It’s no secret by now that Colombia is a much different country than it was 30 years ago. Today, this nation of more than 50 million people is an idyllic destination for all types of travelers. Towering mountains, lush green valleys, coastal paradises, jungle adventures, desert landscapes, and big city escapades are all waiting to be explored.
Yet, this diverse, stunning country still feels incredibly underrated. If you’re looking into your first trip here, you might be left wondering, where are the best places to visit in Colombia?
To help you get started with your itinerary, here are the 8-best places to see in Colombia.
1. Jardin
The most picturesque town in Colombia and an outdoorsman’s paradise, Jardin is a must-visit if you’re traveling through the center of the country or staying in Medellin and want to immerse yourself in the Andes mountains. In my opinion, it’s the best place to visit in Colombia and the country’s most beautiful destination.
Jardin, home to 13,500 residents, is a popular weekend getaway destination for Colombians, and for good reason. There are plenty of good restaurants and bar options, it’s super safe, and the scenery is unbeatable.
The small town is intimate and entirely walkable. It’s so small—and there are so few paved roads outside of the city center—that taxis don’t exist here. Instead, TukTuk’s (3-wheeled vehicles similarly sized to a golf cart) are the main mode of transportation for visitors.
Ziplining, paragliding, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, and canyoning are all easily accessible activities in Jardin. Ask your host or hotel front desk for the contact information of someone who can organize any of these activities for you. And if you’re wondering where to stay, try Gulupa Ecolodge.
2. Medellin
Medellin has done a 180 over the past couple of decades, boasting one of the best public transportation systems in South America, becoming increasingly modern, and offering numerous attractions and neighborhoods worth seeing in a generally safe environment.
The most unique neighborhood is Comuna Trece, nestled on a mountain to the west of downtown Medellin. It used to be one of the most crime-riddled neighborhoods in the world throughout the 1980s and 1990s. But since a controversial government raid in 2002 that saw 450 people arrested, Comuna Trece has been beautified into a lively, artistic center of Medellin and a must-see neighborhood to get the full Medellin experience.
But since a controversial government raid in 2002 that saw 450 people arrested, Comuna Trece has been beautified into a lively, artistic center of Medellin and a must-see neighborhood to get the full dity experience. City leaders installed a series of outdoor escalators that makes Comuna Trece different from any other neighborhood you’ll find in the country and gives residents a sense of pride to live in such an inventive area. Surrounding the escalators is some of the most decorative and detailed professional gravity you’ll have laid your eyes on. You’ll be amazed at how many amateur, but talented street performers are out showing their skills as well.
Other places to see in Medellin include Parque Arvi, a nature preserve high in the mountains in the northeast section of the city and the Museo Botero art museum. The city has numerous rooftop bars and great dining options as well.
3. Eje Cafetero, “The Coffee Triangle”
You can’t get a holistic Colombian experience without a coffee-related activity.
Eje Cafetero, or the “Coffee Triangle,” is the prime coffee production region, located in west-central Colombia, including the cities of Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia. The main coffee-producing regions are Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío.
This region is perfect for the growth of coffee beans due to its warm (but not hot) year-round climate, significant (but not extreme) rainfall, and moderately high elevation.
Look into visiting a coffee farm, of which Manizales is a great jumping off point. I recommend Cafe Tio Conejo. Your guide will meet you at the family’s cafe in Manizales before shuttling you up to the farm in the mountains and back once the day is over.
Manizales is a city worth exploring, too. Cable-car is a popular mode of transportation here due to the terrain. It’s known as the 2nd-largest university city in Colombia, making for great nightlife for a place of its relative mediocre size, and there’s a wonderful laid-back buzz about the city.
4. El Penon De Guatape
Just two hours away from Medellin and perfect for a day trip lies the town of Guatape on the man-made Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé reservoir.
When there, climb the 200+ meter, 708-step staircase up El Penon de Guatape (The Rock of Guatape). Colorful buildings and murals dot the rural town, and ferries will take you to small islands on the reservoir. You can also watch and partake in extreme watersports.
