Top 9 Things to Do in Colombia

Cultural heritage in Colombia spreads from the Andes to the jungle, the desert to the coastline, and you can experience it on cultural tours of the cities and towns.

Colonial towns reflect fascinating history, while ruins and statues offer a unique view of traditional Colombia through a different lens. Delving into its cultural heritage and traditions is one of the top things to do in Medellin, Colombia, and other popular destinations.

Whether looking for pre-Columbian gold on display or cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed homes, antique statues decorated with filigree or an entire city lost to the jungle terrain, Colombia offers immersive and breathtaking access to culture.

Best Places for Cultural Tours: Bogota • Medellin • Cartagena • San Basilio de Palenque • Villa de Leyva • Barichara • Jardin

Colombia is one of the world’s most famous coffee-producing countries, with a massive agricultural zone spanning five regions.

Much like wine, coffee plants absorb the specific characteristics of the soils in each area, resulting in distinctive and layered flavors that make every cup unique.

Traditional towns decorate the coffee regions and represent local and national heritage, while also celebrating the delicious flavors of coffee, accentuated by the landscapes.

Best Places for a Coffee Tour: Salento • Pijao • Filandia • San Vicente de Chucuri • Risaralda

Colombia’s cuisine, with its dynamic textures and tastes resulting from diverse ecosystems, is rich in history and you can discover it all on Colombia food tours.

With a culinary scene considered up and coming, the reputation for delicious recipes has spread beyond the typical cities of Bogota and Cartagena, reaching even the secluded corners of the Amazon.

From traditional tropical fruits to citrusy ceviche, decadent stews to crunchy empanadas, Colombia’s cuisine is a mouthwatering discovery and food tours are one of the top things to do in Bogota, Colombia.

Best Places for Food Tours: Bogota • Cartagena • Popayan • Bucaramanga

Colombia balances tradition and innovation in its cuisine, with towns sharing customary recipes connected to local, seasonal ingredients that travelers can learn about during cooking classes.

Cities like Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin represent the combination of old and new, introducing you to the point at which Colombian cuisine's future meets a foundation steeped in tradition.

Discover how the cooking is deeply rooted in heritage towns and provides an entirely new perspective from which you can enjoy Colombia’s typical flavors as you learn how to recreate them.

Best Places for Cooking Classes: Cartagena • Bogota • Medellin • Envigado

Trekking in Colombia is dramatic, epic, and unforgettable, and many of the best places to visit in Colombia offer exceptional hiking.

The diverse ecosystems provide unique opportunities for exploration from the Andes to the Amazon. Along with impressive nature that may offer glimpses of jaguars or spider monkeys, Colombia also has trails leading to lost cities or hidden beaches, glacial lakes, and volcanic peaks.

Best Places for Hiking: Cocora Valley • The Lost City • Fin del Mundo • Tayrona Park • El Cocuy National Park

Colombia’s beaches are pristine, enticing, and picturesque. Snorkeling, surfing, solitude, or relaxation are only a snapshot of the possibilities you can enjoy while visiting a Colombian beach.

The waters can give way to radiant fish and passing whales, or you can just lounge on soft white sands as the warm water laps at your toes. Whether lounging alongside the clear turquoise Caribbean or the big surf of the Pacific, you can find a perfect beach for your preferred ambiance.

Best Places for Beaches: Tayrona National Park • Playa Blanca • Sapzurro • Playa de Providencia • Guachalito

Colombia’s position near the equator has resulted in a staggering array of microclimates influenced by the diverse landscapes, where you can see an array of unique Colombian wildlife and scenery.

As the second-most biodiverse country on the planet, the national parks provide exceptional opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Stunning beaches lined with jungle and singing with monkeys or lounging iguanas, ecological reserves erupting with bird calls, and glassy mirrors hiding pink dolphins, Colombia’s national parks offer endless fascination.

Best Places for National Parks: Tayrona National Park • Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park • Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary • La Macarena National and Ecological Reserve Park

Colombia is a haven for rafting, whether you prefer exhilarating whitewater or floating down a glassy river searching for wildlife. The excitement of curving waters and fluctuating currents only enhances the shape of nature.

Colombia’s many rivers give you a great selection of rapids to explore with expert guides on a journey deeper into the spectacular scenery for a multi-faceted adventure surrounded by unique flora and fauna.

Best Places for Rafting: Rio Negor de Tobia • Rio Fonce • Rio Suarez San Gil • Rio Magdalena • Rio Samana

Horseback riding in Colombia is an exceptional adventure that can take you along the plains or down a secluded cove.

While galloping over the hills or across the mountains, the scenery becomes the focus as you explore Colombia’s exceptional biodiversity at your preferred pace.

You can learn the history of colonial Colombia, live life in the diverse landscape, or simply enjoy the captivating ambiance on a horseback riding excursion.

Best Places for Horseback Riding: Buritaca • Jardin • Cocora Valley • San Andres • San Agustin

Colombia exudes beauty, spirit, and charm, with enchanting wilderness and captivating heritage that combine for an unforgettable discovery. Whether you want a family-friendly trek into the jungle in search of spider monkeys or to lounge on a pristine Caribbean beach, Colombia combines natural splendor with rich tradition, with more to see during the best times to visit.

You can discover what is possible on your custom trip in our collection of featured Colombia vacations and tours or learn more before you go from our Colombia travel guide.