Looking for the top places to visit in Colombia? This country does scale like few others: Amazon rainforest, Andean peaks, colonial towns, Caribbean beaches—and that’s before you even factor in the food and music.
You won’t find a single “right way” to see Colombia. But these 11 stops are a good place to start, from cultural hubs to off-the-map escapes.
Colombia Highlights: The Best Colombian Destinations to Explore
Each of these destinations in Colombia offers something that feels totally different from the last. They’re the kind of places that make you miss your bus on purpose.
1. Bogotá
As the national capital, Bogotá is one of the top places to visit in Colombia. It gives you a first taste of the country’s contrasts. It’s a high-altitude city of 8 million people where colonial buildings meet glass towers, and top-rated museums sit a few blocks away from buzzing nightlife zones. This sprawling metropolis is often the starting point of any Colombian adventure, not just because of its major airport, but because it sets the tone for everything the country has to offer.
The city’s historic center, La Candelaria, is a must for first-time visitors. Thanks to its colonial-era churches and squares, colorful houses, and institutions like the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum, it’s easy to spend a full day walking these streets. The Monserrate hilltop offers panoramic views and a sense of Bogotá’s scale, while the north of the city—around Chapinero and Zona T—is home to a more modern and cosmopolitan vibe, with great nightlife and Colombia’s top-rated dining scene.
Outside the city, day trips to places like the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá or the scenic town of Guatavita offer a change of pace and a glimpse into local legends and landscapes. Bogotá is also a gateway to national parks like Chingaza, which sits just outside the city limits and offers páramo hikes and wildlife watching.
Bogotá is huge, and traffic is serious, so getting around efficiently is part of the challenge. The TransMilenio bus system covers much of the city but can be crowded and confusing for newcomers. Ride-hailing apps are a more straightforward option, especially in the evenings. Because the city sits at over 8,600 feet (2,600 meters), you’ll also want to take it slow on your first day to adjust to the altitude.
As in most big cities, safety depends on timing and location. Most tourist areas are generally safe, but it’s smart to stay alert, especially at night. Stick to well-lit areas, avoid flashing valuables, and use transportation options you trust.
As the capital, Bogotá is well connected by air and land. Long-distance buses run from the city to nearly every region in Colombia, and flights from El Dorado can take you to Medellín, the Caribbean coast, the Amazon, and beyond in under two hours.
2. Medellín
Once known for the wrong reasons, Medellín has redefined itself as one of the top places to visit in Colombia. Located in a valley surrounded by green mountains in the department of Antioquia, the city is often referred to as the country’s most innovative—and its most livable. The city’s spring-like climate year-round and transformation over the past two decades have made it one of the most popular Colombian destinations for travelers and digital nomads.
The country’s second-largest urban center, Medellín’s main attractions include the Museo de Antioquia and Plaza Botero, where you’ll find dozens of oversized sculptures by the local artist Fernando Botero. The Metrocable, part of the public transit system, isn’t just functional—it also offers incredible views over the city and gives you access to places like Parque Arví, a large nature reserve just a cable car ride away.
El Poblado is the city’s best-known neighborhood for tourists. It’s filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, and serves as Medellín’s nightlife hub. If you’re looking for something a little more laid back, Laureles has a slower pace, tree-lined streets, and a growing food scene. The city center is more chaotic but full of energy, with local markets, street vendors, and a glimpse of everyday life in Medellín.
One of the best day trips from Medellín is to Guatapé, a lakeside town renowned for its vibrant zócalos and the massive El Peñol rock, which offers panoramic views. The region is also part of Colombia’s coffee heartland, and nearby towns like Jardín and Santa Fe de Antioquia give you a chance to see the countryside and learn more about local coffee traditions.
Unlike Bogotá, Medellín has a functional metro system. It’s clean, affordable, and easy to navigate. Combined with cable cars and buses, it makes getting around much less intimidating. The weather is mild, but it can rain unexpectedly, so it’s smart to keep a light rain jacket on hand.
Medellín is served by two airports: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro and the smaller Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) near the city center. Buses connect Medellín with cities all over Colombia, including direct routes to Bogotá, the Coffee Region, and the Caribbean coast.
3. Cartagena de Indias
Cartagena de Indias is one of the top places to visit in Colombia, and it’s easy to see why. Set along the Caribbean coast, this walled colonial city is a standout among Colombian destinations thanks to its colorful streets, sea views, and centuries of layered history. Founded in 1533, Cartagena was one of Spain’s most important ports in the Americas and a key target for pirates—something that shaped its massive stone fortifications, many of which still stand today.
