Tourist Attractions in Colombia

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Colombia

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Colombia

The Republic of Colombia is located in the north-west of South America. This hospitable country is ready to welcome tourists throughout the year, here every tourist will find something to do.

The beaches of Rosario, San Andres or Cartagena are perfect for a leisurely family holiday. Fans of active eco-tourism should certainly visit the parks of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Los Nevados, the Canbo Cristales River and the ancient Lost City.

Top-30 Tourist Attractions in Colombia

Cartagena

 0/5

The large port city of Cartagena is a popular tourist destination in Colombia. People come here to see the medieval Old Town, where many attractions are located – San Felipe Castle, Plaza de la Aduana Square, the Palace of the Inquisition, as well as one of the oldest churches in the city, Iglesia de Santo Domingo.

Medellín

 0/5

Founded in 1616, Medellín is considered the second most important city in the country. The city has a botanical park, several museums and a zoo. The former estate of Pablo Escobar, a famous local drug lord, is also popular with tourists. In summer, Medellín hosts the annual Flower Fair.

Bogotá

 0/5

The capital city of Bogotá is the largest economic, political and cultural centre of Colombia. Many buildings erected in XVII-XIX centuries have been preserved here – San Ignacio Church, Palace of Justice, National Capitol. In the Bogota Botanical Garden you can visit a greenhouse and admire a man-made waterfall.

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona

 4.7/5

23219 reviews

One of the most popular sites in Colombia is the Tayrona National Park. Here you can not only admire the fascinating nature, but also stay for a few days in comfortable campsites, bungalows or eco-villages. To make it easier to get around Tyrone Park, you can hire bicycles or peaceful touring horses on site.

Open time

San Felipe de Barajas Fort

 4.6/5

58695 reviews

Among Cartagena’s other attractions, the San Felipe de Barajas Fort occupies a special place. Construction of the fort began in 1536 and it performed its defence function brilliantly until its fall in 1815 after an attack by the Spaniard Pablo Morillo. Despite its impressive age, today the fortress is used for various cultural and social events.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Las Lajas

 4.8/5

10236 reviews

One of the most beautiful and visited temples in Colombia is the Church of Las Lajas, located on a bridge in the canyon of the Guaitara River. According to legend, in 1754 in this place there was a miracle of the apparition of the Virgin Mary, who healed a deaf-mute girl. At the end of the XVIII century the first chapel was built here, which in 1948 became a neo-Gothic fortress. The miracle-working altar image of the Virgin Mary attracts believers from all over the world.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Guatape Rock

 4.7/5

58 reviews

In the north-west of the country is the El Peñón de Guatape rock, which is approximately 70 million years old. The site has been protected by the state since the 1940s. To get to the top of the 220-metre high rock, tourists have to climb about 650 steps.

Open time

Caño Cristales

 4.7/5

268 reviews

Colombia’s amazing Caño Cristales River is famous for its unusual colour. The crystal clear water exactly conveys the yellow, green, blue, black and scarlet shades of underwater moss and algae, for which the locals call it “the river of five colours”. Swimming in Caño Cristales is considered by many tourists to be one of the must-do things to do in Colombia.

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To make the journey to Ciudad Perdida, tourists should be in good physical shape – the entrance to Colombia’s famous Lost City is preceded by a jungle-covered mountain staircase of more than 1,000 steps. This amazing site was discovered quite by accident in the 1970s and has yet to be fully explored.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

 4.4/5

253 reviews

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park of Colombia is located in a mountain range in the north of the country and is divided into several climatic zones. It is home to jaguar, puma, tapir, sloth, otter, several species of monkeys and a wide variety of birds.

Gold Museum

 4.8/5

40429 reviews

In 1932, the National Bank began buying back pre-Columbian jewellery from treasure hunters who plundered ancient Indian settlements. In 1968, all the redeemed pieces were incorporated into the Museo del Oro Gold Museum. One of the most famous exhibits of the Museum is the Golden Raft, made approximately in the II millennium BC.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tequendama Falls

 4.6/5

13886 reviews

The famous Tequendama waterfall is located 32 kilometres from the capital on the Bogotá River. In 1927 a villa in the style of French architecture was opened here, which was later rebuilt into an extremely popular 8-storey hotel. But since the 1970s, the waters of the falls began to be polluted by industrial and sewage waste, and the hotel’s popularity gradually waned. Work is now underway to clean up the river and concurrently rebuild the hotel into the Tekendama Falls Biodiversity Museum.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Leticia

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One of the best places for eco-tourism in Colombia is the southernmost point of the country, Leticia. From here there are many tourist routes to the Amazon River and Lake Tarapoto, home to unique pink freshwater dolphins. Also near Leticia are the reservations of several Indian tribes.

Parque Arqueológico De San Agustin

 4.8/5

3684 reviews

One of the most famous archaeological sites in Colombia is the San Agustin Stone Sculpture Park. There is no consensus among archaeologists as to who exactly created these unique sculptures, called Chinas, from volcanic rocks. The sculptures range in size from a couple of dozen centimetres to seven metres high.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

San Andrés

 4.6/5

2846 reviews

The unusually beautiful islands of San Andres and Providencia are located in the south-western Caribbean Sea. Once a haven for sea pirates, today tourists from all over the world come here to relax on the beaches or go diving, windsurfing and yachting.

