By It’s no secret that Colombia is often the favorite among backpackers who travel in Latin America. I spent five months in Colombia last year and this year together. Many friends asked for recommendations on what to do and where to stay in Colombia. This blog post covers it all.
Introduction to Colombia
Colombia has a reputation of being a dangerous country. I myself was scared to come because I heard stories. The first thing I want to address is safety in Colombia. Because that’s the number one thing concerning most people. While I have certainly heard people lost their phones due to pickpocketing or maybe even got robbed, I myself didn’t encounter this. You should definitely be very careful with your belongings. Locals reminded me constantly about that. There’s a popular saying here called”No dar papaya.”It means don’t give people a chance to take your things easily.
Certain areas are safe at certain hours. You simply need to listen to the locals. The worst case scenario is you can lose your phone and belongings. It’s unlikely that you would get hurt because even the bad guys understand tourism is important to the country’s economy. I don’t think the risk of losing your phone or cash is enough of a reason to not come to Colombia. That’s just my personal opinion.
I would also note that the two times I was in Colombia, someone stole my credit card information and tried to use it online. So I would suggest that you use cash majority of the time to avoid this situation. Ask the price first before you buy anything. That’s just good general practice when you travel in a foreign country. The Colombian currency can be confusing because it’s always in the thousands.
If you are curious about the cost of living in Colombia, I can give you an example. Menu del dia(in the below photo) costs about 15000-18000 Colombian pesos($3-4). The cost of food is very affordable. Of course if you are in a tourist area and eat in fancy restaurants, it would cost a lot more. But I think menu del dia is a good bench mark when it comes to price for food.
Now I want to talk about why Colombia charms so many travelers. For me, it’s the people, dance, music and nature. What I love about Colombia is that the Colombian people are so happy to see tourists come into their country. Tourism is not new in Colombia. But certainly the bloody history of Colombia has prevented people from traveling, not just international travelers, but Colombians themselves. One tour guide said he was so happy to be able to travel in his own country. Because before he feared that he would be kidnapped by the militant group.
That gave some perspective about the lives here. Another tour guide said Colombians celebrated the smallest things because they had such tough lives. Even if their team lost in a soccer game, they celebrated. I witnessed this first hand. The Colombians I met impressed me with their spontaneity and their passion for life.
I was in Colombia for Halloween and right before Christmas. People went all out for these holidays. Everyone dressed up for Halloween. There were so many Christmas lights everywhere. On the first day of December, there were so many fireworks in Medellin.
This leads to the next topic, the music and dance. I have seen so many times in people’s homes, they were dancing with family members and having a little party. There’s something about how Colombians dance that just captures my heart. Music and dance are in their blood. There are many different genres of music and dance here thanks to the rich and diverse cultural heritages. I have never heard of genres like Cumbia, Vallenato and Champeta before I came to Colombia.
After spending some time in Colombia and talking to the locals, you start to learn the differences between Bogota, Medellin and the coast. It is generally believed that the people from Bogota(Rolos) are colder, people from Medellin(Paisas) are warmer, and people from the coast(Costeños) are more relaxed. The landscapes, weathers, cultures, and languages in these different areas are also incredibly different. You can truly spend months and months in Colombia and still feel like it’s not enough.
Last but not least, The nature in Colombia is breathtaking. I have never seen this level of abundance and lushness anywhere else in my life. There are so many waterfalls and different species of birds. It literally feels like a paradise on earth. More than once, I have picked up fruits fallen from the trees and ate them. That’s how abundant Colombia is.
Medellin & Bogota
If you are going to Colombia, you probably either fly into Medellin or Bogotá. I like Medellin away more than Bogotá. When you are in Bogotá, you have to be on very high alert and not show your phone publicly. It was the most tense I had experienced in Colombia. You still have to be careful in Medellin, but it is not nearly as bad as Bogotá.
Key Attractions in Medellin
- Walking Tour City Center
I took the downtown walking tour with Real City Tours. The guide shared generously and touchingly about the recent history of Colombia and the transformation of Medellin. I couldn’t recommend this tour enough.
- Comuna 13 Tour
This is another must if you are in Medellin. Comuna 13 is known for their vibrant street arts and the recent transformation from its bloody past. I took it with Zippy Tour. Again I was very touched by the tour guide’s story. She was very personal. She said even today she still needed to pay local gangsters to be able to take tourists to some parts of Comuna 13 that are under their territory.
- Guatapé Day Trip
I highly recommend this day trip to Guatapé. In this tour, you would see El Peñón(the big rock) and the beautiful town of Guatapé. You have to go with Vanporcolombia. You would eat amazing homemade food and the tour guide Andres would give you an experience that you won’t forget. At some point, we were on top of the van. We all had such an amazing time!
- Jardín Botánico de Medellín
If you love nature, you should check out this botanic garden in Medellin. It’s so beautiful and green here. The best part is it’s free! It’s such a nice get away from the city within the city. On Sunday at 10am, there is a yoga class that is donation based.