Guatape is a bit more crowded than Jardin due to its proximity from Medellin, so keep that in mind before visiting. But regardless, it’s a fantastic getaway from the big city.
5. Cartagena
Lying on the Caribbean coast and known for its walled Old Town neighborhood, Cartagena has become a popular destination for those looking for a city rich in culture, nightlife, and tropical weather.
You’ll likely spend a lot of your time in Old Town,otherwise known as the Walled City, with its colonial architecture and narrow streets. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, hang out on the nearby beaches, and take a day trip to a smaller beach towns or island like Mucura Island, Tintipan Island, or Isla Grande.
If going to Cartagena, I advise to have another city on your itinerary as there’s so much more to see in Colombia that’s a bit less traveled by foreigners, but Cartagena is unquestionably one of the top destinations in the country.
Related: Cartagena vs. Medellin: Which to Visit?
6. Buga
Buga, a small city of 100,000 people located in the Cauca Valley, is off the beaten path but a hidden gem of Colombia.
Buga is actually visited by millions of people each year, though mostly Colombians, as a pilgrimage site. It’s home to Basílica Menor Señor de Los Milagros (Basilica of the Lord of Miracles), a prominent pink Church in the city square that is home to a shrine of Jesus Christ that is said to have come into existence miraculously without the work of human hands.
However, there’s more to see than the cathedral, and if you’re spending time in any area outside of the square, you’ll feel like the only visitor in town! The people in Buga are extraordinarily genuine and friendly and are thrilled to see foreign visitors.
Buga is ideal for a 24-hour visit. After walking around the main strip, you can enjoy a couple empanadas and a frozen lemonade from a street vendor, visit the unique Holy Water Ale Brewing Company, and hike the small mountain, “El Derrumbado,” that lies practically on top of town (shown above). Many locals hike this mountain religiously. The trail conveniently begins walking distance from the city center and is a perfect, 2.5-mile round trip hike with unbelievable views of Buga and the valley surrounding it. A seemingly popular activity for residents, be prepared for endless smiles and, “buenos dias,” on the way up.
7. Pasto
In far southern Colombia near the Ecuador border lies Pasto, a city of 400,000 people in the Atriz valley at the foot of the Galeras Volcano.
Pasto is another relatively hidden gem, as it’s a flight away from the big cities of Medellin, Cartagena, and Bogota, and a long drive from Cali. Its high elevation near the equator leads to perfect weather year-round, it has some beautiful historic architecture including Gothic churches, and the city is very walkable, all of this leading to its nickname of “The Surprise City,” due to its under-the-radar beauty and tranquility.
Other highlights include:
- The Banco de la República Gold Museum, which displays rare pre-Columbian artifacts
- Plaza de Nariño, the city square with narrow streets and Gothic architecture
- Laguna De La Cocha, the country’s 2nd-largest lake with some quaint places to stay overnight on its shores
8. Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
When you think of Colombia and the Caribbean, you probably don’t think snowcapped peaks, but that’s exactly what you can find here.
Just two hours from the coastal city of Santa Marta lies this vast mountainous landscape that includes the two highest points in the country, the highest peaks in the tropics, and the 5th-most prominent peaks in the world – Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simon Bolivar (18,800 feet/5,730m). Incredibly, these huge mountains are just 25 miles from sea level and coastal beaches.
While access to these highest summits is very difficult, and impossible without a guide, the lower elevations of the park are just as beautiful. Visit waterfalls, tube rivers, meet local indigenous people, visit the “Lost City” (an archaeological site of an ancient city that involves a walk up some 1,200 stone steps), or if you’re really adventurous, complete multi-day hikes.
In-Summary: Best Places to Visit in Colombia
Colombia is an incredibly diverse country; you could go weeks here and still not see and do everything worth experiencing. Before visiting Colombia, it’s crucial to know what kind of traveler you are and what you prioritize. If you like laid-back, beachy holidays, visit Cartagena and perhaps another city or town on the north coast. If you like adventure, stick to the middle of the country and explore the Andes, coffee region, and small towns nestled in the valleys. And if you’re all about the big city, nightlife, and fine dining, Medellin is a must.
