Travel advice for Colombia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Colombia
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written by James Rice
updated 14.02.2019
Following in the footsteps of legendary author Gabriel García Márquez, James Rice takes us on a literary tour of Colombia.
Gabriel García Márquez, the acclaimed Colombian novelist who died in April 2014, never considered his stories as magical as others supposed. Amused that he was always praised for his inventiveness, he once said: “The truth is that there’s not a single line in all my work that does not have a basis in reality…the problem is that Caribbean reality resembles the wildest imagination.”
Could there be a better advert for his homeland? The Colombian Ministry of Tourism doesn’t think so: it’s adopted “Colombia, Magical Realism” as the slogan for its promotion abroad, borrowing from the literary style attributed to Márquez. And in the wake of his death, more and more readers captivated by his fiction will be heading to Colombia, once off-limits to all but the most adventurous of travellers but now proud to show its magic again. So where best to go, if you’re looking to understand the man whom many considered to be the greatest writer of his age, and his works?
Many of Márquez’s stories (including One Hundred Years of Solitude, for which he won the Nobel Prize) are set in the fictional town of Macondo, a hamlet that rises to prosperity through its banana plantations and then declines into a desolate, ghost town crippled by nostalgia and melancholy. Aracataca, where Márquez spent his early childhood, was the model for Macondo; his acknowledgment is quoted in a mural outside the town that states: “I returned one day and discovered that in between reality and nostalgia was the raw material of my work”.
Located around 80km south of Santa Marta in Colombia's northern parts, Aracataca doesn’t yet offer much for the visitor, although the house where Márquez was born and raised by his grandparents is now a simple museum with excerpts from his books, and you can visit the school he attended, the train station that bought in the banana workers, and a statue of Remedios the Beauty (a character from One Hundred Years of Solitude).
It’s fair to say that Márquez did not fall in love with Bogotá at first sight, when he arrived there aged 14 after receiving a scholarship. Describing that moment in his autobiography, he wrote: “[it] was a remote, lugubrious city where an insomniac rain had been falling since the beginning of the sixteenth century…not a single consolatory woman could be seen.” Still, he managed to complete a few years of law study at the university there, and it was in Bogotá that his first stories were published in the newspaper El Espectador.
Aside from visiting the National University where Márquez studied, the main point of interest is the Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez, a space in La Candelaria district dedicated to reading, art and culture. Close by is a large mural with an illustrated timeline of Márquez’s life.
As a student, Márquez fled from the political riots in Bogotá in 1948 and arrived in Cartagena, destitute. He slept in a park and was promptly arrested for violating curfew. Not the best introduction to a city, perhaps, though Márquez was later to reflect that his landlady’s first words to him (“You’ll see, in Cartagena everything’s different”) would always ring true.
And so it is for many visitors to this picturesque colonial city on the Caribbean coast, whose colourful history is tied up with gold, piracy and the Spanish Inquisition. Cartagena is the setting for several Márquez novels, most notably Love in the Time of Cholera. For those who want to see the real-life equivalents of places Márquez recast, the Route of García Márquez Tour (three hours) takes in almost 40 sites linked to scenes from his novels, or there’s an excellent self-guided audio tour.
In 1950, Márquez left Cartagena for nearby Barranquilla, where he lived above a brothel and became a regular member of the Barranquilla Group of writers and journalists in the city. They would often meet in bar called La Cueva, which is still going strong. You could also visit the Caribbean Museum, which has a room recreated to resemble Márquez’s office when he was a journalist here working for El Heraldo.
Mompox, more than any other town in Colombia, evokes the sleepy, peaceful and dream-like atmosphere of the port towns that Márquez would pass on the River Magdalena when he travelled by boat from the Caribbean coast to Bogotá. The town is also one of the settings for The General in his Labyrinth, which tells of the last days of South American liberator Símon Bólivar.
Mompox is certainly not easy to get to – from Barranquilla, it’s at least six hours by bus, colectivo (minibus) and water taxi – but the arduous journey keeps visitor numbers down and preserves its untouched, backwater appeal. Soaking up the atmosphere is the thing to do here, though do stay at (or at least visit) La Casa Amarilla, whose owners know much about the town’s history and its associations with Márquez.
7 days / from1284 USD
Unforgettable Colombia
Spend your first days in Colombia exploring its capital city Bogotá before heading further to the coast: Cartagena and Santa Marta will be next on the agenda. From wandering the historic city center to hiking the jungles to a virgin beach, Colombia will be an unforgettable trip!
view tour ⤍18 days / from3664 USD
Colombia: music & arts explored
If you are a lover of the arts than look no further. This trip will bring you culture, art, architecture, music and dance: visit local markets and workshops, admire the graffiti in Bogotá, discover historical city centers and “Fondas” – local bars with exotic decoration and typical Colombian music.
view tour ⤍10 days / from4650 USD
Colombia for nature & adventure lovers
Do you like adventure and nature? Then you're in luck, this trip combines the best of both. Go horse riding through the Risaralda valley and join a bike tour through Cartagena, visit the beautiful Cocora Valley and discover the Coffee Cultural Landscape. There's something for everyone!