The heart of Cartagena is its historic walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with plazas and colonial buildings. Just outside the old walls is the lively Getsemaní neighborhood, where street art and music spill from every corner. It’s a great area to explore on foot, especially in the evenings when the streets fill with dancers, vendors, and open-air diners. Nearby, the San Felipe Castle and Convento de la Popa offer the best views in Cartagena.
While the city itself is full of atmosphere, many people come to Cartagena as a jumping-off point for island escapes. The Rosario Islands are popular for snorkeling and relaxing on white sand beaches. Closer to shore, Playa Blanca on Barú is popular but often crowded, so consider arriving early or booking an overnight stay.
Rafael Núñez International Airport connects Cartagena with major domestic and international destinations. Around town, taxis and apps are the easiest way to get around, and walking is often the best way to take in the historic center. Just be ready for the humidity—Expect hot, humid weather year-round—about 86°F (30°C).
4. Santa Marta and Tayrona
Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest surviving city and the gateway to one of the country’s most beloved coastal attractions: Tayrona National Natural Park. Sitting on the Caribbean coast in the department of Magdalena, it’s smaller and more relaxed than Cartagena, but still a key stop among the top places to visit in Colombia.
Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest surviving city and remains an active Caribbean port with a walkable colonial core. Key attractions include the gold exhibits at the Tayrona Gold Museum, the restored Catedral Basílica, and the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simón Bolívar spent his final days. The beach areas of Taganga and El Rodadero, situated on either side of the city, are easily accessible, but neither compares to what lies to the east.
Tayrona National Natural Park is the region’s biggest draw. Its main entrance, El Zaino, is about an hour from Santa Marta by road. Once inside, you’ll find trails that wind through dense forest and open up to beaches like Arrecifes, La Piscina, and Cabo San Juan. Some paths lead to Pueblito, a former Indigenous settlement surrounded by massive boulders and jungle. While it’s possible to visit Tayrona in a day, many travelers stay overnight in ecohabs or campgrounds to enjoy the landscape at a slower pace.
What makes this part of Colombia so striking is its geography. Just behind the beaches of Tayrona, a mere 30 mi (50km) away, rise the peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. With summits over 18,000 ft (5,500 m) tall, this region is one of the few tropical areas where you can start your day swimming in the ocean and end it trekking in the snow.
Santa Marta’s airport (SMR) connects easily to Bogotá and Medellín, and from the city, you can arrange transport to Tayrona or up into the mountains. With a mix of tropical coastline and Andean sierras, Magdalena offers one of Colombia’s most dramatic geographic contrasts.
5. Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero)
Known as the Coffee Region, the Coffee Triangle, or the Eje Cafetero, this area spans parts of the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda. It’s one of the most scenic and culturally rich destinations in Colombia—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its coffee-growing landscapes and traditional farming culture.
Most itineraries through the Coffee Region follow a circular-or rather, triangular (pun intended)—route between the departmental capitals and side trips to the surrounding smaller towns.
The larger cities—Manizales, Armenia, and Pereira—each serve as gateways to the region, depending on where you’re traveling from. Manizales is situated in the mountains and is renowned for its steep streets, breathtaking views, and annual theater festival. On the other hand, Armenia offers easy access to coffee fincas and hosts the Parque del Café, which focuses on the country’s coffee culture. Lastly, Pereira, the largest of the three, has hot springs nearby and a growing restaurant and nightlife scene.
However, it’s in the smaller towns where the region truly shines. One of the best areas to stay in the Eje Cafetero, Salento, is known for its colorful balconies and as the starting point for hikes into the Cocora Valley, where wax palms—the tallest palm trees in the world—dot the mountains. Filandia has a similar charm but fewer crowds, while Santa Rosa is renowned for its thermal baths and surrounding natural beauty.
The region is also home to Los Nevados National Natural Park, where you can hike near snow-capped volcanoes like Nevado del Ruiz. It’s one of the best places in the country to experience páramo ecosystems and high-altitude terrain, and a reminder that not all Colombian highlights involve beaches.
Accommodation ranges from boutique hotels and hostels in the larger towns to farmstays and eco-lodges in the countryside.
The region is well connected by air, with airports in all three capital cities: La Nubia (MZL) in Manizales, El Edén (AXM) in Armenia, and Matecaña (PEI) in Pereira. Additionally, long-distance buses link the region to Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, while local buses connect even the most rural villages.
