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Aviation A2Z Delta Passenger Kicked Off Flight After Refusing Seat Swap and Recording CrewConde Nast Traveler Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Medellín, Colombia's Eternally Cool CityView from the Wing Delta Passenger Got Kicked Off After Refusing To Swap SeatsTravel and Tour World Colombia Perto Do Mar Brings Puerto Colombia Fishing Heritage Into the Travel SpotlightTravel and Tour World Spain Along With Mexico and Other Major Destination as Housing Costs Reshape Travel and Tourism in 2026Travel and Tour World Santa Marta Completely Transforms Executive Business Travel With Unmatched Natural Beauty And Deep Cultural HeritageTravel Daily News Colombia tourism sector pushes for lower aviation taxesTravel and Tour World Mexico Aligns With Colombia and Other Countries to Drive Green Aviation GrowthTravel and Tour World Colombia Tourism Marketing Push Targets Longer Stays And Adventure That Will Change Everything Forever, Find Out NowTravel and Tour World Colombia Ranks Fifth in the Americas as International MICE Events SurgeTravel and Tour World Colombia Sees Crab Cay Closure Shift Providencia Destination Plans as San Andrés Sustains Caribbean TravelTravel and Tour World Brazil, Mexico and More Make the Americas a Smart Choice for International Travel in 2027Travel Daily News Design Hotels adds six new members across global portfolioTravel and Tour World Nicaragua Gives High Importance to Coffee and Rural Life to Develop Tourism Infrastructure, While Colombia and Others Think SimilarlyAviation A2Z Delta Passenger Kicked Off Flight After Refusing Seat Swap and Recording CrewConde Nast Traveler Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Medellín, Colombia's Eternally Cool CityView from the Wing Delta Passenger Got Kicked Off After Refusing To Swap SeatsTravel and Tour World Colombia Perto Do Mar Brings Puerto Colombia Fishing Heritage Into the Travel SpotlightTravel and Tour World Spain Along With Mexico and Other Major Destination as Housing Costs Reshape Travel and Tourism in 2026Travel and Tour World Santa Marta Completely Transforms Executive Business Travel With Unmatched Natural Beauty And Deep Cultural HeritageTravel Daily News Colombia tourism sector pushes for lower aviation taxesTravel and Tour World Mexico Aligns With Colombia and Other Countries to Drive Green Aviation GrowthTravel and Tour World Colombia Tourism Marketing Push Targets Longer Stays And Adventure That Will Change Everything Forever, Find Out NowTravel and Tour World Colombia Ranks Fifth in the Americas as International MICE Events SurgeTravel and Tour World Colombia Sees Crab Cay Closure Shift Providencia Destination Plans as San Andrés Sustains Caribbean TravelTravel and Tour World Brazil, Mexico and More Make the Americas a Smart Choice for International Travel in 2027Travel Daily News Design Hotels adds six new members across global portfolioTravel and Tour World Nicaragua Gives High Importance to Coffee and Rural Life to Develop Tourism Infrastructure, While Colombia and Others Think Similarly
Cartagena – ColombiaBogotá – ColombiaTayrona National Park – ColombiaMonserrate – Colombia
📍 Cartagena📷 Sgonzalezb · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 South America🗓️ Best: Dec–Mar and Jul–Aug

Colombia ✓

Colombia

Caribbean coast, coffee hills and colourful colonial towns

🕒 –:– local time18 stories this week7 sources 6 top placesCapital Bogotá

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Colombia📸 Photo album · 8 photos · Ultra-HD
Colombia📜 History of Colombia

The story of Colombia

Colombia's story begins with some of the oldest human settlements in the Americas, and its mountains, rivers and coasts later nurtured remarkable cultures. The Muisca of the Andean highlands around Bogotá crafted exquisite goldwork and performed lake rituals that inspired the legend of El Dorado. The Tairona built stone terraces and paths deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, including the 'Lost City' of Teyuna, while the mysterious San Agustín culture left hundreds of carved stone statues in the southern hills.

Spanish explorers reached the Caribbean coast in 1499, and Santa Marta (1525) and Cartagena (1533) became early colonial ports. Bogotá was founded in 1538 and later became capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Cartagena grew rich as a fortified hub for treasure fleets and, sadly, as a major port of the slave trade, and the African heritage of the coast remains central to Colombian music and food. Independence leaders declared a break from Spain in 1810, and Simón Bolívar's victory at the Battle of Boyacá in 1819 secured it.

Read the full history

Bolívar's Gran Colombia soon split into separate nations, and the nineteenth century saw rivalry between Liberals and Conservatives, while Panama separated in 1903. The twentieth century brought coffee prosperity and rapid urban growth alongside long internal conflict involving guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and drug cartels. A peace agreement signed in 2016 marked a turning point, and cities such as Medellín became known worldwide for innovative transformation.

