What to see in Colombia: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Colombia: 10 must-see destinations, from Ciudad Perdida to Cartagena de Indias. Predominantly city and archaeological site; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
City(4)
Wander through La Candelaria among cobblestone streets and colonial facades painted blue and ochre, then head up Monserrate hill, 3,152 meters high, to see the capital spread out across the Andean savanna. At the Gold Museum, admire the Muisca raft and thousands of pre-Hispanic pieces that explain the legend of El Dorado. Stop by Plaza de Bolívar, try a santafereño hot chocolate at La Puerta Falsa, and end the day with ajiaco at one of the downtown eateries, while the district's graffiti artists show up with murals telling Colombia's recent history.
Discover Medellín, the city of eternal spring, riding the Metrocable up to the comunas that tell the story of its urban transformation. Visit the Parque Biblioteca España in Santo Domingo and stroll through the Botanical Garden in the heart of the city. Walk around Plaza Botero among the bronze sculptures, try bandeja paisa at the markets, and from Nutibara Hill watch how this capital of Antioquia blends contemporary architecture with paisa tradition in every neighborhood.
Walk the streets of Guatapé and stop before the painted zócalos that tell the region's stories on every facade. Climb the steps of the Piedra del Peñol to the summit and take in the reservoir winding through the hills of Antioquia. Head back down and stroll the boardwalk, where boat rides and craft markets set the pace of the day. Finish in the colorful waterfront area, a meeting point between paisa tradition and contemporary life by the water.
Walk along Calle Real among colorful houses with wooden balconies and continue to the Alto de la Cruz viewpoint for views of Salento framed by mountains. Tour the surrounding coffee farms, where you'll learn how the bean is processed and sample freshly roasted cups. Head up to the nearby Cocora Valley and walk among wax palms towering more than 45 meters. Try trout with patacón at the town's restaurants and end the afternoon with a game of tejo, Quindío's traditional sport.
Archaeological Site(2)
Trek for 4 days through the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to reach Ciudad Perdida, the Tairona settlement founded in the 8th century, several centuries before Machu Picchu. Climb the more than 1,200 stone steps that lead to its circular terraces, where cobblestone paths and ceremonial platforms can still be made out amid the mist and vegetation. From the top, take in the Buritaca River valley and learn, alongside local guides, how the Tairona—the ancestors of the Kogi, who still inhabit the area—once lived.
Explore South America's most important megalithic statues, where 500 stone figures tell 3,000 years of history. Walk among the tombs, take in the figures, and discover pre-Columbian culture. Explore the archaeological site where ruins, artifacts, and history tell of civilizations that flourished millennia ago. Walk among the stones, admire the remains, and discover the past.
Natural(2)
Explore Cocora Valley, in Quindío, and walk among the tallest wax palms in the world, which reach 60 meters. Follow its mist-covered trails, admire Colombia's national tree, and stop at the viewpoints to take in the valley. Spot mountain birds and plants as you cross grasslands and Andean forests. Hiking here combines gentle slopes, cold rivers, and the imposing shadow of the palms towering above the region's characteristic mist.
Walk the trails of the Sierra de la Macarena, in Meta, and take in the river of five colors: from May to November, Macarenia clavigera dyes the water red, yellow, green, blue, and black. Discover natural pools such as Los Ochos, waterfalls, and rock formations shaped over millions of years. Go hiking among forests and savannas that are home to macaws, monkeys, and reptiles typical of this meeting point of the Amazon, the Orinoquía, and the Andes.
UNESCO Heritage(1)
Stroll the streets of Cartagena de Indias, in Bolívar, where yellow, blue, and pink facades guard 500 years of colonial history within the city walls. Visit Plaza Santo Domingo with its Botero sculpture, and walk along the ramparts as the Caribbean pounds the fortifications. This UNESCO World Heritage Site bears exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a vanished civilization. At dusk, the wooden balconies light up and the squares fill with music and fruit vendors.
National Park(1)
Enter at El Zaino and hike the jungle trails that lead down to Cabo San Juan, the park's most photographed beach. At Arrecifes, swim only with your eyes, as the currents are dangerous, and camp under the palms or sleep in a hammock by the sea. Look out for toucans, howler monkeys, and hundreds of birds among the vegetation. Respect the temporary closures requested by the indigenous Kogi and Arhuaco communities for the spiritual recovery of the territory. Bring water and cash: there are no ATMs inside the park.
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