Casa del Primer Congreso de las Provincias Unidas
Villa de Leyva
On October 4, 1812, legislators met here to install the First Congress of the short-lived United Provinces of New Granada and elect its first president,…
Must-see attractions in Colombia
Barranquilla
The confusingly named Museo Romántico is actually a museum of the city's history, featuring quirky exhibits relating to Barranquilla's past, its famous…
San Andrés
At the southern tip of the island, the Hoyo Soplador is a small geyser where sea water spouts into the air (up to 20m at times) through a natural hole in…
Cauca & Huila
This charming thatched adobe church was once the centerpiece of the town until it was torched by arsonists. It is now covered by an incongruous tin roof…
Los Llanos
About the only sight in San José itself is this pleasant raised viewpoint overlooking the fast-flowing Guaviare River, from which the town takes its name…
Medellín
Constructed with funds from European immigrants, this fine church inaugurated in 1803 is the only colonial-style temple in the city and features a stone…
Pereira
Within the grounds of the Universidad Tecnológia de Pereira, the botanic gardens has orchids, exotic bamboos, hummingbirds and medicinal plants, and…
Caribbean Coast
Despite its name, this is more of a rustic zoo than a water world (though there is a foggy-windowed aquarium here). You'll also find monkeys, pink…
Medellín
Medellín's most important church stands guard over Parque Berrío and was constructed in the 1770s on the site of an earlier wooden structure. It features…
Bucaramanga
In Parque García Rovira, this diminutive chapel is Bucaramanga's oldest surviving church; it was erected in stone from 1748 to 1750. Its simple…
Popayán
This late 18th-century building is full of period furniture, paintings, old photos and documents that once belonged to the Popayán-born poet who lived…
Leticia
A visit to Leticia's central square, which is filled with some fairly bizarre civic art and sculpture, is best made just before sunset when you can…
Cali
This neoclassical church dating from the 18th century is most renowned for the adjacent Torre Mudéjar, an unusual brick bell tower that is one of the best…
Catedral de la Sagrada Familia
Bucaramanga
Facing Parque Santander is Buca's most substantial piece of religious architecture. Constructed over nearly a century (1770–1865), it's a massive,…
San Andrés
Located just south of El Cove, La Piscinita is a good site for snorkeling. It has usually calm water, plenty of fish (which will eat out of your hand) and…
Medellín
Next to the lookout Cerro Nutibara you'll find the Museo de la Ciudad, a small museum dedicated to the history of Medellín that often showcases…
Pereira
The centerpiece of Plaza de Bolívar is Rodrigo Arenas Betancur's 8.5m-high, 11-tonne bronze statue of the Liberator, naked on horseback, urging his…
Barranquilla
Barranquilla's best art museum fills its space with rotating exhibitions from its larger permanent collection, which includes nationally renowned painters…
Bucaramanga
One of Bucaramanga's best preserved colonial mansions, the Casa de la Cultura is currently occupied by an educational institution, but visitors are free…
Medellín
On the campus of the Universidad de Antioquia, this museum has an interesting collection of pre-Columbian pottery, as well as galleries devoted to art and…
Barranquilla
On the 1st floor of the building of the Universidad del Atlántico, this museum displays a small collection of pre-Columbian pottery from different regions…
Leticia
Come here to observe fishmongers selling local gamitana and pirarucú fish, buy fresh fruit and veggies and browse a limited selection of local handicrafts…
Barranquilla
This modern cathedral was completed in 1982. Don't be put off by its squat, heavy, somewhat bunkerlike exterior – go inside. The beautiful interior…
Medellín
Young travelers will enjoy this expansive science museum, which features a fine aquarium full of species from Colombian waterways as well as an…
Around Medellín
Sometimes referred to as the Catedral Madre, this was the first church built in the region. However, the original church was destroyed by fire, and the…
Popayán
The youngest church in Popayán's center, this neoclassical cathedral was built between 1859 and 1906 on the site of a previous cathedral, which had been…
Caribbean Coast
Mompós' cemetery is a striking spot; whitewashed graves and slots for remains are stacked high atop each other, sometimes six together, forming a wall of…
Caribbean Coast
Mompós' main museum is a decent collection of religious paintings, gold and silver crosses and other religious objects, all displayed in several rooms of…
Guatapé
The Iglesia del Calma features a Greco-Roman exterior and a polished wood interior. It was built in 1811 as a form of penance, or so the story goes, by a…
Tolú
This stretch of sand is a good choice if you want to spend the day on the beach. It's rather remotely located, so you'll need to hire a moto-taxi from…
Museo de Arte del Banco de la República
Bogotá
Though indistinguishable as its own museum, this is the space inside Banco de la República's museum complex used for temporary exhibitions. Its auditorium…
Isla de San Martín de Pajarales
Islas del Rosario
This tiny island is mainly visited because it's home to an aquarium and oceanarium where you can see captive dolphins, sharks and other sea creatures.
Bogotá
On the western side of the plaza, this French-style building is now home to the alcaldía (mayor's office). The building was erected between 1902 and 1905.
Around Medellín
This mid-17th-century church, also known as La Chinca, fronts a lovely park complete with resident squirrels. It generally opens at around 7pm daily.
Bucaramanga
Buca's colorful, well-organized central market is worth a stroll, especially for its 4th-floor food court with all manner of local eats and mountain…
Museo de Arte Moderno de Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga
A bright little museum with two exhibition rooms with rotating exhibits of modern paintings and sculptures. There's also a garden with sculptures and a…
Medellín
Overlooking Parque de Bolívar, Medellín's neo-Romanesque cathedral was completed in 1931. Its spacious but dim interior has Spanish stained-glass windows.
Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander
For a bird's-eye view of the pueblo and surrounding rock formations, head up to this lookout point above town, a straight 15-minute ascent east on Calle 4.
Puerto Nariño
Located in the Alcaldía (town hall building), this mini museum has a small display of artifacts from the region’s indigenous populations.
Tolú
If you're looking for a good slice of local beach, then Playa Blanca is your best bet. It is accessed via moto-taxi from Coveñas (COP$6000).
