What comes to mind when you think of Colombia? Erase everything negative from your memory, because Colombia has cleaned up its reputation and is quickly becoming a great tourism destination. From ecotourism and archaeology to beautiful beaches and a diverse culture, now’s the time to discover Colombia before the rest of the world does!
I’ve been very fortunate to live in Colombia and have traveled to many areas of the country. I’ve broken the list down into sections to help you find what you’re looking for. You’ll find a complete list of cities, towns, and attractions under each region in the table of contents below.
General Info
- How to extend a Colombian tourist visa
- Jeeps in Colombia
- Traveling between Colombia and Ecuador
- Hotel tax for tourists in Colombia
- Taxis in Colombia
- Paisadventure (Our travel company in Colombia)
Popular Cities and Towns
Colombian Heritage Towns
The Colombian Heritage Towns (Pueblos Patrimonio) are a collection of small to mid-sized towns that represent outstanding aspects of Colombia’s culture, history, and traditions. The network was established in 2010 and is administered by the National Tourism Foundation (FONTUR). It currently includes 18 towns (as of May 2024).
To date, I have visited 15 of these towns:
- Aguadas (Caldas)
- Barichara (Santander)
- Buga (Valle del Cauca)
- Girón (Santander)
- Guaduas (Cundinamarca)
- Honda (Tolima)
- Jardín (Antioquia)
- Jericó (Antioquia)
- Lorica (Córdoba)
- Mompox (Bolívar)
- Monguí (Boyacá)
- Salamina (Caldas)
- Santa Fe de Antioquia
- Socorro (Santander)
- Villa de Leyva (Boyacá)
Amazon Region of Colombia
A vast region of Colombia is made up of the vast Amazon River basin. The remote southeast corner of the country, Amazonas, is full of wonderful tourism opportunities for those wishing to know the Amazon River, the communities living along it, and the surrounding jungle.
General Info:
Cities and Towns:
Indigenous Communities:
International Excursions:
Andean Region of Colombia
The Andean Region of Colombia is the most populous region of the country. It contains the largest cities and some of the most spectacular natural places. I’ve broken it down into several sections.
Antioquia
More than just Medellín, Antioquia offers the chance to explore several beautiful towns.
Cities and Towns:
- Andes
- Ciudad Bolívar
- Concepción
- El Carmen de Viboral
- El Retiro
- Guatapé
- Hispania
- Jardín
- Jericó
- Medellín
- Rionegro
- Santa Fe de Antioquia
- Yarumal
Misc. Attractions:
- Puente de Occidente (Santa Fe de Antioquia)
Natural Wonders:
Events:
Boyacá
The department of Boyacá features several beautiful towns and a great climate. It deserves to be explored much more than it is.
Cities and Towns:
- Arcabuco
- Chiquinquirá
- Cómbita
- Cuítiva
- Duitama
- Firavitoba
- Iza
- La Candelaria
- Mongua
- Monguí
- Moniquirá
- Morcá
- Nobsa
- Paipa
- Pesca
- Ráquira
- Sogamoso
- Sutamarchán
- Tibasosa
- Tinjacá
- Tópaga
- Tota
- Tunja
- Villa de Leyva
Misc. Attractions:
- Convent of Santo Ecce Homo (Sutamarchán)
- Marques de Puntalarga (Vineyard in Nobsa)
- Vineyards of Villa de Leyva
Historical and Archaeological Parks:
- El Infiernito (Villa de Leyva)
- Pantano de Vargas
- Puente de Boyacá
Natural Wonders:
Theme Parks:
- Pueblito Boyacense (Duitama)
Capital Region and Cundinamarca
The department of Cundinamarca, surrounding Bogotá, has several historic towns and some interesting places to visit.
Cities and Towns:
Archaeological Sites:
Natural Wonders:
Food:
- Andrés Carne de Res (Chía)
Coffee Region of Colombia (Eje Cafetero)
Much of Colombia’s Coffee Region is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a peaceful world of green mountains and colorful towns. I’ve listed the cities and towns by department.