- Park Arvi
What’s so cool about Park Arvi is that not only you get to enjoy the beautiful nature, but also you get to take the cable car that overlooks the city. It’s a very cool experience. I think that alone is worth the trip.
Where to stay in Medellin
I have a few recommendations for hostels depending on what you prefer. They are all located in Poblado, the most touristic part of the city with great nightlife.
#1. Yolo Hostel Medellin
This by far is my favorite hostel in Poblado. It is close to all the action in Poblado, yet it is very quiet and relaxing in the hostel. The kitchen is well equipped. There are many nice resting areas.
#2. Masaya
Masaya has a pool and hot tub on the rooftop. I think that alone should be worth staying there. The view on top is amazing!
#3. Selina
The only reason I recommend Selina is that it has a dedicated workspace. So if you are working remotely, this could be a great option. Otherwise, I would say you should skip Selina. I have a friend who had a terrible experience there. It didn’t seem like they care too much about their customers.
#4 and 5 Black Sheep Hostel/Could9 Hostel
If you want a private room, I recommend Black Sheep Hostel or Could9 Hostel. Both are located in Poblado. Both have very nice accommodations and the prices are much more reasonable than the other hostels.
Bogotá
I was in Bogotá during their rainy season unfortunately, which didn’t help with the impression of the city. But if you are there, you might as well take advantage of your time. Here are the top things tourists do in Bogotá.
- Downtown Walking Tour
I did the downtown walking tour through BeyondColombia. They offer a free war and peace tour and a food tour in addition to the downtown tour. This is a great way to learn about the history of Colombia.
- Museum Del Oro
The gold museum contains the largest collection of gold artifacts in the world and tells the stories of Colombia’s indigenous population. It’s a good window to learn about the history in Colombia before the Spanish conquest.
- Botero Museum
The Colombians are very proud of their beloved artist Botero. Botero donated his paintings to the museum when he could have made a lot of money selling them. He also made the museum free to the public. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Salento
Salento is a very touristic town. Personally I am not a big fan of the town itself as it has too many tourists. Food is expensive in the restaurants. But I think Cocora valley is definitely worth going.
Salento is in the famous coffee region. When you are there, you would most likely go on a coffee tour. Cocora valley has the world’s tallest palm trees. You can do a full day hike that takes about 5 hours or do just part of the hike like I did.
From the town of Salento, there are jeeps that can take you to Cocora valley frequently.
Jardín, Jardín, Jardín!
Jardin is known as the prettiest little town in Colombia. It’s my favorite spot in Colombia, if not the whole wide world. I came back a second time this year. I have a feeling that it won’t be my last. The lush green here is like nowhere else I have seen. It’s truly a paradise on earth. The lifestyle here is still very traditional. Many people use horses as a way of transportation. The town folks are the nicest people you would meet.
It is always fun to watch people at the main square. In the evening, there were so many town folks sitting outside of cafes, drinking coffee and gossiping. It is a lovely sight. I really think this is the most authentic Colombian experience you could get.
On the weekend, the town takes on a lively tone as many Colombians come here for a weekend trip from Medellin and other places. That’s what I love about Jardín the most. It hasn’t been taken over by tourists like Salento. It has a good flow of international travelers, but mainly it has local tourists. It is such a joy to see the locals dancing Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Cumbia. You would be surprised to see what this little town could offer.
Where to stay
I stayed in several places in Jardín until I found the perfect spot, La Casa Del Sol. It’s located just outside of town surrounded by beautiful nature. The house is so exquisitely decorated and peaceful. Everyday I wake up with birds chirping. I like to do Yoga on the deck and hang out on the hammock. I have some powerful revelations here. My soul is content beyond words. If you want to stay here, I can give you the owner’s contact for a discount.
Key Attractions
- Cafe Jardín
This is the most popular hike in Jardín. On the way to Cafe Jardín, you can check out a waterfall called Cascada La Escalera. At Cafe Jardín, you get an incredible view of the town and its surroundings. There is also a seven waterfalls hike along the way of Cascada La Escalera. It can take all day. So if you are going to do that, it’s better to have a guide and be well prepared.
- Mirador la Herrerita
This is a great place for bird watching. This point offers a great short hike as well. You can relax in their rope bed and immerse yourself in nature with a cup of hot chocolate.
- El Jardín de Jardín
There are many lovely coffee shops in town, but you have to check out El Jardín de Jardín. It’s the most beautiful cafe I have seen in all of my travels. It’s decorated with plants and so many nice details. They have vegetarian food. There are also many books if you are in the mood to read.
- Horse riding
Horse riding is a way of life in Jardín. It’s very affordable for tourists. There are several routes you can choose. I think this is a wonderful way to experience the countryside.
- Paragliding
I didn’t paraglide myself, but many of my friends did. I just want to mention it here in case you are interested.
