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 Matt Garceau
updated 4.11.2019
Professional photographer Matt Garceau shares his experience of photographing Cartagena, Colombia.
"The nearly 500-year-old walled city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, comprises a compact series of neighbourhoods that are surrounded by enormous Spanish walls and fortresses. Pressed right up to the Caribbean sea, the melange of aged buildings inside are painted brilliant colours of blue, yellow, orange, and green. Amidst an enticing labyrinth of architectural attractions, vibrant pink bougainvillea spills over the cracked and peeling paint in the tropical savanna climate."
"Within this setting, the artefacts, history, and people can make for a photographic tableau. Colourful ladies with bowls of fruit on their heads bob pass teenage boys selling cigarettes and sweets. Neighbours leaning out of their open windows to chat with passers by. People dance in the streets and stray cats mingle amongst the street food vendors. The scents of the streets are intoxicating and very intriguing to explore."
Planning your dream trip to Colombia? Don't miss our guide to the best things to do in Colombia.
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 ⤍You can see more of Matt's photography here. Explore more of Colombia with the Rough Guide to South America on a Budget. Compare flights, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
written by Matt Garceau
updated 4.11.2019
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Colombia
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