Colonial Cartagena
Wander the colorful streets and heritage-listed walls of the old town, among flower-draped balconies, lively squares and a warm Caribbean atmosphere.
Colombia
Between the Caribbean coast, the Andes mountains and the Amazon basin, Colombia offers a rare mosaic of landscapes and cultures. From the colorful streets of Cartagena to high-altitude coffee plantations and a reborn Medellín, the country reveals itself at different speeds, through history, nature and warmth.
Why visit Colombia?
Colombia draws travelers with the diversity of its landscapes, from Caribbean beaches to Andean peaks and the Amazon rainforest, all within a single country. Its colonial heritage, coffee culture and the renewal of cities like Medellín make it an increasingly popular South American destination.
What to discover in Colombia?
On the Caribbean coast, Cartagena de Indias charms visitors with its colonial walls, colorful streets and lively plazas, while Tayrona National Park, further east, combines wild beaches with tropical rainforest. Further south, the coffee region around Salento and the Cocora Valley unfolds through plantations, rolling hills and the country's emblematic giant wax palms. This range of landscapes, packed into a relatively compact territory, is one of Colombia's great strengths for travelers hoping to see it all in a single trip, without endless transfers between regions.
Medellín, long marked by a violent past, has transformed into a dynamic city known for its social urbanism and cultural energy. Bogotá, perched at high altitude, blends the colonial La Candelaria district with museums and a lively nightlife. Finally, the Colombian Amazon, accessible notably from Leticia, opens onto exceptional biodiversity and encounters with the region's indigenous communities, far from the country's busier coastal and Andean routes.
Cities to visit in Colombia
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Colombia in pictures
Don't miss
Between coasts, mountains and rainforest, Colombia brings together a handful of unmissable experiences.
Coffee region
Explore plantations around Salento and the Cocora Valley, dotted with the giant wax palms that have become a national emblem.
Reborn Medellín
Discover a transformed city, recognized worldwide for its social urbanism, innovative urban cable cars and a thriving cultural and culinary scene.
Tayrona National Park
Combine wild, palm-fringed beaches bordered by dense tropical rainforest with scenic hiking trails along Colombia's lush and protected Caribbean coastline.
High-altitude Bogotá
Explore the colonial La Candelaria district, its pre-Columbian art museums and the high-altitude capital's lively nightlife scene long after dark.
Colombian Amazon
Reach exceptional Amazon biodiversity from the river town of Leticia, along with meaningful encounters with the region's local indigenous communities.
Practical information
- Capital
- Bogotá
- Land area
- About 1,142,000 km²
- Population
- About 52 million
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Colombian peso (COP)
- Time zone
- UTC-5
- Climate
- Tropical, varying with altitude
- Best season
- December to March, dry season
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
The dry season, from December to March, is generally the most favorable for traveling across most of the country, though climate varies widely depending on altitude and the specific region visited.
Do I need a visa to visit Colombia?
Many nationalities, including European travelers, can generally enter Colombia visa-free for short tourist stays. It is nonetheless advisable to check the exact entry requirements with the relevant consulate or authorities well before departure.
Is Colombia safe for travelers?
Safety has improved significantly in the main tourist areas, though it remains wise to check which regions to avoid and follow local and consular safety advice before and during the trip.
How much time should I plan for a first trip to Colombia?
Two to three weeks allow time to combine the Caribbean coast, the coffee region, Medellín and Bogotá, while accounting for the sometimes long travel times between the country's distinct regions.
How do you get around in Colombia?
Domestic flights are often the most practical way to connect major cities, while long-distance buses allow travelers to take in the scenery, particularly in the coffee region and along the coast.
When should you visit the coffee region?
The coffee region can be visited year-round thanks to its mild high-altitude climate, with especially green landscapes during and just after the rainy season, when the surrounding hillsides turn a deeper shade of green.
Plan your trip to Colombia
Day-by-day itinerary, budget, bookings and packing in a single app.
