Are you planning a trip to Colombia? This vibrant and beautiful country is home to beautiful sites and a rich history.
We are excited to share the best places to visit in Colombia, although there are many, we are only sharing our 10 favorites and give you an idea of why you should add it to your list when visiting Colombia.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Medellin
Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia located in the central region of the Andes Mountains.
Medellín has a lot of nature all around it and it is great if you are looking to visit a place where you can have the opportunity to venture out!
You can go hiking, zip-lining, horseback riding, rafting and more. The city is full of beauty and we recommend putting it on your bucket list when visiting Colombia!
cartagena
Cartagena was founded in 1533 and its location made it the main port of commerce between Spain and other countries.
Currently, it is the second largest city in the region and the fifth largest in Colombia. Cartagena is a popular tourist destination right on the Caribbean coast.
Here you will find beautiful beaches, history and art. There are a number of things to do in Cartagena, like the obvious, relaxing on the beach and swimming or snorkeling in the brilliant blue waters of the Caribbean.
You can also take a walking tour and see the beautiful architecture of the old buildings, eat delicious food, visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas which is an old castle, visit the museum, have fun on a Chiva (also known as a bus party) and more!
Bogota
Bogota is the heart of Colombia. It is the capital and the largest city of Colombia and has the highest commercial activity of any city in Colombia. It is located in the center of Colombia and sits on a high plateau.
It is the third highest capital in South America and is located at about 8660 feet above sea level. Bogotá is charming and full of history. You will find colonial buildings that house restaurants, hotels, bars, etc.
As well as houses and churches that are at least 250 years old and street graffiti that will be nice to see!
You can also visit the Salt Cathedral, which is an hour’s drive away, visit the botanical garden, and enjoy some delicious, authentic Colombian food!
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is the oldest city in Colombia and is even the second oldest city in South America.
There is not much to do in town if you are looking for activities. However, you can shop, go to museums and on walking tours and see historical places.
In addition to visiting the Tayrona National Natural Park, which is a local national park. It is a great place to visit if you are looking for a lovely city to relax and explore, Santa Marta is definitely worth a visit!
Cali
Cali Colombia is the only major city in the country that has access to the Pacific coast. It is the main sports center in Colombia and has hosted several sports championships.
It’s not a huge tourist hub, so we think it’s a great stop on your trip if you’re looking for more authentic places to visit that aren’t overly focused on tourism.
We think it’s underrated and a place to put on your bucket list when visiting Colombia!
It’s still a bit checkered from its infamous past, yet they call themselves the salsa capital of the world.
The atmosphere of this city and the fun and Salsa music can be heard all over the city.
It is a great city to take a walking tour to see the different architecture in the neighborhoods, the street art, the sculptures and the beautiful views.
Barranquilla
Barranquilla is known as The Golden Gate of Colombia because it is located in the north of Colombia and has the most important part of the Republic of Colombia.
It is located between Cartagena and Santa Marta and is an underrated gem in Colombia. If you are in Colombia around Ash Wednesday, we recommend you go to the second largest carnival after Rio de Janeiro which is the Barranquilla carnival.
During the carnival, the whole city celebrates together with a big party. You can also visit museums, visit La Troja where you will find people dancing salsa, relaxing, having fun on a night out with friends, etc.
During your visit to this city, you can also visit a castle, the beach, shop around the bustling city center, eat delicious authentic Colombian cuisine and much more.
Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is a colonial tourist city that has preserved its colonial roots. Here you can find its original cobbled streets and colonial buildings.
It has established itself as a wine region with several wineries close to the city. This city is a beautiful place to relax and a great place for sightseeing.
You can take walking tours and visit the beautiful historic buildings and churches, as well as the museums to learn more about the history of the city. In addition to visiting the shops and enjoying the tasty Colombian cuisine!
Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga is known as “the beautiful city of Colombia”. It has a number of lush parks and gardens, as well as a beautiful climate most of the year.
It is close to the Parque Nacional del Chicamocha, which is a beautiful national park where you can do a number of outdoor activities such as zip lining, hiking, rafting, fishing, etc.
It is also close to other small towns that you can take a day trip to and explore, such as Floridablanca or Girón.
In addition to taking a walking tour and exploring the city, shopping, enjoying authentic Colombian food, visiting museums and enjoying all that the city has to offer!
salento
Salento is a small colorful city full of charm. It is a relaxed town and is a popular destination for tourists and Colombians on vacation.
It has beautiful walks in the Valle de Cocora that is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park.
You will also be able to go up to the Mirador, which is a short climb up a staircase that goes up to a vantage point and you will see beautiful views of the area.
You will also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious authentic food and coffee. It’s a fun little town that you should definitely add to your list!
Leticia
Leticia is located on the border of Peru and Brazil and is right next to the Amazon. It is a great place to stay if you want to explore the Amazon, hike, fish, etc.
You can usually find tour guides that will take you on nature walks in the jungle, visit indigenous communities, see pink dolphins, etc. If you plan to venture into the Amazon, we recommend working with a guide and not going alone, it is definitely safer to go with someone who is experienced in adventuring.
Leticia also has a variety of foods from Colombia, Brazil and Peru, since it is right on the border. There are also museums, shops and natural areas to visit in and around this city!
Ending
Colombia is a vibrant and beautiful country to visit and we think everyone should add it to their bucket list!
There are several beautiful cities to visit and we hope you enjoyed this post on the top 10 places to visit in Colombia! Happy journey!
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