Colombia’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit

Stay connected while exploring Colombia’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture with Airtel’s international roaming plans, designed to ensure seamless communication as you visit the country’s top 10 most beautiful destinations

Wedged between the Caribbean and the Andes, Colombia packs staggering diversity into its borders. Unspoiled beaches, ancient ruins, colourful cities, and lush jungles draw visitors craving a South American adventure with a twist.

 

Colombia welcomed over 4.2 million tourists in 2022, a 120% leap from 2021. Its popularity keeps skyrocketing as savvy travellers discover the country’s unique allure. Ready to explore? Here are the best places to visit in Colombia:

 

1. Cartagena’s Caribbean Charm

Cartagena’s 500-year-old walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bursts with bougainvillaea and Spanish-Colonial romance. Stroll the cobblestone streets to discover:

• Castillo San Felipe de Barajas – An imposing 16th-century fortress

• Plaza Santo Domingo – Lively square with outdoor cafes and street performers

• Getsemaní – Trendy, mural-splashed neighbourhood with a bohemian vibe

Where to Stay: Casa San Agustin, a restored 17th-century mansion with three pools and a spa.

 

2. Coffee Tasting in the Zona Cafetera

Colombia’s coffee-growing heartland, the Zona Cafetera, is a lush tapestry of emerald hills stitched with coffee farms. Base yourself in charming Salento to:

• Tour working coffee plantations and sample aromatic brews

• Hike the Cocora Valley, dotted with 200-ft wax palm trees

• Ride in a “Willy” jeep through the rolling countryside

Where to Stay: Hacienda Venecia, a working coffee farm with cosy rooms and tours.

 

3. Tayrona National Park’s Pristine Beaches

Tayrona National Park’s wild coast blends powdery Caribbean beaches with misty rainforest. Spend a few days here to:

• Hike through the jungle to unspoiled Cabo San Juan beach

• Snorkel in crystal-clear waters teeming with tropical fish

• Sleep in a hammock under a palm-thatched hut steps from the sea

Where to Stay: Eco-Hostel Yuluka, rustic bungalows immersed in nature near the park.

 

4. Medellín’s Vibrant Transformation

Shedding its turbulent past, Medellín has blossomed into a dynamic hub of art, culture, and innovation. Colombia’s second city invites you to:

• Ride the MetroCable gondolas for sweeping city views

• Explore the revitalized Comuna 13, adorned with vivid street art

• Visit the Botero Plaza, showcasing Fernando Botero’s voluptuous sculptures

Where to Stay: 23 Hotel, a sleek property in the trendy El Poblado district.

 

5. Villa de Leyva’s Colonial Charm

Villa de Leyva feels frozen in time, its whitewashed buildings and cobbled lanes evoking 16th-century Spain. Slow down and:

• People watch in the expansive Plaza Mayor, one of South America’s largest

• Hike or horseback ride through the rugged countryside

• Marvel at El Fósil, a near-complete 110-million-year-old Kronosaurus skeleton

Where to Stay: Hotel Boutique Casa Terra, with a spa, gardens, and mountain views.

 

6. La Guajira’s Otherworldly Landscapes

Colombia’s northernmost tip, the remote La Guajira peninsula, feels like another planet with its vast deserts and wind-sculpted dunes. Intrepid travellers venture here to:

• 4×4 across the surreal, orange-hued Taroa Dunes

• Visit the Indigenous Wayúu people and buy their intricate woven bags

• Spot flamingos in the Parque Nacional Natural Flamingos

Where to Stay: Ranchería Utta, traditional Wayúu huts with hammocks under the stars.

 

7. Providencia Island’s Caribbean Paradise

Providencia Island floats in the Caribbean Sea, closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. This tiny, unspoiled isle lures in-the-know travellers with:

• Some of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches, like Playa Manzanillo

• Superb snorkeling and diving in the UNESCO-listed Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

• A laid-back Raizal Creole culture with a Jamaican lilt

Where to Stay: Deep Blue, a boutique hotel with a waterfront pool and on-site dive shop.

 

8. Chingaza National Park’s Andean Wilderness

Just two hours from Bogotá, Chingaza National Park protects a vast tract of Andean páramo, high-altitude wetlands. Escape the city to:

• Hike past glassy lagoons and frailejón plants in the clouds

• Watch for spectacled bears, pumas, deer, and hundreds of bird species

• Fish for trout in crystal-clear streams (permit required)

Where to Stay: Refugio La Playa, rustic cabins with a restaurant inside the park.

 

9. San Agustín’s Ancient Mysteries

Scattered across the countryside near San Agustín, over 500 monolithic statues and tombs are remnants of a mysterious pre-Incan culture. Come to:

• Ponder the meaning of the carved stone figures in the Parque Arqueológico

• Hike through the park’s lush forests and rolling hills

• Visit the Estrecho del Magdalena, Colombia’s “Grand Canyon”

Where to Stay: Akawanka Lodge, a peaceful retreat with a pool near the archaeological park.

 

10. Bogotá’s Cultural Riches

Colombia’s buzzing, cosmopolitan capital, Bogotá, is filled with students, artists, and entrepreneurs. Give yourself a few days to:

• Explore the historic Candelaria district, packed with museums and colonial architecture

• Take the funicular up Monserrate mountain for panoramic city views

• Taste Colombian delicacies at Paloquemao, the sprawling central market

Where to Stay: B.O.G Hotel, a sleek high-rise with a rooftop bar and pool in the Zona T.

 

Making the Most of Your Colombia Trip

With so many incredible places to visit in Colombia, a little advance planning helps you make the most of your trip:

 

Best Time to Visit

• Dec-Mar: Dry season, ideal for beaches and festivals like Carnaval de Barranquilla

• Apr-June, Oct-Nov: Shoulder months offer lower prices and fewer crowds

• Jul-Aug: Busy summer season, perfect for visiting Medellín during the Feria de las Flores

 

Getting Around

Colombia’s main cities have airports with frequent domestic flights. Long-distance buses are an affordable way to travel between regions. For getting around locally:

Transport	Pros	Cons
Bus	Cheap, frequent, great for short trips	Can be crowded, hot, and slow
Taxi	Convenient, inexpensive, door-to-door	Risk of overcharging or scams
Metro	Clean, efficient, and easy in big cities	Limited coverage outside city centres
Uber/Didi	Cashless, tracked, and often cheaper than taxis	Not available everywhere, may be illegal

 

Staying Connected in Columbia with Airtel’s International Roaming Plans

 

Avoid roaming charges by getting a Colombian SIM card or activating an international roaming plan before you go. Airtel’s Postpaid international roaming plans offer pocket-friendly options for data, calls, and texts while travelling – you can choose a plan tailored to your trip duration and stay seamlessly connected across Colombia’s best tourist places.

 

Practical Tips

• Learn a few key Spanish phrases to smoothen communication

• Carry cash for small purchases and street food

• Pack for multiple climates – cities like Bogotá are chilly, while the coasts are hot and humid

• Check the latest safety advisories, but know most famous places in Colombia are traveller-friendly these days

From the Andes to the Amazon, Colombia promises an enthralling sensory feast. Its most beautiful places reveal the country’s essence one experience at a time – a sip of coffee on a sun-drenched plantation, a plunge into the Caribbean from a jungle-fringed beach, a brush with the ancient mysteries of a lost civilization. The only question is, which of these top Colombian tourist places will you explore first?