The Most Romantic Holiday Destinations in Colombia
If you're looking for the ideal place to spend a romantic holiday with your significant other, Colombia is perhaps one of the best countries to do so. From small towns and beautiful beaches to cosmopolitan cities and stunning nature, Colombia is a country ready to fulfill your dream idea of romance.
Here's a list of the most romantic holiday destinations in Colombia.
1. Cartagena
The colonial city of Cartagena has been attracting couples looking for a romantic getaway for decades. It is known by many as the most beautiful city in the Colombian Caribbean Coast, and with good reason. Wandering with your partner on the charming and picturesque streets in the Old Town of Cartagena before taking a horse-drawn carriage around the Walled City and sipping cocktails at sunset, is a once-in-a-lifetime romantic experience in Colombia.
2. Barichara
Famously known as the prettiest town in Colombia, the town of Barichara has all you need for an ideal romantic weekend getaway. From its colonial architecture and white facade houses with wooden windows to its cobblestone streets, churches and delighful little restaurants and cafés, Barichara is the ideal place for lovers looking for some peace and quiet.
3. Tayrona National Park
If your definition of a romantic holiday destination involves being in the wilds of nature and surrounded by beach after stunning beach, then the Tayrona National Natural Park is the ideal place for you to spend time with your significant other.
The 'Ecohabs' accommodation are exclusive bungalows located on a hill overlooking the beautiful Cañaveral beach in the Tayrona National Park. These huts are the ideal accommodation to enjoy a peaceful, romantic and unforgettable holiday amidst nature at its finest.
4. Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is a delightful little town with buildings reflecting the Spanish Colonial architecture and the biggest rival to the town of Barichara in the fight over the title of 'the prettiest town in Colombia'.
This town is known for its whitewashed facades, cobbled alleys and the Plaza Mayor - one of the largest in South America. With plenty of boutique hotels, amazing restaurants and surrounding tourist attractions, Villa de Leyva is easily one of the top romantic holiday destinations in Colombia.
5. Providencia
Isla de Providencia is a paradisaical Caribbean island surrounded by the sea of the seven colors. It is a wonderfully remote island with breathtaking scenery, beautiful turquoise waters, gorgeous golden-sand beaches and top-class hotels and restaurants.
The island of Providencia is the ideal place for couples seeking an authentic island vibe, stunning sunsets and a romantic getaway in Colombia.
6. Isla Mucura
If you're looking for a tropical paradise to spend quality time with your significant other, then Isla Mucura is the place for you. This island is part of the San Bernardo Archipelago and the ideal destination to enjoy walks along beautiful white sand beaches and go snorkelling through shoals of tropical fish just a few meters away from the shore.
The endless expanse of tourquoise waters, the hot weather and the opportunity of going swimming with bio-luminescent plankton in the neighbor island of Tintipan, makes of this Caribbean paraside a perfect romantic holiday destination in Colombia.
The History of The King of Cocaine in Three Minutes
Pablo Escobar was born on December 1st, 1949 into a humble family. His mom was a school teacher and his dad was a farmer.
Escobar started his career as a criminal from a very young age. When he was just a teenager, he started getting involved in the sale of contraband cigarettes and fake lottery tickets. He also participated in vehicle theft.
Pablo Escobar was an ambitious person. He used to say to his friends that he would be millionaire by the age of 22.
He had a very though policy which he called 'plata or plomo' (money or bullets). This basically meant that authorities should accept his money in exchange of a free pass to smuggle drugs into the U.S, otherwise, sooner or later, they would be murdered. In other words, accept money or face bullets.
In 1982, Escobar made his way into politics. He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, but a year later, in 1983, he was expelled after being accused of drug trafficking.
In the early '80s, Escobar started getting involved in the production and commercialization of both marijuana and cocaine. After allying with Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha, Carlos Ledher and Jorge Luis Ochoa, Escobar founded The Medellín Cartel, an organization that controlled over 80% of the world’s cocaine production and 75% of the illicit market of the same drug in the U.S.
