Colombia Travel Guide & Top Places to See

Search for Colombia hostels at Hostelworld or budget hotels at Booking.com

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The word is slowly getting out about Colombia. While many still mistakenly associate the country with only crime and violence, Colombia’s problems have long been on the wane and today it is ready to receive visitors once again. As its tourism board says, “the only risk is wanting to stay”.

It’s amazing how many sights and points of interest there are around the country, previously inaccessible or in ill-advised areas but now ready to be explored. Colombia’s geography is so diverse that it’s like a portrait of South America in miniature, offering tons of variety in an area that’s about twice the size of France.

On top of that, Colombia has a wonderfully vibrant culture and its people are at times heart-achingly welcoming. I’ve gone backpacking in over 55 countries and Colombia is, hands down, one of my personal favorites.

Why you should go

1. Huge variety in climate and topography. Colombia has it all: a Caribbean and a Pacific coast, lush forests, dry deserts, the start of the Andes range and a big slice of the Amazon. It’s almost like a compressed version of South America as a whole, with a different environment only ever a bus ride away.
2. Huge biodiversity. Colombia has some of the highest biodiversity on the planet and is home to countless species of birds, fish, mammals, etc. making it a wonderful destination for trekking and scuba diving.
3. Brimming with culture. Colombia has a strong cultural identity and its cities (notably Medellin and Bogota) are among the most booming and cosmopolitan in South America. You’ll be fascinated to learn about its often dark history though equally intrigued by Colombian life today.
4. Great for budget travel. Colombia is not the cheapest country in Latin America but not the priciest either. Bus travel is affordable and comfortable, and low budget domestic flights are available via carriers such as Viva Colombia. There is an emerging backpacking circuit, with hostels and other low-cost accommodation in ample supply.

Orientation

Nearly one third of Colombia is covered by the Amazon rainforest and not easily accessible. When looking at a map of Colombia, you’ll find that most places to see are in the west and north. I’ve highlighted some of the top places to visit in the map below.

If you’re flying to Colombia directly, you’ll find an increasing number of direct flights to Bogota from many points around the world. Colombian carrier Avianca connects with Madrid, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, London, and many others.

If you’re on a regional trip, keep in mind that it is not possible to enter Colombia from Panama overland. Well, you theoretically could if you were extremely reckless, but generally speaking this is a no-go area filled with smugglers and jaguars. If you want to travel between these countries without flying, I strongly recommend sailing from Panama to Cartagena or vice versa as this is a phenomenal experience that is far superior to flying.

In the north of Colombia you’ll find the colonial old city of Cartagena, as well as Santa Marta which is not so notable in itself but makes for a great base for exploring Tayrona National Park (home to beautiful white sand beaches and jungle) as well as a good point from which to make the Lost City trek. The town of Taganga, a short ride from Santa Marta, is Colombia’s main destination for scuba diving and is a bit of a backpacker party hub.

In the middle is San Gil, which is Colombia’s adventure sports capital (including paragliding, wild water rafting, caving, etc.). Here you’ll also find Medellin, which is a fascinating city that should not be skipped.

In the south you’ll find the capital Bogota, the popular coffee region, the city of Cali (famous for its obsession with salsa), and Tatacoa, a desert in which where years of erosion have created some unusual landscapes.

The amazon at the heart of Colombia is super remote and is even home to some uncontacted indigenous tribes. It’s also where FARC rebels are reportedly still present, so these are not exactly areas suitable for tourists. If you want to go into the Amazon, flying to Leticia is essentially the only mainstream option. Leticia has border connections with Peru and Brazil.

Places to see in Colombia

These are a few of the best places to visit and top things to do in Colombia. They’re roughly in a north to south order.

Colonial City of Cartagena

Its modern parts reminded me a bit of Miami, but Cartagena also has one of the prettiest colonial town centres in South America. Picture lots of quaint houses with flowers hanging from balconies and leafy squares where people play chess and street vendors sell grapes and bananas. The walls and fortresses that ring the town are also worth a wander.

