Colombia

South America Travel Guide

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Closeup of the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria (Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría) in the The UNESCO-listed Old Town of Cartagena, Colombia, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-22T14:24:42.000Z, User: lonelyplanetmedia, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Global Publishing WIP, client: Global Publishing WIP, other: Pia Peterson Haggarty // SS Comp Ingestion

Closeup of the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria (Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría) in the The UNESCO-listed Old Town of Cartagena, Colombia, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-22T14:24:42.000Z, User: lonelyplanetmedia, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Global Publishing WIP, client: Global Publishing WIP, other: Pia Peterson Haggarty // SS Comp Ingestion

Overview

An exhilarating cocktail of condensed South America with a shot of Caribbean thrown in, Colombia keeps the magical moments coming thick and fast. In one day it’s possible to travel from glacier-covered Andean peaks to crystalline Caribbean seas, or from immense sand dunes to lush tropical rainforest. And beyond the cinematic panoramas, Colombia travel is also a fascinating mix of old and new, with impressive pre-Hispanic ruins and enchanting colonial towns vying for your attention alongside progressive cities with chic dining and vibrant nightlife. From the timeless streets of Cartagena to trendsetting Medellín, Colombia’s greatest appeal is in its diversity. Make the most of your Columbia trip with our travel inspiration and tips covering top attractions, when to visit and expert advice.

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Must-see attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Colombia attracts record numbers of visitors with its incredible landscapes, vibrant cities, and warm welcome. These are top things to do.


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Best Time to Visit

The climate varies across the country, but each season provides a good reason to visit Colombia. Here is the best time to visit.


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Things to Know

Whether you’re drawn to Colombia by the culture, hiking, wildlife or cities, you’ll want to linger to enjoy the beaches. Here's our pick of the best.


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Transportation

Colombia's landscape is stunning and impressive but those features can be hard to navigate on the ground. Here's how to get around Colombia.


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Visa Requirements

With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and jaw-dropping national parks and beaches, Colombia is a joy to visit, Here's what you need to know about visas.


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Best Road Trips

From incredible mountainous landscapes to stunning uncrowded beaches, Colombia has some once-in-a-lifetime road trips. Here are 5 of the best.


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Money and Costs

Colombia is one of the best-value destinations in South America. Stretch your cash even further with our top tips on how to visit on a budget.


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Traveling with Kids

Colombia comes alive with bright Christmas traditions in this first person account of a family experiencing festivals, markets, street food, and more in Medellin and Bogota with their adopted daughter.


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5 Shops

Colombia comes alive with bright Christmas traditions in this first person account of a family experiencing festivals, markets, street food, and more in Medellin and Bogota with their adopted daughter.


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Get Connected

Wi-fi, mobile networks and eSIMs make data access in Colombia easy – this guide has key tips for staying connected.


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