Top 15: Where Are the Best Places to Visit in Colombia in 2025?

Over the last few years, Colombia has become one of the most popular cities to visit in South America, with the bustling cities of Medellín and Cartagena in particular becoming hubs for backpackers and digital nomads. Of course, there’s so much more to discover across this vast country—expansive deserts, modern cities, Caribbean beach towns, and much more! Today at Civitatis, we’re looking at the best places to visit in Colombia in 2025, so you can get the full Colombian experience when you visit. ¡Vamos!

Caribbean Coast

The Colombian Caribbean is home to some of the city’s most beloved beach towns, encompassing the northern coast of the country. If you’re coming to Colombia to soak in the sun, and generally enjoy nature, you’ll love this part of the country. Known as Costeños, the locals are diverse and laid-back people celebrated for their genuine warmth and hospitality, making every visit feel like coming home.

Cartagena

!Bienvenido/a a Cartagena! The colorful Cartagena is certainly the most popular town to visit on the Caribbean Coast, and for good reason. Along with an abundance of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, Cartagena is a colonial town with a fascinating history and a sneaky good nightlife—to be discovered on this Cartagena night tour. Founded in 1533, this walled city was once a key port of the Spanish Empire, protecting the settlement from pirates. Today, Cartagena boasts a diverse cultural scene, gorgeous architecture, and natural landscapes. Explore the city for yourself on this free walking tour of Cartagena de Indias, or this historic center & Getsemaní Neighborhood free tour, for a particular emphasis on the history and architecture of the city.

Outside of the city walls, soak in the Caribbean sunshine aboard a luxurious yacht on this Cartagena sunset boat tour. Or for a more active experience, explore the coastline on this kayak tour of Cartagena.

• Check out more tours & experiences in Cartagena with Civitatis.

Santa Marta

Step into Santa Marta, one of South America’s oldest cities and Colombia’s oldest surviving city, dating back to 1525. In truth, Santa Marta is somewhat underestimated by some travelers, with many using it as a base to explore other parts of the Caribbean region, like Tayrona National Park, or the Coffee Triangle—more on those later. As such, many visitors miss out on this city’s fantastic beaches: Playa Cristal (check it out on this Playa Cristal day trip), Bahía Concha (go sailing in Bahía Concha), and Playa Blanca are just a few of the local favorites.

The city itself, given its long history, is also well worth exploring. Learn all about it on this Santa Marta free tour, which will take you around the city’s main landmarks. Check out Gabriel García Márques Library, and the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta—the latter of which is a fine example of colonial architecture at its best.

If you’re into hiking, one of the most popular day trips from Santa Marta is to the Minca Jungle. On this Minca Jungle hiking day trip, you’ll enjoy a 2-hour exploration of this lush jungle landscape, followed by some freshly brewed coffee, and lunch.

• Check out more tours & experiences in Santa Marta with Civitatis.

San Andrés

Next up on our list is the island paradise of San Andrés, one of the most popular tourist spots for Colombian tourists in the country. Fair warning: San Andrés is a long way from Colombia, in fact, it’s closer to Nicaragua. This island has an interesting history, with Colombian, British, and Afro-Caribbean influences all contributing to San Andrés’ truly unique vibe—from the vibrant music scene to colorful cultural traditions to the wonderful food. If you enjoy the food when you visit, learn to make it for yourself at home at this San Andrés cooking class + lunch, and learn to make traditional dishes including rondón, the island’s most famous fish, consisting of fresh fish, plantain, and vegetables.

Here, there’s not a huge amount to see necessarily, but it’s a fantastic spot to chill out and enjoy the island life. The best way to get around the island is to rent a motorbike or golf cart, when heading from your accommodation to the beach etc. If you’re into water sports, also make the most of the island’s crystal clear waters on a scuba diving class in San Andrés, or this San Andrés snorkeling activity!

• Check out more tours & experiences in San Andrés with Civitatis.

