The 29 Best & Most Famous Landmarks In Colombia
Have you ever wondered what the most famous landmarks in Colombia are? Well, if you have, you’ll be happy to hear that I’ve got 29 of them to share with you!
Colombia, as you may or may not know, is the other half of me (from my mum’s side) and a country we love. I’ve visited twice and spent months exploring, from the bustling cities and snow-capped mountains to alien-like valleys. If you’re up for it, there are even glaciers to be found…
Head north towards the coast along some incredibly windy roads, and you’ll be hit by Caribbean culture and tropical vibes. The vastness of the country is, well, vast and because of this, there are many famous landmarks in Colombia to uncover. Some are natural, while others are man-made, but they are all incredible.
In this post, I’m sharing 29 of the most famous landmarks in Colombia. I’m gonna touch on our favourites and the best ways to visit them.
🌟 Guess what ->> As travel experts, our experiences have led us to be great at planning travel itineraries, so much so that I offer a bespoke travel itinerary service to all my readers. Interested? See what it’s all about here on my custom itinerary page.
What Is The Most Famous Landmark In Colombia?
After doing some research and coming up with a number of options, I decided to put this to public vote – enter Instagram Polling.
As it turned out, albeit slightly unexpected, the most famous landmark in Colombia is the San Felipe de Barajas Castle in the wonderful city of Cartegena. This, of course, is a cultural landmark of the colonial era built in 1536 to fortify Cateragena from invading forces.
Interestingly, San Felipe Castle drew with Cabo San Juan beach which is in the Tayrona National Park of Santa Marta. It’s one of my all-time favourite beaches but not somewhere I thought would outrank places like Monserrate, which came in third or the Salt Cathedral, which didn’t even get a mention!
What Is The Top 3 Most Famous Landmarks In Colombia?
Since I’ve just mentioned them, you should already be able to answer this, but let’s dive into a little more detail on each of the top 3 famous landmarks in Colombia: San Felipe de Barajas Castle, Cabo San Juan Beach and Monserrate.
1. San Felipe de Barajas Castle
Built for the Spanish colonial powers in 1536 by slaves brought over from Africa, San Felipe Castle sits on top of San Lazaro hill, which was chosen for its strategic location to defend against any invasion by land or sea. It saw a number of battles between European powers during the late 17th to early 19th centuries.
You’ll find it on any “things to do in Cartagena”, but is it really worth visiting? I think it is; it’s certainly a popular attraction. If you enjoy history and roaming through tunnels, military fortifications and a good viewpoint, it’s worth a few hours of your day.
🌟 My top pick >> Are you heading to Cartagena? If so, you might be interested in this group tour, which includes San Felipe Castle and other famous sites.
To get the most out of your visit, I would say you need a guide as there’s not much information around the fort. We found this surprising as it’s one of the main tourist attractions in Cartagena, and the plaques there are generally in Spanish.
⭐ Pro tip >> I would also strongly recommend you go in the morning before it gets hot. There isn’t any shade (unless you’re in the tunnels), and the sun is too strong to be out after midday. Make sure you put lots of sunscreen on!
2. Cabo San Juan – Tayrona National Park
The second most famous landmark in Colombia is Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan beach. I first visited Cabo San Juan back in 2015 where I fell in love with its turquoise waters, sweeping boulders and jungle backdrop.
Tayrona National Park presents a variety of life endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a unique mountain range isolated from the Andes and home to a number of birds and mammals.
The beach, particularly, is set up for eco-tourism with a small camping area, wooden huts and rows of sheltered hammocks which can be rented for the night. It’s possible to trek through the park to reach Cabo San Juan otherwise you can get there on a boat.
We caught a small fishing boat from the village of Taganga and hiked through the jungle on our way back the next day. We slept, uncomfortably so, on the hammocks outside. However, it’s possible to visit the National Park on organised day trips or from other villages using the local bus network.
Don’t fancy hiking through the jungle? You’re in luck, as you can do it in style on a sailing yacht! Click here for more details.
