Things to do in Colombia

25 things to do in Colombia

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Explore the walled city and fortress of Cartagena

  Step into the past within the perfectly preserved colonial walls of the Old Town, a UNESCO treasure of colorful balconies, cobbled streets, and the imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.

  Cartagena

• Admire pre-Hispanic gold at the Museo del Oro in Bogotá

  Marvel at the world's largest collection of gold artifacts, with over 55,000 pieces of indigenous craftsmanship that illuminate Colombia's rich ancient cultures.

  Bogotá

• Trek to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) in the Sierra Nevada

  Hack through dense jungle on a multi-day adventure to reach the ancient Tayrona capital, older than Machu Picchu, hidden on a steep mountain ridge.

  Santa Marta

• Paraglide from San Félix over the Aburrá Valley

  Leap from a mountain launch near Medellín and soar silently over the city, taking in the sprawl, green hills, and crimson sunsets.

  Medellín

• Tour a coffee plantation at Finca El Ocaso near Salento

  Hand-pick ripe Arabica cherries and follow the bean-to-cup journey on a working farm in the heart of the Coffee Triangle, surrounded by misty green hills.

  Salento

• Climb Monserrate for panoramic views of Bogotá

  Ascend 3,152 meters on foot, by funicular, or cable car to the iconic white church, and look down over the entire capital sprawling across the savannah.

  Bogotá

• Walk the open-air escalators of Comuna 13 in Medellín

  Wind through a former no-go zone transformed into an outdoor gallery of vivid street art, with dramatic hillside staircases now a symbol of resilience.

  Medellín

• Witness the rainbow river Caño Cristales in La Macarena

  Walk beside a river that explodes into scarlet, yellow, green, blue and black from July to November, thanks to the unique aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera.

  La Macarena

• Feast on bandeja paisa at Mercado del Río in Medellín

  Tackle Colombia's famous mountain of food—beans, rice, ground beef, chorizo, arepa, fried egg, avocado—in a stylish gourmet market with views of the bustling river.

  Medellín

• Dance salsa at Zaperoco Salsa Bar in Cali

  Join caleños in the world capital of salsa at a legendary club where live bands and a packed dance floor keep the rhythm going late into the night.

  Cali

• Sandboard down the Taroa Dunes in the Guajira Desert

  Slide down massive golden dunes that plunge into the turquoise Caribbean at Colombia's northernmost tip, Punta Gallinas, with only wind and waves for company.

  La Guajira

• Stroll the stone-paved streets of Barichara

  Feel time stand still in Colombia's most beautiful colonial village, built from terra-cotta stone and perched on a dry plateau with breathtaking canyon views.

  Barichara

• Soak in the hot springs of Santa Rosa de Cabal

  Bathe in steaming thermal pools fed by a natural waterfall on the slopes of the Andes, surrounded by lush cloud forest near Manizales.

  Santa Rosa de Cabal

• Descend into the underground Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

  Walk through a vast subterranean church carved from a salt mine 200 meters underground, with glowing crosses and impressive chambers that are a feat of engineering and faith.

  Zipaquirá

• Visit a Wayuu indigenous community in La Guajira

  Learn about the ancestral way of life, wander through a ranchería, and watch women weave stunning mochila bags using centuries-old techniques and vivid colors.

  Uribia

• Raft the rapids of the Rio Verde near San Gil

  Paddle through Class IV whitewater on one of Colombia's best rafting rivers, slicing between steep canyons and tropical forest, a thrilling day trip from the adventure capital.

  San Gil

• Linger in the vast Plaza Mayor of Villa de Leyva

  Stand on one of the largest cobblestone squares in South America, surrounded by whitewashed colonial buildings and distant highlands, perfectly frozen in the 16th century.

  Villa de Leyva

• Hike among the towering wax palms of Cocora Valley

  Walk through a fairy-tale landscape of the world's tallest palm trees, reaching 60 meters, set against misty green mountains and grazing cattle.

  Salento

• See larger-than-life Botero sculptures at Plaza Botero

  Stroll through an open-air gallery of 23 voluptuous bronze statues donated by Medellín's most famous artist, standing amid the colonial and modern buildings of the city center.

  Medellín

• Taste fresh ceviche at Cartagena's Bazurto Market

  Dive into the chaotic, authentic heart of the city where vendors pile up the day's catch and serve zesty ceviche in a no-frills, flavor-packed lunch.

  Cartagena

• Tour the imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

  Explore the tunnels and ramparts of the Spanish fort built to repel pirates, one of the greatest military engineering works in the Americas, with stunning views over Cartagena.

  Cartagena

• Scuba dive the coral reefs of Islas del Rosario

  Slip into warm, crystal-clear waters an hour from Cartagena to discover vibrant corals, tropical fish, and a sunken plane in a protected National Park archipelago.

  Islas del Rosario

• Party in the bars and clubs of Parque Lleras in Medellín

  Join the city's liveliest night scene in a leafy park surrounded by an endless array of pubs, cocktail lounges, and dance floors that buzz until dawn.

  Medellín

• Swim in the natural pools of Pozos Azules in Tatacoa Desert

  Cool off in bright blue mineral pools surrounded by a surreal landscape of red and gray eroded canyons, a miniature desert perfect for a refreshing break.

  Villavieja

• Birdwatch for endemic species at El Dorado Reserve

  Rise early in the Sierra Nevada cloud forest to spot the multicolored Santa Marta parakeet and other endemics at a premier ProAves lodge high above the Caribbean coast.

  Minca