Providencia

We love San Andrés, but for us, Providencia is even better! Not a dissimilar offering to San Andrés, Providencia is a less touristy (some would say ‘undiscovered’) Colombian island. Around the island, you’ll find crystal clear waters, perfect for activities like this snorkeling tour in Providencia, which will allow you to discover the fascinating marine world that lies beneath the sea! And there’s more to Providencia than that! Explore the island’s lush jungle paths and taste fresh fruits on this hiking tour of the Providencia mountains. Another way to experience ‘island life’ is on this Providencia fishing tour, on which you’ll learn how to catch and clean a fish, and then enjoy a lovely grilled fish lunch!

• Check out more tours & experiences in Providencia with Civitatis.

Tayrona National Park

Immerse yourself in Tayrona National Park, where lush tropical jungles meet pristine Caribbean beaches. This sacred land, steeped in indigenous heritage, invites you to traverse ancient trails and relax on secluded coves. Whether hiking through diverse ecosystems or unwinding by the sea, Tayrona offers an intimate encounter with Colombia’s natural splendor. Check out how you can discover the national park for yourself

• Tayrona National Park day trip from Cartagena.

• Tayrona National Park day trip from Santa Marta.

Barranquilla

Another Caribbean coastal city, Barranquilla is the fourth largest city in the country, and a cultural hub, best known for its celebration of Carnival. In fact, Barranquilla Carnival was declared by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Though very little is known about this 4-day celebration celebration, it’s thought to incorporate European, African, and Indigenous traditions, and date back to the 19th century. Regardless of when you visit, you can learn more about this tradition on this Barranquilla free tour, which will also bring you to the city’s major landmarks, including the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Queen Mary Cathedral, and the city’s main baseball stadium.

• Check out more tours & experiences in Barranquilla with Civitatis.

Andean Region

Welcome to the Andean region, a definite change of pace from the Colombian Caribbean, this part of the country is known for its big, vibrant cities, like Medellín and Bogotá, as well as its soaring mountain vistas.

Medellín

Medellín, also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ is our favorite city to visit in Colombia. This vibrant city has become a tourist hub, with lots of accommodation options and activities to check out but fear not—Medellín hasn’t lost its authentic charm. Neighborhoods like El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado are popular bases, but there’s so much more to discover. For a comprehensive tour of the city’s main sights, check out this full-day sightseeing tour in Medellín.

Once shadowed by its troubled past, Medellín has been reborn as a true cultural hub. This is made most clear in the area of Comuna 13, once the most dangerous neighborhood in the world, it has become a symbol of the city’s renaissance, now known for its colorful street art—check out this Comuna 13 tour to see it for yourself.

• Check out more tours & experiences in Medellín with Civitatis.

Guatapé

A short drive from Medellín (around 80 minutes), Guatapé is a small pueblo known as the ‘Rainbow Colored Town’, famous for its bright buildings and El Peñon de Guatapé, a giant, 656-foot (200-meter) rock which looks as though it has fallen right out of the sky—in fact, locals long believed that the rock came from aliens! You can climb this National Monument for yourself by climbing 708 steps. The journey is worth it, as you’ll enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

Though most visitors see the rock as part of a day trip to el Peñon de Guatapé from Medellín, the town of Guatapé itself is well worth checking out on this guided tour of Guatapé, which will bring you around the main landmarks in the town. You might also consider checking out some of the adventure activities in the area: this jetski rental in the Guatapé reservoir, Guatapé helicopter ride, and river hiking + abseiling tour in Guatapé are some of our favorites!

• Check out more tours & experiences in El Peñón de Guatapé with Civitatis.

Bogotá

Despite being the nation’s capital, Bogotá has long been a thoroughly underrated city. This modern, metropolitan city has energy in spades, along with a fascinating history and culture to discover. Begin your journey in Bogotá in la Candelaria, the city’s historic center. It was here that Bogotá was founded, with the central square of Plaza de Bolivar, surrounded by the Bogotá Cathedral, the National Capitol, and the City Hall. Check it out on this Colombia culture tour in La Candelaria!

Around the city, you’ll see lots of impressive street art (check out this free graffiti tour). One of our favorite spots in the city, which is a little bit off of the beaten track, is that of El Paraíso. This close-knit community is accessible by cable car and has some of the best views of the city as well as some of the most striking street art. Check out El Paraíso on this guided tour.

