Colombia has beautiful landscapes, a lively culture, and a long history. Colombia has many places to visit, from the Caribbean coast to the Amazon rainforest, so there is something for every tourist. Colombia has something for everyone. You can see old ruins, relax on beautiful beaches, or get involved in the lively culture of the country. Today, we will look at the 8 best places to visit in Colombia that every tourist should see.
List of Top Places to Visit in Colombia
These are the top 10 places in Colombia that you should see on your trip to South America, whether you are traveling alone, with family, or with friends:
1. Cartagena
Cartagena is the “crown jewel” of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. It is just as busy now as it was from the 16th century to the 18th century when it was one of the most essential Caribbean ports. The Old Town still has a colonial feel, which you can see by walking through its twisting streets.
The bright colonial buildings, the plant-covered balconies that line the winding streets, and the tall church towers that rise above most plazas give the town a happy vibe that makes people want to stay there. It is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places in Colombia and one of the most fabulous incredible destinations, perfectly encapsulating the lively culture and lengthy history of the
Location: Cartagena lies on Colombia’s Caribbean Sea coast, towards the country’s north.
How to Get There: If you are arriving in Bogota’s capital, take an internal flight to Cartagena, which has its own airport.
Activities: Taking a walking tour is one of the most popular things to do in Cartagena. See the Convento de la Popa, a convent perched atop a hill overlooking the city, and then visit Old Town to peruse the exquisite boutique stores.
Where to Stay: Hotel Casona del Porvenir offers a luxurious stay in the center of Old Town.
2. Tayrona National Park
One of the best places to visit in Colombia for nature fans and people who like to look at old ruins is Tayrona National Park. This park has many different species types, from swamps to cloud forests. Some people think that Tayrona’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the whole country. This area is also home to the rare Andean Condor, which brings birdwatchers worldwide to this famous place in Colombia.
Location: Tayrona National Park lies 20 kilometers from Santa Marta on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
How to Get There: From Santa Marta, you can take a 30-minute bus or cab ride, or, for a very unique experience, you can hop on a yacht.
Activities: Take a fantastic yacht tour of the Park and sunbathe or snorkel. For a truly unique jungle experience, consider hiking one of the numerous designated trails into the forest and spending the night in an eco-lodge.
Where to Stay: Hurray Sustainable is a stunning eco-lodge emphasizing sustainability. Tucked away in the jungle, it boasts an outdoor pool. It is the perfect place to be in peace.
Entry Fee: The cost to enter the National Park is approximately $15.
3. Bogota
It is the biggest city in Colombia and also the central capital city. People have different opinions about this vast city at a high elevation. Some people fear it because of the concrete jungle and bad weather, but others love it because it has both old-fashioned colonial charm and modern city style. Bogotá is a must-see tourist destination in Colombia and quickly rises to the top of the country’s traveler lists.
Location: Bogota is an ideal place to begin Colombian explorations because of its relatively central location.
Arrival: Most likely, you will take a plane to Bogota. If not, bubusesepart daily from several locations, including Medellin (9 hours) and Cartagena (20 hours).
Activities: Ride the cable car to Montserrat to enjoy the city’s most incredible views. Take in the fashionable ambiance in Zona T and stroll around Old Town near Plaza de Bolivar.
Where to Stay: Chapinero’s northern region. The location of this incredibly chic apartment is ideal—it is suitable between Chapinero and Zona T.
4. The Rosario Islands
The 27 islands that make up the Rosario Islands are one of the top places to visit in Colombia. They are about an hour’s boat ride from Cartagena, a port city on the Caribbean coast. The Rosario Islands are in the San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park, protecting the park’s diverse plants, animals, and coral reefs. The Rosario Islands are a tropical paradise that you have to see. The water is crystal clear, and the sand is as soft as sugar.
Location: The Rosario Islands lie near Cartagena on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
How to Get There: You can take a boat or a cruise from Cartagena. Try this Cartagena full-day excursion.
Activities: Visit the breathtaking Bendita Beach and rent a snorkel to explore beneath the water’s surface.
Where to Stay: Visit the lovely El Hamaquero Hostal EcoNativo for hammocks overlooking the sea on Isla Grande.
Entrance Fee: The park charges a $4.25 entry fee, which is sometimes added to the price of any ferry or excursion.
You may check also: Explore New York’s Central Park
5. Cali
Cali is one of the best places to visit in Colombia if you love salsa and the catchy beat that goes with it. And if you are not already a fan, you will be after a few days in Cali, a city in the south.
The lively city is full of salsa dance schools where people of all rhythms are welcome, even if you do not know how to dance. Watch the pros play at one of the many bars or clubs in the evening. If you want to dance or just take it easy, Zaperoco is one of the best places in the city to go. Cali is a popular sightseeing place in Colombia for those seeking an immersive experience.
