- Best tourist destination: Cartagena
- Underrated hidden gem: Santa Cruz de Mompox
- Best for families: Valle de Cocora
- Best for couples: Isla Barú
- Best for solo travelers: Medellín
A hypnotizing blend of charming coastal cities, world-class cuisine, and lush landscapes has made Colombia one of the most sought-after destinations in South America. Spending a long weekend in Cartagena or a few days in Bogotá just isn’t enough; even after living in Medellín for several months, I felt I had barely scratched the surface of everything the country has to offer.
With the help of some local experts, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Colombia. To inspire your next trip, here’s a look at some of its most scenic hiking trails and prettiest white-sand beaches—and where to find the best cup of Colombian coffee.
Meet the Expert
Boris Seckovic is a T+L A-list advisor and Colombia specialist at Amakuna, a leading luxury travel company based in Medellín.
Carolina Bernal is the general manager at Hotel Casa San Agustin and the former commercial director of Casa Pestagua, two luxury hotels located in Cartagena.
Cartagena
Starcevic / Getty Images
Cartagena is officially Colombia’s worst-kept secret. Whether by cruise ship or frequent air service from heaps of U.S. cities, travelers now flock to Colombia’s buzziest and most colorful hot spot year-round. And a walk along age-old Spanish colonial walls at sunset with glimpses of the glimmering high-rises of the Bocagrande neighborhood in the distance is all you’ll need to see why. Bernal recommends staying in a restored mansion to get a sense of the city’s past. Longtime Cartagena favorite Hotel Casa San Agustin is a gem. Its sibling property, Casa Pestagua, is a meticulously restored 18th-century palace that many say is the most beautiful home in Cartagena.
Santa Cruz de Mompox
Uwe-Bergwitz / Getty Images
Set along the Magdalena River, which winds toward Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, the colonial village of Santa Cruz de Mompox “feels like what Cartagena used to be,” says Seckovic. An important stop along the waterway once used by the Spanish to extract gold, the UNESCO-protected town still retains its historic beauty, and an artisan filigree jewelry industry points to its golden past. You’ll stop here if you cruise along the Magdalena River with AmaWaterways on a luxury itinerary that twists through the countryside between Cartagena and Barranquilla.
Valle de Cocora
John Crux Photography / Getty Images
Don’t be surprised if the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley) in the heart of Colombia’s coffee country looks familiar—it served as the real-life inspiration for Disney’s “Encanto.” But despite this beautiful area’s latest claim to fame, it has long been known for its impressive forest of wax palm trees, which tower high above the valley, growing up to 200 feet tall. Hiking excursions—including a kid-friendly short loop—into the valley leave from the town of Salento, a backpacker haven where the accommodations consist mostly of hostels and ecohotels.
Isla Barú
maphke / Getty Images
Until recently, Isla Barú was mainly a destination for day trippers in search of the best beaches near Cartagena, about an hour’s drive away. The addition of the Sofitel Barú Casablanca Beach Resort in 2021 changed all that, making this “island” (technically a peninsula separated from the mainland by a canal) an increasingly popular destination for overnight stays. Travelers can also enjoy a beach day or book one of the 11 spacious suites or 20 rooms at Acasí Rustic Beach, a luxe extension of Hotel Casa San Agustin and Casa Pestagua, situated on a very romantic private beach.
Medellín
Lara D’agostino / Travel + Leisure
Few destinations have done a better job rebranding themselves than Medellín, a vibrant metropolis whose rapid transformation has made it one of South America’s most sought-after cities for short-term travelers and digital nomads. In recent years, it’s also gained a global reputation for top cuisine. Laureles is one of the coolest neighborhoods in town, though travelers might be more familiar with El Poblado as home to some of Colombia’s trendiest cafes, restaurants, and bars. Medellín’s impressive public transportation network includes several cable cars. Making the journey to green spaces like Parque Arví (Arví Park) is one of the best ways to enjoy breathtaking views of a city that crawls dramatically up the mountainsides of the Aburrá Valley.
