Chrissy Let’s take a journey through the vibrant heart of South America, Colombia! It’s a country filled with rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality! Whether you’re an adventurer exploring the Amazon, a history buff wandering through colonial cities, or a beach lover this post has the best destinations in Colombia to visit.
Get ready to fall in love with these 9 must-visit places in Colombia to add to your travel list!
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Best Destinations In Colombia
Time to embark on a journey through Colombia’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture! Let’s begin our virtual tour of the 9 best destinations in Colombia, highlighting must-visit places that showcase the country’s diverse charm.
Ready for an adventurous trip to Colombia? Let’s begin!
Cartagena
One of the best destinations to visit in Colombia is the charming city of Cartagena. This city will leave you enchanted with its blend of old and new architecture.
You can easily reach Cartagena by flying into the main airport Rafael Núñez International Airport. From there, I suggest you take a ride share like Uber, which is safe, or hire a private shuttle to your accommodation. Be aware many locals are outside the airport offering assistance with your luggage or locating your ride to where you may be staying. However, I recommend not accepting their services as a tip is expected.
You could easily spend one day in Cartagena and have plenty of things before venturing off to these other Colombia destinations. However, no trip would be complete without visiting the Old Town. Do get lost in the cobblestone streets and admire the colorful and vibrant buildings. The dining scene is superb here and ceviche is a must! Dine at Buena Vida Marisquería for some of the best ceviche you will ever have in your life!
Another neighborhood highly deserving of your visit is Getsemaní. Here you will find many street murals and unique art. Be sure to visit Plaza de la Trinidad where you can engage with the locals, dine on authentic Colombian street food, and go salsa dancing.
There are plenty of rooftops with incredible views in Cartagena as well. Be sure to visit the Mirador Gastro Bar where you can capture stunning views of both the old and new architecture of the city.
For a comfortable stay consider staying at the Leones de Alba Hotel Boutique. Located in the heart of Old Town you are within walking distance of many restaurants, cafes, and shops. There is even a beautiful rooftop for your breakfast or a cocktail to end your night in Cartagena.
Guatape
Another one of the best places to visit in Colombia is the colorful town of Guatapé. The city is a kaleidoscope of colors, rich in local culture and history.
Most people visit Guatapé from Medellin since it’s only about two hours away. There are a few ways to get to Guatapé from Medellin including a public bus through the scenic Colombian countryside.
On your way to Guatapé, you can’t miss the iconic La Piedra del Peñol. It’s a massive granite rock towering 650 feet above the ground. The 708-step climb might seem daunting, but the panoramic views of the sprawling reservoir below are worth the effort. It’s a sight you won’t forget.
Stroll through the town of Guatapé to immerse yourself in its vibrant colors. The town is famous for its brightly painted zócalos, the decorative panels adorning the lower walls of houses. Each one tells a story, reflecting the family that lives there, or the town’s culture and history, making every corner a photo opportunity. Feel free to walk down the back alleys for even more color!
Don’t miss a boat tour of the Guatapé Reservoir. The boat rides offer a different perspective of the area, showcasing the stunning landscape and tranquil waters. The tours typically last about an hour and you can learn the area’s history. On the reservoir’s shores is Pablo Escobar’s bombed-out, graffiti-covered home so you can see a relic of Colombia’s past up close.
Guatapé is worth visiting because of its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and the warmth of its people. The town’s colorful charm, combined with the breathtaking scenery from La Piedra, creates a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Recommended by Pamela from The Directionally Challenged Traveler
Salento
Salento is a small town in the Quindio department, famous as part of Colombia’s coffee region. Its colorful houses and charming cobblestoned streets have made it a popular destination with local and international tourists and is one of the best cities in Colombia.
Coffee is one of Colombia’s biggest exports with Colombian coffee beans being famous worldwide. In Salento, there are several coffee plantations that you can visit to learn about and taste this famous product. Finca el Ocaso runs tours daily that includes a guided tour of the coffee farm where you can pick and plant your own coffee beans, as well as a guided tasting of some of their products.
The other major drawcard for the Salento region is the Cocora Valley, located about 11km out of town. The Cocora Valley is known as one of the best day hikes in Colombia. This easy 5-hour hike takes you through pine forests, dense jungle, and finally onto rolling green hills filled with the area’s famous wax palms. Wax palms are the tallest palms in the world, with some reaching over 60 meters tall.