The immense wealth Pablo Escobar gained from the profits of the cocaine business (between 25 and 30 billion dollars) turned him into one of the richest men on the world for 7 years in a row, according to Forbes magazine.
In the mid '80s, Escobar was trafficking around 15 tons of cocaine per day into the U.S. The pilots in charge of smuggling the drug earned as much as 500.000 dollars a day.
He spent roughly 2.500 dollars a month on rubber bands for his cash!
In a bid to polish his image, Pablo Escobar started doing charity work with churches and hospitals. He even built parks and soccer stadiums for the community.
Escobar, Don Pablo (Mr. Pablo) or El Patrón (The Boss), as he was often called, is the responsible for the death of over 4,000 people. This figure includes 200 judges, 1.000 police officers, journalists and people from the government.
Pablo Escobar built the famous ‘Hacienda Nápoles’ in the outskirts of Medellín. This place soon became home to exotic animals such as hippos, giraffes, elephants, zebras and ostriches. He built artificial lakes and even a motocross track on this property.
It is said that Escobar once burned 2 million dollars to prevent his daughter from dying of hypothermia while escaping from national authorities through the Colombian mountains.
The biggest fear of the ‘King of Cocaine’ was extradition to the U.S. Escobar used to say that he would rather die in Colombia than being locked up in a prison in the U.S. His fear towards extradition was so big that he even offered to the Colombian government to pay the country’s external debt in exchange of a modification in the country’s extradition laws.
In 1991, Colombia adopted a new Constitution and prohibited the extradition of Colombian nationals to the U.S. Pablo Escobar decided to turn himself in on the condition that he would be imprisoned in ‘La Catedral’, a luxury prison that was built under his command and supervision. The authorities soon realized that Escobar hadn’t stopped his criminal acts despite the fact that he was in prison. Therefore, they made plans to transfer him to a high security prison, but before those plans were fulfilled, Escobar made his way out and escape from prison.
Right after his escape, the Colombian government put in place the so called ‘Bloque de Búsqueda’ (The Search Bloc), created with the sole objective of apprehending the narco-terrorist, Pablo Escobar. After 17 months of intense search, Pablo Escobar was killed in Medellín at the age of 44 on December 2, 1993 by the members of ‘The Search Bloc’, after being one of the world’s most wanted criminals.
Drugs and Pablo Escobar will always be part of the history of Colombia, but this has not stopped the country from evolving and turning the page around. I’m happy to say that Colombia is today a reborn country.
10 Unique Colombian Experiences
As a megadiverse country, Colombia is a place that has it all: from tropical rainforests and vast deserts to beautiful beaches, gorgeous countryside scenery and wild plains.
If you'd like to try everything this country has to offer, scroll down and discover 10 unique Colombian experiences.
1. Go whale watching
Every year between July and November, the Pacific Coast of Colombia welcomes thousands of humpback whales arriving from the cold waters of Antarctica. These mammals travel over 8,000 km to the warm waters of Colombia to mate and give birth to their young. It's one of the longest migratory journeys of any mammal on Earth and definitively a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone visiting the country.
2. Sleep on a hammock under a million stars
You haven't seen the stars until you've seen them from the desert. This is why you should visit La Guajira desert, one of Colombia's remotest corners.
Say hello to pink flamingos while you walk on beautiful sand dunes and enjoy spectacular views of the sea meeting the desert. At night, let a hammock rock you to your best sleep under a million stars.
3. Tour a coffee farm
Head to The Coffee Zone in the Quindío Department. Visit 'La Recuca Coffee Farm' and learn everything about the coffee production process from the moment the seed is planted until it reaches your morning cup. Here, you'll have the opportunity to participate in the harvesting of the cherries and enjoy a world-class cup of coffee.
4. Walk beside the world's tallest palm trees
Head to The Cocora Valley in Colombia's Coffee Zone. This place is home to Colombia's national tree and the tallest palm trees in the World - the Wax Palm. Go hikking through the mountains, enjoy endless views of beautiful countryside scenery and stand next to these giant trees.
