Best places to visit in Colombia, South America

Colombia is a fascinating country full of expansive historical and cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes and great culinary offerings.

Colombia is located on the northwestern corner of South America. In addition to modern cities, colonial charm and a diverse and vibrant culture, the nation boasts spectacular natural beauty – the Andes mountains, the Amazon rain forest, beautiful coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and the La Guajira Desert. 

From its beautiful beaches to its bustling cities, Colombia has been “rediscovered” and is one of the Americas' hot new tourist destinations, with more than 4 million people visiting the country in 2014. In the last decade, the number of foreign tourists traveling to Colombia has increased at a rate four times higher than the world average. 

Thanks to its privileged location on the continent and its geography, Colombia offers visitors incredible biodiversity in its 53 natural parks and protected areas, and various cultural and regional identities that make visitors want to return to never leave the country.

The coolest Places to visit in Colombia

San Andres y Providencia

San Andres Colombia is one of the hotspots when visiting Colombia. The coral island of San Andres is a diverse ecosystem of reefs, geysers, groves, and cays. Needless to say, it’s perfect for diving, snorkeling, and outdoor exploring. This paradise has multicolored warm waters and 12 mangrove forests, and the beach cedars of Johnny Cay are like natural condos for beach birds. Keep an eye out for overlooked pirate treasure at Morgan’s Cave before chowing down on rondón, a signature Caribbean dish of fish, pork, conch, plantain and coconut milk.

Cartagena de Indias

On the Caribbean coast, offers visitors the chance to explore some of the region’s most historical structures. The “Walled City” – a UNESCO World Heritage site – includes countless examples of Spanish colonial architecture from the colorful, pastel-painted homes to incredible cathedrals and luxurious hotels.


Cartagena has all of the charm of Spanish colonial architecture and the attraction of an intense nightlife, several cultural festivals, exotic scenery, superb beaches, wonderful food and a wide variety of hotels for tourists.

Tayrona National Park, Santa Marta

Santa Marta is South America's oldest city . The Caribbean sea and snow make Santa Marta a difficult place to forget. The city is located on the shores of the Bay of Santa Marta on the Caribbean Sea.

The oldest city in Colombia, romantic Santa Marta is fringed by beautiful beaches and the stunning mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range. Ancient ruins take cover in the lush mangrove forests of Tayrona National Park, the perfect spot for a day hike. Snorkel along vibrant reefs, then make your way to a café for a multicultural meal that incorporates the flavors of Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. When the sun goes down, the nightlife kicks up its heels in the bars and discos of the Parque de Los Novios.

Parque Nacional del Chicamocha - The Chicamocha Canyon

The Park has the longest cable car system in Latin America; its 4 miles cross the majestic Chicamocha Canyon connecting the Aratoca and Santos municipalities. Within the park you will find activities that include ziplining, buggies , extreme swings, a skating rink, "chiva" trucks, an ostrich park, paragliding, and a vast array of the typical cuisine and crafts from the region of Santander.

Caño Cristales

A unique biological wonder, Caño Cristales has been referred as the "river of five colors," "the river that ran away from paradise," and "the most beautiful river in the world."

Just east of the Andes, central Colombia’s Caño Cristales is a river like no other. Reaching 100km long and sometimes called the “Liquid Rainbow”, Caño Cristales runs during certain months of the year (June to December) with shades of red, blue, yellow, orange and green in a vibrant natural display that happens nowhere else on Earth

The Colombian coffee Region -  CoffeeTriangle

The Coffee Zone is considered by many travellers to be the most beautiful region of the country, with its mild spring-like climate year round, friendly people and breathtaking natural beauty. The people in the region have a unique laid back charm, the hustle and bustle of the big cities is readily forgotten, hospitality and friendship take on a new meaning, there is always time for a coffee, or a beer and a chat.

During this short trip to Colombia's coffee region, you will stay at a coffee hacienda where you will learn about the whole coffee process and have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular landscape of this region adorned by its astonishing mountains, coffee plantations and valleys declared World Heritage Sites by Unesco.

COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AMERICA

countries overview

Argentina

Is the world’s eighth largest country and one of the most popular places to visit in South America – whether you are backpacking the continent or just on a short, budget holiday. From the café culture of Buenos Aires to the natural beauty of the Iguazu Waterfalls and the Perito Moreno glacier, Argentina has something to offer visitors of all kinds. Some of the world’s most dramatic scenery can be found here in the Patagonian Stepp, the Andes, and the lush Lake District. It is also often viewed as the most cosmopolitan and European country in the region. Take your time exploring – the vast landscape takes time to get to and is worth all the distractions you’ll find along the way

Brasil

Brazilians often say they live in a continent rather than a country. It’s an excusable exaggeration. The landmass is bigger than the United States if you exclude Alaska; the journey from Recife in the east to the western border with Peru is longer than that from London to Moscow, and the distance between the northern and southern borders is about the same as that between New York and Los Angeles. Brazil has no mountains to compare with its Andean neighbours, but in every other respect it has all the scenic – and cultural – variety you would expect from so vast a country.

Colombia

Home to a traumatic but rich history, stunning scenery and some of the continent’s most welcoming and sophisticated people, Colombia is a natural draw for travellers to South America. Despite its four-decade-long civil war and reputation for violence, improved security conditions have led to a sharp increase in tourism. Foreigners and Colombians alike are now far more able to explore this thrilling paradise of cloudforested mountains, palm-fringed beaches and gorgeous colonial cities. The only country in South America to border both the Pacific and the Caribbean, Colombia offers a huge range of ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest near Leticia to the snowcapped mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the tropical islands of San Andrés and Providencia.

Soaring Andean summits, unspoiled Caribbean coast, enigmatic Amazon jungle, cryptic archaeological ruins and cobbled colonial communities. Colombia boasts all of South America's allure, and more.

Peru

Offers you the opportunity to awaken dreams pending, connecting with oneself and into its history. Browse the current and modern Peru to meet its varied cuisine, entertainment and art. You can also discover stunning scenery and places to experience a time of pleasure and tranquility. Explore flora and fauna with its many natural resources.

Chile

Is a country of startling contrasts and extreme beauty, with attractions ranging from the towering volcanic peaks of the Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District. There are a multitude of very good parks here, and plenty of opportunities for fine adventure travel. Chile is justly famous as the location of Torres del Paine, considered by many to be the finest nature travel destinations in all of South America.

Ecuador

Sitting on the equator between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador may be the smallest Andean nation but it’s packed with the most startling contrasts of scenery. With its astounding biodiversity, impressive historical legacy, stunning colonial architecture, bustling highland markets and diverse mix of people – blacks, whites, indigenous and mestizo – it’s easy to see why this friendly and exotic destination is regarded as a microcosm of South America. From the icy pinnacles of Chimborazo, to the tropical forests of vast reserves like Parque Nacional Yasuní, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Pacific coast, Ecuador hums with life – all within easy reach of Quito, its jewel of a capital.

Bolivia

With its ice-capped Andean peaks, crystalline lagoons, rugged lowlands, Amazonian rainforest, terraced valleys and windswept altiplano, landlocked Bolivia is a virtual showcase of South America’s most dramatic landscapes. 
Its iconic sights include Lake Titicaca, spiritual home of the Inca creation myth and highest navigable lake in the world; the Salar de Uyuni, highest and largest salt lake on earth; and La Paz, the world’s highest de facto capital. The panorama of the city’s ramshackle roofs sprawled across the basin beneath the mighty Mt Illampú is surely one of the most awesome views in the Americas.

Venezuela

Is home to the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls and the second longest river in South America, the Orinoco. It also has the longest coastline on the Caribbean sea.
Spectacular Venezuela, home to some of South America's most incredible landscapes, rightly has a terrible image problem at the moment. Hyperinflation has led to a dramatic drop in living standards and issues with the supply of basic goods, while personal safety, particularly in Caracas, is worse than anywhere else on the continent. And yet, visiting Venezuela is both possible and remarkably cheap, with dollars instantly making even backpackers feel wealthy. Safety is a serious concern, of course, but sensibly managed it should be no deterrent to a trip.