Places to discover

Best places to visit in Colombia

Feeling the excitement for your trip to Colombia? That's not surprising, as a trip to Columbia is a huge adventure, in a country which used to be infamous, but where security has vastly improved since focusing its efforts on promoting tourism. Travelling to Columbia isn't just a chance to take time away from your busy schedule, it's a chance to make rich discoveries and let yourself be guided by a people who really know how to live well.

As diversity is a central concern for any traveller, planning your stay with the help and advice from the Evaneos community will help simplify the process, as you take on board suggestions of various destinations from among the best of what that country has to offer. Once in the country, let yourself fall into the wild pattern of Colombian life.

Upon arrival in Bogotá, start with trying a delicious ajiaco. This speciality of the capital is also the national dish. In Colombia, colour is everywhere, in the food as well as the architecture. At the coast, don't forget to visit the incredible Cartagena de Indias, a historic city with colonial architecture, so beautiful they call it the Pearl of the Caribbean. If you like the archaic charm of paved streets and arcades, you'll love the tranquil town of Leyva, the favoured destination to Bogotanos. Another historic town, Medellín, has defied its turbulent past to transform itself into a vibrant cultural capital.

Colombia is rich both in history and nature. So head off to discover the national nature park of Tayrona and its beautiful coastline. The more adventurous traveller will choose to embark on an expedition in search of the pre-Colombian civilisations, heading towards the Lost City, located at the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The romantics among you will opt for luxury on the island of Múcura, a tiny paradise reserved for the connoisseurs.

So put on your salsa shoes as you prepare yourself for a trip which will awaken your senses!

It's the third largest town on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
Pereira is a city located in the "EJe Cafetero" coffee-growing region of Colombia and capital of Risaralda.
The capital of the Department of Caldas, Manizales is part of the Colombian coffee region.
Situated on the border with Brazil and Peru, Leticia is the departure point for trips into the Colombian Amazon. If you love an adventure, the jungle awaits!
The Rosario Archipelago is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea about an hour off the coast of Cartagena.
Villa de Leyva, a charming village to spend a lovely daystrolling through the streets in the centre.
The Coffee National Park is an amusement park in Montenegro, in the heart of the province of Quindio, part of the Coffee Triangle.
Chicamocha National Park is located in the Colombian department of Santander and is famous for its spectacular scenery and its outdoor sports.
Zipaquira is a colonial city located in the Bogotá metropolitan area, known for its Salt Cathedral.
The Cocora Valley's exotic and lush scenery is perfect for walks and enjoying some superb views. Its giant palm trees make it a must during a visit to the Coffee Triangle.
Armenia is the capital of Quindío in Colombia's coffee region. This city experienced a very significant earthquake in 1999.
Taganga is a little village on the edge of a creek. An erstwhile fishing village, it's now a tourist hub of dive clubs, bars and nightclubs.
Montenegro is a town in the Quindío province, part of the Coffee Triangle. It's here you'll find the National Coffee Park.
The city of Neiva is located in the valley of the Magdalena River and is the capital of the Colombian department of Huila.
A slave port of the Spanish Empire, Cartagena de las Indias' fortress and its walled city, with its colonial architecture, are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bucaramanga, an industrial city in Colombia and capital of the department of Santander, is a place you are sometimes obliged to stop at when travelling between Bogotá and the north of the country by bus.
Riohacha is a stopover town where you can spend the night before going off to explore the La Guajira Desert.