6. San Andrés Island
Located in the Caribbean Sea, closer to Nicaragua than to the mainland of Colombia, San Andrés is part of an island group that also includes Providencia and Santa Catalina. Despite its geographical distance, it is one of the most visited Colombian destinations thanks to its turquoise waters, coral reefs, and laid-back beach culture.
San Andrés is famous for the “sea of seven colors”—a phrase locals use to describe the shifting blues and greens of the surrounding water. Snorkeling and diving are popular around the coral reefs at places like La Piscinita and West View, while Johnny Cay and Acuario are popular boat trips for those looking to sunbathe and swim on smaller cays.
The island has a unique cultural mix, blending Afro-Caribbean Raizal traditions with Colombian and English influences. Reggae music, coconut rice, and Creole Spanish give the island a rhythm and flavor distinct from the mainland.
Keep in mind that the island is small and can get crowded, especially during local holidays, so book your San Andrés accommodation in advance. If you’re after a quieter escape, consider flying onward to Providencia, where life moves more slowly and development is limited.
Flights to San Andrés (ADZ) are available from major cities like Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín. Once on the island, you can get around by scooter, golf cart, or taxi.
7. Villa de Leyva
Tucked into the highlands of the Boyacá department, Villa de Leyva is one of the most picturesque colonial towns in Colombia. It’s just a few hours from Bogotá by road, making it a popular weekend escape for Bogotanos—and a highlight for anyone interested in architecture, history, or small-town charm.
Villa de Leyva is known for its remarkably well-preserved whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, and vast central plaza, one of the largest in South America and considered one of the most beautiful squares in Colombia. The town is especially striking in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light softens and the surrounding hills glow with warm color. The town is also home to museums like the Casa Museo Antonio Nariño and the Paleontological Research Center.
Just outside town, you’ll find even more to explore: El Fósil, a museum built around the fossilized skeleton of a 120-million-year-old Kronosaurus; the Terracotta House, a massive clay home that looks like something out of a fairytale; and the desert-like landscapes of the nearby Pozos Azules. There are also vineyards, hiking trails, and artisan markets that round out the area’s appeal.
This Boyacá town is well connected by bus from Bogotá and Tunja, and there are plenty of guesthouses, boutique hotels, and countryside haciendas to choose from. Among Colombia’s highlights, Villa de Leyva stands out as one of the most atmospheric and photogenic destinations in the Andes.
8. Cali
Colombia’s third-largest city and the capital of Valle del Cauca, Cali is best known as the country’s salsa capital. Located in the warm southwest lowlands, this is a city where music pours out of open windows and dancing spills onto the streets. It’s one of the top places to visit in Colombia for nightlife, rhythm, and a very different pace from the cooler Andean cities further north.
Among Cali’s main attractions are the riverside Parque El Gato del Río, the hilltop viewpoint at Cristo Rey, and the historic churches downtown, including La Merced and San Francisco. The city also has strong Afro-Colombian cultural roots, which are reflected in its cuisine and music. If you’re here to dance—or to learn—this is the place: venues like La Topa Tolondra and Tin Tin Deo offer lessons and late nights.
The most popular neighborhoods in Cali include San Antonio, a hilly colonial district with cafés, galleries, and views over the city; the Zona Rosa in the north, known for its shopping and nightlife; and San Fernando, home to Parque del Perro and featuring numerous restaurants, bars, and microbreweries.
Just outside Cali, you can visit Cartago, known for its basilica and quiet atmosphere. A little farther afield, Popayán offers whitewashed colonial architecture and a more traditional atmosphere. On the other hand, the port town of Buenaventura is a base for dolphin and whale-watching tours from July to October, when humpbacks migrate along Colombia’s Pacific coast.
Cali is served by Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, which connects to Bogotá, Medellín, and other domestic destinations, as well as to Panama and Miami. The bus terminal has routes across the southwest and toward the Coffee Region, making Cali a good stop on any Colombian itinerary.
9. Bucaramanga and Eastern Andes
The Cordillera Oriental, the easternmost foothills of the Andes mountain range, stretches across eastern Colombia and into Venezuela, forming the backbone of the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander. This is one of the least visited parts of the country by international travelers, but it’s full of surprises—from dramatic canyons to colonial towns frozen in time. Bucaramanga, the capital of Santander, serves as the gateway to the region and a good starting point for exploring one of Colombia’s most underrated highlights.
