Is Colombia Worth Visiting? Everything to Help You Decide
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Is Colombia worth visiting? Without a doubt. For landscapes that never cease to surprise, with their diversity and beauty, lush nature, and remote places far from everything. For the warmth of Colombians and an incredibly vibrant mixed culture.
Here’s what makes this country a destination like no other, and how I love to experience Colombia to the fullest since falling under its spell more than ten years ago.
We constantly explore Colombia to find what’s truly worth it — authentic places, stays and experiences, far from tourist traps. Then we build your ideal trip in a logical and optimized way, so you make the most of it, without rushing everywhere, truly connected to the country.
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IS COLOMBIA WORTH VISITING?: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Exceptional nature, Endearing people
TO EXPERIENCE MULTIPLE TRIPS IN ONE
At each stop, a new setting, a new climate.
Colombia is the only country in South America bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific, with nearly 3,000 km of coastline. Inland, the Andes split into three cordilleras, and the Amazon covers more than 40% of the mainland.
Specifically, you can start your trip in the mountain villages around Bogotá, fly to the Caribbean coast, and then end in the heart of the Amazon jungle.
Only rule: don’t try to see everything. Take your time: you’ll enjoy each place more and avoid endless journeys.
Close to the equator, Colombia enjoys stable temperatures all year round. Its geography, and especially the altitude, makes the difference: about 6 °C less every 1,000 m.
The warm lands of the coasts and plains give way to the temperate slopes of the coffee valleys, then to the cold lands and páramos.
You can put on a fleece in the morning in Bogotá, at 2,600 m, where it’s about 14 °C, and end the day in a swimsuit on the Caribbean coast under 28 °C, 1 hour and 30 minutes later by plane.
Rain defines the seasons: dry from December to March, wetter in April-May and October-November, with variations depending on the regions.
Colombia allows you to alternate between high-energy moments and times of calm: this is one of the secrets of a successful trip.
Go on an expedition in the Guaviare, at the gateway to the Amazon, to admire rock paintings and stone labyrinths, explore the rivers by rafting, or hike in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, on the trail of the Lost City.
Then treat yourself to a few days of rest in a charming village, like Barichara, a colonial gem perched above the Suárez canyon, or Jericó, with its traditional charm.
To end on a sweet note, there’s nothing like a vast, secluded beach on the Pacific or a peaceful caribbean fishing village, like Rincón del Mar, where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood.
When one thinks of Colombia, the first things that come to mind are the Andean mountains and the Caribbean beaches. However, the country has six natural regions, each with its own landscapes, culture, and music.
On the Pacific coast, an Afro-Colombian land, the jungle borders the ocean. In the Llanos, the land of cowboys, you go on a safari in search of giant anteaters and anacondas. In the Amazon, you meet the indigenous communities living deep in the forest.
Offshore, the island region, with the distant islands of San Andrés and Providencia, completes this mosaic.
Enough to return to Colombia several times without ever taking the same trip.
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Breathe, and let us take care of this beautiful adventure
Colombia is twice the size of France, with a diversity of landscapes that’ll make your head spin — and a real logistical puzzle, with roads winding through the Andes mountains.
What kind of adventure do you want to live? Is it really right for what you’re looking for? Is it safe? Is it too touristy?
Guessing and hoping you made the right call — sometimes that works. But not always.
And I won’t even get into the stressful surprises that force you to make some changes mid-trip.
Look, we’ve been doing this for years — and if you check our reviews, you’ll see we know what we’re doing. In less than an hour on a call, we figure out your ideal destinations together. We handle the rest.
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FOR ITS WARM AND CONTAGIOUS ART OF LIVING
Smiles, music, and places to linger.
Colombians have a reputation for being helpful and smiling, and according to many travelers, it is well-deserved: with them, you quickly feel welcome.
If you stop to look at a map on the street, chances are someone will come to offer their help, and sometimes even accompany you to your destination.
Every day, from the street vendor to the cashier at the supermarket, people are happy to take the time to exchange a few words with you. Very quickly, they ask where you’re from… then they invite you to taste a fruit, an arepa, or a local specialty.
In Colombia, as soon as you leave the big cities, forget your alarm clock: nature takes care of it.
In Barichara, the guacharacas, large birds with a somewhat clumsy chicken-like appearance, start their shrill concert at dawn, perched in groups in the trees. On the banks of the Amazon, the calls of toucans echo in the jungle. In the Llanos, you open your eyes to the plain, sometimes veiled in mist, where capybaras come to drink.
