• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Layer Culture

Latin America Travel & Culture Blog

  • Start Here
    • About
    • My Story
    • Travel Bible
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear
    • Dan’s Checklist
    • Medellin Tips
    • Culture Shock
    • Travel Safety
  • Destinations
    • Mexico
    • Colombia
    • Central America
    • South America
    • Jamaica
    • Brazil
  • Resources
    • Safety Gear
    • Learn Spanish
    • Travel Journals
    • Backpacking
    • Latin Culture
Home / Travel Guides

Colombia Tourist Attractions

Travel Guides Last Updated · Dec 11th, 2022 · Daniel James

colombia tourist attractions

Are you looking to visit the best tourist attractions in Colombia?

There are endless things to do and see in Colombia and based on what region you are in the tourist attraction can change dramatically.

Whether you are on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path destinations, unspoiled beaches, or age-old culture and traditions Colombia has it all.

Read below to learn more about what you can do here, and how to make the most of a trip to the real heart of South America.

Table of Contents

  • Colombia Tourist Attractions
    • Why plan a trip to Colombia?
  • Colombia Tourist Attractions
    • Tayrona Park
    • Rosario Islands
    • Minca
    • Jardin
    • Santa Fe de Antioquia
    • Guatape
    • San Cipriano
    • Buga
  • Colombia Travel Tips
    • Map of Colombia
    • Got Travel Insurance for Colombia?
  • Colombia Tourist Attractions

Colombia Tourist Attractions

This guide shows a mixture of tourist destinations in Colombia that take into account the diversity of experiences rather than the location.

Why plan a trip to Colombia?

If you’ve not yet arrived, or still planning a trip to Colombia you’ll want to get a better idea of which places are worth your precious time.

  • With hipster cities such as Bogota and the eternal spring of Medellin you’ll find that urban life is more welcoming than ever before.
  • As wonderful as it is, let’s forget Brazil (just for a second) Colombia is actually home to one of the world’s biggest carnivals.
  • With paradise islands such as San Andres and Providencia you can find the home to the third-largest coral reef system on Earth.
  • Doing the Cuidad Perdida trek through the Sierra Nevada mountain range to see the Teyuna archaeological site makes Macchu Picchu and Chichén Itzá look less mystical than you first imagined.
  • With romantic getaways in the Walled City of Cartagena you can explore one of the most exquisite colonial cities in Latin America.

Colombia Tourist Attractions

If you are only just reading about Colombia for the first time you’ll want to know whether or not it is worth your time coming here.

Let’s see if these places to visit inspire you to book a trip to Colombia over other countries in Latin America that you may have considered.

Tayrona Park

Explore the natural beauty and wildlife of this iconic park.

Tayrona National Park was established in 1969 to protect the ecology and bring awareness to the cultural significance of archaeology.

tayrona park colombia
Connect with indigenous peoples inside the park

Descendants of several tribal groups still live in small groups within the park and maintain their cultural traditions.

Here you’ll experience diverse landscapes, tropical rainforests, and the Caribbean Sea all within the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

💡 Smart Travel Tip
The park’s tremendously unique biodiversity includes hundreds of different species of coral, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and the endemic cotton-top tamarin monkey.

Why not do the Ciudad Perdida hike where you’ll see the ancient ruins of the Tairona people who built the city over a thousand years ago?

The Parks’ reputation as a travelers’ oasis draws thousands of new visitors each year.

Rosario Islands

If you’re looking for the best beaches in Colombia, and your budget permits, then you must check out the Rosario Islands from Cartagena.

colombia snorkeling
Snorkeling in Colombia’s Caribbean sea

While backpacking Colombia, you’ll find there are around 27 islands in the Mar Caribe to be discovered.

The Rosario Islands are reminiscent of other tropical paradises you’ll find in the Caribbean. If you’re into scuba diving, this is the place to be.

Some of the better islands you’ll find are:

  • Isla del sol
  • Gente Del Mar
  • Isla encanto
  • Fenix beach

Be prepared for a full day as it takes about 1h 30m to get to the Rosario Islands from mainland Cartagena.

See the beach clubs for a more tranquil experience. There are many vendors on public beaches, which can get annoying when relaxing.