Bogotá
diegograndi / Getty Images
Colombia’s bustling capital city deserves to be treated as more than just a stopover during a South American adventure. Start by riding the funicular or cable car up the Cerro de Monserrate to take in the city views. Then head down again to explore the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria and visit the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum). Bogotá’s increasingly impressive culinary scene can be experienced at popular spots like the award-winning El Chato. Stay at the luxurious W Bogotá—its glittering design is a modern interpretation of the legend of El Dorado—or at least stop by for its beloved night brunch.
Amazon Rainforest
alfnqn / Getty Images
Colombia may not be as well known for its portion of the Amazon Rainforest compared to neighboring countries like Peru and Brazil, “but it’s almost better that way,” says Seckovic. “You’ll see far fewer people here and have a much better chance of encountering wildlife because of it.” Start in the regional capital of Leticia, located on the southeastern border with Brazil and Peru, and accessible only by airplane or riverboat. From there, head to one of the region’s ecolodges, like Calanoa Amazonas, for biologist-led excursions into the wilderness, where colorful butterflies dart above waters and pink Amazonian river dolphins play.
Eje Cafetero
Anna Haines / Travel + Leisure
Colombia’s idyllic coffee-growing region is known as the Eje Cafetero (the “Coffee Axis”). To the south of Medellín—particularly in Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío—the lush landscapes are peppered with grand haciendas and tiny, shaded cafetales (coffee plantations) where families have long worked the land. From Salento, you can visit the countryside and check out some of its historic villages. One of the best places to stay in Eje Cafetero is the Bio Habitat Hotel, where luxurious freestanding accommodations are perched on a verdant mountainside, offering epic views across the Andes. The eco-conscious, regenerative property makes it feel as if you’re worlds away, even though it’s just a 25-minute drive from the city of Armenia in Quindío—and some of Colombia’s finest artisanal coffee farms.
Ciudad Perdida
traffic_analyzer / Getty Images
Tucked away within the lush, tropical Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida (or “Lost City”) is among South America’s most impressive ancient ruins. While there’s no easy way to get there—visiting this hidden settlement demands a four-day mountain trek complete with numerous river crossings—the payoff is well worth it. Just a few dozen intrepid travelers a day reach the expansive site, with its terraced hillsides and circular plazas, meaning you’ll get to enjoy it almost uninterrupted. Only a handful of Santa Marta-based tour operators are certified to guide visitors to the site, which is still cared for by the descendants of the Tairona people who built it centuries ago. However, the experience is more comfortable than you’d expect, with basic lodging included (read: no tent-pitching necessary).
La Piedra del Peñol and Guatapé
It’s impossible to miss La Piedra del Peñol, a massive monolith towering many stories over the countryside of Antioquia, as if dropped from the heavens by a giant. If climbing the steps to the top doesn’t take your breath away, the 360-degree views certainly will. Just a 25-minute drive down the road, the tiny town of Guatapé offers its own flavor of fantasy, with a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns covering the facades of its historic buildings. These twin destinations are within easy day-trip distance (under two hours by car) of Medellín, but an overnight stay at one of Colombia’s coolest glamping spots would make your trip even more memorable.
Caño Cristales
Claudio Sieber / Getty Images
Known as Colombia’s “river of five colors,” Caño Cristales is home to unique aquatic plants that create an out-of-this-world liquid rainbow effect. The colorful phenomenon reaches its peak vibrancy during the dry season, from July to November. During this time of year, the river seems to run green, magenta, purple, maroon, and canary yellow simultaneously. You’ll find it in the relatively isolated Sierra de la Macarena National Park. Locals attest it’s well worth the trip—an 11-hour drive from Bogotá—to witness one of the world’s strangest natural wonders.
Barichara
mehdi33300 / Getty Images
One of Colombia’s prettiest villages, it takes some effort to reach Barichara since it’s roughly a four-hour drive from the closest airport in Bucaramanga. It’s also a popular day trip destination for kayakers and rafters, who are drawn to the nearby adventure hot spot of San Gil. Explore the hilly cobblestone streets on foot or hire a local tuk-tuk driver, who can take you on a tour of the pristinely preserved colonial architecture. “It’s stunningly beautiful, but still not too touristy,” says Seckovic. In town, you can stay at the Casa Barichara Boutique, a charming guesthouse that offers unique art and gastronomy experiences.