What sets Bogotá apart for tourists however are its museums and galleries. The Botero Museum in La Candelaria is a free art museum that mainly features the work of Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist. Our favorite was probably the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), which features tens of thousands of gold pieces, including ancient artifacts. Visit both museums and the Candalaria district on this guided tour! We’d also recommend checking out this free emerald tour of Bogotá—did you know the city is considered the emerald capital of the world? Find out more!

• Check out more tours & experiences in Bogotá with Civitatis.

Zipaquirá

Only around 45 minutes from Bogotá, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral is one of the most popular day trips from the city. With a history dating back to the mid-20th century, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral is an underground network of tunnels nearly 600 feet (180 meters) underground! Excavated into the rock salt are 14 individual chapels, representing the stations of the cross. In each chapel, you’ll find various sculptures and crosses carved in salt, and interesting light features—visit the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral on a day trip from Bogotá.

• Check out more tours & experiences in Zipaquirá with Civitatis.

Cali

Next up on our list is the city of Cali, the Salsa capital of the world! Enjoy this Salsa tour of Cali, which will bring you around local dancing clubs, known as viejotecas. There, you’ll watch talented locals dance Salsa, and try out the steps for yourself!

Cali is also known for its colonial architecture. We recommend visiting the 18th-century San Antonio Church, the San Pedro Apóstel Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Ermita—each a testament to the city’s rich history and culture. See the city’s main landmarks on this Cali panoramic tour!

• Check out more tours & experiences in Cali with Civitatis.

Tatacoa Desert

A change of pace from Cali, next up on our list is the wonderful Tatacoa desert. One of the most unique destinations in Colombia, this expansive grey-and-red landscape features dramatic canyons and crystal-clear night skies, making it the perfect place for stargazing. It’s great fun to explore this moon-like landscape, which you can explore as part of the following experiences:

• Tatacoa Desert day trip from Neiva

• Day trip to Tatacoa Desert + stargazing from Villavieja

Coffee Triangle

The next part of the country we’re exploring is the Coffee Triangle, nestled within the Andean region. This lush, rolling landscape is renowned for producing some of the finest coffee beans in the world and has even earned UNESCO World Heritage status. The region is home to charming cities like Salento, Armenia, and Manizales, each offering a warm welcome to coffee lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Salento

The best city to base yourself on exploring the Coffee Triangle, Salento is a perfect gateway to the main coffee farms of Arzacia, Osaco, and Arcacia. On this El Ocaso Coffee Farm day trip you can visit one of these legendary coffee farms, and see firsthand the process of coffee harvesting, drying, grinding, and preparation, before finally trying the freshest, most delicious coffee you’ve tried in your life, while enjoying the beautiful landscapes around you.

The most exciting way to enjoy these vast landscapes is on this Coffee Triangle private paragliding activity—glide over some of the most beautiful land in the country!

• Check out more tours & experiences in Salento with Civitatis

Cocora Valley

A visit to the Cocora Valley is another must when in the Coffee Triangle. This valley has a truly surreal landscape dotted with towering wax palms. Wax palms are the tallest variety of palm trees in the world, often measuring nearly 200 feet (60 meters). Explore the valley on this hiking tour from Salento, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and enjoy the incredible views.

• Cocora Valley Hiking Tour from Salento.

Amazon Region

Step into the wild heart of Colombia’s Amazon Region, known for its lush rainforests and vibrant indigenous culture. Immerse yourself in guided jungle expeditions, navigate winding river cruises, and encounter exotic wildlife in one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems.

Leticia

Leticia serves as the gateway to Colombia’s Amazon region, where adventure meets unparalleled biodiversity. This bustling border town offers a unique introduction to Amazonian life, with opportunities for jungle expeditions, river cruises, and interactions with Indigenous communities.

• The best tours & experiences in Leticia with Civitatis.

There you have it for our list of the best places to visit in Colombia! If you’re still looking for ways to fill your itinerary, or other cities to visit, check out more tours & experiences in Colombia with Civitatis! ¡Buen viaje!