On the Pacific coast, it’s the sound of the waves that wakes you up. From your eco-lodge perched above the ocean, you can even, in season, spot whales while sipping your coffee.
Joyful people, Colombians always find a good reason to have a party, and for them, it involves music and dance.
Salsa on fire in Cali, Cumbia on the Caribbean coast, Joropo in the Llanos, Reggaeton in Medellín: each region pulses to its own beat.
Every day, music is everywhere: in the street, where musicians engage passersby in the squares of Cartagena, in stores, homes, and even in transportation. On board the chivas, those traditional countryside buses, you ride on the dusty roads, the sound system blasting.
Colombians have been dancing since childhood and will be delighted to take you to the dance floor, even if your steps are clumsy.
Far from the bustle of big cities, the Colombian villages offer a peaceful daily life, still steeped in traditions.
In Jardín, start your day with a tinto on the colorful chairs of the cafes in the square, at the foot of the basilica. Return in the evening, when the men gather for a beer and a game of cards.
In the coffee region, Pijao has preserved its bahareque facades, its flowered balconies, and its campesina atmosphere, with its large fincas and weathered-faced farmers.
In the colonial streets of Mompox, goldsmiths continue the art of silver filigree, and on the banks of the Magdalena, locals chat on their rocking chairs, in the shade of the porches.
To make the most of a Colombian city, choose your neighborhood wisely.
In Medellín, Laureles moves from the calm of its tree-lined streets to the energy of the bustling Carrera 70 with its salsa bars; El Poblado is home to rooftops perfect for a sunset drink. Envigado, where I live, offers a neighborhood life away from tourist circuits.
In Bogotá, Chapinero Alto, Zona G, and Quinta Camacho bring together cafes, bars, and a vibrant gastronomic scene blending culinary traditions and creativity.
In Cartagena, the historic center charms with its colonial streets and boutique hotels, while Getsemaní comes alive in the evening around Plaza de la Trinidad.
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FOR ITS STILL CONFIDENTIAL AUTHENTICITY
Wild lands, little explored, and a sincere welcome.
Compared to major tourist destinations such as France, Spain, or Mexico, Colombia remains less frequented, and more than three-quarters of foreign tourists concentrate on a few places: Bogotá, Medellín, Guatapé, Salento, Tayrona, Minca, Palomino, as well as Cartagena.
However, the country is vast. As soon as you leave these destinations that AI loves to recommend, you encounter fewer and fewer visitors, and these areas, far from the classic itineraries, hold many surprises for you: the millennia-old statues of San Agustín in the south of the country, the village of Sapzurro, nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea at the border of Panama, or San José del Guaviare with its rock art landscapes and natural pools carved into the rock.
Do you dream of playing Indiana Jones in remote lands? Difficult to access, some natural areas of Colombia remain off the beaten path: spectacular sites with abundant biodiversity where communities preserve their traditions.
You need to go up a river to reach the Cerros de Mavecure, sacred mountains of black granite that tower over the forest.
No road leads to the Pacific coast of Chocó: you land on vast beaches bordered by lush vegetation.
To explore the deep Amazon, you will have to navigate the Amazon River from Leticia after flying over an ocean of jungle.
Finally, only a trek of several hours leads to the páramo of Ocetá in Boyacá and its sea of frailejones, those unusual plants.
For decades, Colombia has been associated with drug trafficking and violence. Colombians know this and have only one wish: for you to discover the true face of their country.
Attached to their landscapes and culture, they are deeply touched by the interest you show in them and do everything to make you feel at home.
In a café, in a taxi, or at a street stand, you’ll be asked what you’ve seen, what you liked, and you’ll be enthusiastically recommended a place not to miss or a typical dish to try.
In short, enough to make you want to come back… or stay, like me 😉
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FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY NATURE
Birds, landscapes, and flavors.
Even if you’re not an ornithologist, you’ll be amazed by the quantity and variety of birds you’ll encounter. Colombia holds the world record for bird diversity, with about one-fifth of the world’s birdlife (2000 species!).
In the coffee fincas, fluttering hummingbirds and colorful tanagers accompany your breakfast. Near Riohacha, hundreds of pink flamingos feed in the lagoons, and in the Llanos, red ibises populate the wetlands.
This richness is not limited to birds: the country is number one for orchids and butterflies. With nearly 10% of the animal and plant species on the planet, Colombia protects this heritage in about sixty national parks.
Colombia will never stop amazing you.
