The Best Things to Do in Colombia

Colombia, like other South American countries, has beautiful landscapes and mountains perfect for adventure lovers. Aside from hiking and seeing the famous wax palms (which you definitely should!), Colombia also has vibrant neighborhoods, old mansions that are now museums, and amazing coffee plantations.

If you're planning a trip to Colombia, we've made a list of must-do activities that are easy to reach with an International Driving Permit.

Medellín, a great city to visit in Colombia, is called the "City of Eternal Spring" for a good reason! It's located in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes Mountains, which means the weather is always great—think temperatures between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius all year.

If you want to learn about Medellín’s history and culture, take a free walking tour of downtown. You'll get to see landmarks like Plaza Botero, which has those famous Fernando Botero sculptures, and the historic Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe. You can also walk through lively squares like Parque Berrío and see the mix of colonial and modern architecture that makes Medellín unique.

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Bogotá to Medellín: Take Route 50 westward, passing through scenic mountainous terrain. Notable stops include the Reserva Natural Cañon de Río Claro, a nature reserve offering outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.
• From Jardín to Medellín: Follow the paved road directly north from Jardín to Medellín. This is a smooth and scenic drive through the coffee region.
• From Cartagena to Medellín: Take Route 25 south, which climbs from sea level to over 8,500 feet before descending into Medellín.

Guatapé, a town in the Antioquia department, is full of charm. It's only a two-hour drive from Medellín and will definitely liven up any trip with its brightly colored buildings and unique zócalos (paintings on the lower walls). These hand-painted panels show scenes from everyday life, Colombian heritage, cultural traditions, and nature, making the town feel like a huge outdoor art gallery.

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Medellín to Guatapé: Start on Avenida Las Palmas, heading east. Merge onto Autopista Medellín-Bogotá (Route 60). Follow signs for Guatapé, taking the exit toward El Peñol/Guatapé. Continue on the winding roads leading directly into Guatapé.
• From El Peñol to Guatapé: From El Peñol, take the road leading directly to Guatapé. This short drive allows you to enjoy the picturesque landscapes surrounding the reservoir.

When you think of coffee powerhouses, Colombia should be part of your list. While other countries get plenty of attention, Colombia's centuries-old coffee heritage makes it a premier destination for anyone serious about their brew.

The Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (CCLC) is a region recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2011. The CCLC comprises six areas within the departments of Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca, encompassing 51 coffee municipalities.

To truly appreciate the region, engaging in a coffee tour is essential. These tours take you from bean to cup and provide insight into the intricate process of coffee cultivation.

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Medellín to the Coffee Cultural Landscape: Start on Avenida Las Palmas, heading east. Merge onto Autopista Medellín-Bogotá (Route 60). Follow signs for Guatapé, taking the exit toward El Peñol/Guatapé. Continue on the winding roads leading directly into Guatapé.
• From Bogotá to the Coffee Cultural Landscape: Start on Route 40 heading west out of Bogotá. Merge onto Route 50 towards Manizales. Follow signs for your specific destination within the Coffee Triangle.

Want an exciting adventure? Go to San Gil, Colombia's adventure capital. You can paraglide, raft through wild rivers, or explore mysterious caves.

Paragliding is a must-do, with two main launch spots: Curití and the massive Chicamocha Canyon (supposedly the second-largest canyon in the world). Chicamocha flights last 30-45 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the amazing views. If you don't have much time or money, Curití is your best option, with 12-minute flights usually happening in the afternoon (if the weather is good).

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Medellín to San Gil: Take Route 60 from Medellín towards La Pintada. Continue on Route 25 through Manizales and then follow signs to San Gil.
• From Bogotá to San Gil: Start on Route 40, heading north out of Bogotá. Merge onto Route 45A towards San Gil. Follow signs for San Gil, enjoying the scenic views along the way.

Colombia has diverse and beautiful nature, from rainforests and mangroves to glaciers and coral reefs – it's one of the best in South America! Chingaza National Natural Park in the Eastern Andes has high Andean forests, lower-elevation Andean forests, and the unique páramo ecosystem.

Chingaza National Park is one of Colombia's biggest nature reserves, and it's home to many different plants and birds. This high-altitude spot is also really important for the global water system. The páramo's special plants, including the iconic frailejones, help to catch and store water, which is then slowly released into streams and rivers.

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Bogotá to Chingaza National Park: Start on Avenida El Dorado heading east out of Bogotá. Merge onto Route 50 towards La Calera. Continue on Route 60, following signs for Chingaza National Park. Before continuing to the park entrance, you may stop in La Calera for refreshments.
• From La Calera to Chingaza National Park: Take Route 60 directly from La Calera to the park entrance. Enjoy a picturesque drive through the Andean foothills, with opportunities to see local flora and fauna along the way.

Tayrona National Park, at the bottom of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a protected area with ocean and land. It has mangrove swamps and cloud forests, but it also has amazing beaches! Cabo San Juan and Playa Cristal are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. And if you look closely, you might see some of the park's awesome animals, like cotton-top tamarins, howling monkeys, pumas, deer, and many different reptiles and birds.

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park: Start in Santa Marta and take the Santa Marta – Riohacha Caribbean highway (Route 90). Follow the signs for Tayrona National Park, which will lead you to one of the park's entrances.
• From Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park: Take Route 45 towards Santa Marta. Merge onto Route 90 towards Riohacha and follow the signs for Tayrona National Park.
• From Cartagena to Tayrona National Park: Take Route 90 from Cartagena heading towards Barranquilla. Continue on Route 45 toward Santa Marta and follow signs to Tayrona National Park.

If there's anything Colombia is also known for, it's their wax palms. When you are in Colombia's Coffee Region, you must include Cocora Valley, home to these towering wax palms, which are the country's national tree, and breathtaking cloud forests. A drive to the Cocora Valley offers a surreal experience as you approach this unique landscape.

Take a hike through the valley to fully appreciate the scale and beauty of the wax palms. You can also explore the Cocora Valley on horseback, a popular way to reach more remote areas.

Starting Point and Driving Routes:

• From Salento to Cocora Valley: Depart from Salento and take the road to Cocora Valley. The road is well-marked, and you can opt for a jeep taxi if you prefer not to drive.
• From Medellín to Cocora Valley: Take Route 60 from Medellín towards La Pintada.Continue on Route 25 through Manizales, then take Route 29 toward Salento.From Salento, follow the local roads to Cocora Valley.

Colombia, recognized as a megadiverse destination, offers many activities to fill your itinerary. While planning your trip, consider renting a car for an unforgettable exploration—driving in Colombia is one of the best ways to discover its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.