barichara so high also because we could combine this trip with the six kilometers long El Camino Real hike from Barichara to even smaller village Guane which made this day quite special.
Barichara lies close to a bigger city San Gil which is often nicknamed the adventure capital of Colombia, so you can either stay in Barichara or only visit it on a one-day trip from San Gil.
WHERE TO STAY IN BARICHARA:
Budget: Hostal Casa Nacuma | Mid-range: Achiotte Hotel Boutique | Luxury: Hotel Hicasua y Centro de Convenciones
COLOMBIA: DESTINATION OF YOUR DREAMS
These are the 10 best places you should not miss when in Colombia.
We've visited all of these destinations on the list above, but the country, of course, has many more sites a traveler can see.
To get an idea of how you can plan your time in Colombia, head to our Colombia section on this blog, where you can read all posts dedicated to this wonderful country.
It is truly impossible to see all of the top rated places in Colombia during only one visit, but at least, there is a reason why to come back once, right?
If not traveling on a low budget, we believe that Lost City, Cano Cristales River, and San Andrés, or Providencia would have made it on an extended list of places you must visit in Colombia.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
