Colombia has amazing combinations of mountains, jungles, white sand beaches, bustling cities and colonial architectures. These are the 5 best experiences in Colombia! Colombia is in that perfect tourism sweet spot, between the cusp of becoming one of the hottest tour destinations and being off-the-beaten-track. With these 5 best experiences in Colombia, I promise it won’t be hard to fall in love. I did!
THE 5 BEST EXPERIENCES IN COLOMBIA
1. Day Trip to a Pueblo
Chic, modern, and mountainous. Medellín is a beautiful countryside. The best experience in Colombia by far! I highly recommend going to Jardin, Santa Fé de Antioquia or Guatapé which is my personal favorite.
Nestled in northwest Colombia, bout an hour and a half away from Medellín lies this beautifully colorful (literally!) pueblo, Guatapé. A great idea on any trip to Colombia. I highly recommend hiring a tour guide to take you there even just for a day trip! And don’t forget to stop by La Piedra del Penol, a man-made Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir. One of the most popular, award-winning tours. Start off by climbing the famous rock, enjoy an Antioquian-style lunch at a local cafe (many restaurants, bars and gift shops located right here!) Next, you’ll stop by Plazoleta de Los Zócalos. A plaza filled with more gift shops, local food and more!
Definitely a Colombian experience you don’t want to miss!
2. Guatapé
Plazoleta de Los Zócalos is an exposure in itself. Cheerful, colorful and definitely a MUST-SEE!
A gorgeous port city on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. You’ll find the stone-walled Old City by the sea filled with colorful colonial buildings, vibrant bougainvillea over the tops of sprawling balconies and neighboring restaurants serving delicious foods and drinks. Cartagena was founded in the 16th century by Pedro de Heredia, a Spanish conquistador. A well protected, gigantic stone fortress that lines the entire city (up to 30 meters thick and 11KM long.) Definitely worth taking a stroll! 😉
3. Cartagena
Cartagena sits along the tropical side of this stunning country. A place that is typically know for “being dangerous” But that’s far from the truth! Cartagena is very safe and I never once felt scared there. Anyway, if your idea of a vacation is sipping the world’s best coffee on a bougainvillea-laced balcony, heading to a tropical island just minutes off of the city or anything in between. There’s something here for everyone. The colorful Colonial architecture all throughout the city is impeccable and makes perfect for photos! 🙂
GETSEMANI: A neighborhood located just outside the walls of the Old City, a laid-back, authentic part of the city that brings a New Orleans vibe. A perfect place to go out dancing, local spots to eat/drink and immerse in culture. Just an overall, beautiful, magical, and unique place to visit.
BOCAGRANDE: This neighborhood sits in the city of Cartagena de Indias in Bolívar, Colombia. Just southwest of the Old City and located on the water. surrounded by high rises and designed by first-world standards.
WALLED CITY (OLD CITY): An important part of Cartagena’s history will forever remain within these walls. Surrounded by 11 kilometres of fortress walls. Construction began on September 8 of 1614, after the attack of the legendary Sir Francis Drake and by order of King Philip III. While this fortress was being built, the city was constantly being invaded by pirates. It was completed in 1796. Nonetheless, a picturesque, colorful city you won’t want to miss!
4. The Colombian Islands
Enjoy the Colombian Islands – a true Caribbean paradise! The best beaches with the warmest water I’ve ever experienced and the best part these islands are located just off the coast of Cartagena. I recommend taking a day trip to tour a few of them. You’ll want to take a boat to these islands usually starting with an early morning pick up from your hotel, have breakfast at a cute restaurant along the way. There will be many speedboats on the shores of Playa Tranquila ready to take tourists on an adventure of a lifetime. Be sure to book a full-day Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands) which includes, Playa Agua Azul, Cholón, (all pictured below) Playa Blanca and Isla Barú and don’t forget to ask for a Coco Loco too. 🙂
5. El Totumo – One of 5 Best Experiences in Colombia
A mud bath in a volcano is a must-do!
Located an hour and 15 minute drive away from Cartagena. It used to be an active volcano that used to spew fire, lava and ashes. It is now an active mud volcano. Do you dare to climb in?
A few things to keep in mind:
- Getting out of the mud will be really tricky. Don’t worry! you won’t have to climb up the slippery, wooden ladder alone!
- You’ll get up close and personal with many strangers. You can change into bathing suits, you’ll make the climb up rickety, wooden stairs – which is quite the unexpected workout! Time to relax and unwind in the mud. One by one you’ll descend into the mud, slowly going down the same slippery wooden ladder mentioned above.
- Bring CASH with you There is no ATM nearby. (Colombian Pesos are preferred. U.S Dollars accepted)
- If you get a massage in the mud. A tip should be paid.
- If you receive help rinsing off in the nearby river. A tip should be paid.
Sitting there in the river with other travelers I’d never met, getting the mud washed off of us by old women we’d never met. Definitely a pleasant bonding experience!
10/10 experience 🙂
Pictured below, me just after my full body massage and mud bath.