⭐ Pro tip >> it’s crucial you plan ahead if you’re visiting independently. Make sure you pre-book a hammock, hut or tent space and take enough provisions to last your trip. There is a cafe but it’s super expensive. You will also need mosquito repellent – especially if you’re on the hammocks!
3. Monserrate (the mountain and the church)
Monserrate is half a sacred mountain and half a church. It’s been a pilgrimage site for many centuries and is one of the biggest attractions in the capital city – Bogota.
As a mountain, Monserrate dominates the skyline of Bogota standing at 10,000 feet. It was also believed sacred long before the Spanish conquest by the indigenous Musica people.
Monserrate’s unique position allows for the rise of the sun during the summer solstice from exactly behind it when standing, at what is now, Bolivar Square. A sacred sign carried through ancient Musica beliefs.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you’re looking for a tour to visit Monserrate, I’ve found this one on Viator. It has a great rating and is and is well-priced, plus you’ll join a guide who will share local insights.
Monserrate, as a church, was built in the 17th century with a shrine dedicated to the Fallen Lord. The Spanish destroyed the Musica temples which were already present at the site replacing them with catholic buildings.
Nowadays, it’s possible to reach the top of Monserrate via cable car (which is what we did) although there is a walking route, favoured by pilgrims. We had just been feeling lazy on this day but it’s 2 miles and – we’ve been told – not too hard!
It’s a nice little adventure, especially if you have children. At the top the views over Bogota are incredible. You will notice clouds rolling in over the mountain of Guadalupe (sister to Monserrate) evaporating as they tumble down the side, something we found mesmerising.
⭐ Pro tip >> Once you reach the top, follow the “Way Of The Cross”. The trail shows a series of sculptures depicting Jesus Christ on his day of crucifixion. Afterwards, there are a handful of restaurants and cafes at the top. It’s nice to grab a warm coffee and crunchy empanada to have while watching the sunset.
Natural Landmarks In Colombia
4. El Cocuy National Park (Sierra Nevada del El Cocuy)
Another one of our favourite landmarks in Colombia is El Cocuy National Park. In fact, it’s probably one of the lesser-known national parks in the country but it harbours some majestic secrets.
Its most prominent feature is its glacier which is also its biggest attraction, standing proud and ethereal it’s reached via a gruelling days hike. Tropical glaciers are rare and becoming even rarer due to our current climate. Unfortunately, the glacier at El Cocuy is said to be gone within a few decades, so now is a good time to visit!
Alongside the glacier and in the valleys below are the yellow-flowered Frailejons. A cactus-like plant that evolved to withstand the colder climate. Characteristic of the Paramo ecosystem (high mountain plains) endemic to the Northern Andes mountain range, these are truly magnificent to see.
5. Cano Cristales
For the past 15 years, Cano Cristales, the name of a 62-mile-long river in the Serrania de la Macarena province, has grown in popularity becoming an adored landmark in Colombia. Shut off from the world for half a century due to the civil war, in 2016 a peace treaty was signed opening up the area for tourism.
The river is famous for its endemic Macernia Clavigera plants which bloom during the months of July to November. The plant creates a rainbow within the river of reds, blues, greens, blacks and yellows. A phenomenon which occurs only at Cano Cristales.
⭐ Pro tip >> It’s hard to reach Cano Cristales! But, lucky for you, you have me…and I’ve found this incredible 3-day adventure which included Cano Cristales!
6. Tatacoa Desert
Not technically a desert, Tatacoa is a tropical dry forest meaning it has a long dry season only seeing rain for a few months a year. It has an incredible landscape characterised by deep canyons and mazes of gullies reaching 20 meters in depth.
Alongside its moon-like terrain, the area has been labelled as one of the best places for stargazing. Its lack of light and noise pollution means it’s the perfect place to visit if you want to gaze admiringly into the celestial bodies of our universe!
⭐ Pro tip >> The best way to explore an area is with a local guide. If you’re looking for a tour with a local guide to show you Tatacoa Dessert.
7. Guatape Rock
Otherwise known as El Penon de Guatape, Guatape Rock is a huge isolated granite rock rising up from a relatively flat area in Colombia. The rock was once worshipped by indigenous Tahami people and forms the boundary between Guatape and El Penol.
