Top Things To Do In Colombia 

Discover the best things to do in Colombia - from vibrant cities and lush coffee valleys to ancient ruins and Caribbean beaches. This curated guide reveals the country’s most unforgettable travel experiences. 

Top Bucket List Experiences, Must-Do Things & Unmissable Attractions.

Cartagena’s Walled Old Town 
Step inside Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed walled city, where pastel façades, bougainvillea balconies, and cobbled plazas evoke colonial splendour. By day, explore San Felipe Castle and chic boutiques; by night, salsa rhythms echo through candlelit courtyards and rooftop bars overlooking the Caribbean.

  • Insider Tip: Visit early morning for fewer crowds and cooler weather.
    Timing / Best Time: December to April, Cartagena’s dry season.

Cocora Valley & the Wax Palms of Salento 
Walk amid the world’s tallest palm trees, rising like emerald needles through Colombia’s misty Andean hills. The Cocora Valley near Salento feels surreal, its cloud forests and coffee plantations wrapped in silence except for hummingbirds. Ideal for photography, hiking, and local coffee tasting.

  • Best Way: Hike the full loop or ride horseback with local guides.
    Good to Know: Bring layers-mornings are cool and misty, afternoons sunny.

Medellín’s Comuna 13 Street Art District 
Once troubled, Comuna 13 now bursts with colour and energy. Its murals narrate stories of transformation and resilience, while escalators climb steep hills to panoramic viewpoints. Local artists and guides share inspiring tales of Medellín’s rebirth through creativity and community.

  • Insider Tip: Join a guided tour with local residents for authentic insight.
    Timing / Best Time: Visit mid-morning before the afternoon heat.

Tayrona National Park 
Where rainforest meets turquoise sea, Tayrona National Park offers pristine beaches fringed by jungle. Swim in quiet coves, hike to ancient Tayrona ruins, and relax under palms as howler monkeys echo from the canopy. This Caribbean wilderness feels untouched and deeply spiritual.

  • Best Way: Hike from El Zaino entrance to Cabo San Juan beach.
    Good to Know: Closed in February for environmental restoration-plan around this.

The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) Trek 
Hidden deep in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Colombia’s Lost City predates Machu Picchu. The multi-day jungle trek passes rivers, Indigenous villages, and steep stone terraces revealing a lost civilization. It’s demanding but deeply rewarding for adventurous travellers.

  • Insider Tip: Choose a licensed tour operator with Indigenous community ties.
    Timing / Best Time: December–March for dry trails and clearer conditions.

Bogotá’s Gold Museum & Mount Monserrate 
Bogotá combines culture and altitude. The Gold Museum showcases dazzling pre-Hispanic treasures, while Monserrate offers sweeping views of the capital from 3,100 metres. Take the funicular up at sunset and dine overlooking the twinkling lights below.

  • Best Way: Pair both in one day-museum in morning, Monserrate for sunset.
    Good to Know: Bring a jacket; temperatures drop sharply at dusk.

Guatapé & the Rock of El Peñón 
A kaleidoscope of colour and charm, Guatapé’s painted houses surround a turquoise reservoir. Climb the 740 steps of El Peñón de Guatapé for an unforgettable 360° view over the lakes. Afterward, relax in town with fresh arepas and a boat ride through the islets.

  • Insider Tip: Go early morning to avoid crowds on the stairway.
    Timing / Best Time: Year-round destination, best light just after sunrise.

Unique Experiences

Colombian Coffee Farm Experience in the Zona Cafetera 
Step into the heart of Colombia’s coffee triangle and learn every stage of cultivation from bean to brew. Wander lush plantations, pick ripe cherries, and enjoy tastings led by proud coffee growers. The aroma alone is worth the trip-earthy, rich, and unforgettable.

  • How to Do It: Join tours near Salento or Manizales; many fincas offer immersive stays.

Salsa Dancing in Cali 
Cali pulses with salsa-the city lives and breathes rhythm. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned dancer, you’ll feel the contagious energy of packed clubs and live bands. Dance floors overflow with joy, spontaneity, and the warmth of local hospitality.

  • Good to Know: Visit during the Feria de Cali in late December for peak energy.

Traditional Arepa-Making Class 
Learn Colombia’s beloved comfort food by hand-grilling golden arepas over open flame and pairing them with local cheese and guava paste. It’s a social, tactile ritual that connects visitors to the soul of Colombian kitchens.

  • Timing: Morning or early afternoon classes often include a local market visit.

Totumo Mud Volcano Bath 
Sink into warm volcanic mud at El Totumo, near Cartagena. Locals believe it rejuvenates the skin, and the surreal sensation of floating effortlessly in the dense grey pool makes for unforgettable photos and laughter.

  • How to Do It: Half-day tours depart from Cartagena; bring old swimwear and towels.

Music of the Caribbean Coast 
Experience cumbia and champeta performed live by street musicians in Cartagena or Santa Marta. The infectious rhythms mix African and Indigenous influences, a perfect expression of Colombia’s joyful identity.

  • Good to Know: Street performances peak around weekends and local fiestas.

