Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Colombia
Colombia is a country of diversity, beauty, and culture. It offers a variety of destinations for every traveler, from colonial cities to tropical islands, from mountain villages to rainforest adventures. In this post, we will explore the best places to visit in Colombia that will make you fall in love with this amazing country. The Trendsetters is bringing you the best tips!
Best Places to Visit in Colombia
1. Cartagena
Cartagena is a colorful and charming city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It is famous for its well-preserved old town, surrounded by a stone wall and filled with colonial buildings, churches, plazas, and museums. Cartagena is also a lively and vibrant city, with a rich nightlife, gastronomy, and music scene. You can also enjoy the beaches, islands, and coral reefs nearby, or take a day trip to the Volcán del Totumo, a mud volcano where you can relax and rejuvenate.
2. Bogotá
Bogotá is the capital and largest city of Colombia, located in the Andean highlands. It is a city of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers coexist with historical landmarks, where cultural and artistic expressions flourish among social and political challenges. Bogotá is a city of endless possibilities, where you can explore the colonial heritage of La Candelaria, the urban art of the Graffiti District, the museums and galleries of the Cultural Axis, the nightlife and entertainment of the Zona Rosa, and the nature and views of the Monserrate Hill.
3. Medellín
Medellín is the second largest city of Colombia, situated in a valley surrounded by green mountains. It is a city of innovation, transformation, and resilience, that has overcome its violent past and become a model of social and urban development. Medellín is a city of culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship, where you can enjoy the flowers and sculptures of the Botanical Garden and the Plaza Botero, the cable cars and escalators of the Comuna 13, the art and history of the Museum of Antioquia and the House of Memory, and the festivals and events of the Flower Fair and the Christmas Lights.
4. Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park is a natural paradise on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, near the city of Santa Marta. It is one of the most biodiverse and beautiful places in the country, where you can find stunning beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, rainforests, and mountains. Tayrona National Park is also a sacred place for the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, who consider it the heart of the world. You can hike, camp, snorkel, or relax in this amazing park, and admire the wildlife and scenery.
5. Coffee Triangle
The Coffee Triangle is a region in the central-western part of Colombia, where the majority of the Colombian coffee is produced. It is composed of three departments: Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda, and their respective capitals: Manizales, Armenia, and Pereira. The Coffee Triangle is a cultural and natural heritage of Colombia, where you can learn about the coffee culture and process, visit the traditional coffee farms and villages, taste the delicious coffee and cuisine, and enjoy the landscapes and activities of the Cocora Valley, the Los Nevados National Park, and the Panaca and Ukumarí theme parks.
6. San Andrés and Providencia
San Andrés and Providencia are two islands in the Caribbean Sea, belonging to Colombia but located closer to Nicaragua. They are part of an archipelago that forms a biosphere reserve, with a unique and diverse marine ecosystem. San Andrés and Providencia are ideal destinations for beach lovers, as they offer crystal clear waters, white sand, and palm trees. You can also snorkel, dive, kayak, or sail in the sea, and discover the colorful coral reefs, fish, turtles, and rays. San Andrés and Providencia are also rich in culture, as they have a mix of influences from the English, Spanish, African, and Creole people.
7. Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is a small town in the Boyacá department of Colombia, about 160 kilometers north of Bogotá. It is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved colonial towns in the country, with whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, and a large main square. Villa de Leyva is also a place of history, culture, and nature, where you can visit the museums, churches, and monuments, such as the Casa del Fundador, the Convent of Santo Ecce Homo, and the Paleontological Museum. You can also explore the surroundings, such as the Iguaque National Park, the Terracotta House, and the Fossil Museum.
8. Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest and most diverse tropical rainforest in the world, covering about 40% of the South American continent. Colombia shares a part of this rainforest with Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia, and it is one of the most biologically rich and culturally diverse regions of the country. The Amazon Rainforest is a place of adventure, discovery, and learning, where you can experience the wildlife, plants, and rivers of the jungle, and interact with the indigenous communities that live there. You can access the Amazon Rainforest from the city of Leticia, the capital of the Amazonas department of Colombia.
9. Popayán
Popayán is a city in the Cauca department of Colombia, located in the southwestern part of the country. It is known as the “White City” because of its colonial architecture, painted in white. Popayán is a city of culture, religion, and gastronomy, where you can admire the churches, museums, and monuments, such as the Cathedral, the San Francisco Church, and the Clock Tower. Popayán is also famous for its Holy Week celebrations, which are declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. You can also taste the traditional dishes and sweets of the city, such as the carantanta, the pipián, and the almojábana.
10. Guatapé
Guatapé is a town in the Antioquia department of Colombia, about 80 kilometers east of Medellín. It is a colorful and picturesque town, where the houses are decorated with zócalos, which are bas-reliefs that depict scenes of the local culture and history. Guatapé is also a place of nature and adventure, where you can enjoy the views and activities of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, a large artificial lake that was created by a hydroelectric dam. You can also climb the Peñón de Guatapé, a giant rock that rises 200 meters above the ground, and offers a panoramic view of the region.
Conclusion
Colombia is a country that will captivate you with its diversity, beauty, and culture. It has something for every traveler, from colonial cities to tropical islands, from mountain villages to rainforest adventures. If you are planning to visit Colombia, make sure to include these best places to visit in Colombia in your itinerary. You will not regret it.