Today Colombia is one of South America's most rewarding destinations, with Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Andean peaks, Amazon rainforest and the world's greatest variety of birds. Travellers can explore the walled old town of Cartagena, gold treasures in Bogotá's museum, colourful coffee-region towns and ancient sites like Ciudad Perdida, all while experiencing the warmth, salsa rhythms and creativity of its people.

Timeline

  1. c. 800The Tairona build Teyuna, the 'Lost City'
  2. 1499Spanish explorers reach the Caribbean coast
  3. 1533Cartagena de Indias is founded
  4. 1538Bogotá is founded on the Muisca plateau
  5. 1819Bolívar wins the Battle of Boyacá, securing independence
  6. 1886The Republic of Colombia takes its modern name
  7. 2016A peace agreement is signed with the FARC
Colombia 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • Pacific Alliance – Pacific Alliance member.
  • Andean Community – Andean Community member – neighbours can often travel with a national ID card.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for Colombia appears below as soon as publishers report it.

Colombia✨ 10 best things to do in Colombia

Things to do in Colombia

  1. Wander Cartagena's walled cityStroll past flower-draped balconies and pastel colonial houses, then watch the sunset from the old ramparts.
  2. Trek to Ciudad PerdidaHike several days through jungle and rivers to the moss-covered stone terraces of the Tairona 'Lost City'.
  3. Tour a coffee farmLearn bean-to-cup secrets on a finca in the Zona Cafetera, surrounded by green hills and banana trees.
  4. Walk among wax palmsHike the Cocora Valley, where the world's tallest palms tower over misty pastures.
  5. Visit Bogotá's Gold MuseumGaze at thousands of pre-Hispanic gold treasures, including the famous Muisca raft linked to El Dorado.
  6. Ride Medellín's cable carsGlide over hillside neighbourhoods on the metrocable and explore the street art of Comuna 13 with a local guide.
  7. Relax in Tayrona National ParkSwim at palm-fringed beaches where jungle-clad mountains meet the Caribbean Sea.
  8. Dance salsa in CaliTake a class and then hit a salsoteca in Colombia's self-proclaimed salsa capital.
  9. Explore the Amazon from LeticiaTake river trips to spot pink dolphins and stay in jungle lodges near the triple border.
  10. See Caño CristalesVisit the 'river of five colours', where aquatic plants turn the water red, yellow and green in season.
Colombia🗺️ Where to visit in Colombia

Where to go in Colombia

  • CartagenaCaribbean coast · colonial cityA UNESCO-listed walled city with lively plazas, fortresses and nearby islands. It is the classic introduction to Colombia's Caribbean side.
  • BogotáAndes · capitalA sprawling high-altitude capital with superb museums, the historic La Candelaria district and Monserrate hill views.
  • 📍
    MedellínAntioquia · city of eternal springA green, mild city known for its innovative transport, nightlife and day trips to Guatapé.
  • 📍
    Salento & Cocora ValleyZona Cafetera · coffee & palmsA colourful village on the doorstep of wax-palm valleys and working coffee farms.
  • Tayrona National ParkCaribbean · beaches & jungleBeautiful coves, rainforest trails and Indigenous heritage near Santa Marta.
  • 📍
    GuatapéAntioquia · lake townA town of brightly painted façades beside the huge granite rock of El Peñol, which you can climb for lake views.
  • 📍
    San AgustínHuila · archaeologyA UNESCO site of ancient carved stone statues and tombs in rolling green hills.
  • 📍
    Villa de LeyvaBoyacá · colonial townA whitewashed colonial town with one of South America's largest cobbled plazas, surrounded by desert-like landscapes.
Colombia✨ Must-do experiences
  • Tour a coffee farm in the Coffee Region
  • Trek to Ciudad Perdida
  • Ride the Metrocable in Medellín
  • Dance salsa in Cali
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Colombia🍽️ Taste of Colombia
  • Bandeja paisa – big plate of beans, rice, meat, egg and plantain
  • Arepas – grilled corn cakes
  • Ajiaco – chicken and potato soup from Bogotá
  • Tropical fruits – try lulo, maracuyá and guanábana
Colombia🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Colombia

Best time to visit Colombia

Colombia's climate depends on altitude rather than season: the Caribbean coast is hot year-round, Medellín is spring-like and Bogotá is cool and often cloudy. The Pacific coast and Amazon are wet most of the year.

BestDecember to March – the driest period in much of the Andes and Caribbean, ideal for hiking, coffee country and beaches.
ShoulderJuly and August – a shorter dry spell in the Andes with good travel conditions, plus fewer crowds than the holiday peak.
AvoidNo bad time – April-May and October-November are wetter in the Andes, but showers are usually brief and the country is green.
19°💧Jan
20°💧Feb
20°💧💧Mar
19°💧💧Apr
19°💧💧May
19°💧Jun
18°💧Jul
19°💧Aug
19°💧Sep
19°💧💧Oct
19°💧💧Nov
19°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Bogotá (approximate averages).

