Top Things to Do in Colombia

Colombia offers varied attractions from Caribbean beaches in Cartagena and Tayrona National Park to coffee region towns like Salento, the colorful streets of Guatapé, and the historic walled city of Cartagena. You'll find everything from pre-Columbian archaeological sites like San Agustín to lively cities like Bogotá and Medellín. The country's improved security over the past two decades has made most tourist areas safe and accessible, though we recommend checking current conditions for remote regions before visiting.

The Amazon River itself runs through Brazil and Peru, but Colombia has excellent access to the Amazon rainforest through the town of Leticia in the country's southern tip. From Leticia, you can take multi-day jungle tours, visit indigenous communities, and explore tributaries of the Amazon with local guides. Most tours range from 2-5 days and include wildlife spotting, piranha fishing, and stays in jungle lodges, typically costing between $100-200 USD per day including accommodation and meals.

The main beach cities are Cartagena (colonial walled city with nearby beaches), Santa Marta (way into Tayrona National Park), and Barranquilla (known for its carnival). On the Pacific coast, you'll find smaller beach towns like Nuquí and Bahía Solano, which are more remote and accessed mainly by small plane. For a more local vibe, Palomino on the Caribbean coast has a laid-back atmosphere popular with backpackers, while San Andrés island has clear turquoise waters and a distinct island culture.

Cartagena's walled old town combines colonial architecture with Caribbean beaches and is usually at the top of most itineraries. The coffee region around Salento offers impressive mountain scenery, coffee farm tours, and access to the tall wax palms in Valle de Cocora. Bogotá, the capital, has excellent museums like the Gold Museum, street art in La Candelaria neighborhood, and the Monserrate mountain viewpoint overlooking the city.

In Bogotá, start with La Candelaria historic district for colonial architecture and the famous Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), which houses over 55,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold. Take the cable car or funicular up Monserrate mountain for city views, explore the Sunday Ciclovía when main streets close to cars, and visit the Botero Museum for free. The Usaquén neighborhood is great for Sunday markets and dining, while Zona Rosa offers nightlife and restaurants.