Cartagena has long been Colombia's top tourist destination. This is no surprise—it's one of the most well-preserved Spanish colonial cities on the continent. But what do you do once you've exhausted all the culture within the city's ancient ramparts? Let this be your guide to the best day trips outside Cartagena.
Bogotá is a pulsating South American metropolis where well-preserved colonial-era neighborhoods mix with 21st-century glass and steel. While its impressive museums and architecture rank high on the list of things to see, the best experiences will be your own exploration of historic neighborhoods on bike or foot. Let this guide direct you toward the best Bogotá has to offer.
Ten to 11 days is the most popular trip length for Colombia travelers interested in visiting Bogotá, Medellín, and Zona Cafetera, especially when also including Cartagena. If you're not interested in Cartagena, seven to nine days is enough for your Bogotá, Medellín, and Zona Cafetera trip. Read on for the best itineraries, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Zona Cafetera, and beyond.
If you've reached July and have still to decide on that perfect summer adventure, give Colombia a shot. Sure, it will be busy with other peak-season travelers, but its diversity of topography and climate means you'll be able to find a place of your own. The Amazon region is particularly nice this month, when low river waters make more of the region accessible to explore.
Colombia is a big country, and extremely diverse. It’s easy to find little-visited places of interest and intrigue tucked in the folds of the Andes or otherwise off the well-trodden path. Some are in areas that have only recently become safe to visit, such as Área Natural Única Los Estoraques. Others, such as Mompox or Capurgana, simply require a bit of planning to get to. The following 7 cool places are well worth seeking out to escape the masses.
Travelers to Colombia typically plan a trip for eight to 10 days when combining both Medellín and Cartagena with Bogotá and the Zona Cafetera. If you're only headed to Medellín and Cartagena, you can enjoy a comfortably paced trip in a week to eight days. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as five or six days. For the best itineraries, including Medellín and Cartagena, keep reading below.
Colombia's Coffee Region is dotted with small pueblos where life has changed little over the past century. Towns like Salento, Pijao, and Filandia still retain the same colonial air of yesteryear, when coffee farmers brought their product to market along old country roads. This list includes the best towns to visit, plus vibrant cities and also backcountry areas where you can experience Colombia's stunning landscapes.
Cartagena’s cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and bougainvillea-covered balconies are simply magic. But there is much to Cartagena than just its romantic Old City. This list offers a number of great options, from exploring old forts, to eating great seafood and lazing on white sand beaches.
Colombia is one of the world’s best bird-watching destinations, containing more bird species — roughly 1,950 — than any other country on the planet. On top of that, 79 species are endemic to Colombia. Here is a list of the top 5 places to go birdwatching in Colombia.
Medellín, the capital of Colombia's Antioquia region, is perfect for a quick vacation—you can see the highlights, like Plaza Botero and the hip El Poblado neighborhood, in just 24 hours. Come for two or three days, and you can visit museums and botanical parks, plus ride a gondola high into the hillside comunas. With four to five days, the entire region opens up for a trip to the colorful country town of Guatapé to see its famous granite monolith, El Peñol.