Holidays to Colombia
Top destinations in Colombia
Cartagena
Colourful Cartagena is one of South America’s oldest cities. Stroll its colonial city walls and admire epic fortresses by day, then enjoy rooftop bars and street eats by night.
Bogota
From cutting-edge museums and salsa bars to some of the best street art in South America, Colombia’s lively capital moves to the beat of its own drum.
Cali
You can’t escape the rhythm in Cali, Colombia’s salsa capital. But beyond the mesmerising dance parties, you’ll find vibrant neighbourhoods, sprawling parks and local markets.
Colombia: fast facts
| Language | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Currency | Colombian peso (COL$) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
Colombia holiday highlights
Natural wonders
Colombia is the second-most biodiverse country in the world, home to hundreds of frog and bird species and more orchids than anywhere else — over 4,200 species. Head to the coastal region of Chocó to see waterfalls, spider monkeys and marine mammals like dolphins and migrating humpback whales. Colombia’s wild eastern Andes are swarming with tropical birds and butterflies.
Coffee culture
Some of the best things to do in Colombia involve coffee. Ordering a ‘tinto’ (strong black coffee) is a rite of passage. It can be slow-dripped from a huge metal urn or poured straight from a street vendor’s thermos. A ‘tinto campesino’ is coffee sweetened with sugar. For a full coffee immersion, head to the Eje Cafetero, the country’s green, hilly coffee-growing region.
Party time
Colombians know how to have a good time, whether it’s a night of clubbing or meeting up with friends for shots of ‘aguardiente’ (the local cane spirit). Different regions throw their own annual parties too. Two big ones not to miss are Pasto’s Carnaval de Negros y Blancos in January and coastal Barranquilla’s Carnaval, held the four days before Ash Wednesday.
Things to do in Colombia
Top attractions
Don’t miss a chance to see Colombia’s national tree, the soaring wax palm, in the peaceful Cocora Valley. Base yourself in Salento to hike the valley loop, then add on a coffee tour. Check out over 120 of Fernando Botero’s evocative artworks at the Botero Museum in Bogota. Step into old-world luxury and charm with a stay in the Walled City of Cartagena.
Beaches
Colombia’s best beaches are on its islands. From Cartagena, book a boat to Islas del Rosario. The trip takes about an hour, but when you dock, you’ll notice the water is bright turquoise and stunning. Or do as the locals do and fly to Isla San Andres, located off the coast of Nicaragua. This family-friendly island is famous for its snorkelling, swimming and diving.
Nature
If you like water activities, Colombia presents endless opportunities, like rafting down the cliffs-flanked Río Güejar or splashing in the rainbow-coloured pools of Caño Cristales. For waterside camping, head to Parque Tayrona on the country’s northern edge. Into hiking? Head to the Andes and their cool-weather ‘páramos’ (alpine tundra) or to Valle de Cocora with its lush hillsides and enormous, spindly palm trees.
Culture and museums
Bogota has some of the best museums in Colombia. Visit the enormous Gold Museum to discover a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian golden artefacts. Overlooking the city is the Monserrate Sanctuary. Walk the three-kilometre path to this centuries-old pilgrimage site and see a shrine painted by artist Pedro de Lugo Albarracín. Or take the funicular to enjoy expansive views of the city.
Cuisine
The best restaurants in Colombia put ingredients first. The local dishes are simple, like pork or seafood cooked on the grill. You’ll also find lots of tasty native potatoes and other starches like yuca and plantains. And never pass up the local fruits. Try whichever ones you see, whether cut in an ‘ensalada de fruta’ (fruit salad) or pureed into a ‘jugo’ (juice).
Family friendly
If your family is up for some adventure, the beach town of Santa Marta is loaded with swimming, sailing, snorkelling and hiking options. Budding birders can spot wild flamingos at Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary on the far north coast. And the Botanical Garden of Medellin is a wonderland of orchids, reptiles and playful architecture.
Find the best time to visit Colombia
Weather in Colombia
May – November: Colombia’s landscapes vary by altitude, so cities like Bogota and Medellin are cooler than the coast. While there aren’t four seasons, the country has distinct wet and dry periods. May to November marks the wet season in many areas, with afternoon showers and storms, especially along the coast and in the Amazon. Expect to see plenty of greenery and blooming flora.
December – April: The best time to visit Colombia is in the dry season, particularly the shoulder months of March and April. You’ll enjoy dry, warm weather pretty much everywhere, from the Andes Mountains and Los Llanos plains to the major cities and beaches.
Events in Colombia
Barranquilla Carnival (February): The Barranquilla Carnival is the second-largest Carnival in the world. Settle in for four days packed with dancing, loud costumes, louder music and the incredible merging of Indigenous, Caribbean, European and African cultures.
Flower Festival (August): Colombia’s flower power is on display for the first two weeks of August, when thousands of creative arrangements colour every corner of Medellin. The highlight of the festival is Desfile de los Silleteros, a parade of epic proportions.
Cali Fair (December): There’s no better place to see salsa than Cali, the salsa capital of the world. And there’s no better time than during the Cali Fair. Salsa dancers from all corners descend on the city to dance, parade and party.
Know before you go
Local etiquette
Table manners are taken seriously here — even finger foods are eaten with cutlery. Always cover a yawn with your hand, and never place your feet on furniture. Use titles like ‘señor’ and ‘señora’ as signs of respect. And take a shot at embracing the extensive vocabulary of Colombian hand gestures to emphasise everything from ‘let’s eat’ to ‘stingy’.
Health and safety
Before travelling, consider getting vaccinated against yellow fever — a vaccination certificate is required to enter some national parks. Zika virus and malaria are widespread in Colombia. Talk with your doctor about appropriate medication and pack repellent and protective clothing. Altitude sickness is a possibility at higher elevations. Drink lots of water and limit strenuous activities until you adjust.
LGBTQ+ travel
Inclusive marriage laws, Pride parades and a lively gay clubbing scene make Colombia a top destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. This is especially true in the major cities. Attitudes are more conservative in rural areas and near the coast. Halloween marks a large LGBTQ+ festival in Bogota, while Barranquilla Carnival in February has a day dedicated to the queer community.
Budget
It’s easy to have a cheap holiday in Colombia. You can expect a local beer to cost around 5,000 Colombian pesos ($), and a modest meal will set you back less than $20,000. Getting around is also a bargain. A short taxi is usually priced at under $35,000.
Getting around Colombia
Public transportation
Buses: Colombia’s most popular and extensive mode of transport is its bus network. Modern coaches are generally comfortable, often featuring reclining seats. Keep valuables out of sight, and if you’re storing larger bags in the hold, make sure to get a luggage ticket as proof of drop-off.
Trains: Train travel was once the pride of Colombian transport. But the network mostly sits unused today, with the odd freight carriage, short tourist route or commuter line running on a fraction of the system.
Boats: A number of boat companies operate out of Cartagena, delivering day trippers to the neighbouring islands. Boats are also one of the only ways to reach Panama from Colombia, with the added bonus of passing by the San Blas Islands.
Domestic flights
The cost of domestic flights is usually high in comparison to bus and coach travel. While they provide more direct service, it’s not uncommon to experience delays or cancellations. So think twice before flying domestically on the day of your return international flight. Local carriers include Avianca, Wingo, Latam, Satena and Clic Air.
Driving
Driving in Colombia can be challenging. Highway rules are loosely observed, and mountain roads are windy and not always well maintained.