Minca

In order for me to make this Colombia’s best travel guide, I have to mention Minca, which is located in the highlands of the country.

minca colombia
Casadas Marinka in Minka

See Minca as a great location for anyone interested in nature and exploring nature reserves, parks, and other protected areas.

Minca is a popular spot to visit from Santa Marta and only takes 45 minutes. Locals say that Minca is a small village with a big story.

minca sierra nevada

Minca is tranquil place where you can enjoy hikes to waterfalls. It also serves as a gateway to the Sierra Nevada mountains and Taganga on the coastline.

It’s no secret; Minca is the home to some of Colombia’s best Cacao. I recommend a visit to one of the Cacao farms and taste for yourself.

You can learn about both cacao and coffee via the fully guided tours on offer, some of which also include accommodation, for example, Mundo Nuevo where I stayed.

Jardin

If you’re in Medellin for more than a few days, you must go to Jardin. You’ll find everything you could hope for in a small Colombian town.

Great coffee, colorful architecture, inviting and friendly environment, and you can even go hiking to a nearby waterfall.

jardin colombia guide
Colourful Buildings in Jardin

Two popular activities to do in Jardin are horse riding or hiking along the mountainside trail to the hidden Cueva del Esplendor.

Jardin is definitely a place you must see in Colombia if you love nature and adventure. See this Jardin travel guide for more essential tips.

Santa Fe de Antioquia

Santa Fe de Antioquia is yet another pueblo you can visit on a day trip from Medellin that allow you to see a different Antioquian lifestyle.

Known for it’s Tamarindo candies amongst other little treats you’ll find sold on the street and in the open market stalls.

santa fe de antioquia guide colombia
Santa Fe de Antioquia Street Stalls

Located around one hour from Medellin, you’ll find some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in Colombia.

Be sure to check out Puente de Occidente, the third-longest bridge in South America. I’ve visited this town on more than one occasion.

💡 Smart Travel Tip
When in Santa Fe, aside from getting the local setting. Try some amazing Colombian food, as well as other international fusions.

Traveling out to Santa Fe gives you a chance to escape from the city and see what life is like in rural Antioquia.

Guatape

The town of Guatape is one of the most visited places from Medellin and is its own municipality. A must for adventure lovers!

Guatape is one of the coolest small towns in Colombia, but it’s not just the colorful town that attracts backpackers and locals.

guatape travel guide

It has a beautiful view of the lake and the giant rock called The Peñol Rock. And El Peñol stands more than 200 meters high! You can see it from miles away and throughout the surrounding countryside.

Get to the top of Peñol Rock via its 742 steps with a day trip from Medellin and you can also visit nearby villages Guarne and Marinilla.

💡 Smart Travel Tip
In Colombia, you’ll find many exotic fruits full of vitamins and minerals that you won’t find in other parts of the world.

Whilst in Guatape you can also find a good selection of water sports or even take a boat ride around the beautiful lake formations.

If you’re ever close to Medellin, don’t pass on this attraction and 100% don’t miss Guatape if you have more than a week in Antioquia.

San Cipriano

If you’re in the Valle del Cauca region, check out San Cipriano. You have to add this to your list of beautiful Colombian places.

It’s a natural reserve in the center of the subtropical forest on the Pacific coast. You can reach the bridge in about 2.5 hours from Cali.

san cipriano colombia
Transport inside the Natural Reserve (Las Brujitas)

Once you get to San Cipriano, you’ll be greeted with many outdoor activities. A few of the highlights are visiting six beautiful lagoons.

You can be sure that a trip to San Cipriano will be one of the things to see in Colombia that you’ll feel grateful for visiting.

san cipriano colombia

Relax in the natural pools of crystal waters and bathe under waterfalls at La Ventiadora, which is a 1-hour walk from the entry point.

As a preserved and hidden place, needless to say, you should have cash with you because you have to pay for access as well as other things such as tours and food that are inexpensive in most cases.

Buga

Like many places in this guide to Colombia, Buga kind of remains off the beaten track. Also, Buga is one of the spots that you can visit and not feel like you’re surrounded by a thousand tourists.

backpacking colombia things to do in buga
One of the Things to do in Buga

In Buga, you’ll find the Juan María Céspedes Botanical Garden. This is a very tranquil and special place to interact with nature.

