One Week in Colombia

What You Should Know Before Going On A Colombia Tour

Common Colombia Tour Toutes

The longer guided tour routes of Colombia often depend on which city travelers arrive in. Similarly, travelers’ length of stays in Colombia heavily impact how much of the country may be seen during a tour. This is because travel times are significant between cities, especially if travelers along Colombia tour routes are looking to visit the Caribbean coast, the Andes, and/or Los Llanos.

While it is possible to arrive in one Colombian city and leave from another, this usually complicates flights and can lead to travel delays. There are internal flights between cities that may be booked, but this requires advance planning. Travelers in Colombia who are not interested in frequent travel may consider limiting themselves to one area of the country or visit fewer stops than are offered on common Colombia tour routes.

If travelers to Colombia are beginning their stay in Bogotá, they can choose to either head north to San Gil or west to Armenia or another part of the Coffee Region. The first option provides an opportunity to engage in adventure-tourism, such as rappelling, paragliding, or climbing.

On the other hand, Armenia provides travelers to Colombia with the opportunity to see coffee plantations and witness first-hand their cultivation techniques with the option to purchase sustainably-grown coffee beans. Cali is another major city nearby that travelers often stop at, given the relaxed nature of it which serves as a break during travel.

After choosing to stop in or skip Salento, travelers come to the limits of Medellin. Once a stigmatized city of crime, it is now a haven for art and music which travelers are encouraged to engage with. From there, Cartagena is the next typical stop, as travelers are finally given the opportunity to visit the Pacific Ocean.

The options to visit nearby islands or scuba dive along the world’s third largest coral reef are available for travelers here at this point along their Colombia tour route. This attitude of relaxation is continued with a visit to Tayrona National Park, at the feet of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and along the Caribbean coast.

Before finally bringing their tour route of Colombia to an end, travelers can decide to stop at the town of Santa Marta. While small, the city is a well-known starting point for the 4-6 day journey into the surrounding mountains to “La ciudad perdida” (The Lost City). At the end of a long trip along a busy tour route, it may be difficult to find the motivation to complete such a trek, but the end result of witnessing the historic ruins is well worth it.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling in Colombia?

Since Colombia is well-known for both its urban centers and diverse landscapes, it appeals to travelers of all ages. For those looking to enjoy luxury travel experiences in Colombia, each major city offers its own variety of highly-rated hotels.

With a rise in infrastructure and tourism, Colombia has made serious efforts to cater to those looking to stay in comfort within their cities. To facilitate this process, specific hotels can be booked through Colombia tour companies, as many include pick-up and drop-offs from airports and activities.

For those seeking adventure and those who want to relax, Colombia is only as busy as those who visit wish it to be. Depending on how active travelers to Colombia are, there are different ways to explore the country.

In the major cities especially, travelers in Colombia will likely see umbrellas or signs that read “Free Walking Tours,” which are provided by locals who expect a tip at the end of their trip. There are also relaxed ways to spend the day on guided tours of Colombian museums.

Centering around art, history, and even gold, the museums are open to the public (some have the entrance fee included with guided tours) every day except for national holidays and Mondays. For those with families, there is a children’s museum in Bogotá that features hundreds of exhibits and an actual (non-functional) Boeing 720 airplane that can be examined.

Unfortunately, travelers in Colombia looking to experience winery tours will have a difficult time, as there are only a handful of merited ones. However, this does not mean that there are not multiple culinary tours in Colombia. For the “foodie” in any traveler, the city of Bogotá is widely regarded as the culinary (and national) capital of Colombia.

The Paloquemao food market, located centrally in the city, is a huge collection of food stalls filled with local and traditional recipes for travelers to taste. Chocolate tasting classes are also available by tour in most major cities, as Colombia is a producer of the bean and an avid fan of it in traditional drinks.

For thrill-seeking travelers looking to push their limits, paragliding in Mesa de Ruitoque is available, usually year-round given the area’s temperate conditions. This activity can be done in a group tour, but the actual flight itself must be solo. At 17,000 feet, the snowy peaks of El Cocuy are available for exploration.

Considered to be a haven for rock climbers for both its views and remoteness, the mountain range has miles of unexplored territory that travelers in Colombia can traverse with guided tours. On the other hand, travelers yearning for warm, sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean can visit Malpelo Island.

Not only is the island beautiful (and hard to get to), but the surrounding water is home to hundreds of hammerhead sharks that swim in schools together. Adventurous travelers may scuba dive with them, making for great photos and unforgettable memories.

Is Colombia safe?

On account of a stigma that has permeated from news articles and popular TV portrayals of Colombia’s past, the country has made many strides to ensure that it is safe for international travelers.

As of 2016, Colombia has been at peace from internal turmoil and is quickly becoming the site of a blossoming art and music scene. The progress it has made in providing a safe environment for travelers is reflected in Pope Francis’ journey to Bogotá, Colombia in 2017. In order to further solidify this reinvention of their image, the country has focused on developing a tourism sector that is especially for families traveling in Colombia.

As of 2014, the estate of the famed (now deceased) drug-lord, Pablo Escobar, was reconstructed into a safari theme park. Complete with a water park and zoo, Hacienda Napoles is available for families in Colombia to visit for around $15 per person. On another note, while bottled water is still available, travelers on a budget will be glad to know that the tap water is safe to drink in Colombia’s major cities.

From a point of travel, Uber is prolific throughout Colombia, which is a safe alternative to walking or bussing between locations. Similarly, Airbnb’s have also become an option for lodging for travelers in Colombia who want to ensure they have a safe place to stay. With the successful development of ecological and commercial tourism in Colombia, there is something for all travelers to enjoy besides personal safety.

Much like any other country, there are certain sections of rural roads or villages to be avoided, most of which are not ones travelers are likely to be in. Especially in cities, it is important to be vigilant at night. While many places to lodge may host a night-life of their own, travelers in Colombia may opt to head further into cities.

It is recommended to explore the popular areas of Colombia that are well-known as ones for travelers, as this limits unforeseen circumstances. As a rule of thumb, watching all drinks and not leaving items unattended prevents druggings and thefts. Colombia tour guides are often great resources for verifying which parts of cities are to be avoided and which are the most fun for travelers to explore.