Colombia🎉 Festivals & events in Colombia
  • February–March
    Barranquilla CarnivalOne of the world's great carnivals bursts with costumed parades, cumbia music and dancing for four days before Lent.
  • August
    Feria de las FloresMedellín celebrates with flower parades in which farmers carry enormous floral displays on their backs.
  • December
    Feria de CaliCali closes the year with salsa marathons, concerts and parades.
  • March–April
    Holy Week in PopayánThe white colonial city hosts solemn night-time processions recognised as intangible heritage.
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Colombia🧭 Colombia itinerary ideas

How many days in Colombia?

7 daysClassic Colombia in a week

Day 1-2: Bogotá's La Candelaria, Gold Museum and Monserrate. Day 3-4: fly to Medellín for the city and a day trip to Guatapé. Day 5-7: fly to Cartagena for the walled city and a boat day to the Rosario Islands.

14 daysAndes, coffee and Caribbean

Day 1-3: Bogotá and Villa de Leyva. Day 4-6: Medellín and Guatapé. Day 7-9: the Zona Cafetera with Salento, Cocora Valley and a coffee farm. Day 10-14: Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park and Cartagena.

Colombia🎒 Backpacking Colombia – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $30–45 a day

  • Long-distance buses are cheap and comfortable, but domestic budget flights can save a full day of mountain roads for little extra.
  • Popular backpacker bases include La Candelaria in Bogotá, Laureles and El Poblado in Medellín, Getsemaní in Cartagena, Salento and Minca.
  • Eat the set lunch (menú del día or corrientazo) – soup, main and juice for very little.
  • Bring layers: you can go from Caribbean heat to chilly highland evenings in a single day.
  • Learn some Spanish; outside tourist hubs English is limited, and it makes buses and markets much easier.
Colombia🛡️ Safety & money in Colombia

Stay safe

  • Check your government's travel advice, as some rural and border areas are advised against.
  • Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than hailing cars on the street, especially at night.
  • Keep phones out of sight in crowds and never accept drinks or snacks from strangers.
  • Use official guides for treks like Ciudad Perdida and follow local advice on where to go.

Money

  • The currency is the Colombian peso; ATMs are widespread in cities, but use machines inside banks or malls.
  • Cards are accepted in cities and larger businesses, but carry cash for buses, markets and small towns.
  • Restaurants often suggest a 10% service charge on the bill, which you can accept or decline.

Emergency: 123

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Colombia🛬 Getting to Colombia

Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport is the main hub, with further international flights into Medellín, Cartagena and Cali; land borders connect with Ecuador and Brazil, and boats link to Panama via the San Blas Islands.

✈️ Cheap flights to Colombia: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Colombia💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Colombia
  • Colombia has more recorded bird species than any other country.
  • It is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and the Caribbean.
  • Colombia is one of the world's leading producers of emeralds.
  • Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez drew inspiration for his magical realism from the Caribbean region where he grew up.
  • The Quindío wax palm, Colombia's national tree, can grow over 50 metres tall.
Colombia❓ Colombia travel FAQ

Colombia travel questions

Is Colombia safe for tourists?

The main tourist areas are visited by many travellers without problems, though petty crime and scams occur and some regions are advised against. Check your government's advice, use registered transport and keep valuables discreet.

What is the best time to visit Colombia?

December to March is the driest and most popular time, with July and August also good. Because climate depends on altitude, Colombia can be visited year-round.

How many days do you need in Colombia?

A week covers Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena at a quick pace. Two weeks or more lets you add the coffee region, Tayrona and slower travel.

Do I need a visa for Colombia?

It depends on your passport and the length and purpose of your stay. Check the official Colombian government site or embassy before you travel.

What food should I try in Colombia?

Try arepas, bandeja paisa, ajiaco soup in Bogotá, fresh fish and coconut rice on the coast, and exotic fruit juices everywhere. And of course, excellent coffee.

Quick answers

What money do I need in Colombia?

The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP).

What language is spoken in Colombia?

The main language of Colombia is Spanish.

What is the capital of Colombia?

The capital of Colombia is Bogotá.

Which power sockets are used in Colombia?

Colombia uses plug types A, B. The standard voltage is 110 V. Bring an adapter if your plugs are different.

Colombia💰 What a trip costs
$price level
$30–45backpacker / day
$70–140mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Colombia🚌 Getting around

Domestic flights are cheap and save long mountain drives. Long-distance buses link most cities; use ride-hailing apps or official taxis in cities.

Colombia🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá – Underground church carved inside a salt mine
  • Las Lajas Sanctuary – Gothic church built across a dramatic river gorge
  • Monserrate – Mountain-top church and pilgrimage site above Bogotá
Colombia🤝 Local etiquette
  • Greet people with a handshake and 'Buenos días'
  • Use polite forms like 'por favor' and 'con gusto'
  • Ask before photographing people in rural areas

📰 Older Colombia stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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