Cartagena & the Caribbean Coast
When I was in Colombia last year, I skipped Cartagena and the Caribbean coast in general. I have mixed feelings about the coast. I don’t regret not going last year. And I am glad that I went this year. Let me explain.
If you are short on time, I think you can skip the Caribbean coast. Cartagena is very touristic. It is the second most visited place after Rio de Janeiro according to my tour guide. I don’t know if that is true or not. But the plane to Cartagena from the U.S. is full of tourists and non-Colombians. It is also uncomfortably hot. The beach in the city is not nice at all. You would need to take a tour of the islands or stay on an island to see the beautiful ocean and beaches.
On the other hand, when I got to Cartagena this year, it was so different from the Colombia I knew that it felt like a different country entirely. The most distinct is its big population of mulattos(a person of mixed white and black ancestry). Cartagena de Indias was Spain’s biggest slave port in the New World, which explained the big black population there.
The vibe in Cartagena and the Caribbean coast in general reminded me of my time in Jamaica. It’s an interesting mix of Caribbean culture and Colombian culture. I think if you don’t go to the Caribbean coast, you may be missing one important aspect of Colombian culture, the black perspective.
That’s really my key takeaway. I will leave it to you to decide whether or not to visit the Caribbean coast. If you decide to go, here are the main points of attractions.
Cartagena
- Walking Tour
Take a free walking tour with Beyond Colombia. They will take you through the walled city, explain the history of the city, and sample some local food and drinks. It’s a great introduction to the city and the culture of the Caribbean coast.
The old town hosts many colorful Colonial buildings. You can spend hours strolling and shopping around. It’s very charming indeed.
- Islands Tour
The most popular islands tour takes you to Bocachica, Rosario Islands, Barú, Cholon and Playa Blanca. It also includes snorkeling on coral reefs, a free lunch, round trip transportation. If you are in Cartagena, I highly recommend taking this tour. While it would be nice to spend a night or two on an island, it is costly. This tour is the cheapest option that gives you a glimpse of the islands. I really enjoyed this tour, because we spent hours at Playa Blanca in the end. I like that we didn’t rush it.
The pleasant surprise of the tour is seeing the bioluminescent Plankton at night. Once these microscopic organisms touch the human skin, they become bioluminescent. The light they produced was very subtle and flickering with a person’s movement. It was so cool.
- Where to stay in Cartagena
I stayed in Casa del Pozo Boutique Hostel and I loved it. It is very centrally located and close to all the tourist attractions. Breakfast is included. They even give you a welcome drink. The pool is lovely.
Santa Marta
Santa Marta didn’t seem to have a lot to offer to tourists. The city itself is not very nice. It didn’t have the charm of Cartagena. Most people go to Santa Marta as a jumping point to go to Minca or Parque Tayrona.
Parque Tayrona
Before I went to Parque Tayrona, I heard mixed things from fellow travelers. Mainly you need to hike a lot to get to the beach.
My friend Anna and I hiked in Parque Tayrona, spent a night in hammocks at Cabo San Juan and hiked out the next day. The hike itself was not that impressive. There are many beautiful places for hiking in Colombia. This hike didn’t stand out that much to me. We saw monkeys on the way, which was cool. The hiking is really just for getting to the beaches. The beaches in Parque Tayrona are pristine and beautiful.
Inside the park, there are no phone signals or WiFi. Food and water in general are much more expensive than outside of the park.
Surprisingly, the highlight of this trip is actually the night we stayed outside of the park at Moon Wind Tayrona Hostel. There was a pool perched on top of the hill and we had a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.
Minca
I heard so many good things about Minca before I went. It’s my favorite stop at the coast.
The nice thing about Minca is the temperature is much cooler than the coast. So immediately you get relief from the heat on the coast. There are gorgeous hikes and waterfalls in Minca. My only disappointment is that the cost of accommodation in Minca is on a higher end. Otherwise I would have stayed longer. It seems like the town has been overtaken by tourists in the last few years. So naturally the price of things went up.
Last but not least, there’s no ATM in Minca. So make sure you get some cash while you are still in the cities.
- Where to stay in Minca
My friend Anna and I stayed at Finca Hostal Bolivar. It’s just right outside of town. So you can get best of both worlds. Every morning, we heard the chirping of birds. It was lovely. They also provide filtered water, which was very nice.
- Best Sunset View
Go to Casa Loma for the sunset view. It’s absolutely breathtaking. You will see what I’m talking about.
- Oído del Mundo and Marinka waterfalls
This is an incredibly beautiful hike to the waterfalls. Oído del Mundo is on the way to Marinka waterfalls and it is free. It was a lovely sight.
These are the highlights of my trip. I hope this is useful to you. I love Colombia and I hope you get to experience this beautiful country and culture. Best of luck!
May your dreams flourish higher than your fears.
Imaginesville 