💡 Smart Travel Tip
Will you be staying in Cali during your stay in Colombia? Buga is a town located and easily accessible on the bus ride from Cali bus station.

If you like camping, you can camp out on the grounds. Don’t forget your camera. Visit the garden area here if you love nature! Especially if you like the idea of switching off technology and relaxing for a while.

Colombia Travel Tips

See these travel tips for Colombia to ensure you have the best stay whether you’re on vacation, backpacking, or traveling with friends.

⤵️ Dan’s Travel Tips For Colombia:

  • If traveling to San Andres you must present your tourist card on arrival so make sure you fill it out on the plane or before you land.
  • Most coffee shops accept Visa or MasterCard so if you find yourself running low on cash remember to use your card where possible so you can save cash for other things on the road.
  • I suggest carrying a travel journal or notebook to register memories and thoughts. This is a great way to be with yourself and be creative in transitional moments.
  • Remember to carry some decent pants for hot weather to help your body stay hydrated if you’ll be doing hikes around the country.
  • Colombia had some Top rated hostels that you can’t afford to miss such as Nuevo Mundo in Minca so be sure to stay there.
  • As usual in big cities especially Bogota, it’s common to hear about pickpocketing. Be careful with what you carry, especially when using the Transmilenio buses and markets.
  • Pack some Anti-diarrhea tablets. You may not get ill, but it’s always a possibility, or maybe you can help a fellow traveler in need.
  • Aim to learn basic Spanish before arriving in Colombia. Many locals and service people don’t speak English and they’ll be accommodating with your efforts to converse in Spanish.
  • Wifi can be terrible in remote areas, if you’re a digital nomad you’ll want to get a data-plan to use in low connectivity areas as a backup.
  • Carrying some decent travel sized bug spray or an organic insect repellent, not just in remote places but in the bigger cities too.
  • Pollution is an issue in larger Colombian cities. Bogotá and Medellín are the most polluted cities in Colombia so take precautions if you have respiratory conditions.
  • Carry a travel rain poncho or waterproof rain jacket with you to avoid getting soaked as it rains more than most people expect here.

Map of Colombia

See this map of Colombia to get a better idea of the country’s area:

If you plan to travel to remote places such as Capurgana be sure to check the travel involved in getting these before booking anything.

Remember to carry some comfy walking shoes and practice your Spanish to be able to pick up any inside knowledge from locals.

Got Travel Insurance for Colombia?

travel insurance
🔒 World Nomads provides Travel Insurance

Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.

Colombia Tourist Attractions

Thanks for reading this guide to attractions in Colombia!

As you have seen, Colombia is home to many diverse gems and is a great place to discover all different cultures and climates.

In this guide we’ve explored tourist attractions, things to see, how to stay safe, as well as added some useful travel tips for good measure.

This guide to popular tourist attractions in Colombia can be read in conjunction with this guide to backpacking Colombia.

📌 Like this article? Pin it…

colombia tourist attractions
colombia tourist attractions
Which of these Colombia tourist attractions will you visit first?

💬 Leave a nice comment or let’s start a conversation below!

“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

Filed Under: Travel Guides

Daniel James

Helping thousands of people worldwide with independent travel in Latin America. Layer Culture means to dig deeper into the ideas, customs, and behavior of a group of people.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dan 👋🏽

south america travel with dan

After spending years on the road Dan is now offering to help you find your feet in Latin America; inspire you to learn Spanish and get you started on your adventures. Learn how to travel longer and stronger!

Yes Dan, help me!

Need something specific?

Recent Posts

  • Is Costa Maya Safe? 2023 Travel Guide
  • Safest States in Mexico 2023 Guide
  • Is Punta Cana safe? 2023 Travel Guide
  • Is Guatemala safer than Mexico?
  • Tulum vs Cancun

Footer

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Work with Dan

  • Be a Travelpreneur
  • About This Blog
  • Ask Me Anything

Travel Tips

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Get Inspired

  • South America Itinerary
  • Central America Safety
  • Solo Travel Tips

Learn Spanish

  • Learn Spanish Conversation
  • Become Fluent in Spanish
  • Top Places to Learn Spanish

© 2023 · Daniel James · Built on Genesis · See my site Policies

Layerculture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

This website uses cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
0 shares