5. Swim in a liquid rainbow
The liquid rainbow is the Caño Cristales River, also known as the river of five colors. This unique river is located in the Serranía de la Macarena National Park. Diverse plants and green mosses grow on the river's rocks, creating incredibly colorful flowing waterfalls and natural pools for swimming.
6. Bathe in Mud
Being covered in mud is not something you get to experience every day, but if you feel like getting a natural spa treatment, head to 'Volcán de Lodo El Totumo' or 'Totumo Mud Volcano', just outside the city of Cartagena. It's not a real lava volcano mouth, but rather a pot full of warmth mud with minerals that are said to help rejuvenate the skin.
7. Visit the pink sea
Just outside the city of Cartagena in the small town of Galerazamba, you'll find the pink sea. The sea is actually a salt mine called 'El Salar de Galerazamba' and the bright pink is the result of colorful salt-lovers microbes creating pigmented protein to absorb the sun's energy.
8. Dive in the world's third longest coral reef
Head to the laid-back Caribbean Island of Providencia. This mountainous paradise is home to beautiful turquoise waters, gorgeous golden-sand beaches, super friendly locals and the world's third longest coral reef. Say hello to reef sharks, stingrays, turtles, corals and many fishes while diving along the reef.
9. Climb the stairs of 'El Peñol'
Just outside the city of Medellín in the picturesque town of Guatapé, you'll find 'La Piedra del Peñol'. The Peñol Rock was once a sacred monument for the Tahamies Indians, but today it is a major tourist attraction. Grab a comfortable pair of shoes and prepare yourself to climb 740 steps to get to the top. The views you'll take in are simply gorgeous.
10. Visit 'La Cueva del Esplendor'
Located close to the beautiful town of Jardín in the Antioquia Department, you'll find the Cave of Splendor. It is a unique cave located under a flowing river. This cave has a hole on its roof through which water flows in creating a unique and beautiful waterfall. You can either hike your way to the cave or take a horse ride.
Essential Spanish Phrases For Travel
Visiting a new country, discovering different cultures and trying local food is exciting, sure, but what also makes a country special and unique is its people and the language they speak. Colombia is no exception to this, so before you pack your bags and jump on a plane to this beautiful country, why not learn a little Spanish to help you make the most of your trip?
Scroll down and keep on reading to learn essential Spanish phrases for travel that every traveler should know.
First thing first: Greetings and Courtesy
Even if you're not fluent in Spanish, knowing how to greet people can make all the difference. Locals will definitively appreciate your effort to speak the local language.
- Hola: Hello
- Buenos días: Good morning
- Buenas tardes: Good afternoon
- Buenas noches: Good evening
- Hasta mañana: if you look for the translation of this phrase you'll find 'see you tomorrow', but this phrase is actually used to say 'good night' before going to bed.
- ¿Cómo estás?: How are you?
- Bien , gracias: I'm fine, thank you
- ¿Cómo te llamas?: What's your name?
- Me llamo ... : My name is ...
- Mucho gusto: Nice to meet you
- Por favor: Please
- Gracias - Muchas gracias: Thank you - Thank you very much
Expressing what you want
Being able to say what you want in Spanish is essential if you're traveling in Colombia or any other Spanish speaking country. What I'm about to teach you is a simple verb that will get you anything you want. The verb is 'querer' (to want) and in the first person form it becomes 'quiero' (I want).
- Quiero una cerveza: I want a beer
- Quiero un taxi: I want a taxi
- Quiero un helado de chocolate: I want a chocolate ice cream
If you want to take the verb 'querer' to the next level and be a bit more polite, just use it as follows:
- Quisiera: I would like
Asking for directions
If you've traveled before, you might know than more often than not you'll have to ask locals for directions to find places you want to visit. The easist way to do so is to use the following phrase:
- ¿Dónde está ... ?: Where is ... ?
Let's look into some examples:
- ¿Dónde está el Museo La Tertulia?: Where's the Tertulia Museum?
