TRAVEL INFO
Must-see activities in Colombia: Adventures, Culture and Nature
Colombia, with its cultural richness and geographical diversity, is a destination of choice for travelers in search of adventure and unique discoveries. Whether you’re drawn to the mountains, the beaches or the jungle, Colombia offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes in a single country.
Hiking and Trekking
- Hiking in Tayrona National Park: Explore the trails of this emblematic park, which combines tropical rainforest and dream beaches on the Caribbean coast. A must for nature lovers.
- Trek to Ciudad Perdida: Set off on an unforgettable multi-day trek through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to discover the ancient city of the Tayronas, hidden in the jungle.
- Hiking in the Cocora Valley: Discover the famous wax palms, symbols of the coffee region, as you explore the valley’s picturesque trails.
Observing the Fauna and Flora
- Hiking in Tayrona National Park: Explore the trails of this emblematic park, which combines tropical rainforest and dream beaches on the Caribbean coast. A must for nature lovers.
- Trek to Ciudad Perdida: Set off on an unforgettable multi-day trek through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to discover the ancient city of the Tayronas, hidden in the jungle.
- Hiking in the Cocora Valley: Discover the famous wax palms, symbols of the coffee region, as you explore the valley’s picturesque trails.
Scuba Diving and Water Sports
- Diving in San Andrés and Providencia: Explore the coral reefs and crystal-clear waters of these paradise islands, ideal for diving and snorkeling.
- Surfing on the Pacific Coast: The beaches of Nuquí and El Valle are renowned for their perfect waves, attracting surfers from all over the world.
- Kitesurfing in Cartagena: Take advantage of the constant winds (10 months of the year) and magnificent scenery to go kitesurfing on the beaches of the Caribbean coast.
Discoveries Cultural
- Visit Cartagena de Indias: Explore the colorful streets and fortifications of this colonial city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bogotá and its Gold Museum: Discover the Colombian capital and its impressive Gold Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian gold objects.
- Visit Medellín: Explore the city of eternal spring.
Adventures en Plein Air
- Paragliding in San Gil: Experience an adrenalin rush as you soar over the canyons and valleys of San Gil, Colombia’s adventure capital.
- Canyoning and caving: Explore the spectacular canyons and caves of the Santander region, for adventurers looking for a thrill.
- Rafting on the Rio Suarez: Descend the rapids of the Rio Suarez for an unforgettable rafting adventure.
Coffee and cocoa tasting
- Coffee Route: Visit the coffee plantations in Eje Cafetero, learn about the production process and taste some of the world’s finest coffee.
- Visit the Cocoa Plantations: Discover Colombia’s cocoa plantations and learn how to make artisanal chocolate.
Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism
- Paragliding in San Gil: Experience an adrenalin rush as you soar over the canyons and valleys of San Gil, Colombia’s adventure capital.
- Canyoning and caving: Explore the spectacular canyons and caves of the Santander region, for adventurers looking for a thrill.
- Rafting on the Rio Suarez: Descend the rapids of the Rio Suarez for an unforgettable rafting adventure.
The best times to go to Colombia by season
Colombia is a very privileged country because of its natural wealth, the beauty of its geography and the diversity of its ecosystems, with three mountain ranges: Occidental, Central and Oriental, distinguished by their snow-capped peaks (“los Nevados”) and volcanoes.
The Andes
The city of Bogotá, located at an altitude of 2,640 metres in the heart of the Cordillera Oriental, enjoys a mild, temperate climate and fairly stable temperatures throughout the year. They fluctuate between 17°C and 22°C in the afternoon, and can drop to between 9°C and 13°C in the evening. Rainfall, meanwhile, is similar to that typical of the Andean region.
In the heart of the famous golden triangle of coffee formed by Manizales, Pereira and Armenia, contrasts abound, from the warm regions along the Cauca River to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Cordillera, the highest of which rises to 5,775 meters.
The Colombian Andes, which are divided into three distinct cordilleras (eastern, western and central), enjoy a climate that varies according to altitude. There are three main climatic zones:
– Areas below 900 meters altitude belong to the Tierra Caliente, and enjoy a temperate climate alternating between dry and rainy seasons twice a year: from April to June and September to November for the rainy season, and from December to March and July to August for the dry season.
– Areas between 900 and 2000 meters belong to the so-called Tierra Tamplada zone.
– Above this, from 2,000 to 3,000 meters, we reach the third climatic level: Tierra Fria, where the capital, Bogotá, is located. It’s worth noting that, apart from temperatures dropping to an average of between 10°C and 17°C, the dry and rainy seasons are the same as in Tierra Caliente.