It’s a famous landmark in Colombia which sees a lot of tourism. Local authorities have built a staircase into the rock making it easier and safer for tourists to climb. Once at the top you’ll get stunning panoramic views.
Due to its popularity, expect a lot of queuing and even though there are shops at the base and top of Guatape Rock, take some snacks and water for the wait.
⭐ Pro tip >> Looking for a full-day tour from Medellin to visit Guatape Rock? Here it is, and with over a thousand reviews, it looks fantastic.
8. Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park
This impressive mountain range is one of the highest coastal ranges in the world! It offers tourists different climates as you climb the terrain, unique wildlife and environments ranging from beaches to cloud forests and snow-capped peaks.
It’s actually an isolated mountain range which was home to the indigenous Tairona. Descendants of that culture still live there with close to 70,000 indigenous people, belonging to the Kogui, Arhuaco, Kankuamo and Wiwa ethnicities.
It’s also where you will find the Lost City, more of that below!
9. Parque Nevados National Park
Located inside the coffee triangle (also listed below) on the outskirts of the wonderfully scenic town of Salento is a national park which everyone should visit at least once.
It’s a pretty fantastic place with rugged terrain within the Andes Mountains. Similar to that of El Cocuy (it has three glaciers) and provides great opportunities for hiking.
It’s possible to take day trips or arrange multi-day treks to visit the park depending on which areas you want to visit, there is also camping available.
There are many trails, the one which I did many years ago was stunning, we hiked through dense cloud forest to reach a hummingbird research centre before popping out at Valle de Cocora.
10. Valle de Cocora – Cocora Valley
The valley is located at the base of Parque Nevados and is home to the Quindio wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and is a breathtaking display of nature. The palms can grow up to 60 meters, (that’s 200 feet!), and are sprinkled wonderfully throughout the valley.
It is possible to reach the valley independently as you can drive up to Cocora by private transport following the road from Salento. However, there are areas of the valley which can only be reached by hiking and it’s the trails which make this national park spectacular.
⭐ Pro tip >> Fancy Full-Day Private Coffee Tour in Cocora Valley and Salento? You can combine the two and have an epic day!
11. The Coffee Triangle
The Coffee Triangle, sometimes referred to as the Coffee Axis, the Coffee Belt or the Coffee Zone, is a region of Colombia most famous for producing the majority of Colombian Coffee.
The triangle is made up of three districts: Quindio, Risaralda and Caldas. The main reason for visiting the Coffee Triangle is to experience a coffee tour inside one of the farms. Within this zone, the place I visited and highly recommend is the small town of Salento.
Salento is now well and truly on the tourist route, myself having visited back in 2015 when it wasn’t so well known, is a cute, traditional town with colourful architecture – it remains the same, however more accessible!
The tours are great, you will be able to walk through the farm, picking and trying the raw beans while being shown different methods of harvesting and processing techniques. In the end, there will be a tasting session!
12. Tequendama Falls
An impressive 400-foot waterfall which is still relatively unknown to the tourists who visit Bogota. It can be reached within 90 minutes, or 2 hours if you choose to use local buses, and is simply a stunning place to spend a few hours.
No hiking is required as the bus will drop you directly outside the falls. It harbours a dark past along with the abandoned Hotel del Salto, (it’s actually recently been restored but sat abandoned for over half a century). Both are said to have ghosts!
The waterfall was believed to bring freedom to the indigenous Musica people who regarded jumping from its peak as a way to escape catholic evangelism. They fell to their death but in their belief, they were transformed into eagles and flew to freedom.
13. Los Katíos National Natural Park
The Kaitos National Park which is located in the northwest of Colombia connects South and Central America. It is a very raw national park only recently opened up to tourism. It does, however, hold 30% of Colombia’s bird population along with some endangered mammals such as the Tapir.
The only way to visit the isolated rainforest is with a guide and it’s worth knowing the park is not set up for eco-tourism, but rather to protect its environment and the nature within.