- ¿Dónde está la catedral?: Where's the cathedral?
- ¿Dónde está el baño?: Where's the bathroom?
In order to ask these questions to someone on the street, you'll first need to catch their attention in a polite way. This is how you do it:
- Disculpe: Excuse me ... and then you ask the question
Knowing how to ask for directions is good but pointless if you don't understand what is being said to you. This is why I'll give you some phrases that locals use when giving directions. Get familiar with them!
- Aquí: Here
- Allá: There
- Derecho: Straight ahead
- En la esquina: At the corner
- A la izquierda: To the left
- A la derecha: To the right
- A una/dos/tres cuadras: In one/two/three blocks
Asking about prices and paying the bill
As a tourist you'll sure want to know the price of things before deciding whether or not to purchase something. Simply use:
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ... ?: How much ... ?
Let's look into some examples:
- ¿Cuánto cuesta un tiquete para ... ?: How much does a ticket to ... cost?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta este bolso?: How much does this bag cost?
At a restaurant, after having enjoyed dinner, you'll ask for the bill. Just say:
- La cuenta, por favor: The bill, please
Extra Phrases
Use the following phrases when you feel stuck using Spanish and you would rather speak another language:
- No entiendo: I don't understand
- ¿Podría hablar más despacio?: Could you speak more slowly?
- ¿Podría repetir eso una vez más?: Could you repeat that one more time?
- ¿Habla inglés?: Do you speak English?
Get familiar with all of these Spanish phrases and you'll be all set for your Colombian adventure. Just remeber, even if you don't feel comfortable speaking in Spanish, try using one of these phrases whenever you have the chance to. Colombians are friendly people and will value your effort to speak the local language.
The Five Most Beautiful Beaches in Colombia
From its diverse climate and ecosystems, to its flora, fauna and beautiful beaches, Colombia is a country where diversity prevails.
Pack your swimsuit and be ready to hit the waves ‘cause today we’ll take a trip to Colombia’s most stunning beaches!
1. Las Dunas de Taroa
Where to find it: Punta Gallinas, Guajira
The Dunes of Taroa are a breathtaking scenario located in the northernmost point of South America.
At the top of the dunes, you can enjoy beautiful views of this large and vast landscape with the Caribbean Sea in the background. La Guajira, and this remote place in particular, feels so unexplored that you can get truly disconnected from modern life, and, I must say that the sensation of peace and quiet that this place offers makes you want to wander forever. It’s basically you and the desert.
2. Ladrilleros Beach
Where to find it: Ladrilleros, Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca)
Some 40 km north of Buenaventura you’ll find Ladrilleros, a jungle village on the Pacific Coast of Colombia. This village offers an extensive dark sand beach that washes away when the high tide comes in.
The sea has made of this cliffside beach its own canvas by naturally caving arches, caves and abstract figures into the black stone cliffs of Ladrilleros Beach.
This beach is perfect for swimming or relaxing on the dark sand while taking the sun.
Piece of advide: Explore around the scenic landscapes that this beach has to offer on low tide and don’t forget to get yourself a ‘pipa de coco’ - a coconut - for the walk.
3. Cabo San Juan
Where to find it: Tayrona National Park, Magdalena
If you’ve ever dreamed of a tropical paradise, this is the place to go! From its swaying palms to its white sand beach and its crystal-clear turquoise water, Cabo San Juan Beach has all the attributes you want from the Caribbean.
After a 2 hour walk through thick vegetation from Tayrona National Park entrance, you’ll find yourself listening to the crashing waves. If you feel tired after the walk, the good news is that you can spend the night in this Colombian paradise. Get yourself a hammock in the bungalow on the rocks and rock yourself to sleep while enjoying picturesque views of the Caribbean Sea and the vegetation surrounding you.
Piece of advice: The road to paradise is not always perfect so don’t forget to bring your mosquito repellent for the walk.