General Info:
Department of Caldas:
- Aguadas
- Anserma
- Aranzazu
- Belalcázar
- Chinchiná
- La Dorada
- La Merced
- Manizales
- Neira
- Pácora
- Palestina
- Riosucio
- Risaralda
- Salamina
- San José
- Supía
- Viterbo
Department of Quindío:
Department of Risaralda:
- Apía
- Balboa
- Belén de Umbría
- Dosquebradas
- Guática
- La Celia
- La Virginia
- Marsella
- Mistrató
- Pereira
- Pueblo Rico
- Quinchía
- Santa Rosa de Cabal
- Santuario
Department of Valle del Cauca:
Monuments, Museums, and Nature Parks:
- Quindío Botanical Garden (near Calarcá)
- Santa Emilia Municipal Park (near Belén de Umbría)
Theme Parks and Activities:
- Bamboo rafting on Río La Vieja (Quimbaya)
- Bioparque Ukumarí (near Pereira)
- Ecohotel Spa Caucayá (near Belén de Umbría)
- Las Bailarinas Recreational Park (near Montenegro)
- PANACA (near Quimbaya)
- Parque Consotá (near Pereira)
- Parque del Café (near Montenegro)
- Parque Los Arrieros (near Montenegro)
- Recuca (near Barcelona)
Santander & Norte de Santander
These two departments in northern Colombia offer some of the country’s most incredible natural features as well as several tranquil towns.
Department of Norte de Santander:
Department of Santander:
Natural Wonders:
Southwest Colombia
From the city of Cali to the border of Ecuador to the south, Southwest Colombia has some interesting archaeological sites and a unique culture. I’ve broken down the cities and towns by department.
Department of Cauca:
Department of Huila:
Department of Nariño:
Department of Tolima:
Department of Valle del Cauca:
Archaeological Sites:
- San Agustín (Huila)
- Tierradentro (Cauca)
Natural Wonders:
- Calima Lake (Valle del Cauca)
- Tatacoa Desert (Huila)
Monuments, Museums, and Nature Parks:
- Armero Tragedy Site (Tolima)
- Hacienda El Paraíso (Valle del Cauca)
- Sugarcane Museum (Valle del Cauca)
Theme Parks:
- Grape National Park (Valle del Cauca)
Food:
Caribbean Region of Colombia
The Caribbean region of Colombia is home to one of the most magical cities in South America, beautiful beaches, and fantastic national parks.
Department of Atlántico:
Department of Bolívar:
Department of Córdoba:
Department of La Guajira:
Department of Magdalena:
Department of Sucre:
San Andrés & Providencia:
Monuments, Museums, and Nature Parks:
- National Aviary (near Cartagena)
Natural Wonders:
- Ciénaga de la Caimanera (Coveñas)
- Ciénaga de Pijiño (Mompox)
- El Ojo del Agua (La Guajira)
- El Totumo Mud Volcano (between Cartagena and Barranquilla)
- Hondita Bay (La Guajira)
- Isla Barú (near Cartagena)
- Playa Blanca (near Cartagena)
- Punta Aguja (La Guajira)
- Punta Gallinas (La Guajira)
- Sugar Pylon (La Guajira)
- Taroa Dunes (La Guajira)
Pacific Region of Colombia
Colombia’s Pacific Coast features undiscovered beaches, thick jungle, and friendly people.
Cities and Towns:
National Parks
- Chicamocha National Park (Andean Region – Santander)
- Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary (Andean Region – Boyacá)
- Los Nevados National Park (Andean Region)
- Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park (Caribbean Region)
- Tatamá National Park (Andean Region – Coffee Region)
- Tayrona National Park (Caribbean Region)
- Uramba Bahía Málaga National Park (Pacific Region)
Events
Food
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