Due to its incredibly high biodiversity, the park was declared a protected area in 1973 and in 1994 was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interestingly, the lands used to be inhabited by the indigenous Kuna people who now live in southwest Panama and on the San Blas Islands.
14. The Amazon Rainforest
My final (natural) famous landmark in Colombia is the Amazon Rainforest. Known around the world as the largest rainforest, surprisingly it only takes up 10% of Colombia. Nevertheless, there are some magical experiences to be had within its depths.
Not for the faint-hearted, and any hiking trip into the amazon will be gruelling but full of adventure. It is possible to do river cruises which are less strenuous. You could also volunteer or take on a jungle survival tour. Either way, you’ll be sure to see lots of wildlife and a once-in-a-lifetime story to tell.
⭐ Pro tip >> All excursions should be done in an ethical way, which means going on a tour with a well-trained guide. Local beliefs and religions should always be respected. You should never leave any trace of your visit behind – this means taking all your rubbish with you!
Cultural Landmarks In Colombia
15. The Salt Cathedral
It’s a unique cathedral to visit, which is made of salt from inside the mountain. It’s about an hour’s drive north of Bogota (we took a taxi to reach it, but you can go on the bus) in a town called Zipaquia. Amazingly, the catholic church is built 200 metres underground within a salt mine.
At the start of your visit, you’ll be able to follow a guide into the tunnels. The “way of the cross” is depicted by large stone crosses carved out of the rock at different points along the route. Audio headsets are available in multiple languages- and your guide will explain the meaning of each station.
Further into the mines and after the tour, there are some incredible areas to explore. The Salt Park offers a museum, geology displays, shops, exhibitions and a short documentary. This is a fun day out for the family!
⭐ Pro tip >> For the ultimate experience at the Salt Cathedral, it’s a good idea to go on a tour. The Salt Cathedral Zipaquira – Group tour with daily departures has the best reviews and is affordable.
16. San Augustine Archeological Park
Notably, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Augustine Archeological Park represents one of the most important archaeological sites in South America. If you love prehistory and ancient civilisations, then you will enjoy visiting this place.
The park has the largest group of megalithic sculptures in South America, representing Gods and mythical animals. Religious monuments have also been unearthed alongside burial mounds and ceremonial sites.
The site dates back to 1,000 BC and can be visited from the town of San Austin by local bus or taxi.
17. National Archeological Park of Tierradentro
Simirlary, the Archeological Park of Tierradentro is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, it holds the largest concentration of pre-Columbian monumental shaft tombs.
The Tierradentro, an ancient indigenous culture carved these tombs, which are known as hypogea, in the volcanic mountains from 600 to 900 AD. The tombs served as a “collective secondary burial site for elite groups” and are pretty fascinating to see!
18. El Camino Real Barichara To Guane
One of the easiest yet most scenic hikes we did in Colombia was the El Camino Real. Although, for the easy route it’s best you go from Barichara to Guane as it’s mostly downhill.
If you want something more challenging, be my guest to go from Guane to Barichara…
Originally dating back several hundred years the trail was restored in 1864 and surprisingly, doesn’t get that busy. You’re more likely to have cows and sheep as company than other humans!
The trail will take you a couple of hours along a sometimes narrow, sometimes windy, but mostly straight stone path which is really beautiful and easy to walk. The views are stunning, you’ll pass along the valley until you reach Guane which is a small but cute village.
In total it’s around 6km. Make sure you take plenty of water. There was only one building which appeared to serve food and beverages but it wasn’t open when we passed it. There are places in Guane to eat.
19. The Historic Town Of Villa de Leyva
One of my favourite places to visit in Colombia is the quaint town of Villa de Leyva. For me, it’s not only a cultural landmark but also a historical one.
Due to the attractive colonial architecture and cobbled streets of the old town, it attracts many day trippers from Bogota. There are some pretty churches to find and the town provides a wonderful day of shopping and eating.
It also harbours an insane number of marine fossils, which for us, was the reason we visited.
The history of the animals which thrived in the area is shown through these fossils within a small palaeontology museum. And, not only that, there is a HUGE fossilised skeleton of a Kronasaruas!
