Highlights of Colombia
everything is a highlight in colombia Where to start with our Colombian Highlights? ‘Colombia es Pasion’ boldly states one of their tourist board’s slogans. After
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Colombia tours
Tour vibrant Colombia! A 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 encounter fabulous 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. Colombian tours are perfect for solo travellers, friends, couples or families, with incredible itineraries to choose from. All tours will be accompanied by an expert local 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 of 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 people, explore the small towns occupying the river banks and visit the nearby Monkey Island for a close-up encounter.
Our long term commitment to responsible travel is informed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s best plan to end poverty, reduce inequalities and tackle climate change. Our Purpose sets out how we support our travelers to make informed decisions so that they are able to travel without causing harm and be in a position to offer benefit to the people, cultures, animals and habitats they visit. In this way we can all contribute to the realisation of the development goals.
Click on this link to read more about our commitment to responsible travel.
Colombian Adventures
With such a fantastic history, geography, and culture, deciding where to visit in this outstanding country can be a challenge!
But, wherever you go, be prepared to be amazed.
Click on this link to visit the site of our recommended tour operator to Colombia.
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