view tour ⤍12 days / from2370 USD
Classic Colombia
Colombia's rich culture and traditions make it a fascinating holiday destination: from the streets of Bogotá move on to the stunning Valle de Cocora and Salento with its remarkable wax palms. From Medellín take a day tour to Guatapé before finalizing your trip in coastal Cartagena.
view tour ⤍9 days / from1085 USD
Exploring Colombia
Explore three of the most famous Colombian cities Bogota, Medellín and Cartagena during this 9-day trip. Get to know each city and its unique people by diving deep into the culture, history and traditions.
view tour ⤍9 days / from3100 USD
Colombia: Family Adventure
From city adventures to experiencing a pump in your adrenaline while river rafting and learning more about the different species of birds, monkeys, squirrels, peccary and other species that can be found during an exiting rainforest trail....this truly is a trip packed with family fun activities!
view tour ⤍11 days / from3395 USD
Magnificent Colombian Highlights
Discover the vibrant beauty of Colombia. From the bustling streets of Bogota to the colorful charm of Cartagena, this trip has it all. Visit the stunning natural wonders of Puerto Narino and explore the vibrant culture of Medellin.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1345 USD
Traditional Colombia
This 7-day trip lets you explore Bogotá and Cartagena. Be amazed by the Zipaquira's Cathedral of Salt, discover local flavours of the city and learn about Cartagena's culture. To top it off, you will be shown how to dance salsa, the dance of passion.
view tour ⤍11 days / from2930 USD
Fascination Colombia - Medellin & Cartagena
This beautiful trip has you stay in 2 different centers - Medellin and Cartagena. From there, you will explore Colombia's culture and traditions, including Guatape, an authentic cooking class, horseback riding in nature and much more.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1093 USD
Colombia - from the mountains to the beach
Start your trip in Bogotá, one of the highest capital cities in the world, high up in the Andes mountains range. Spend your days exploring the city and surroundings before heading to the coastal city of Cartagena, with its historic city center and fascinating islands to explore.
view tour ⤍11 days / from4956 USD
Colombia: a community experience
Get to know the locals that give Colombia its charms, from entrepreneurs to chefs, to nature lovers and craftswomen. This itinerary will allow you to discover the real Colombia and the people that make it an exciting destination.
view tour ⤍14 days / from6663 USD
Adventures in Colombia
You won't be able to forget Colombia with this adventure-packed trip. Spend your days explore the natural surroundings of Bogotá and the rural landscapes of Villa de Leyva before you head to Pereira where you will bike and hike, only to end your trip chasing waterfalls and rivers in San Gill.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2650 USD
Unforgettable Colombia - cities, coffee and islands
Explore three main areas in Colombia - the capital Bogotá with a side trip to Villa de Leyva, a beautiful colonial town. Afterwards, proceed to the Coffee Region and learn more about this important product in the local economy. Your final days are spent by the coast - Cartagena & the islands await.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2693 USD
Nature of Colombia
Get out of the city and fill your days with strolls through small colonial towns, dips in natural pools and waterfalls, nature walks through the nature reserves and if you're lucky you may spot a humpback whale or experience the birth of sea turtles. This is a nature lovers paradise!
view tour ⤍17 days / from4327 USD
A Colombian culinary experience
This trip allows you to discover the real taste of Colombia as it takes you through some of the country's most interesting and exciting cities. Eat like a local in Bogotá, try Colombia's high-quality wines, learn all about the famous coffee beans and try your hand at fishing in La Boquilla.
view tour ⤍6 days / from1388 USD
Colombia Express
Pack in the best of Colombia on this express trip to see some of the country's top highlights. Go boho in Bogotá as you explore its old La Candelaria district, see the Salt Cathedral and explore traditional Villa de Leyva. Then it's off to the Caribbean coast to spend time in lovely Cartagena.
view tour ⤍17 days / from4532 USD
Discover Colombia
Intensely beautiful and seductive, and beset with colourful colonial cities, Colombia's allure is strong. From Bogotá in the backdrop of the misty Andes and back up to Cartagena with its old-world charm, be ready for a warm welcome, surprising finds and a sense of discovery in a special country.
view tour ⤍12 days / from4414 USD
Colombia's Beaches
Take a break from the busy cities and make your way down to Colombia's tropical beaches and lush rainforests but not before you get to know some Colombian cultural and traditional food, music and dance in Cartegena.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1415 USD
Adventure Trip in and around Medellin
An exhilarating 4-day trip to Medellin and Rio Claro, filled with thrilling adventure activities. Day 1 explores the vibrant streets of Medellin on a city tour. Day 2 takes you to the breathtaking Rio Claro for zip-lining, rafting, and exploring the lush rainforests. Return to Medellin on Day 3.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1825 USD
Medellin & Cartagena Medley
Begin in Medellin, where you'll soar through the sky with a thrilling paragliding adventure, taking in panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes. Continue to Cartagena, where you'll indulge in a unique experience at the Mud Volcano, followed by exploring the city's colonial charm.
view tour ⤍Explore more of Colombia with this Rough Guides Snapshot. Book hostels for your trip, and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
written by James Rice
updated 14.02.2019
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Colombia