⭐ Pro tip >> What can I say other than you have to visit this wonderful town! However, if you’re short on time you can do a Villa de Leyva Full Day Tour from Bogota, this one includes meals too!
20. Las Lajas Sanctuary
Believed to be the site of an 18th-century miracle where a mute girl was cured after seeing the apparition of the Virgin Mary on a cave wall where she was seeking shelter during a storm, the rock became a pilgrimage site.
Over the years the Cathedral has evolved from a modest straw and wood shrine to a magnificent fairy-tale-like stone building nestled into the cliffside and connected by a 40-metre stone bridge.
Located in the southwest of Colombia near the city of Ipiales, it’s a bit of a trek to reach the town. However, it looks totally worth it! It’s a unique gothic-style church not commonly seen in places like South America.
21. The Lost City – Ciudad Perdida
Finally, we’ve made it to the Lost City! As mentioned previously the Lost City is inside the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park in northern Colombia. What I didn’t say is that it takes a 5-day trek to reach it!
Quite a challenge, and one that’s still on my bucket list, it’s a 28-mile round-trip through dense jungle.
Upon reaching this awe-inspiring feat of ancient human architecture, which comprises terraced platforms made from stone foundations, you’ll get to witness the ruins of a settlement which was built 650 years before the Incas created Machu Pichu.
⭐ Pro tip >> To visit La Ciudad Perdida you have to go with a guide, there’s no way around it. The excursion isn’t cheap, although this one: Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta, is affordable, plus it has excellent reviews!
22. Cerro Azul Cave Paintings
Cerro Azul is the name of an impressive 8-mile mural of ancient art on the face of rock walls deep in the jungle. Cut off from tourists for over 50 years, they can be found at Serrania de la Lindosa in Colombia’s Guaviare region.
The cave paintings have got to be one of the best ancient landmarks in Colombia. Although still being debated, they could date back as much as 12,500 years! They show Ice Age Megafauna, plants and humans who appear to be hunting.
⭐ Pro tip >> The paintings have been created using ocher – a red mineral pigment – common in these sorts of ancient paintings.
23. The Gold Museum
This is a pretty spectacular museum in the heart of Colombia’s capital city! It feels very mysterious with dark, softly lit rooms showcasing some wonderful Pre-Columbian artefacts.
There is a story to be told of the indigenous people living and thriving in Colombia before the Spanish Inquisition. A lost culture, history and even crafting techniques long forgotten are documented at the museum.
The artefacts are breathtaking, intricately made in such detail and include rare gems, especially emeralds. And, to top it off the whole museum is in English along with Spanish. Plus audio headsets for other languages. As we travelled through Colombia, we found this to be a rarity!
⭐ Pro tip >> Discover the Gold Museum on this tour of La Candelaria, one of the best areas in Bogota. You will have the option of visiting Monserrate and the Gold Museum!
24. Plaza de Bolivar
An important site way before the Spanish arrived. It was used by the Musica Confederation who studied solar and lunar cycles. During the summer and winter solstice, if you stand at the northeastern corner you will see the sun rising exactly above Monserrate (summer) and Guadalupe (winter).
After the Spanish arrived the site was used as the main plaza. It was home to a market where circus acts, and civil, religious and cultural events were held. Later, it became the Parliamentary Square of Colombia.
It houses the Palace of Justice, both houses of Congress and the main Cathedral, which was the first building on the site – although it was just mud and straw at the time!
Nowadays, it’s a bustling square to visit with market stalls and street entertainment. You can enter the Cathedral and admire its grandeur, which is wonderful and walk around chasing pigeons if you so wish!
25. Historic Center of Santa Cruz de Mompox
Another famous landmark in Colombia is the town of Santa Cruz de Mompox which was founded in 1540. In the 16th century, it was strategically located on one of the country’s main waterways – Rio Magdelena. It became an important economic and communication centre for goods coming in from Cartagena.
Due to this, it developed into a thriving colonial port town. Unfortunately, over the following centuries, the river gradually changed course and the once prosperous town was slowly forsaken and left to decay as wealth and development stagnated.
