The List Of 23 Amazing Things To Do In Colombia

Of all the great things to do in Colombia, a tour around this marvelously good-looking coastline facing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Caribbean Sea is bound to impress anyone. The visit to Tayrona National Park is just the ideal way to take in the views of the lake.

Perched on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park sweeps down to the Caribbean Sea. A region of known fiery lagoons and bays that are sheltered by palm trees. While here take the natural beauty of the area while lodging in one of the parks' private bungalows.

El Totumo, another name for Colombia's Mud Volcano, is a fascinating natural splendor. Only an hour's drive from Cartagena, next to Loma de Arena, lies this unusual geological wonder, which is produced by hot mud eruptions from the Earth's core.

Despite being extremely hot and acidic, the mud has wonderful healing qualities that are supposed to help with joint and skin conditions.

No other place in Colombia offers the same experience as seeing the Mud Volcano. The sulfurous stench is intense yet enticing as you get closer. The sight of the steam pouring from the mud pools will astound you.

Bogota is one of those cities that perhaps takes some time to inspire travelers and is, often, overlooked because one-off experiences do not help develop the right impression of this city.

Thousands of pre-Hispanic gold objects are shown at the Museo del Oro, one of the cornerstones of the city's cultural life. Another is the Museo Botero, a museum dedicated to the works of Colombia's most famous artist, one of the humorously swollen figures now known the world over.

One of the greatest things to do in Colombia with children is to visit the National Aviary on Baru Island. Nearly 200 distinct species of parrots, flamingos, peacocks, and toucans from Colombia and other parts of Latin America may be found in 22 ecosystems inside this huge nature reserve.

With designated walking pathways, shady rest spots, and frequent ranger presentations at the information center, the aviary is excellently prepared for visitors.

Cartagena is less than an hour's drive from the National Aviary, which is situated on a peninsula. Every day of the week, it is open. A few hours should also be allotted during your vacation to the neighboring Playa Blanca, a stunning white sand beach, and Rosario National Natural Park's sole public swimming area.

With breathtakingly beautiful views, San Andres Island lies just a short flight away from about 500 miles from the Colombian coast. It is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and has a quayside lined with cafes where you can relax with your meal and drink.

Canoes are available if you prefer more strenuous activities, while Johnny Cay is an archipelago that is just a short paddle away.

The best way to get to San Andres Island is a quick flight from the mainland. Please note that there are no Uber-like services on either San Andreas or Providencia, and as such, once you reach the island, you are on your own for ground travel from the airport onward.

It goes without saying why the Rosario Islands constitute one of the most popular tourist attractions in Colombia. The park is famous for its coral reefs and marine life, remarkably well-preserved and protected.

The archipelago is located about an hour outside of Cartagena; its palm-shaded beaches and azure waters are equally accessible.

It's less expensive and more relaxed than the crowded Caribbean islands, where you would have to fight for beach chairs all day.

Ciudad Perdida, also known as "The Lost City," is an archeological site that has been hidden away for centuries in the thick woods of northwest Colombia.

The ruins have been exposed to tourists for the last 15 years, but, they are still shockingly under-visited and well worth visiting if you want a real Colombian experience.

The only way to get to Ciudad Perdida is on foot. It takes four to six days to do the 28-mile round-trip journey. Along with exhilarating river crossings and steep climbs, the route winds through the Sierra Nevada mountains' lush, humid rainforests.

One of the best pre-Columbian sites in Colombia is San Agustin Archaeological Park (Parque Arqueologico De San Agustin), which lies in the Huila woodlands in the southwest. History aficionados will love this enormous outdoor museum.

The vast network of megaliths and monuments, which was inscribed by UNESCO in 1995, stretches back to 3000 BC and provides insight into Colombia's pre-Hispanic civilizations, myths, and customs. Funerary rights led to the creation of many of the buildings that are seen today.

After some background information at the tiny Archaeological Museum, head out on one of the park's walking pathways that connect the excavated terraces and graveyards.

Every year, the Barranquilla Carnival- the most famous and second-biggest carnival celebration in the world after Rio de Janeiro- happens within the city. Taking part in the four-day festivity is among the great things to do in Barranquilla if not in all of South America.

Carnival is the celebration held in the days before the Lenten fast on the way to Easter. The time generally falls in mid-February or early March, although exact dates do change from year to year.

Barranquilla's Carnival represents a series of very involved and elaborate parades featuring traditional Colombian dances, numerous music performances, and colorful costumes galore. All around you, people are having jolly good fun; and the whole city seems one big party.

Outside of Medellin sits the strikingly towering peak known as El Penon de Guatape. With a height of almost 500 feet and a mass of more than 10 million tons, the peak dominates the Guatape landscape.

Visitors who ascend the hundreds of stairs tucked up against the rock will be rewarded with unobstructed views of Guatape's charming lake and island communities. The breathtaking beauty is a must-see when visiting Colombia.

The red clay undulations of the Tatacoa Desert give it a Mars-like appearance as if it were transplanted from Chile's Atacama.

Although it is a dry tropical forest, it has a characteristic with its neighbor in Chile: both are known for having clear night skies that are perfect for stargazing. This is because of the warm, dry environment of the area.

Take a stargazing tour at the Observatorio Astronomico de la Tatacoa in Villavieja. You might want to find up to 88 known constellations on the clearest evenings.

For a genuinely exhilarating experience, whitewater rafting in San Gil is highly recommended. At the heart of Colombia's adventure sports are three rivers.

From the town center, a number of companies provide exhilarating trips to the nearby rapids; breathtaking views and jaw-dropping falls are guaranteed wherever you go.