Tayrona National Park
Rodrigo A. Rodriguez Fuentes / Getty Images
In Tayrona National Park, Colombia’s best beaches line untouched jungles with enough endemic flora and fauna to make any nature-loving traveler swoon. Take a skippered sailing day trip to the park directly from Santa Marta, with stops in places like Bahia Concha and Cabo San Juan for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Adventurous travelers can trek through the park and stay overnight in a cabin or hammock perched directly over white sands.
Rosario Islands
atosan / Getty Images
“The Rosario Islands, or Islas del Rosario, are known for coral reefs and year-round diving and snorkeling opportunities,” says Bernal. This perennially popular destination is located about 23 miles off the coast of Cartagena. Hop on a speedboat in town and escape to eco-friendly boutique hotels tucked away on sandy shores, offering some serious rest, relaxation, and time away from the crowds. It’s an affordable and laid-back alternative to the overcrowded Caribbean islands where you would otherwise spend your days fighting over beach chairs.
Barranquilla
Roxana Charris / Long Visual Press / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
Among the cities on the Caribbean Coast, Barranquilla can’t compete with buzzy, beautiful Cartagena. However, once a year, on the days leading up to Lent (usually in February or March), Colombia lives and breathes the rhythms of the Carnival of Barranquilla. Folkloric dance, music, and rich, regional food shine among a packed schedule of events—including the Battle of the Flowers, the Great Tradition and Folklore Parade, and the Funeral for Joselito Carnival—each more vibrant than the last. It’s such an essential spectacle that it made UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Popayán
Antoine Barthelemy / Getty Images
The small city of Popayán, located in the southwestern corner of the country, still flies under the radar of most travelers, but it’s all the better for it. Known as the “White City” for its grand historic center’s whitewashed facades, this laid-back town feels like a breath of fresh air for visitors who have packed their itinerary with the country’s biggest highlights. Founded in the 16th century, it’s home to many historical sites, including the 17th-century clock tower and the 12-arch Humilladero Bridge, which dates to the late 1800s.
Tatacoa Desert
oscar garces / Getty Images
Although it’s believed to be one of the country’s largest deserts after the dune-studded La Guajira in the north, Tatacoa isn’t a desert at all—it’s actually a tropical forest that dried up several millennia ago. Its unexpected past makes fossil-hunting a perfect pastime on hikes through the dramatic red canyons. In this region, about 85 miles southeast of Popayán, there are many glamping resorts. Nacimiento Glamping, for instance, offers luxurious accommodations with glass domes perfect for stargazing in the remote site’s ideal conditions.
Cali
alarico / Getty Images
Known as the country’s Rumba capital and the Salsa capital of the world, Cali is the best place to visit in Colombia if you want to settle into several days of lessons and truly master these sensual steps. Zaperoco Bar is one of the most famous salsa clubs here, while Siboney—its name pointing to the rhythm’s original Cuban roots—has long been a local institution. When you’re not dancing to the sizzling beat, stroll the historic center or day trip your way through the Valle del Cauca for river tubing, paragliding, and hikes to waterfalls.
Nuquí
Judith Engbers / Getty Images
Tucked away within Utría National Natural Park on a remote stretch of the Pacific Coast, the tiny beach town of Nuquí is known as one of the best places in Colombia for whale watching. Between July and November, humpback whales travel to the warmer waters here from Antarctica to give birth in the region’s protected lagoons. While whale watching is the undisputed highlight for most visitors to Nuquí, adventurous travelers will also love surfing near jungle-fringed shores and hiking to long-hidden rainforest waterfalls.
San Andrés and Providencia
tifonimages / Getty Images
Search for the islands of San Andrés and Providencia on a map, and you’d be forgiven for thinking they were part of Central America. Situated more than 400 miles from the Colombian mainland, these tiny, idyllic islands sit within a stretch of sea so azure it’s called the “Sea of Seven Colors.” They’re also home to some of Colombia’s last truly untouched beaches. While San Andrés is slightly more developed, these lesser-visited destinations are worth considering for anyone seeking an unplugged Caribbean getaway.