In Santander, a canyon plunges up to 2,000 m deep. In La Guajira, dunes slide into the Caribbean Sea, and an oasis hides in the middle of the desert.
An hour from Bogotá, a waterfall nearly 600 m high bounces six times on the cliff. In the Andes, you will walk among the tallest palm trees in the world, which can exceed 50 m.
Between the Llanos and the Amazon, a river winds through one of the most ancient geological formations on the planet and is adorned with the colors of the rainbow from June to November. Further east, around a bend, granite giants emerge from the jungle.
Lulo, sapote, soursop, granadilla… these names probably don’t mean anything to you. They are fruits! And Colombia has hundreds of them.
In the markets and street stalls, they pile up in a festival of shapes, colors, and scents.
Under its orange skin, the lulo hides neon-green pulp with sharp acidity; the huge soursop, bristling with small protrusions, contains white, creamy, and tangy flesh; the sapote reveals an orange heart almost caramelized. The granadilla, on the other hand, is eaten plain: open it by tapping it on your head, as Colombians do.
Many are consumed as fresh juices, “en agua o en leche,” at any time, and a juice almost always accompanies the menú del día.
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Is Colombia Worth Visiting? Everything to Help You Decide
Generous nature, adorable inhabitants: there are plenty of reasons to go to Colombia. And at the end of the adventure, it’s especially the moments experienced on site that remain in memory.
To help you imagine your own trip, here is a medley of my favorite moments, those I never stop living and reliving with the same pleasure.
Simple moments, like drinking a coffee in a village square, eating fruit at a market stall, and moments full of emotion, like sleeping in the middle of the jungle or crossing paths with a humpback whale.
TOM’S ADVICE
Looking for ideas for your trip? Our Inspiration page reveals the destinations and experiences of Colombia, and our articles on natural regions and geography show you the extraordinary diversity of its landscapes.
And if you want a custom trip, discover what Tomplanmytrip can offer you and don’t hesitate to contact us: we will organize your adventure according to your desires.
Is Colombia Worth visiting? My favorite moments.
Sweet, gourmet, intense, warm moments.
PLAYING TEJO
Colombia’s national sport, tejo involves hitting a clay target located 10 meters away with a metal disk. Pouches containing gunpowder, attached to the target, explode on impact.
This neighborhood game is played with a beer in hand. It’s noisy, you laugh a lot — in short, super friendly.
SIPPING A COFFEE IN A VILLAGE SQUARE
Sitting down in the morning at a café in the square of a village like Jardín, ordering a coffee and watching daily life awaken — this is one of my simple pleasures in Colombia and a beautiful way to start my day.
TRAVELING BY CHIVA
Taking a chiva, this colorful traditional bus, typical of the Colombian Andes, open to the four winds, jostled on dusty tracks, with the radio blasting Colombian music at full volume.
Always crowded, you’re squeezed against other travelers and their baggage — sometimes, you even travel with chickens. A 100% local experience.
CLIMBING TO THE TOP OF A CERRO DE MAVECURE
By the light of a headlamp, climb the Cerro Mavecure at night, a huge granite dome, to admire the sunrise at the summit — a 360° panorama over the endless jungle and the two other nearby giants. There, you realize how small you are.
STROLLing THROUGH BARICHARA AT DUSK
As the evening breeze rises over Barichara, wander through the steep streets with ochre cobblestones, climb to the top of the village, and sit on a rocky spur above the canyon to watch the setting sun light up the village with an amber glow.
DANCing SALSA IN A BAR
In a crowded and overheated bar, let yourself be carried away on the dance floor to join the couples who twirl skillfully to the captivating rhythm of Salsa. A moment of sharing full of joy and kindness.
SLEEPING IN A HAMMOCK IN THE HEART OF THE JUNGLE
Stretching my hammock in the middle of the Amazon jungle; under the mosquito net, finally giving in to sleep, surrounded by the unknown sounds of the forest, plunged into darkness, and waking up in the early morning with the cries of toucans.
STROLLING THROUGH CARTAGENA AT DAWN
Early in the morning, losing myself in the streets of Cartagena, before the heat sets in and the crowd of tourists breaks the charm. A privileged moment, bathed in a golden light that plays on the old colonial facades.
ADMIRING MEDELLIN AT NIGHT FROM A ROOFTOP
In the evening, settle on a rooftop in El Poblado and sip a cocktail in front of the spectacle of Medellín lights, which twinkle as far as the eye can see, in the mild night air.