The Caribbean
On the Caribbean coast, the climate is tropical, with rainfall varying according to the season. With relatively high humidity, particularly between May and November, temperatures remain high all year round, with an average close to 25°C. Beaches are very popular with Colombians from mid-December to mid-January, and with foreigners in July and August.
The 1,600 km long Caribbean coast offers a unique diversity of landscapes, from paradisiacal beaches to tropical jungle, mountains and coral islands, and boasts an abundance of climates that we are happy to explain to you.
A little further north, on the Guajira peninsula, occupied in large part by the desert of the same name, the climate is warm, with an average annual temperature of 27°C. The phenomenon of the trade winds, which blow towards the equator and become hotter the closer they get to it, absorbs humidity and dries out the Guajira soil.
In the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, temperatures can vary between 0°C and 27°C depending on the level, contributing to the richness of the flora and fauna. Snow-capped peaks and tropical forests come together to form one of the most incredible biosphere reserves on the planet.
The Pacific
One of the wettest areas on the planet, Colombia’s Pacific coast enjoys a tropical climate with high humidity all year round. Average temperatures remain high, fluctuating between 22°C and 30°C. This climate is a source of rich flora and fauna, with numerous natural parks. The region is home to outstanding national parks such as Utría and Gorgona, where you can observe incredible wildlife, including the humpback whales that migrate every year to give birth in the warm waters of the Pacific. Scuba diving is also exceptional, with pristine coral reefs and an abundance of marine life.
Colombian Traditions: A Rich and Diverse Cultural Heritage
Colombia is a country with deep-rooted cultural traditions, reflecting a unique blend of indigenous, African and Spanish influences. Each region of the country has its own customs, celebrations and practices, making Colombia a must-see destination for those wishing to discover a vibrant cultural heritage.
Traditional Music and Dance
- Cumbia: Originating on the Caribbean coast, cumbia is one of Colombia’s most emblematic musical genres. With its bewitching rhythms and colorful dances, it embodies the essence of Colombian culture.
- Vallenato: This musical style, also native to the Caribbean coast, tells stories of everyday life, often accompanied by the accordion. The Vallenato Festival in Valledupar is a key event for fans of traditional music.
- Salsa in Cali: Known as the salsa capital of the world, Cali is the beating heart of this passionate dance in Colombia. Salsa festivals attract thousands of visitors every year.
Festivals and celebrations
- Barranquilla Carnival: The Barranquilla Carnival is one of the biggest and most colorful in Latin America. Listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
- Flower Festival in Medellín: Every August, Medellín celebrates the Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores), with parades of floats decorated with flowers, concerts and horticultural exhibitions.
- Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos): Although more popular in Mexico, this holiday is also celebrated in parts of Colombia, where families honor the memory of their deceased with altars and offerings.
Handicrafts and Manual Traditions
- Vueltiao hats: Originally from the Caribbean coast, these hats are hand-woven by the indigenous Zenú communities. They are a symbol of Colombian culture.
- Mochilas Wayuu: Hand-woven by the women of the Wayuu community in the La Guajira region, these bags are not only utilitarian objects, but also colorful works of art, representing the cultural identity of the Wayuu.
- La Chamba ceramics: In the department of Tolima, craftsmen create magnificent black clay pottery, using ancestral techniques handed down from generation to generation.
Religious Practices and Beliefs
- Barranquilla Carnival: The Barranquilla Carnival is one of the biggest and most colorful in Latin America. Listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
- Flower Festival in Medellín: Every August, Medellín celebrates the Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores), with parades of floats decorated with flowers, concerts and horticultural exhibitions.
- Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos): Although more popular in Mexico, this holiday is also celebrated in parts of Colombia, where families honor the memory of their deceased with altars and offerings.
Traditional games and hobbies
- Tejo: A traditional Colombian game, tejo consists of throwing metal discs at a target filled with gunpowder, creating an explosion when hit.
- Sapo: A traditional game, sapo (toad) involves tossing coins into a bronze frog with its mouth open, positioned in the center of a table.
Colombian gastronomy, what do you eat in Colombia?
With its different climates and landforms, Colombia has a diverse agricultural and livestock sector, not to mention the coastal areas that supply fish and seafood. Culinary specialties vary from region to region, and there’s no shortage of eateries to choose from: cantinas (cafeterias), estaderos (inns), asaderas (grills) and other restaurants, not to mention the street food that’s so popular in Colombia, will introduce you to Colombian cuisine.
Not very spicy, it often combines sweet and salty. The basic meal is usually a soup and a side dish: arepas (corn cakes). Among the good things to try:
Bogota's ajiaco
La bandeja paisa d'Antioquia
La cazuela
La mantecada
The cajuada with molasses
The postre de nata