Isla del Rosario

 4.6/5

36 reviews

Not far from Cartagena lies the Rosario Archipelago, consisting mainly of coral islands. It is a popular tourist attraction where you can snorkel, go yachting, fishing or simply swim in the unusually clear water. On one of the islands of the archipelago there is a natural aquarium where sharks and dolphins perform shows for visitors.

Los Nevados National Park

 4.8/5

3925 reviews

Popular among tourists, Los Nevados National Natural Park was created in 1973. It is home to many birds, animals and about 20 species of bats. In Los Nevados you can take a trip to the volcanoes of the Andes, visit the glacial lake of Santa Isabel, drive around the mountain peaks of the park on jeeps or spend the night in equipped guesthouses.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Monserrate

 4.7/5

9122 reviews

One of the peaks located near the capital of Colombia is Mount Monserrat. In these places in the XVII century, a cathedral and a monastery were founded. Today, the Basilica of the Crucified Christ is a popular tourist attraction of Mount Monserrat. It can be reached on foot along a specially paved path, by cable car or by funicular railway.

Casa Museo - Simón Bolívar

 4.8/5

20 reviews

In the 1820s and 1830s, the famous Colombian figure Simón Bolívar lived in Bogotá, where he established his residence in a late 17th century house. In 1919, the house of the former residence was bought with funds raised and turned into a museum. Nowadays, diplomatic and cultural events are held here, and the museum’s exposition includes belongings and objects of the famous liberator of Colombia.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Salt Cathedral

 4.7/5

14573 reviews

The salt mine near the town of Sipaquira is very popular among tourists. And all thanks to the fact that at a depth of about 200 metres in the tunnels of this mine is located an amazing Catholic church, which is considered one of the most famous architectural achievements of Colombia. The Sipaquira Salt Cathedral is part of the complex of the famous Salt Park.

Open time

Lake Guatavita

 4.7/5

1386 reviews

North-east of the capital in the Cudinamarca Mountains lies the sacred lake of one of South America’s ancient civilisations. The first conquistadors were very impressed by the local people’s stories about the tradition of dropping gold jewellery into the middle of the lake at the coronation of a new ruler. Attempts to retrieve these treasures from the bottom of Guatavita were made until 1912. Today, the lake is a popular tourist attraction.

Catedral Primada de Colombia

 4.7/5

2285 reviews

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which was first built in the 16th century, is located in the central square of the capital. After an earthquake in the XVIII century destroyed the building, the cathedral was rebuilt only after almost 100 years. The modern version of the Cathedral of Bogotá was opened in 1823.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

National Capitol

 4.6/5

906 reviews

Bolivar Square in the capital is home to the National Capitol building. It is the seat of the Colombian Congress. Inside, the rooms are decorated with beautiful frescoes by Santiago Martínez, depicting the country’s famous political figures.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis

 4.7/5

53214 reviews

In 1781, Bogotá opened a botanical garden, named in honour of the famous Spanish botanist, naturalist and physician José Celestino Mutis. The garden features a man-made waterfall and a lush greenhouse. The José Celestino Botanical Garden has a scientific library that houses some of the scientist’s notes and sketches.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Parque Arqueológico Nacional de Tierradentro

 4.8/5

683 reviews

The famous Tierradentro National Archaeological Park is located in the city of Popayan, which attracts many tourists from all over the world. People come here to see the unique underground vaults of the pre-Columbian era, decorated with drawings using black, white and red colours.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Malpelo Island

 4.5/5

109 reviews

To visit Malpelo Island, located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, you must obtain a permit from the Colombian Ministry of the Environment. However, the beauty of the underwater cliffs and caves makes up for the difficulty of the visit. Sand sharks, grouper and hammerhead sharks can be found here, making Malpelo one of the most popular diving destinations.

Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa

 4.5/5

4048 reviews

At the beginning of the 17th century, the Convento de la Popa was founded on a hill above Cartagena. Two centuries later, the small wooden chapel was rebuilt into a beautiful building that many tourists come to admire. The walk to the convent is quite difficult, so it is easier to take a taxi.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Coffee Axis

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Most of the coffee produced in Colombia is grown in the coffee cultural landscape that comprises the territory of the departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda. It is home to the Colombian National Coffee Park, the Museum of Coffee Culture and the National Park of Agricultural Culture.

El Joselito Carnival in Barranquilla

An extremely colourful, fun and rousing carnival takes place in Barranquilla every year before Lent. The carnival lasts for 4 days, during which time the city is filled with mass festivities. Carnival in Barranquilla is popular with tourists from all over the world, so hotel rooms should be booked in advance.

Feria de la flores

 3/5

1 reviews

Every year in the summer, the city of Medellín hosts the famous Flower Fair. This event was first held on 1 May 1957. Since then, the main event of the Fair has been the parade of sieteros, who carry large platforms with figures of fresh flowers on their backs.

Open time