Colombia stole our hearts with these seven places you simply cannot miss:
Cartagena
Cartagena stole our hearts from the second we stepped foot inside of the city walls. Between the brightly colored colonial architecture, overflowing balconies of flowers, cobblestone streets, and busy plazas, there is no shortage of beautiful spots to check out in Colombia. We easily spent hours aimlessly roaming the streets, peeking into secret courtyards, sampling local cafes, and finding musicians playing music in the squares.
Once the sun went down though, the charm of the old city took our breath away. Horse-drawn carriages, twinkle lights, and evening dwellers sitting outside to enjoy the warm Colombian night added magic to this historic city.
Tayrona National Park
It’s hard to believe Tayrona National Natural Park exists somewhere in Colombia. The drive there is only part of the adventure. We hiked one of the many trails through lush tropical jungle and spotted howler monkeys, exotic birds, and butterflies.
As you make your way through the jungle, you eventually reach access points to pristine Caribbean beaches with towering rock formations and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Some of the beaches aren’t safe for swimming due to undertows and strong currents, but there are spots where you can dip your toes in after a long hike.
Medellín
Medellín was our favorite city surprise in Colombia. Known mainly for its checkered past, Medellín is now buzzing with revitalization. Lush green parks, creative public transportation initiatives, and friendly locals make Medellín a hip and modern city that we loved exploring.
Taking the famous cable cars provided us with stunning views overlooking the city and neighboring mountains. We took a private tour through Comuna 13, and were inspired by the powerful way the local community used music and art to make a positive change. We loved wandering around the trendy neighborhoods and spotting top-notch restaurants, coffee shops, and happening public spaces.
The Coffee Triangle
We are coffee addicts ourselves so visiting Salento in the Coffee Triangle was non-negotiable. We stayed in a little finca (coffee plantation) where we were taken around by the owner. My husband, who’s a casual coffee drinker, suddenly turned into a connoisseur, dissecting tasting notes like a pro. And those wax palms in Cocora Valley? Unforgettable.
San Andrés Island
Picture the ocean with seven different shades of blue. That’s San Andrés. We took a boat ride over to Johnny Cay, another island nearby and spent hours lying under coconut trees drinking fresh pia coladas. And my husband went scuba diving here. Seeing him surface from the water with the biggest grin on his face is a moment I’ll treasure forever.
Bogotá’s La Candelaria
Bogotá felt like the heartbeat of Colombia. La Candelaria, the old quarter, was a mix of traditional and contemporary. We walked into a small café, where the lady who ran it told us her family’s recipe for ajiaco, a Colombian soup. We loved it so much we went back the next day for that alone.
Caño Cristales (The Liquid Rainbow)
We almost didn’t go because we thought it was too far out of our way. I’m so glad we didn’t. I have never seen such vibrant colors bleeding into one another. Red, yellow, and blue literally flowed throughout the river. Yes, you have to take a flight there and do some major hiking. But you won’t regret lounging by this magical river with your loved one.