Budget travellers should know that photogenic Cartagena is basically the tourism crown jewel of Colombia and so prices are significantly higher than elsewhere. There is a small backpacker district around Calle 34 just outside the old town with good budget options.

Playa Blanca is a beautiful beach about an hour’s drive outside the city; it’s much better than any of the city beaches so it’s worth the drive!

Float in Totumo Volcano mud baths

Okay, I won’t pretend this isn’t a silly tourist trap, but it’s too much fun not to mention. A day trip from Cartagena, this mud volcano lets you swim inside it. The viscosity of the mud makes you float on top of the surface, like you’re swimming in the Dead Sea. Sometimes you keel over and have to paddle like a dog to find your centre of gravity again.

Look, whatever… just go do it. It’s hilarious.

Trek to the Lost City

This is one of the best hikes in South America. It takes 4 to 6 days departing from Santa Marta. The trek runs through lands owned by the indigenous Kogi up to an ancient pre-Colombian city atop a mountain.

The ruins may not exactly be Machu Picchu, but they are not truly the point of this hike. The destination is just an excuse for the journey, which meanders past clear river streams and lush green jungles.

You sleep in hammocks or bunks in primitive lodges — they’re just some roofs without walls, really, so you’re effectively sleeping out in the open save for your mosquito net. At night you fall asleep to an orchestra of crickets, frogs, and monkeys.

Explore Tayrona Park

Is a 5 day hike a little too long for your itinerary? Then you’ll find some shorter walks in Tayrona Park, in the northeast corner of Colombia.

While I didn’t do the 3 hour hike through the jungle to the ruins of Pueblito, it’s been tipped as a cheaper and shorter alternative for those with limited time.

Tayrona Park itself has several beautiful secluded beaches and a chance to see a lot of wildlife. You can camp overnight inside the national park in Cabo San Juan and sleep in a hammock or tent.

Some budget travellers do complain about the somewhat inflated prices for food and accommodation inside the park, though realistically you can overnight in Tayrona for as little as $20. It’s best to book your hammock or tent in advance though as spaces are limited.

San Gil: the hub for adventure sports

San Gil in the Santander region is Colombia’s capital of adventure sports. Go there for rafting (up to class 5 rapids, i.e. there’s some crazy rafting here), paragliding (starting at $30), mountain biking, and more.

I had a great time paragliding in San Gil, though the town itself is worth having a look as well, with some nice botanical gardens and vendors selling plates of fried giant-bottomed ants (they’re crispy and salty like popcorn – it’s a local delicacy).

Visit the town of Barichara

Barichara is a town in northern Colombia known for its cobbled streets and colonial architecture. It makes for a nice day trip from San Gil.

You’ll find some old churches and cemeteries, a few small museums, and a historical walking trail that takes about 2 hours and connects the picturesque towns of Barichara and Guane.

Discover cultural Medellin

Many big cities in Latin America can be a let-down as they tend to be chaotic and overwhelming. Medellin on the other hand has a real cultural heart that’s easy to love. It may look grungy at first glance, but given another look you’ll find a fascinating city to explore.

Its urban renewal over the past few years has been earning Medellin many international innovation awards, with squares that were once the sites of cartel battles now becoming thriving public spaces that double as open-air mini museums featuring sculptures by Fernando Botero.

Places I recommend checking out in Medellin: Plaza Botero, Minorista market, Parque Lleras at night (a fun bar area with people spilling into the streets), ride the metrocable up to Parque Arvi, go to the Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, and visit the Medellín Museum of Modern Art. I can also highly recommend going on a tropical fruit tasting tour.

Many travellers stay in the Poblado area of Medellin, which is a middle-class residential neighborhood with a good reputation for safety, and it is within walking distance of the Parque Lleras nightlife as well. Laureles (and the adjacent Libertadores) has more of a local vibe and has a high concentration of hostels and guesthouses as well. I enjoyed staying in both these neighborhoods.

If you want to learn more about Medellin’s past, go on the Real City tour (that’s the name of the company): it’s one of the best city tours I’ve done anywhere. It tells you in very emotionally engaging ways about the history of the city and Colombia. After this tour you’re guaranteed to feel a new emotional connection not only with the city but with Colombia in general.