To travel to Salento, you will first need to get to the nearby town of Armenia. Both the airport and bus station in Armenia have connections to other destinations within Colombia. From Armenia, it is a short 45-minute taxi or minibus ride to Salento.
The town of Salento is home to some of the most quaint and colorful streets in all of Colombia. It is hard to beat the charm of the guesthouses around the main plaza, but for something different, consider staying at one of the coffee plantations outside of town.
Explored by Liza from Atlas Rambler Travel Guides
Medellín
Colombia is a large country with many exciting places to visit. Besides the popular capital, Bogotá, where many international flights land, the second major international city, Medellín, is often overlooked. However, it’s definitely worth a visit!
Medellín, much like the capital, is a city brimming with culture and many fantastic sights. The city center, also known as La Candelaria, is a must-see, offering a diverse range of exciting things to explore. A standout stop is the Plaza Botero, a tribute to the famous Colombian artist, with the Museo de Antioquia located right on the plaza, showcasing many of Botero’s and other interesting artist’s artworks.
After exploring the center and stopping for authentic Colombian coffee along the way, you’ll probably want to dive deep into the region’s culture and history and maybe take some beautiful photos along the way. The best place for this is Pueblito Paisa. This recreation of a 20th-century Paisa village features colorful houses and typical Colombian architecture you might know from travel photos of the region.
Another compelling stop in Medellín is Comuna 13. Once infamous as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world, this area has undergone a remarkable transformation throughout the past years. Today, you will meet a vibrant and welcoming community, inviting visitors to admire some of the best street art in the country.
With its rich culture, history, and vibrant neighborhoods like El Poblado or Laureles, Medellín offers many great experiences that can easily fill a three-day-itinerary, making it a perfect destination for a short but immersive trip.
Recommended by Vicki from Vicki Viaja
San Agustin
One of the best destinations in Colombia to visit if you are a history buff is San Agustin. San Agustin is a bit off the regular tourist trail in Colombia. It’s located in the Huila department in the south of Colombia and doesn’t see that many visitors compared to popular places like Cartagena and Palomino.
You can reach San Agustin by taking a domestic flight to Pitalito, a nearby city, and then hop on a local bus for an hour-long drive to San Agustin. Alternatively, you can also travel to San Agustin by bus from cities like Popayan, Neiva, or Armenia. If you are traveling to San Agustin from Popayan, not that you will be driving through Puracé National Park on unpaved roads.
San Agustin is famous in Colombia for harboring the UNESCO World Heritage site of San Agustin Archeological Park. Here you can witness incredible pre-Colombian stone statues and tombs that look a bit similar to the ones on Eastern Island in Chile. However, up until this day, still not much is known about this pre-Colombian civilization.
Other things to do in San Agustin include hiking, visiting Cascada El Cinco waterfall, and trips to the smaller archaeological sites in the surrounding area. One site you can’t miss out on is La Chaquira, a platform over a gorge where the Magdalena River flows, one of the most important rivers in Colombia.
If you are looking for a place to stay in San Agustin, don’t stay in the city center but pick one of the accommodations on the slopes of the mountains surrounding the town center. It will require some uphill walking to get there but the views from these accommodations are just spectacular. Antahkarana Casa Hotel is my top pick!
Explored by Annelies from Travelers And Dreamers
Jardin
Jardin is one of the top destinations in Colombia and prettiest places to visit. For those who like coffee, architecture, and mountain views this city is for you. Add walkable streets, colorful birds, and friendly locals, and Jardin is a great place to visit.
Rent a car or take an inexpensive bus for the three-hour trip from Medellin on the motorway. You won’t regret taking a break in Jardin.
Jardin means garden, an apt descriptor for this town nestled between mountains and steeped in natural beauty. Wander the streets admiring the pretty colonial architecture, especially the palatial Basilica. Visit the town square on a weekend night and dine at one of the delightful al fresco cafes, enjoying horse riders parading the cobblestone streets.
Walk or take a moto taxi up into the mountains, visiting the coffee farms and soaking in the sylvan surroundings. Enjoy your coffee with a view and shop for souvenirs of this peaceful place.
Another must in Jardin is a stop at the Gallito de Roca preserve, close to town. Embrace the opportunity to see these colorful South American birds in their natural habitat. Like clockwork, the beautiful birds fly into the preserve for their daily feed. You don’t have to be a birder to adore these quirky creatures as they flitter and pose around the sanctuary.
The region is famous for its trout farms, so save your appetite! Choose from the most delicious and varied fresh trout dishes for a memorable Jardin lunch.
