Highlights of Colombia
Colombia’s Top Three… There is something about Colombia that gets under your skin. ‘Colombia es Pasion’ boldly states one of their tourist board’s slogans and
Colombia tours
A vibrant country which has stolen our hearts for years, Colombia is a paradise for the adventurous explorer. Climb the epic Andes, explore lush mountains, coffee plantations, cosmopolitan cities and famous museums. Dance the night away in underground salsa clubs. Explore ancient, walled cities, discover lost civilisations and interact with exotic wildlife in the dense Amazon rainforest. Learn about the vibrant culture, hear about the fascinating history and enjoy the incredible food.
From the bustling cities of Cartagena to the sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean coast, Colombia has something for everyone. Experience it all on one of our Colombia tours.
Group Tours of Colombia with Tucan Travel
Joining a group tour is a unique, fun and hassle-free way to explore Colombia. Our Colombia tours are perfect for solo travellers, friends, couples or families, and we have a total of 10 incredible itineraries to choose from. Our longest tour lasts an epic 88 days and explores the best of South America. Or if you want to focus solely on Colombia, we have five itineraries – from the eight-day Colombia Express tour to the twenty-day Colombia Encompassed tour. All tours will be accompanied by an expert Tucan Travel tour leader and include all transport and accommodation.
Top 12 places to visit in Colombia
Being the second most biodiverse country in the world, Colombia does seem to have it all – Colonial villages, sun-kissed deserts, paradise beaches, dense jungles and epic mountain landscapes. With such a diverse landscape it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here’s our pick of the best places to visit in Colombia.
1. Bogota
The heart of Colombia, Bogota, is where most holidays to Colombia begin. Being the capital city, it’s an excellent place to get a first look into Colombian culture. The sophisticated North Bogota holds some of the most renowned restaurants and best boutiques in the city. Wander the charming historic centre of La Candelaria, exploring beautiful churches, colonial streets and quaint cafes. As a city still-developing, Bogota is a growing hub of live entertainment, festivals, music and food. Visit the famous Museum of Gold and the Bolivar Plaza, or head down to the salt cathedral – an entire cathedral buried underground in the salt mines. Hike to Montserrat to witness the best view of the city you can find, and spend your evenings salsaing the night away in one of the many underground clubs.
Did you know?
The name ‘Bogota’ comes from the Chibcha name of ‘Bacata’ meaning ‘The Lady of the Andes’.
2. Medellin
Many know Medellin as the source of the infamous drug cartel, but the city is far more than that. Located in the Aburra Valley in the Andes, Medellin captures the hearts of many travellers. A city painted with flowers, complete with eco-parks, beautiful libraries and a stunning Old Quarter. Visit Botero Plaza, the Museum of Antioquia and the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture. Explore El Poblado, a buzzing commune complete with boutiques, trendy bars, eateries and hotels. And at night, visit the underground salsa bars.
3. Cartagena
One of the prettiest places in the country, Cartagena is one of the biggest highlights of a tour to Colombia. This bustling city, set along the Caribbean coast is the perfect base for beach hopping the nearby islands.
Explore the impeccably-preserved old town, hidden by high walls guarding colourful, colonial palaces and buildings. Vine covered balconies look down to the winding streets below, packed with fruit vendors and merchants. Spend days discovering ancient forts, plazas, museums and famous restaurants. But one of the best things to do in Cartagena is just give in to the labyrinth of old streets and let your feet discover the rest.
4. Ciudad Perdida / The Lost City
Ciudad Perdida or The Lost City is the most popular hike in Colombia. Deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains is an ancient hidden city built in 800 CE – the largest pre-Colombian settlement in America. Most of the town has been encased in thick jungle, but you can clearly see remains of terraces and stairways peeping through. But to reach the lost city isn’t an easy feat – at a minimum, it is a four to six-day trek through rainforests, jungles, rivers and waterfalls.
5. Cali
Cali is well-known as being the salsa capital of the world, so what better place could there be to dabble in a few classes? Bars all over town are filled with live music, bands and dancing, couples pouring out into the street to continue the party – the suburb of Juanchito has a great selection of clubs. This unique city sways to its own rhythm and has an enchanting ability to charm a first-timer. Walk through the park on Rio Cali, explore the old district on San Antonio and admire the beautiful Ermita Church.
6. Zona Cafetera / Eje Cafetero
If you can’t live without your morning coffee, Eje Cafetero must be on your Colombia bucket-list. Half of Colombia’s coffee is cultivated in small plantations, resting in the subtropical Andean slopes. Take a tour to taste and learn everything you can about the rich Colombian coffee. Climb the tower of Catedral de Manizales for the best view in the city, or relax in the thermal springs in Santa Rosa or San Vicente. Eje Cafetero is also an excellent place to base your Andes hiking tours.
7. Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park is an excellent destination for getting back to nature. From swamps and cloud forests to ancient ruins and hidden beaches. The beaches may be a bit of a trek to get to, but they are certainly worth it. Tayrona’s shores arch into palm-shaded bays, tucked against crystal-clear lagoons. The National Park is also a popular spot for hiking dense rainforests and towering, snow-tipped mountains.
8. La Guajira Peninsula
The most northern part of Colombia, La Guajira is a remote peninsula complete with sweeping dunes, mangroves, swamps and vast stretches of barren desert, eventually meeting the Caribbean Sea. Cabo de la Vela is world-famous for windsurfing, sand boarding and kitesurfing. Home to some of Colombia’s best beaches which thanks to still being relatively undiscovered, remain for the most part, crowd-free.
9. Cano Cristales
This remote river canyon is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Colombia. Located in the Orinoquia region, Cano Cristales is filled with still lakes, crashing waterfalls and natural swimming holes. Aptly named, ‘the river of five colours’, the algae below the surfaces bloom causing riverbeds to be ringed in a rainbow of colour. Cano Cristales is by far one of the most photogenic places in Colombia and a highlight of any tour.
10. Guatape
This small town a few hours outside of Medellin is the picture-perfect quintessential Colombian settlement. Bright, bold houses line the winding streets, opening up into vast Colonial plazas. Hike to the top of El Penon for what some people have claimed as the ‘best view in the world’, gazing out at the beautifully coloured rivers and lakes backed by soaring mountains. Boat tours are also especially popular here.
11. San Agustin
The laid-back town of San Agustin is nestled amongst some of the most extraordinary landscapes in Colombia. Hidden amongst the ruins are the remains of a forgotten civilisation dating back to pre-Incan times. Discover sarcophagi, monoliths, petroglyphs and burial grounds. And keep a look-out for statues of humans, animals and monsters, peppered throughout the town. The area is also home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Colombia.
12. Leticia - The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest covers almost a third Colombia, so it would be a shame to come here and miss out on visiting one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Leticia, the capital of the Amazon Basin, fringes the Amazon River providing the perfect base for hiking one of the many jungle trails or setting up a wildlife safari. Learn about the indigenous tribes, explore the small towns occupying the river banks and visit the nearby Monkey Island for a close-up encounter.
Why Tucan Travel
A holiday to Colombia doesn’t need to break the bank. Colombia tours with Tucan Travel are the perfect way to explore all that the country has to offer, even if you are on a budget. Our tours to Colombia are designed to be the perfect balance of; value for money, authenticity and unforgettable experiences.
As an adventure tour specialist, we work hard to maintain strong relationships with our local guides and suppliers, taking extra care to make sure we are supporting local businesses ethically and sustainably. We use family-run hotels and guest houses where possible, and avoid large corporate-run chains. And if you still need reasons to book a holiday to Colombia with Tucan Travel, we have won numerous awards which you can read about here.
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