Climb the big rock of Guatape

A great day trip from Medellin (perhaps even warranting an overnight stay) is the historical town of Guatape, famed for its colourful houses with beautifully sculpted depictions of village life adorning the lower halves of every house. There are some arts and craft shops, and some historical colonial era churches.

But the main highlight is the rock of Piedra del Peñol. This unusual rock formation was once worshipped by the indigenous tribes and given the imposing look of this monolith it’s easy to see why. You can climb stairs to the top from where you have a great view of the surrounding lakes.

Guatape is a bit of a resort town for Colombians, so in addition you’ll find a range of tourist activities (such as boat tours around the lakes) and extreme sports (including hang gliding).

City tours & museums in Bogota

The capital of Bogota has a lot of things to see and do, but I’d recommend doing several things in particular. First, go on a Bogota bicycle tour. You’ll be able to cover a lot of ground and gain a greater understanding of the city.

You’ll see things you normally wouldn’t see: for instance, why are all these shady-looking men loitering outside this one particular building? Turns out they are grey-market emerald dealers trying to off-load their gemstones to the highest bidder. You’ll see some of the city’s most amazing street art as well, and get to sample unusual tropical fruits at the local market that you can’t find anywhere in the west.

Bogota also has a large number of museums. Don’t miss the Botero Museum and the National Museum, and especially the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) which has a stunning collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts.

Finally, it’s worth taking the cable car to Monserrate Mountain, from where you get a superb view of the city below.

Coffee farms in Salento

The small town of Salento in Colombia’s coffee region is a great spot to stay for a few days. Tours of some of the local organic coffee farms can educate you about the coffee growing and roasting process, though there is much more to see and do in Salento. After spending time in the cities, you may just wish to wind down for a while in this slow-paced rural place.

Make sure you hike to the Cocora Valley, home to some gasp-inducingly tall wax palm trees.

Growing up to 70 meters, they’re claimed by some to be some of the tallest in the world. The typical hike starts along a mountain stream, crosses over some old swing bridges, passes through some cloud forests (don’t miss the hummingbird sanctuary), before finally reaching the valley with the imposing palm trees.

The area is also a popular place to go trekking or horseback riding. A fun thing you can do in town during the evening is to play Tejo, a traditional Colombian game that involves throwing metal balls at a target lined with gunpowder. It’s good explosive fun!

Stargaze in Tatacoa desert

The Tatacoa Desert, not far from the southern city of Neiva, is one of the hottest places in Colombia. It’s remote and has only a few places to stay (and no internet), which makes it all the more worth it. You’ll find yourself in the middle of an arid expanse, home of vultures and eagles, with the start of the Andes mountain range off in the distance.

A labyrinth of rocky canyons formed by years of erosion is the main attraction here — it’s a surreal little place that’s fun to get lost in.

Due to the low light pollution it’s also a perfect spot for stargazing, either by yourself perhaps while sitting around a campfire, or at the local observatory. The resident astronomer gives presentations every night, which were unfortunately hard for me to follow with my limited Spanish. But he did say “Goopitar” a lot (I think that was Jupiter), and he probably said some things about the expansion of the universe. Either way, I got to see the rings of Saturn through a telescope, which was totally amazing.

 

Suggested hostels in Colombia

Colombia has a growing network of backpacker hostels, and unless you go well off the beaten track you’ll surely be able to find hostel-style accommodation. Below are a few recommended ones.

browse colombia hostels »

El Pit Hostel	Bogotá	The top-rated hostel in the capital. Quiet (social but not party) and in a safe neighborhood.
Casa Bellavista	Bogotá	Has two locations in the popular La Candelaria barrio. I stayed in the second house which I think is the best of the two.
Black Sheep Hostel	Medellin	Friendly, homely hostel in popular Poblado area. Has on-site Spanish school & relaxed atmosphere.
Casa Kiwi	Medellin	Also in Poblado. Features a pool, hammocks, and bar. More party oriented than Black Sheep.
El Viajero	Cartagena	Cozy hostel with narrow central courtyard making it super easy to meet people. Dorms and private rooms.
Drop Bear Hostel	Santa Marta	Fun hostel with a unique twist: its building used to be a cartel headquarters! I wrote about this hostel here.
La Serrana	Salento	Great hostel with bonfires at night & restaurant sources its ingredients from the on-site vegetable gardens.

