COLOMBIA
Tucked into the northwest corner of South America, Colombia is one of the continent's most compelling destinations — a mega-diverse country where dense Amazon jungle, Caribbean coastline, and vibrant colonial cities all exist within a single trip.
Roughly the size of Texas and France combined, it's a country you could spend a lifetime exploring, and no surprise it's the birthplace of magical realism: Colombia has a way of feeling larger than life.
Must-Sees
Bogotá
A whirlwind of sights, sounds, and stories awaits in Colombia's dynamic capital. Walk the historic streets of La Candelaria, take in the sweeping city views from Santuario de Monserrate, and settle in for an exceptional dinner in one of Bogotá's increasingly celebrated restaurants.
Medellín
Nicknamed "The City of Eternal Spring" for its balmy, near-72°F climate year-round, Medellín has transformed itself into one of South America's most innovative and dynamic cities. Expect excellent dining, striking architecture, and a genuine sense of a city on the rise.
Cartagena
One of the most beautiful and best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas, Cartagena's walled old town is a feast of color and atmosphere. Spend your days wandering its cobblestone streets and your evenings at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the bay, in a city that rewards slowing down.
Unique Sites
La Guajira
Colombia's northeasternmost province is a lesser-known Caribbean paradise of long sandy beaches, sleepy villages, and scattered historical sites — a genuinely off-the-beaten-path escape.
Chicamocha Canyon
Dubbed "The Grand Canyon of South America," Chicamocha runs over a mile deep and 141 miles long. See it from a scenic overlook, or take in the full scale of it from hundreds of feet in the air on a guided paragliding flight.
Tatacoa Desert
Known for its extraordinary night sky, the Tatacoa Desert is one of Colombia's most singular landscapes — lush mountainside gives way to arid desert within a ten-minute drive. Seek out the hidden swimming oases tucked among its rock formations.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
One of the most remarkable religious sites in the world, this cathedral houses fourteen separate sanctuaries — one for each station of the cross — carved 200 meters underground inside a former salt mine. Striking whether or not you're religious.
Caño Cristales
Known as the "River of Five Colors," Caño Cristales bursts into a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, and greens each year from July through November, thanks to the aquatic plants that carpet its riverbed. There's genuinely no other river like it on Earth.
Activities in Colombia
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Guided city tours of Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena
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Paragliding over Chicamocha Canyon
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Stargazing in the Tatacoa Desert
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Touring the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
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Rafting and hiking near Caño Cristales
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Coffee region day trips
