Let Colombia Cast its Spell on You

The original land of magical realism is a very real country of beauty that embodies everything we’ve come to love about South America. Colourful Caribbean architecture? Cartagena has you covered. Ancient ruins? Take an epic trek to Colombia’s Lost City. See the beauty of a blooming red river, or catch a glimpse of the cheeky wildlife in Tayrona National Park. Discover Colombia’s shiny side at Bogotá’s Gold Museum, or learn about Medellín’s incredible transformation into one of South America’s most exciting cultural hubs.

When it’s time to eat, lose yourself in the sights, sounds and aromas of a traditional market place such as Paloquemao. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, it offers a wide variety of options that combine shopping and dining, including delicious specialties like ajiaco, a hearty chicken and potato soup, or lechona, roast pig stuffed with rice, peas and spices. With year-round spring temperatures, Bogotá isn’t known for its warm sunny days, so warm, hearty meals are the go-to for visitors and locals alike. Don’t think it’s all about street or market food though. Bogotá’s ever-evolving restaurant scene has you covered for both fine dining and diversity. As of 2025, El Chato and Leo are two of the most famous, ranked among the world’s top 100 restaurants, but the city brims with talented chefs eager to move onto the list, and every Bogotá foodie is sure to have their favourite.

Perhaps no city in South America has seen a more dramatic turnaround than Medellín. Once an organized crime hotspot off limits even to the boldest traveller, today, it’s a model of social transformation envied across the world, showcased through tourism. Start your explorations at Botero Square, where you’ll find—you guessed it—some more of the master’s cheeky plus-sized sculptures (the cat might be our favourite). Admire the dizzying (and controversial) black and white geometry of the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture while you’re there. It’s certainly a different style to the modernist facades of the Explora Park, a family-friendly science museum, the Santo Domingo neighbourhood’s Spanish Library, best reached by Metrocable for a bird’s eye view of Medellin, and the sobering Casa de la Memoria. This museum tells the story of Colombia’s turbulent history, including the drug wars that once raged in streets that artists now work to revitalize, and tourists now eagerly explore.

No neighbourhood better captures that can-do attitude than colourful Comuna 13. Public art, escalators, and increased safety measures have turned one of Medellin’s most dangerous neighbourhoods into a must-visit. A guided tour here is no nosy ‘slum tour,’ but instead beautifully illustrates the transformation of both the neighbourhood and Medellin as a whole.

Fancy a day trip? Guatapé embodies Colombia at its most colourful, and offers spectacular views from La Piedra del Peñol, the unmissable rock standing guard over the nearby lake. You can easily spend a couple of days here, but a day trip will do in a pinch. You will however need a couple of days if you’re planning to visit Colombia’s coffee regions, including Armenia, which makes a great home base, or the smaller and more laid-back Salento. If you’ve got a nose for Java, you’ll want to see first-hand how Colombia grows some of the world’s finest. If you’re not such a coffee fan, consider visiting one of the many flower farms in the Medellin region, which export beautiful blooms worldwide.

The traditional lands of the Tayrona, this region just to the east of Santa Marta offers a blend of wildlife, natural landscapes, beaches, history like nowhere else in South America.

Built around 800CE, La Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City) predates Machu Picchu by more than six centuries.162 terraces make up the city, along with plazas and tiled roads. Tourism authorities work closely with the Kogi—the indigenous people who today preserve the traditions of the Tayrona—to ensure sustainability. To that end, there are no scenic trains or other tourism-driven developments. It’s a four- or five-day trek to reach La Ciudad Perdida. Still, setting your eyes on this incredible testament to Colombia’s pre-colonial sophistication is worth the effort. Go between January and March for the best weather, and even then, pack a light poncho to keep things dry. The trail is closed every September.

Lining the Caribbean, Tayrona National Park bursts with life including tamarins, basilisks, iguanas, caimans, and even the odd jaguar. Set out at either dawn or dusk for the best sightings, and remember to keep a respectful distance. Tayrona is also famous for its beaches, and while the Instagram-ready Cabo San Juan remains a favourite, a quieter alternative is never far away. Hikes cris-cross the park, allowing easy access from the numerous hotels that surround it. For something unique, pay a little extra for an eco-hub stay inside the park’s boundaries.

Of all Colombia’s cities, few possess the energy and inspire the imagination like Cartagena. If you’re a fan of beach cities with colourful architecture, a rich history, and a diverse population that loves a good party, Cartagena might easily become your new favourite city break. It makes sense to stay in the historic walled city, the most beautiful part of Cartagena, close to most of its attractions. But you can also stay close to the waterfront if you’d prefer having the beach at your fingertips. If you’d prefer to enjoy your beach time away from the city, a trip to the Rosario Islands, located about an hour’s boat ride from Cartagena, is a must. For something completely different, visit El Totumo and soak your cares away in some bubbling… volcanic mud. Trust us, it’s more soothing than it sounds and your skin will thank you.

Back in town, take in the view from San Felipe’s Castle or at Convento de la Popa, the highest point in Cartagena. Steel your nerves for the grim stories inside the Historical Museum of Cartagena de Indias, or get a feel for today’s Cartagena on a street food, cocktail, or street art tour with a local. There’s a flourishing fine dining scene here too, which takes full advantage of the range of ingredients offered by Cartagena’s climate. You’ll also find shiny things to distract you at the Museum of Emeralds, and the Gold Museum of Zenú, which showcases pieces from the Zenú tribe.

There’s more to discover in Colombia than we can hope to cover in one article. You can explore Colombia’s corner of the Amazon, take in the wonders of the Tatacoa Desert, or admire Caño Cristales, a phenomenon unique to the rivers of the Serranía de la Macarena, which turns their waters a dazzling mix of reds, pinks and greens between June and November.  

Bogotá one of the most connected destinations in Colombia, with nonstop flights every hour throughout the country. Speak with your South America travel specialist about which chapter of Colombia’s story is calling you, then lose yourself in a book by Gabriel García Márquez or make Encanto your next family movie night. This country of beauty is calling, and its magical realism is just the beginning.