Recent plans to revive the town are underway however some of the existing colonial buildings are still standing proud, providing some beautiful architecture for visitors
The town is also known to host important cultural events such as music and film festivals. This has helped bring more people to the area.
26. Getsemani Of Cartagena
The Getsemani neighbourhood of Cartagena is one of the most trendy places in the world. It’s full of beautiful artwork, narrow streets, colourful buildings, cafes, food stalls and lots of upbeat entertainment.
It’s a vibrant and youthful area 10 minutes outside the much-loved walled city of Cartagena. It quickly became one of my favourite areas to visit!
I’ve added it to this list as it’s also one of the oldest parts of Cartagena. It has so much culture and hidden gems that I would strongly recommend a walking tour to appreciate in full.
It’s where you’ll find the famous umbrella street and some authentic cafes. There’s wonderfully vibrant graffiti everywhere and a real sense of Caribbean flair. Mix this with the Latin tradition of blaring reggaeton through the streets, much to my enjoyment and you’ve got Getsemani!
⭐ Pro tip >> This walking tour of Getsamni was epic! Check it out for yourselves…
27. The Walled City Of Cartagena
Ask any tourist what they know of Colombia, and Cartagena will almost always come up. It’s one of the most well-known cities in Colombia and for good reason.
The walled city is an area within Cartagena dating back to the 16th-century Spanish inquisition and the location for one of the first Spanish colonies in Colombia. Due to this, the walled city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is like a fairy tale.
You will find a haze of colourful buildings from soft pastels to vibrant oranges. Narrow cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, wonderful plazas and churches.
People sell on the streets fresh fruit and empanadas to tangy-sweet lemonades. There are boutique shops from clothing to jewellery, museums and pretty much anything else you can think of!
It’s a unique and charming area which is encapsulated by a large stone wall. The wall was a two centuries-long project and was finalised in 1796. Its purpose was to defend the city from pirate attacks!
⭐ Pro tip >> Discover the best of Cartagena with Get You Guide and choose from hundreds of tours and incredible day trips!
28. Cartagena Clock Tower
Nestled into to walled city is the famous Clock Tower, known in Spanish as Torre del Reloj. It was actually the main city gate providing entrance into the fortified city and connecting to Getsemani via a drawbridge.
The Clock Tower is one of the most recognised landmarks in Cartagena, Colombia once containing the gunroom and chapel. The clock was replaced twice, once in the 1800s and again in the 1900s by a swiss clock which is the one it holds currently.
The tower is a vibrant lemon-yellow and somewhere you will almost certainly pass through to enter the walled city. It’s a really pretty fixture and sets you up for a wonderful day of exploring the colonial city.
29. Plaza Botero
The final famous landmark in Colombia which I think deserves a lot of recognition is Plaza Botero. The plaza houses 23 sculptures donated to Medellin city in 2002 by Maestro Fernando Botero.
It’s the only place in the world where these iconic sculptures, representing sensuality through living expressions, are on display in an outdoor environment. The sculptures are made from bronze which decorates the square and is home to the Museum of Antioquia.
The art museum is also a place of interest, and somewhere you can visit. It showcases pre-Hispanic, republican and contemporary art alongside more works by Botero.
⭐ Pro tip >> A fun way to explore the city is on a private guided tour where you’ll be taken around all the famous sites in Medellin.
Which Famous Landmarks In Colombia Should You Visit?
For me, they all sound fantastic and I would love to visit them all. However, out of the famous landmarks I have visited in Colombia, these are among my favs. El Cocuy National Park, Cabo San Juan, Valle Cocora, Villa de Leyva and El Camino Real.
For those I haven’t yet visited: Cano Cristales, The Lost City, Cerro Azul and Mompox would be top of my list.
It’s certainly possible to hit a lot of these famous landmarks as you travel through Colombia, especially if you’re backpacking through the country.
Resources For Colombia
Is it your first time visiting Colombia? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Colombia Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- Read this post if you’re heading to Bogota’s famous La Candelaria district.
- One of our favourite places to visit was Villa de Leyva.
- Did you know Colombia can be hot, warm, cold or even snowing?