Location: About 500 kilometers south of Bogota sits Cali, in the Colombian south.
How to Get There: Buses depart from Medellin (8 hours) and Bogota (9–11 hours). Cali has its own airport as well.
Activities: Go on a dancing tour or a walking trip to discover this enchanting location during the day. For a true experience of the salsa scene in California, head to Zaperoco in the evening.
Where to Stay: Hotel Peñon comes highly recommended in El Peñon, an upmarket and secure part of town.
6. Medellin
Medellín is the capital city of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia state. It is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” because of its always beautiful, mild weather. Drug gangs made Medellín the most dangerous city in the world a little over 20 years ago, but it has come a long way since Pablo Escobar died in 1993. Today, Medellín is considered one of the cool places in Colombia to visit.
Location: The capital of the northwest-based province of Antioquia, which is mountainous, is Medellin.
How to Get There: A bus connects Medellin Airport to both Bogota and Cartagena, as well as flights from these cities.
Activities: Go on a coffee tour to sample some of the greatest coffee, go paragliding to see the stunning Colombian Andes scenery, or take a tour of Comuna 13, which used to be the most violent district in Medellin.
Where to Stay: El Poblado is a fairly safe neighborhood with many fantastic dining options, bars, and shopping centers. Sui Posada Boutique is an excellent choice if you want to be both far enough from the hub for peace and close enough to the action.
7. Providencia Island
This sunny, happy island is one of the best places to visit in Columbia. It has secluded beaches, coral reefs humans have not touched, and a deliciously tempting sense of wanderlust. This island smells beautiful from its golden sands and tall palm trees. It also has the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO heritage site with a vast variety of marine life.
If you are wondering what to see in Colombia, this island in the Caribbean, close to Nicaragua, is a great place to go diving or fishing because the water is so warm and clear.
Location: Providencia is a stunning Caribbean island that is 700 kilometers from Colombia’s mainland and closer to Nicaragua (but still part of Colombia).
How to Get There: The only way to get to San Andres is via plane from mainland Colombia’s Bogota or Cartagena. You may fly, which takes about 20 minutes, or take the 90-kilometer, often rough, ferry from San Andres, which takes about 3.5 hours. Click this link to make ferry reservations.
Activities: Visit Santa Catalina Island, go diving, look at wildlife, and explore the barrier reef.
Where to Stay: Most amenities are located in Freshwater Bay, which is home to a small number of hotels, eateries, and dive shops. This lovely cabana on the beach is highly recommended.
Entrance Fee: To enter San Andres, you must pay the $30 entrance fee at the airport while departing from Colombia’s mainland.
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8. Guatape
The lovely vacation town of Guatapé in central Colombia’s Department of Antioquia is one of the best places to visit in Columbia. The colorful walls of Guatapé are known as “zocalos,” and the El Peñón de Guatapé, or “The Rock of Guatapé,” is another famous landmark.
This rock formation, called The Rock of Guatapé, is the second largest in South America. The biggest is Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio, Brazil. Because of this, this natural feature has become one of the coolest things in Colombia and a must-do for tourists in Guatapé.
Location: Guatape is about two hours east of Medellin, northwest of Colombia.
How to Get There: From Medellin, Guatape is really simple to reach. You have two options: you may take a taxi from Terminal del Norte in Medellin, which will cost about $50 each trip, or you can take the bus, which will cost about $5.
Activities: Tour the vibrant town of Guatape, ascend The Rock of Guatape’s 745 steps, and go lakeside by boat. Alternatively, consider this amazing Medellin to Guatape day excursion.
Where to Stay: Stayed at the Serendipity Boutique Hotel outside of Guatape, which is highly recommended for making the most of the lake. There are complimentary kayaks available for guests to use on the stunning grounds.
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The Bottom Line
Colombia is a diverse country that lets visitors do many things, from visiting busy cities to relaxing on beautiful beaches. Ecuador is a great place to see if you are interested in history, culture, nature, or excitement. This beautiful country has a lot more to offer than these top 8 well-known spots in Columbia. As Colombia grows as a tourist spot, it becomes clear that this South American gem has something for all travelers. So, pack your bags and get ready to see all Colombia offers. This country will have experiences that you will never forget.
Indeed, Colombia is a secure travel and vacation destination. Just be careful when going at night, and try not to travel alone.
The Old Town of Cartagena is unquestionably the most popular destination in Colombia. Tourists also have strong feelings for numerous locations like Santa Marta, Medellin, Bogota, and many more.
Traveling to Colombia is affordable, and the country is not as expensive. To finish your vacation without burning a hole in your pocket, the secret is to prepare your budget and choose reasonably priced lodging and meal options.