A popular weekend destination from Medellin, you’ll find accommodations in Jardin for all budgets. Try Casa Passiflora Hotel Boutique, a centrally located 3-star hotel with a pool. Whether you stay in a glam lodge or a chill hostel for a few days or longer, you’ll love any time spent in one of Colombia’s prettiest places.
Recommended by Melinda of Mel On The Go
Tayrona National Park
If you’re looking for where to visit in Colombia that is unique, consider Tayrona National Park. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Colombia. This natural park on Colombia’s Caribbean coast includes a wonderful mix of land and ocean habitats to explore.
The main entrance to the park is at El Zaíno, around 50 50-minute’ drive from Santa Marta. The best way to get to Tayrona is with a shuttle bus that runs from Santa Marta to El Zaíno (then on to other stops along the coast like Palamino). From here there is a 2-hour hike (or horseback ride) through the jungle to get to the best beaches.
Be warned, there are dangerous rip tides in some areas, so pay attention to the warning signs before you get into the water – La Piscina and Cabo San Juan del Guia are the safest (and most popular) beaches for swimming, and you can hire snorkel gear at La Piscina.
As well as laze on the beaches, make sure you explore some of the jungle paths where you might spot howler monkeys and endangered cotton-top tamarins. Don’t be surprised if you see some of the indigenous Kogi people who live in the park, they are the owners of the land here so be respectful of them.
While some people visit Tayrona on a day trip, it’s best to spend at least a night or two here to make the most of the beaches after the day trippers have gone. There are several places to stay in Tayrona to suit every budget, from sleeping in a hammock, camping in a tent, or staying in luxury ecohabs, so take your time and enjoy this magical place.
Recommended by Claire Sturzaker of Tales of a Backpacker
Bogotá
Bogotá is one of the best destinations in Colombia due to its food and culture. There are a ton of amazing and delicious restaurants to eat at and some interesting sites to see both in the city and the surrounding area.
To get to Bogotá, you will want to fly into the main airport -El Dorado International Airport. Avianca and LATAM are the two main airlines that fly into this airport and you can get here via many places in the United States and across South America.
The best area in Bogotá to stay is the Parque 93 area due to the safety of the neighborhood and its proximity to some amazing restaurants. Popular hotels include the BH Parque 93 and the Salvio Parque 93.
Bogotá has an endless option of places to eat making Bogotá such an amazing destination. The most popular restaurant is Andres Carne de Res. Other restaurants include Matiz Restaurante, and La Puerta Falsa, where you can get a traditional Colombian soup with chicken and avocado.
One of the most popular stops in Bogotá is Monserrate, a mountain where you can take a cable car or funicular to the top. If you visit on Sundays, tickets are cheaper. Another fun stop is the Gold Museum, where you can see many golf products from the pre-Columbian era.
If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, check out Bogotá Bike Tours. They do bike tours and walking tours around the city. For those wanting to get out of the city, head out to the Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita, also known as El Dorado Lake.
Recommended by Francesca of Homeroom Travel
Manizales
If climbing to an icy glacier followed by soaking in a natural hot springs sounds like fun to you, then Manizales must be on your Colombia itinerary.
Manizales is situated south of Medellín and east of Bogotá and is the halfway point between the two cities on the highway. Located in the Andes Mountains along the Northeastern region of Colombia, it is a prime area for coffee growing. Travelers can enjoy a tour of a nearby coffee farm and learn about one of Colombia’s unique World Heritage Sites.
Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados is also a short drive away from Manizales and offers guided day hikes to the Santa Isabel Glacier. The hike can be booked through some accommodations, like the Mountain Hostel, and reaches an ascent of 15,000 ft (4,572 meters) before returning to Manizales during a 12-hour day.
If scaling a mountain isn’t your thing, or you return from the trek completely worn out – worry not. Manizales is situated near many natural hot springs. The termales, as they are known in Spanish, are a perfect way to relax and enjoy the Colombian countryside, especially in the mild climate of Manizales.
The town itself is also worth exploring. Walk the quaint streets, enjoying public art installations with the backdrop of the Andes Mountains. Visit the famous Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary and climb to the top for a stellar view of the town.
To get to Manizales, the drive is a direct shot for 4-5 hours on the Autopista Medellín-Bogotá from Medellín. A taxi will likely cost around $60. Flights are also available with LATAM and Avianca.
Recommended by Michele of Adventures Abound
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