- After leaving Colombia, we headed for Panama, another country we loved travelling to.
What Is An Important Historical Site In Colombia?
For me, two of the most important historical sites in Colombia are the Cerro Azul Cave Paintings and the Lost City. Both of these historical and cultural landmarks are among the top destinations to head to if you want to learn more.
Fast forward a few thousand years, and the colonial city of Cartagena is also an important historical site, which, as mentioned, really is a lovely place to spend your holiday!
How To Get To Colombia?
After reading about all those incredible landmarks in Colombia, I bet you’re thinking about planning your adventure! Here are some travel tips on how to get to Colombia and plan your trip.
Plane
For most people visiting Colombia the easiest way to reach the country is to fly internationally into Bogota. That being said, you will also be able to find international flights to popular cities such as Cartagena, Medellin and Cali.
Personally, I find cheaper international flights to Bogota. It’s then possible to catch cheaper internal connecting flights to other cities.
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Bus
I have also entered Colombia via Ecuador which is an easy border crossing. It’s possible to do this independently but I would advise going with an organised company. It will be much easier! You will also be able to catch the bus directly from Quito to Cali.
Boat
Another way to enter Colombia is on a sailing trip coming from Panama and passing through the San Blas Islands. I briefly mentioned this earlier, but I went in the opposite direction – from Colombia to Panama. You can do it the other way, leaving from Panama. This is a trip that is really incredible, and I highly recommend it!
Getting Around Colombia
Like any country, Colombia is easily accessible with good infrastructure between the major cities and tourist sites. Even off the trodden path, the roads are still relatively decent.
In places really remote they can become more dusty and treacherous, however, it’s unlikely you will be visiting these areas. Therefore, it’s totally possible to rent a car, go by bus or use a private driver to get around.
Bus
The most cost-effective way to get around the country, especially if you’re planning to backpack, is to use public transport. Colombia is a big country and there are some excellent bus companies operating between the cities, towns and small villages.
Usually, these will be small minivan-like buses but you will come across larger coaches too. Especially if you’re doing longer journeys, overnight journeys or very popular routes.
Using public transport is also quite an adventure, a challenge of sorts. Navigating through the terminals and towns is a fun experience for even the savviest of backpackers!
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⭐ Pro tip >> Unless you are buying your ticket from the terminal ticket office, I would be careful not to pay for the journey in advance. In Colombia, they are generally very good when it comes to this. However, to be safe, only pay at the end of your journey.
Private Driver/Taxi
Taxies are definitely affordable in Colombia and a great way to get around the larger cities and tourist sites. You can use Uber in Colombia, but the local taxis are just as good. It’s also possible to arrange private day trips with your taxi driver.
Arranging day trips this way can sometimes work out better than through organised tours. Although, make sure you feel comfortable with your driver, and you’re not alone, preferably with a larger group!
Usually, I would have used the driver initially through an app such as Uber. Get talking to them (speaking Spanish here helps) and if you have plans to visit sites during your stay, you’ll find them more than happy to drive you around. Make sure you agree on the price beforehand!
Rent A Car
It is possible to rent your own car. This is easily done with rental agencies in all of the major cities and outside airports.
That being said, it’s not a method of transport I would recommend. This is because public transport is so readily available and very affordable. The taxis are also very cheap and get you around with a lot less stress.
If you do choose to rent a car, staying away from the big cities would be advisable. Driving along the Caribbean Coast is one road trip I do recommend. I was lucky to meet some people who took me along for the ride, way back when, and we had the best time!
It’s worth noting that you need to be over 18 and if you’re between 18 and 21 you might be subject to increased fees.
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Conclusion: Famous Landmarks In Colombia
How incredible was that! It certainly makes me want to visit Colombia again and soon. There are so many wonderful places to see, and even though we’ve visited a lot of them, it seems there’s much more to discover!
On another note, I get a lot of people asking me if Colombia is safe, and personally, I found Colombia to be a safe country, and it’s certainly not a reason for you not to visit. And, with all these fantastic landmarks in Colombia, you’re sure to have an incredible time!
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