Rafting trips over the challenging Rio Chicamocha and Rio Suarez will surely test your skills, while those along the serene Rio Fonce are as stunning.

Exploring this bizarre city is one of the most memorable things to do in Colombia, and we promise you won't regret visiting before it gains notoriety. The first place to proclaim independence was Mompox, which was founded by the Spanish in 1530 and where Bolivar assembled their army.

The architecture has been remarkably conserved, and the additional accommodations, such as the gorgeous Portal de la Marquesa Boutique Hotel, are consistent with the neighborhood's culture.

If you are seeking for some much-needed relaxation after all the demanding adventure sports and touring, Johnny Cay's sun-kissed sands are the best option. The little coral islet is tucked away adjacent to the neighboring San Andres in the glistening Caribbean Sea.

With its palm-lined beaches, the charming isle, sometimes known as Cayo Sucre or Islote Sucre in Spanish, can only be reached by boat from San Andres. The surrounding reefs are filled with marine life, and its tall coconut groves are now protected as part of a regional park.

There is no better place to experience the tempting dance than Cali, Colombia, which is regarded as the salsa capital of the globe. Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia, has long been the site of the most avant-garde art exhibits in the world, with dance in particular capturing the hearts of the populace.

Cali's version of the original salsa, known as salsa caleno, was influenced by the many dances of the world. Both tourists and residents are surrounded by salsa music these days, whether they are dancing or not.

Take pleasure in seeing couples dance on street corners or in lively settings. Or take a class with the world's top salsa dancers and learn the renowned dance yourself.

In addition to being one of the most popular drinks in the world, coffee is one of the most delicious small treats in the world. The Eje Cafetero, also known as the coffee-growing axis, is a triangle in western Colombia in the central Andes that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The majority of Colombia's coffee, which is among the best in the world, comes from this region.

Here, you get to sample coffee as it is before all of the processing.

One of Colombia's most enchanted tourist destinations is the Valle del Cocora, often known as the Cocora Valley. Its foggy cloud forests, rolling green slopes, and tall wax palm trees make it a unique scenery.

Active tourists and those who like to experience the splendor of the Coffee Axis should hike in the Cocora Valley. Salento, the nearest town, is a great place to start, and there is easy access to Willy Jeep transportation from the main plaza to the trailheads.

The valley offers a variety of walking paths that range in length from half an hour to full-day hikes. It takes about five to six hours to do the traditional Cocora Hike. You will hike past ridges with breathtaking vistas, cross suspension bridges, and follow deserted mud roads.

A visit to Comuna 13 in Medellin is a must-do if you wish to leave Colombia with a greater fondness and knowledge of the nation's historical battles.

An informative and interesting experience is a guided tour of Comuna 13 with a local guide. In addition to riding the well-known escalas electricas outdoor escalators and seeing the best of the neighborhood's street paintings, you will also get the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of the neighborhood's violent history and the struggles families are making for a better future.

Jerico is perhaps the most attractive town in Colombia if Jardin is the most colorful. Even though it's only a two-hour journey, many people overlook Jerico because they don't realize how beautiful it is.

Spend a night or two at El Despertar, a stunning boutique hotel housed in an antique Antioquian grand house, for the entire experience.

Visit the Casa Natal Madre Laura, a little home museum honoring Colombia's first saint, who was born in Jerico, have a drink at the charmingly vintage Tangos y Algo Mas bar and take a leisurely stroll around the Botanical Garden.

Colombia is known for its tropical fruit, and Medellin is the best location in the nation to experience the produce. Colombia's "fruit basket" is the fertile Antioquia Department, and farmers travel to Medellin to sell their unique products.

An excellent approach to learning about the world of tropical fruits that Colombia is famous for is to take a guided tour of Medellin's fruit markets. From modest booths to bustling wholesale marketplaces, it offers a glimpse into an essential facet of Colombian society.

The Mayorista Central Market, the city's biggest produce market with hundreds of sellers and consumers from all over Colombia, is not to be missed.

Voted as one of Colombia's most beautiful pueblos, Villa de Leyva is a must-see on any Colombia itinerary and a great day excursion from Bogota. It's touristic, but nearly all of the visitors are Colombian, which heightens the charm.

For a few days, there are lots of things to do in the town and the surrounding region. However, the main draw of Villa de Leyva is located in the heart of the city. At an astounding 150,000 square feet, the cobblestone main square, Plaza Mayor de Villa de Leyva, is the largest in Colombia and among the largest in all of America.

The subterranean salt cathedral known as Zipaquira is a unique day excursion that should not be missed on any trip to Bogota or Colombia. 650 feet below the surface, the Roman cathedral is fashioned out of rock and salt. You have never seen anything like the main nave. At 500 feet long and 72 feet high, it is truly amazing.

The cost of the ticket includes an audio tour. You should allow two to three hours to explore the main nave and the numerous minor chapels. Even if you are going in the summer, don't forget to pack some warm clothing because the inside temperature is consistently about 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

The protected sanctuary of Tochecito, located farther south of Salento, is a fantastic alternative for the Cocora Valley, which is the most well-known location for strolling amid Colombia's famous wax palm trees.

Similar to Cocora, hundreds of the largest palm trees in the world, some as tall as 200 feet, can be found at Tochecito. The largest concentration of wax palm trees in the world may be found in Tochecito.

In contrast to the 1,000 to 2,000 wax palms in the popular Cocora, there are at least 600,000 wax palms in the extremely dense forest. The healthy trees in Tochecito may live up to 200 years, but cattle grazing has harmed many of the palms in Cocora.