COLOMBIA

Bogotá, Colombia’s high-altitude capital, blends colonial streets with modern neighborhoods. Wander La Candelaria’s cobbled lanes, see the city’s striking street art, and spend an afternoon in the Gold Museum. Ride the cable car up Monserrate for sweeping views across the city, and if you’re here on a Sunday, join locals for the Ciclovía when main roads close to traffic and fill with bikes, joggers, and street vendors. You won’t go hungry — Bogotá’s full of small eateries that serve filling Colombian plates for just a few pesos.

Nights get chilly at this altitude, so a warm layer is worth carrying. The TransMilenio buses are cheap and cover most of the city, but expect them to be crowded at rush hour.

Medellín, the “City of Eternal Spring,” sits in a green valley surrounded by steep hills, with a mild climate all year round that lends itself to life outdoors. The city’s cable cars are part of the metro, linking hillside neighborhoods to the center — ride them for sweeping views or to visit Comuna 13, known for its open-air escalators, vivid street art and community spirit.

Most backpackers base themselves in El Poblado for nightlife and hostels or in Laureles for a quieter, more local feel. Plazas and parks buzz with life day and night, and there’s no shortage of bars or salsa clubs when evening comes. Just beyond the city, Guatapé’s colorful streets and giant rock are a popular day trip, as well as the coffee farms and hiking trails. It’s generally safe in the main areas, but stick to busy streets at night, and check with locals or hostel staff before heading into unfamiliar neighborhoods.

Cartagena is a vibrant gem on Colombia's Caribbean coast, a city where colorful colonial architecture meets a lively Afro-Caribbean spirit. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Walled City is a fairytale maze of cobbled streets and flower-draped balconies, perfect for getting lost in. Beyond the historic center, the edgy neighborhood of Getsemaní is a backpacker favorite, with incredible street art, trendy cafes, and a buzzing nightlife. For a break from the heat, take a day trip to the stunning white sand beaches of the Rosario Islands or float in the therapeutic mud of the Totumo Volcano for a truly unique experience.

As Cartagena is hot and humid, plan your explorations for cooler mornings and late afternoons. While generally safe in main tourist areas like the Walled City and Getsemaní, always be street smart: keep valuables discreet, especially in crowded spots, and stick to well-lit streets at night.

Cali is Colombia’s salsa capital, and the music fills the city, from bars and clubs to impromptu performances in plazas and dancing that often carries on until morning. Take a dance class (they’re easy to find and inexpensive), join the crowds at a salsa club, and wander the city’s warm, laid-back neighborhoods. By day, explore local markets, relax in shady parks or head into the nearby hills for views over the valley.

Most backpackers stay in San Antonio for its hostels, cafés and bohemian feel. Days can be hot and humid, so take it slow, stay hydrated, and plan to explore during the cooler mornings or late afternoons. It’s generally safe in the main areas, but stick to well-lit streets at night and be discreet with phones, cameras and cash in busy areas.

Sitting at the meeting point of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, Leticia is the gateway to the Colombian Amazon, offering a real taste of the jungle with river journeys, wildlife spotting, and visits to indigenous communities. Guided trips are the safest way to explore deeper into the rainforest, where you might see monkeys swinging through the trees or pink river dolphins surfacing beside your boat.

The town itself is small and laid-back with a mix of cultures, and a humid stillness that is typical of a jungle town. Most travelers fly in from Bogotá, and once you’re here, boats are the main way to get around. Bring plenty of insect repellent, and be ready for the heat and sudden downpours.

Taganga is a small fishing village on the Caribbean coast, about a 10 minute drive from Santa Marta. The pace is slow, with simple guesthouses, waterfront cafés, and fishing boats pulled up on the sand. It’s a popular stop for learning to dive or joining snorkeling trips, and boats head out to nearby coves with calmer water and quieter beaches. The seafront promenade is a great spot to watch the sunset, and the town is also a convenient base for arranging trips into Tayrona National Park. Everything is within walking distance, but the beach area can get busy on weekends and holidays, so keep your valuables close.

Minca is a small mountain town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, a short ride from Santa Marta but a world away in pace. It’s surrounded by coffee and cacao farms, waterfalls you can swim in and forest trails full of birdlife. The cooler mountain air is comfortable for hiking, and there are plenty of eco-lodges and hostels with hammocks and valley views. Most places are spread out along a winding mountain road, so be prepared for steep walks or moto-taxi rides between them. Heavy rain can make the trails muddy and slippery, so good shoes are worth bringing.

The Lost City Trek is a tough but rewarding multi-day hike through the Sierra Nevada jungle to the stone terraces of a magnificent ancient city. The route winds along river valleys, through Indigenous villages, and up steep, muddy trails, with heat, humidity and plenty of river crossings along the way. Most trips take four to six days, and you can only go with a licensed guide. Camps are basic with hammocks or bunks, cold showers and simple meals, but the scenery and history make it unforgettable. Come prepared with good hiking shoes, quick-dry clothing, and a decent level of fitness — the trek is challenging, but worth every step.

Tayrona National Park stretches along a beautiful piece of Caribbean coastline where jungle-covered hills meet white-sand beaches. Trails link coves and headlands, so you can hike through the forest and emerge onto palm-shaded beaches like Cabo San Juan. Accommodation inside the park is simple with hammocks or basic cabins. Boats from Taganga or buses from Santa Marta drop you to at the park entrances, but from there it’s all on foot so you’ll need to carry your essentials. Go early if you want to avoid the crowds, and keep an eye out for howler monkeys in the trees!

Swimming is only safe at certain beaches; check the signs before going in as currents can be dangerously strong.

Palomino is a mellow beach town on the Caribbean coast, a place to slow down in a hammock and wander between the sand and small beachfront cafés. The main draw, besides the beach, is tubing down the river through jungle scenery until you float right out into the sea. You’re also close to Wayuu territory, and some tours visit nearby Indigenous communities. The sea here can be rough for swimming, but the sunsets are spectacular. Most hostels are a short walk or moto-taxi ride from the beach along sandy tracks. Mosquitoes and sandflies can be persistent, so make sure you have plenty of insect repellent.

Cabo de la Vela is a small Wayuu fishing village in the Guajira desert, where orange sand runs into turquoise water. It’s remote, with no paved roads and limited electricity, but sunsets over the bay are a highlight. Spend your time kitesurfing, walking along empty beaches, and exploring nearby sights such as Pilón de Azúcar or Ojo de Agua. Accommodation is simple, usually hammocks or basic rooms, and food options are limited to a handful of small restaurants. Bring enough cash, as there are no ATMs, and expect a hot, windy climate. Getting here usually involves a long, bumpy ride from Riohacha, often by shared 4x4.

San Andrés is a small Colombian island in the Caribbean, known for its bright turquoise water, white-sand beaches and a laid-back but lively vibe. Snorkeling, diving and boat trips to nearby cays like Johnny Cay or Acuario are the main draws, along with the island’s duty-free shops. It’s popular with Colombian holidaymakers, so it can get busy in high season, but you can still find quieter spots if you rent a scooter or golf cart to explore. Accommodation ranges from simple hostels to all-inclusive resorts, and food costs can be higher than the mainland. Most visitors fly in from Bogotá or Cartagena — return tickets are usually checked, and baggage limits are strict on some routes.