TAKing A COOKING CLASS WITH A LOCAL CHEF
Alongside a local chef in Cartagena or on a beach on the Pacific, peel, chop, season, then savor a traditional recipe prepared with your own hands. A moment of exchange and good humor, and the pleasure of discovering Colombian culture through its cuisine.
TASTing EXOTIC FRUITS AT A MARKET
At a market bustling with life, indulge in an abundance of unknown exotic fruits that vendors gladly offer you to taste. An explosion of shapes, colors, flavors, and aromas, enough to surprise your palate.
VISITing A COFFEE FARM
In a lush setting, meet a family of coffee growers who open the doors of their finca to you, walk among the coffee trees and understand each step of the coffee-making process, from harvest to tasting. An immersion in the daily life of a peasant tradition, a true moment of sharing.
TOURing THE COFFEE REGION IN A JEEP WILLYS
Aboard a Jeep Willys inherited from World War II, travel through the lush hills of the coffee region, with its endless plantations and its pretty colonial villages. My little pleasure: hanging on, standing on the back, feeling the wind and the scents of the countryside.
STAYing IN A CABIN BY THE AMAZON RIVER
Waking up on the banks of the Amazon River, to the sound of nature, in an elegant cabin made of traditional materials, perched in a tree. Watching the birds from my terrace, going fishing in a canoe, and enjoying delicious local cuisine.
WALKing ON AN ENDLESS BLACK SAND BEACH
In a remote place on the Pacific, walking on a vast black sand beach, deserted and bordered by an impenetrable jungle, with only the sound of the waves coming and going. A timeless moment, you are alone in the world.
FISHING IN THE MANGROVES OF LA BOQUILLA
Climb into a canoe with a local fisherman, weave through the mangrove galleries, learn to cast nets and set crab traps, then savor your catch at a local’s home. A dive into an ancient tradition, in the heart of a peaceful place, just steps away from the bustling Cartagena.
TASTing THE SWEET PULP OF CACAO
In the heart of the Pacific jungle, crack open a cacao pod and taste the thick, white pulp surrounding the beans. A sweet and surprising flavor you won’t forget. This delight can also be experienced at a cacao farm, where you will learn how chocolate is born.
EXPLORing THE ROSARIO ISLANDS BY PRIVATE BOAT
Being the master on board a private boat, with a captain at your service, sailing to the Rosario Islands and choosing your stops to avoid the tourists. An exhilarating way to discover this little paradise at your own pace.
MEETING THE HUMPBACK WHALES
Off the coast of the Colombian Pacific, in the morning, board a small boat and silently watch for the breath of the whales. See them emerge suddenly from the water, then dive back into the depths, raising their tail fin. A moving spectacle.
You might see the giants pass by from your ecolodge perched above the ocean.
WAKING UP IN A COFFEE FINCA
Open your eyes to the garden of a traditional coffee finca, planted with fruit trees, then savor a freshly prepared coffee amidst the calls of a multitude of birds. The peaceful face of rural Colombia.
OBSERVing THE WILDLIFE OF THE LLANOS
Alongside the llaneros, ride horses across the endless plains of the Llanos and encounter a giant anteater. In the early morning, watch for capybaras and other wild animals coming to drink at the water points. In the light of the setting sun, admire the flight of a flock of wading birds. An open-air observatory.
DISCOVERing THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN BOGOTÁ
For me, cuisine is part of the journey. Bogotá cultivates a dynamic and renowned gastronomic scene, blending local dishes, like ajiaco, with creative recipes driven by bold chefs. And with each stay in the capital, I enjoy discovering new great restaurants.
EXPERIENCing A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ARRIERO
On the back of a mule, travel like the arrieros of the past, those muleteers of the mountains, along the trails of the coffee region. Move at a leisurely pace through a lush and hilly landscape of coffee plants and bamboo forests. A gentle way to trace back the thread of paisa history.
GO TREKKING IN THE PARAMOS
Venturing into a páramo is discovering a unique landscape, between 3,000 and 4,500 meters of altitude, with unpredictable weather, where the frailejones reign – amazing endemic plants of these ecosystems. You feel like you’ve changed planets.
LOOKing FOR ANIMALS IN THE WILD
Watching for animals in their natural habitat is a game of patience, but the wait is worth it: a spectacled bear in the páramo of Chingaza, monkeys and sloths in the Amazon rainforest, frogs with incredible colors deep in a humid forest of the Chocó.
As for the birds, they are everywhere.
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