One of the most diverse and picturesque destinations in South America is the country of Colombia. With everything from beaches and mountains to swamps surrounding the Amazon River, Colombia truly has it all. Visitors planning the perfect trip to Colombia will want to venture beyond the cities and experience the national parks, historic attractions and vibrant culture the nation has to offer. Let this guide serve as an itinerary that highlights the main tourist attractions in Colombia.
1. Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
Just an hour north of Bogotá is Zipaquirá, a city known as the capital of Colombia’s salt mines. As a result of salt mining, Zipaquirá has long had an extreme concentration of wealth. One of the things that stands out is the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, which is a catholic church built almost entirely of salt inside a now defunct mine. Although it is a major tourist destination, the Salt Cathedral hosts almost 3,000 parishioners every Sunday, and attending mass can be an unforgettable experience. Around the cathedral there is an area known as Parque de la Sal, where visitors can see other landmarks within the mines and learn more about the industry at the Museum of Brine.
2. The Old Town of Cartagena
Arguably one of the most popular tourist attractions in Colombia is the historic old town of Cartagena. This city was the first of the Spanish settlements in Colombia, and the Old City is packed with historic colonial architecture. The Old Walled City, also known as the Walled City, it contains several old neighborhoods and historical monuments. Highlights are Plaza Trinidad in the Getsemaní neighborhood, which is the oldest part of the colonial city and a hub for local restaurants. Take advantage of the seaside location and try the fried fish with a side of coconut rice.
3. Tayrona National Park
In the northernmost part of Colombia is the Tayrona National Park, that borders the Caribbean Sea and offers extraordinary beaches and landscapes for visitors. One of the most important points of Tayrona National Park is the lagoon called La Piscina, where a natural reef turns the lagoon into a protected area for swimming. While snorkeling in La Piscina, it is possible to observe lobsters, fish and rays among the seagrasses and on the reef. There are also a lot of sandy trails that lead to and from the coast, many of which offer spectacular views over the Caribbean.
Tayrona National Park
4. Cocora Valley
The symbol of Colombia is the wax palm, and the Valle de Cocora it is the perfect place to see these trees in an impressive environment. The surreal landscape is lush green, and as the mist lifts it is possible to see the tremendous height of the wax palm trees that grow tall on the valley’s hills. The landscape itself is the main attraction of Valle de Cocora, but there are multiple ways to see it all. The most popular options are horseback riding, jeep tours, and a six-hour hiking circuit.
5. Cano Cristales
Whether it is known as Caño Cristales, the Liquid Rainbow or the River of Five Colors, this is a natural landmark that should be on every traveler’s itinerary. Unfortunately Caño Cristales has been closed to tourism since 1989 due to the presence of the FARC in the surrounding areas, but recently some tour agencies have started offering carefully tailored tours of the area. The river is on the outskirts of the small town of La Macarena, in the national park known as Serranía de la Macarena. Plants, rocks, sand, and algae color the river, which can appear black, white, green, yellow, or bright red depending on the location. Walk along the banks of Caño Cristales is an adventure on its own, but travelers can also head to Los Cuarzos waterfall or swim in the natural pools formed by the river itself.
While most people associate Carnival with Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, The Colombian city of Barranquilla is actually the site of the second largest carnival in the world. During the Barranquilla Carnival, the city is full of festivals, live music and street parades. The festivities begin with the Battle of Flowers, where the parade floats are decorated with flowers in magnificent and colorful designs. Attendees often wear bright colors or costumes depicting a figure or fable from Colombian heritage.
7. Los Nevados National Park
Los Nevados National Park is located at a high altitude and is centered around some of the most incredible volcanic peaks in the country. The Nevado del Ruiz and the Nevado del Tolima, among others, they are the main attractions of the park. Hiking is a popular pastime, and those with an adventurous streak can camp in the park’s field. There is also the opportunity to observe local wildlife including spectacled bears, tiger cats, Andean condors and pumas.
8. Monserrate
The Colombian city of Bogotá is a unique capital due to its high altitude, something that is accentuated with the visit to Monserrate. At the top of the Monserrate mountain, which dominates the city, there is a 17th century church which serves as a mecca for religious pilgrims. One of the best ways to get to know Bogotá is by taking the funicular or the aerial tram to the top of Monserrate. From there, it is possible to see the sunset over the center of Bogotá in a truly spectacular way.
9. Sanctuary of Las Lajas
Just north of the border with Ecuador is the Sanctuary of Las Lajas, one of the most fascinating religious structures in all of Colombia. Spectacularly built on a bridge that crosses the Guaitara river, Las Lajas Sanctuary looks like something out of a fairy tale. The gothic style cathedral It was built at the beginning 20th century thanks to a financial donation from locals, and there is now a small museum housed within the building. Getting to the Sanctuary of Las Lajas is easy from the nearby town of Ipiales, where travelers can take guided tours of the cathedral.
10. Lost City
Much of Colombia is still undeveloped jungle, and Ciudad Perdida is situated right in the heart of that jungle. Also known as the Lost City of Teyune, Ciudad Perdida is a pre-Columbian settlement that was built around the 8th century by the Tayrona Indians. The settlement was once a thriving center of culture, but nowadays all that remains are stone terraces in a circular shape, many of them covered by the surrounding jungle. The area is popular for longer guided hikes, where participants can trek from camp to camp and experience the pristine and natural environment of the jungle.