Hidden Gems / Off-The-Beaten Path

Mompox (Santa Cruz de Mompox) 
A sleepy colonial town frozen in time along the Magdalena River. Cobbled streets, ornate churches, and riverside sunsets transport you to Gabriel García Márquez’s literary world.

  • Getting There: Best reached by car or bus from Cartagena (5–6 hours).
    Timing: Visit between December and March to avoid heavy rains.

San Andrés & Providencia Islands 
These remote Caribbean islands dazzle with crystal waters in seven shades of blue. Providencia, less visited, feels untouched with coral reefs and laid-back Creole culture.

  • Good to Know: Flights connect from Bogotá or Cartagena; ferry links are limited.
    Timing: December to May offers calm seas and sunny skies.

Barichara – The Prettiest Town in Colombia 
Barichara’s stone streets and ochre buildings radiate charm, perched above the Chicamocha Canyon. It’s perfect for artisans, artists, and those seeking tranquillity.

  • Getting There: 6-hour drive from Bogotá via Bucaramanga or San Gil.
    Good to Know: Stay overnight to see the town’s magic after sunset.

Tatacoa Desert 
A surreal landscape of red canyons and grey moonscapes, the Tatacoa Desert is ideal for stargazing and exploration. Silence and space define the experience.

  • Timing: Dry season (June–August) for the clearest skies and best visibility.

Capurganá & Sapzurro 
Two isolated beach villages near the Panama border, accessible only by boat or small plane. Expect lush jungle, turquoise water, and a digital detox atmosphere.

  • Good to Know: Cash is essential-no ATMs in the area.

Villa de Leyva 
This perfectly preserved colonial town feels like stepping back centuries, with whitewashed walls and cobblestone plazas.

  • Getting There: 3–4 hours from Bogotá by bus or private transfer.
    Timing: Weekdays for a peaceful escape; weekends attract locals from the capital.

Unusual / Quirky Experiences

Cano Cristales – The River of Five Colours 
Often dubbed “the liquid rainbow,” Caño Cristales dazzles from June to November when aquatic plants paint the riverbed in vivid hues.

  • Why Go: It’s one of nature’s rarest and most photogenic wonders.
    Good to Know: Access via La Macarena with guided eco-tours only.

Tejo – Colombia’s Explosive National Sport 
Throw a metal puck at targets embedded with gunpowder-yes, really! Tejo is loud, social, and best enjoyed with a beer in hand.

  • Why Go: A wild blend of tradition, adrenaline, and laughter.

El Peñón de Guatapé Souvenir Painting 
Locals decorate Guatapé’s façades with handmade bas-reliefs called zócalos, each telling a story. Some workshops let visitors paint their own souvenir tile.

  • Good to Know: Many art studios welcome walk-ins in the morning.

Cartagena’s Palenquera Fruit Ladies 
These vibrant women in colourful dresses balance fruit baskets on their heads-icons of Afro-Caribbean heritage. Chat respectfully, take a photo, and sample fresh tropical fruit.

  • Why Go: A lively symbol of Cartagena’s living culture.

Suggested Activities by Region / City

Cartagena & Caribbean Coast

• Sunset cruise on Cartagena Bay with live music.
Insider Tip: Book weekday evenings for smaller crowds.

• Visit Playa Blanca on Isla Barú for turquoise waters.
Best Way: Arrive early by speedboat to avoid the midday rush.

• Explore Getsemaní’s street art and food stalls.
Good to Know: Best experienced at dusk when murals glow under lights.

Bogotá & Surroundings

• Discover the historic La Candelaria district.
Insider Tip: Wear comfortable shoes-streets are steep and cobbled.

• Take a day trip to the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral.
Best Way: Join a small-group morning tour to skip queues.

• Sample local flavours on a Bogotá food tour.
Good to Know: Don’t miss ajiaco soup and fresh fruit juices.

Medellín & Antioquia

• Ride the Metrocable over lush hillsides to Parque Arví.
Insider Tip: Go midweek for quiet cabins and great photo ops.

• Visit Pueblito Paisa for panoramic views and local snacks.
Best Way: Take a taxi up and walk down through the gardens.

• Join a flower farm tour during Feria de las Flores.
Good to Know: Held annually in early August-book early!

Adventure & Outdoor Activities

Do’s / Recommended Activities:

• Hike through Tayrona’s jungle trails to hidden beaches.
Tip: Start early to beat heat and crowds.

• Paraglide over the Chicamocha Canyon near San Gil.
Good to Know: Conditions are best from June to October.

• Scuba dive in Providencia’s coral reefs.
Tip: Certified divers will find top visibility in March and April.

• Trek to the Lost City deep in the Sierra Nevada.
Good to Know: Multi-day trek requires fitness and guided booking.

Cultural & Food Experiences

Do’s / Recommended Experiences:

• Take a cooking class featuring Caribbean and Andean dishes.
Tip: Classes in Cartagena or Bogotá often include market tours.

• Explore Medellín’s art scene with Botero sculptures and local galleries.
Good to Know: Many museums are free on Sundays.

• Visit a cacao plantation in Santander for bean-to-bar chocolate.
Tip: The experience pairs perfectly with coffee-tasting tours.

• Attend the Barranquilla Carnival, Colombia’s most vibrant celebration.
Good to Know: Held in February; book early for accommodation.