Bucaramanga itself is a modern, green city with more parks per capita than any other in the country. It’s also a university town with a relaxed feel, great food, and a reputation for friendly locals. Don’t miss the views from Cerro del Santísimo or the chance to walk the bridge over Chicamocha Canyon, one of the deepest in the Americas.
What really draws travelers here, though, are the smaller towns scattered through the hills. Examples include San Gil, Colombia’s adventure capital, which offers rafting, caving, paragliding, and more. Nearby Barichara is widely considered the most beautiful town in Colombia, with its stone streets and whitewashed facades. You can walk the old Camino Real trail from Barichara to the smaller village of Guane. Girón, situated just outside Bucaramanga, retains its colonial architecture and cobblestone lanes. At the same time, Pamplona, located near the Venezuelan border, is a traditional Andean town with a strong academic and religious heritage.
The region is accessible by air via Bucaramanga’s Palonegro International Airport (BGA), with flights from Bogotá and Medellín. There are also long-distance buses to and from Cúcuta, the capital of Norte de Santander, as well as to other major cities. Within the region, local buses and shared vans connect the smaller towns. While distances aren’t huge, mountain roads make travel slower, so plan extra time if you’re combining several stops.
10. La Guajira Peninsula
La Guajira is Colombia’s northernmost region and one of the most remote and striking landscapes in the country. Located along the Caribbean coast and bordering Venezuela, this arid peninsula is unlike anywhere else in South America. With its sand dunes, wind-blasted plains, and turquoise waters, it offers an extreme but unforgettable contrast to the rest of the country’s lush interior.
Due to its relative isolation, La Guajira remains largely untouched by large-scale tourism. It’s home to some of Colombia’s most pristine natural scenery—giant desert landscapes that meet the sea and skies that seem to go on forever. The region is sparsely populated, with infrastructure limited to a few small towns and rough roads that often require 4-wheel drive transport in many areas.
The peninsula is the ancestral homeland of the Wayuu people, Colombia’s largest Indigenous group. Their language, traditions, and craftwork are integral to the region’s identity, and their presence is felt throughout villages and desert outposts.
The regional capital, Riohacha, is the most accessible town in La Guajira. It’s a small coastal city with a relaxed vibe, a waterfront promenade, and a local market known for Wayuu mochilas and crafts. From here, you can organize trips deeper into the desert toward Cabo de la Vela—a fishing village turned kitesurfing spot—and Punta Gallinas, the northernmost point of South America.
Getting to La Guajira takes some planning. Riohacha has an airport (RCH) with limited flights from Bogotá and Medellín. From there, trips to Cabo de la Vela or Punta Gallinas typically require private transport or organized tours. Conditions can be harsh—there’s little cell signal, limited access to fresh water, and basic infrastructure—so traveling here means embracing a slower pace and packing accordingly. It’s not for everyone, but for those looking for raw beauty and cultural depth, La Guajira is one of the most memorable highlights of Colombia.
11. Leticia and the Amazon
Leticia is Colombia’s window onto the Amazon Basin. Tucked into the far southeastern corner of the country near the borders with Brazil and Peru, it’s the capital of the department of Amazonas and the main gateway to one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. As the only major Colombian city with direct access to the Amazon River, Leticia feels more like a frontier post than a typical urban center.
The town itself is small and walkable, and a quick boat ride will take you to the tri-border towns of Tabatinga (Brazil) and Santa Rosa (Peru).
Most travelers use Leticia as a base for exploring the rainforest in greater depth. Puerto Nariño, a community accessible only by river, is a favorite destination for those seeking to observe pink river dolphins, embark on guided jungle hikes, or learn about the local Indigenous cultures. Multi-day tours from Leticia often include wildlife watching, night treks, and visits to nearby reserves and Indigenous villages.
Leticia’s Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET) connects to Bogotá, and flights are usually the only way to reach the city—there are no roads linking it to the rest of Colombia. Conditions in the rainforest are hot, humid, and unpredictable, so it’s important to pack light but smart, including insect repellent, waterproof gear, and sun protection.
Visiting Leticia isn’t just about seeing the Amazon—it’s about understanding the immense ecological and cultural diversity of the region. For travelers looking to go beyond the typical tourist trail, this is one of the most breathtaking Colombian destinations you can choose.
Final Thoughts
Colombia’s geography is wild, its cities full of surprises, and its rural corners packed with places that feel untouched. Whether you’re climbing wax palm–dotted valleys, eating arepas by the beach, or catching your breath in Bogotá’s high altitude, this country keeps shifting around you—and that’s half the fun.