- Authentic Experiences
- Boats & Sailing
- Inspiration
- Colombia
Travel advice for Colombia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Colombia
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 29.06.2020
Planning your dream trip to Colombia? Don't miss our guide to the best things to do in Colombia.
Sooner or later, pretty much every traveller in Colombia finds their way down to Cartagena, the fortress city by the sea. Surrounded by the formidable 16th century Las Murallas (sea wall), the city’s old town is almost too picturesque, with its maze of leafy squares and narrow streets, lined with brightly-painted colonial houses sporting ornate brass door knockers and draped with bright pink bougainvillea plants.
From early morning on, Cartagena buzzes with activity. Before 9am, scores of speedboats whisk crowds of sun worshippers to the Rosario Islands from the dock while the city’s numerous vendors lay out colourful hats, wood carvings and woven goods along the pavements.
Start your wanderings at the leafy Plaza de Bolívar, where the locals linger on the shaded benches. The grand Palacio de la Inquisición that takes up the west side of the square inspired fear and loathing in its time, with witches, blasphemers and other sinners denounced at the small window along its side between 1610 and 1776. Inside, the inventive torture implements indicate how confessions were extracted.
Diagonally across from the square is the vast, fortress-like cathedral, with a soaring but plain interior. Sir Frances Drake had a cannon fired into its interior in 1586 in a bid to persuade the good citizens of Cartagena to part with a vast sum on money – a move that persuaded the city that it needed better protection against marauding pirates. The most impressive of the Cartagena’s fortifications is the hilltop Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, across the bridge from Old Town, its towers, battlements and maze of tunnels never penetrated by the enemy.
At night, Old Town throngs with crowds. Live music plays at the Plaza de Los Coches; rows of open-topped horse-drawn carriages carry couples and families through the narrow streets; squares fill with revellers, hawkers, beggars and street musicians. From the melt-in-your-mouth ceviche, the Vietnamese-style seafood rice at La Cevichería on Calle Stuart, and the intense flavours of southern India at Ganesha at Calle de Las Bovedas, to the fine dining and live Cuban music at Calle Balocco’s La Vitriola – frequented by the likes of Shakira – Cartagena’s eating scene is second to none.
Revelry continues late into the night, from the open-air Café del Mar atop the sea wall to the pumping nightclubs along the glitzy hotel strip in the new part of town, and the action only winds down at dawn, only to be repeated, night after night.
So, if all roads eventually lead to Cartagena, then Mompox – the ‘anti-Cartagena’ – is notoriously difficult to reach, lost as it is in the midst of swamps and tiny villages in the middle of Colombia. You have to catch a van in the wee hours of the morning, or else take a combo of buses and boats.
Santa Barbara church © Rafal Cichawa/Shutterstock
A timeless languor hangs over Mompox, baked under the hot sun, and seems to seep into your very bones. The slow pace of life reflected in the gentle movement of the river and the lives of locals who trundle along the dirt streets by bicycle. Founded in 1540, this town that once rivalled Cartagena in importance as a port until the river was silted over and traffic diverted elsewhere. The town’s loss is your gain: with the exception of Colombian visitors, who come to pay homage to the setting of the film version of Gabriel García Marquez’s Love in The Time of Cholera, you will find few other tourists here.
The biggest pleasure here consists of strolling along the waterfront, ducking into narrow sun-baked streets, lined with crumbling colonial buildings, and stopping at the leafy little square, graced with a statue of El Libertadór himself – Simón Bolívar – that betrays Mompox’s former importance. The inscription below reads (in Spanish): “If to Caracas I owe my birth, to Mompox I owe my glory”. Nearby, the elaborate decorations of Mompox’s churches – the gingerbread house-like Iglesia de Santa Bárbara by the river and the brightly tiled Iglesia de San Agustín on Calle Real del Medio – are the foil to the austerity of Cartagena’s places of worship.
If the heat is too much, while away the siesta hours on shaded benches in the little tree-lined park by the cemetery. Poke around the little necropolis, its grounds overgrown with knee-length dried grass, its chipped gravestones and tombs a blinding white on a sunny day, and the cemetery cats dozing in their shadow, to see if you can spot the only Jewish grave in the Catholic ‘city of the dead’.
Gourmet cuisine is yet to make inroads here, but Comedór Costeño is an excellent bet for lunch, with heaped plates of fish-of-the-day, rice and patacones (mashed fried plantain) served on outdoor tables overlooking the river. In the evenings, the locals gently creak in the street on the wooden rocking chairs they are famous for making. You can join their example on Plaza de Concepción, knock back a drink at the Luna de Mompox or else head to the Plaza Santo Domingo that comes to life at night with street vendors grilling meat on sticks, making pizza from scratch, while local musicians provide the soundtrack.
In contrast to Cartagena’s frenetic aquatic activity, Mompox’s boats glide slowly along the banks, giving you glimpses of sunbathing giant iguanas, herons and other denizens of the river. The boat makes its way up a narrow tunnel of reeds to a vast lake where the local fishermen’s children frolic in the water. As the sun goes down, the lake acquires an otherworldly pearly sheen, and as the blood-red sun sinks below the horizon, you imagine that you’re seeing Mompox exactly the way other travellers saw it five centuries ago.
Top image: View of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia © rocharibeiro/Shutterstock
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!
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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!
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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!
customize ⤍11 days / from9192 USD
Best Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands Tour Package
Explore a trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour package! Your journey begins in Quito, home to the Middle of the World. Afterward, fly on over to the Galapagos Islands the best biodiversity hotspot and following with the sublime Machu Picchu in Peru.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍10 days / from7018 USD
Galapagos Cruise and Scuba Diving Adventure
The Galapagos Islands rank as one of the world’s top dive sites, famous for its incredible underwater wonders, and huge quantities of marine life. This package offers a full-day SCUBA diving tour for guests that wish to experience the impressive diving in Galapagos, all in a safe and fun environment
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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!
customize ⤍10 days / from7795 USD
The Best of the Mashpi Rainforest and Galapagos
Begin this journey in one of the first cities to be given the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site – Quito, Ecuador! Afterward, just a few hours away, you’ll head down into the lush cloud forests that surround Quito to experience Mashpi Lodge. You’ll finish this journey with the the Galapagos Islands
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍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.
customize ⤍See more of Colombia and surrounding countries with the Rough Guide to South America on a Budget. Book hostels for your trip and don't forget to purchase travel insurance.
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 29.06.2020
Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Colombia
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support