Suggested budget hotels

Hotels in Colombia aren’t quite so dirt cheap as in Bolivia or Ecuador, but you can easily find a decent room for about $30 a night. Below are a few picks that have an authentic character and good vibe.

search colombia hotels »

Sweet Dreams Candelaria Magica	Bogotá	Guesthouse with vintage decoration, garden with BBQ, $30/night.
Pitstop Guest House	Medellin	In Poblado area, with outdoor pool and fitness center. Double rooms start at $20.
Hotel La Magdalena	Cartagena	Local hotel inside the Old Town, and a 10 minutes walk from the beach.
Posada Casa Salento	Salento	A traditional posada with rooms starting at $30/night.

 

Is Colombia safe?

I know that a lot of people are concerned about safety in Colombia, though the situation today is much better than it once was.

Old guide books from at least a decade ago may still warn of kidnapping risk or drug gang violence but modern editions are free of such warnings. The safety risks in Colombia are, broadly speaking, the same as anywhere else in Central or South America. Apply common sense, such as taking taxis at night and not wandering idly into sketchy neighborhoods on the outskirts of Bogota or in Medellin’s hillside barrios.

Statistically, Colombia is way safer than it was in the 90ies, though the city of Cali in particular remains in the worldwide top 30 for most murders per capita. This relates to the criminal underworld and may not affect tourists at all, but it probably still speaks to the overall safety level and so you might want to be extra careful in Cali.

Still, Colombia has mellowed out a lot. You won’t be facing Pablo Escobar (he’s long dead now), though of course petty crime targeting tourists is a reality as anywhere. Consult further info if you’re going into remote jungle areas far off the tourist trail.

I can say that I felt very much at ease in Colombia and so did every traveller I met. It’s still rough around the edges, but the security situation seemed better to me than in Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil and even South Africa, subjective as such impressions may ultimately be.

It’s always a good idea to get travel insurance, in case of theft or emergency.

If you are in Colombia end of February / early March be sure to go to the carnival in Barranquila. It’s the second biggest in the world after Rio.

Cost of travel in Colombia

Colombia is not an ultimate cheapie like some other Latin American countries (e.g. Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru or Bolivia). However, it’s also not as expensive as some others (e.g. Costa Rica or Brazil). As a ballpark budget around $40 a day, depending on your personal travel style. Of course, spend more on things like entertainment or better accommodation and that could rise to $50 or more.

A hostel dorm bed will typically set you back $10 – $15. The higher end of that range is mostly found in Cartagena as it’s the prime tourist spot. Food can be very cheap if you eat in local eateries – a daily set meal typically with soup, meat and rice, and fried plantains will usually sell for as little as $3-5. Food in urban centres or a la carte meals are closer to $5-10. A domestic beer costs about a dollar.

‘Exito’ supermarkets are easy to find in cities, and hostels usually have kitchen facilities available.

Language barrier

English is not widely spoken in Colombia so some knowledge of Spanish will be very helpful. If travelling for a while, it might make sense to learn Spanish if you don’t speak any. There are many Spanish language schools around the country; Medellin in particular is a popular place to take lessons. For more information see my post 5 Ways To Learn Spanish When Traveling Latin America

Around the web

• What we spent in Colombia – Along Dusty Roads
• Daily Travel Costs in Colombia on a Shoestring Budget – My Funky Travel
• Trekking to the highest waterfall in Colombia – Tammy and Chris on the Move
• The Ultimate Guide to Laureles, Medellin – Desk to Dirtbag
• Solo Travel in Colombia – Girl About the Globe
• San Andres Colombia – great resource on the tropical islands of San Andres (which are actually closer to Nicaragua than Colombia)
• Hiking the Cocora Valley – The Adventure Junkies