4. Manzanillo Beach
Where to find it: Providencia Island
Manzanillo is a beach located in the Island of Providencia. With fine-grain, white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, this beach is probably the most beautiful in Providencia. Apart from being a great place for snorkeling, this place offers calm waters to swim and a picturesque view of the swaying palm trees and the thick vegetation surrounding the sea.
There are not many tourists going to this beach, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, this is the place to go. You’ll have 300 meters of a tropical and uncrowded beach to relax in.
5. Guachalito Beach
Where to find it: Nuquí, Chocó
The Pacific Ocean gives birth to this wonderful place by extending itself across a wild jungle-covered island in the Gulf of Tribugá.
The fresh air, the jungle and the layers and layers of mountains make of this place a perfect getaway from the hustle of the city life. If relaxing under the shade of palm trees or swinging in a hammock while listening to the waves crash is your description of an ideal day at the beach, then don’t think twice and just visit this place!
As one of the most visited beaches in Chocó, this place offers visitors the chance to encounter beautiful waterfalls by the sea while walking on golden sand.
Start planning your tropical getaway to Colombia! ‘Let the waves hit your feet and the sand be your seat’.
Best Places To Visit In Colombia For First Timers
As the second most biodiverse country on the planet, Colombia offers a variety of unique landscapes to explore.
Most travelers start their trip in Bogotá, Cali or Medellín, but if you want to get the most out of your Colombian adventure, don't confined yourself to visiting just those three major cities.
With plenty to see and do, it is difficult to decide what to include on your trip. That's why I've created a list of the best places to visit in Colombia if you're going for the first time.
Cartagena
The colonial city of Cartagena is a must on your list of places to visit in Colombia.
As the most beautiful city in the Colombian Caribbean Coast (as it is known by many), Cartagena is the second most visited city by foreigners in the country.
Cartagena is a romantic destination with colonial charm and nice hot weather. It is home to colorful houses with wooden balconies and cobblestone alleys.
The Old Town of Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases beautifully preserved colonial architecture and it's the ideal place to allow yourself to get lost on its charming and picturesque streets. Furthermore, thanks to its coastal location, Cartagena offers to its visitors plenty of white-sanded beaches surrounded by crystal-clear waters.
The Coffee Zone
Another place that you should include on your list of places to visit in Colombia is denifitively The Coffee Zone. Here, you can take in sights of beautiful coffee plantations, green mountains and enjoy a world class cup of coffee.
One of the most popular places to visit in the region is the town of Salento. This small town is one of the oldest towns in the Quindío Department and is home to colorful houses and cafés. It is also the perfect place to go souvenir hunting.
Its neighbor, The Cocora Valley, is a must see for anyone coming to this town. Here you can enjoy stunning views of the tallest palm trees in the world and Colombia's national tree - The Wax Palm.
Bogotá
Bogotá is Colombia's capital and home to art, culture, history, fashion, vibrating restaurants and unique experiences.
The city's cultural epicenter is La Candelaria. Here you can find beautifully preserved colonial buildings, museums, hotels, stunning street art and the well known Plaza Bolívar. There is also amazing food for any style and budget.
A must do in Bogotá is visiting 'El Cerro de Monserrate'. From here, the views over the city are spectacular.
Tayrona Natural Park
Lying along Colombia's northern Caribbean Coast and one hour away from the city of Santa Marta, Tayrona National Natural Park is home to beach after stunning beach. It is the ideal location if you're looking to combine nature with beach time.
Tayrona is one of Colombia's most popular national parks thanks to its green scenery and incredible biodiversity. Adventurous souls visit this national park and take on the challenge of walking through palm tree forests to reach the beautiful beaches (a horseback ride over to the beaches is also possible). You can spot wildlife like monkeys, insects and reptiles on your hike.
The most popular spot in Tayrona is the iconic beach of Cabo San Juan. Some visitors decide to spend the night here on a hammock or tent.
Tayrona is a real tresure for nature lovers.
Cali
The city of Cali is well known for its cheerful atmosphere and it's the undisputed Salsa Capital of the world.
Salsa - a dance involving a lot of footwork with quick rapid steps and skipping motions - brings people together and everyone in this city moves to the beat of this dance.
Cali is home to great local cuisine, stunning churches (e.g La Ermita) and lively neighborhoods. One of them is San Antonio neighborhood, a place with great atmosphere and packed with colorful houses, restaurants, cafés and many artisanal shops.
Surrounded by mountains, nature parks and rivers, the city of Cali offers tourists the opportunity of going swimming in crystal clear waters, hiking or birdwatching.
Medellín
Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia and it's renowned for its coffee plantations, flower farms, orchids and butterflies. But as well for its distinct artist, Fernando Botero, who's famous for featuring oversized subjects with a subtle touch of satire.
The city of Medellín, which lies in a valley between two Andean Mountain ridges, is known as the City of Eternal Spring because of its mild and idyllic climate. This makes it possible for this city to hold the event known as 'Feria de las Flores' (Flower Festival) every year in August.
Beautiful towns are no distance away from Medellín. Within an hour or two from the city, you can visit lovely towns showcasing traditional architecture, such as Guatapé, Jardín, Tamesis and many more.
¡Viva Colombia!
11 Fun Facts About Colombia
Despite Colombia being my home country, it is a place that never stops to amaze me.
Here's a list of 11 interesting facts about Colombia. Some are funny, some are weird and others unique!
1. You can buy 'minutes' on the streets
In Colombia there's always a way of making an urgent phone call, even if your phone is out of battery. Street vendors selling ‘minutes’ to make a phone call are everywhere, so just look for a colorful sign - typically yellow or orange - with the word 'minutos' on it. You'll get a 1990's mobile phone, but hey, at least you'll be able to make your call.
2. Ley Seca
The local government in Colombia imposes a short-term ban on alcohol during large national events, such as the World Cup and elections, to avoid violence and conflicts in the streets. This law is called 'Ley Seca' or 'Dry Law' in English.
3. The Colombian National Anthem is played on the radio and TV every day
In Colombia, there's actually a law - law 198, July 17, 1995 - stating that the National Anthem is to be played every day at 6am and 6pm on the radio and on national television. So, if you happen to be listening to your favorite song on the radio around that time of the day, don't get frustrated when it's interrupted, it’ll only last for a couple of minutes!
4. Colombia has 18 public holidays a year
Colombia has 12 Catholic holidays and 6 Civic holidays. It is the second country having the greater number of public holidays in the world - after India with 21 days.
Many Colombians have no idea what the celebration is about, but a public holiday is always a good reason for Colombians to throw a party and celebrate with friends and family.
5. Colombia is home to pink dolphins
Yes, I just said pink dolphins! Probably right now, the dream of many children around the world is coming true! This pink mammal is an inhabitant of the Amazon River.
6. Bogotá's network of bicycle routes is one of the most extensive in the world
Bogotá is home to the largest cycling route in South America (and definitively one of the longest in the world), stretching for over 300 km from the suburbs right into the city center.
7. Colombia is a unique country with two coasts
Colombia is the only country is South America that has coastlines with both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. This creates an innumerable number of beaches being enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
8. Colombia is home to The Amazon Rainforest
One third of the country is covered by The Amazon Rainforest. As a result, Colombia is home to amazing nature and wildlife and holds the status of 'megadiverse country' - a status held only by 17 countries.
9. 27 x The Netherlands
Colombia's surface is equivalent to the sum of France, Spain and Portugal or to 27 x The Netherlands. Crazy, right? Colombia is actually the 26th largest country on earth.
10. Colombia is home to a liquid rainbow
The liquid rainbow is the Caño Cristales River. Diverse plants and green mosses grow on its rocks, creating incredible combinations of colors that can be seen from above due to its crystal blue waters.
11. Colombia is home to the tallest palm tree in the world
The Palma de Cera or Wax Palm is Colombia’s national tree. It is found exclusively in the Colombian Andes and it's the tallest palm tree in the world, measuring up to 60 meters. Beautiful sights of these palm trees can be enjoyed at The Cocora Valley in the Quindío Department.