Medellin Tours and Medellin Region Tours and Trips

Colombia has an incredible number of regions to explore, each with unique climates, terrains, and culture. While we focus primarily on the Antioquia Region, home to Medellin and many other notable destinations, we want to highlight a few of the other worthwhile locations this country has to offer.

These quick guides are designed to aid you in your research of the other regions here in Colombia. We are happy to offer our advice, put you in touch with our local contacts, or even help you plan out your time in these locations... all for free! We want to ensure that your entire Colombian vacation is as perfect as it can be.

Bogotá

Colombia's capital city is an enormous metropolis set on a plateau, at an elevation of 8,612 feet (2625 meters), giving it cooler temps than most of the country. The city maintains a strong international influence with many foreign companies having offices here. You can find countless destinations for a great meal, dancing and revelry around every corner, and a historic past perfectly preserved in the cobble stone streets of the Candelaria.

A Few Sites to See:

La Candelaria- Bogotá's colonial heritage is well preserved and beautiful to witness. This is both the oldest neighborhood in the capital city as well as the home to the Colombian government, including numerous buildings, offices, and even the president's mansion.

Monserrate- This cathedral on a hill was once a major pilgrimage destination but has become popular with tourists in modern times. Take the quick and clean funicular up the mountain and enjoy breathtaking views of the city below. Walk around the grounds, enjoy a coffee or a pastry, and then glide back down in the bright orange cable car. This is a great way to see the city and the nature surrounding it. www.cerromonserrate.com/

Salt Cathedral- Located about 45 minutes north of Bogotá is a town called Zipaquira, home to the famous Salt Cathedral. Don't let the name fool you; it's not actually a cathedral made out of salt. Instead, it's a massive salt mine that was converted into a uniquely designed cathedral to give the miners a convenient location to worship. The tours of the mine include bilingual guides, many incredible photo opportunities, and a chance to learn about Colombia's mining history as well as its strong ties to the Catholic religion. www.catedraldesal.gov.co/

Andrés Carne de Res- If you're looking for a unique, visually stimulating experience AND a delicious meal, you've come to the right place. With two locations (the original outside of town in Chia and a new one in Bogotá's Zona Rosa), this restaurant makes it easy for you to cut loose and have a great time. Words can't possibly describe what goes on at Andrés Carne de Res but every single person that goes has an incredible time and makes memories to last a lifetime. Don't miss it! www.andrescarnederes.com/

Gold Museum- South America was once the largest producer of gold and gold products so it makes sense that they would have an incredible, world-class gold museum. Visitors can observe the development of the metallurgy skills over the generations by viewing the thousands of perfectly preserved artifacts from Colombia's indigenous tribes. The museum is modern, well maintained, and has information in both Spanish and English. Closed ALL Mondays. www.banrep.gov.co/museo/eng/home.htm

These are only a few of the many activities you can find in Bogotá. Others include: bike tours of the city, The Botero, National, and Police Museums, evenings in La Zona Rosa, the Botanical Garden, and many more.

Villa de Leyva (also spelled Leiva)

This quiet and beautiful colonial town near Bogotá hasn't changed much over the centuries. Filled with picturesque cobblestone streets and residents still dressed in traditional Andean attire, Villa de Leyva is a fantastic destination for those looking to explore Colombia's past. You won't find wild parties or loud chiva buses here in this tranquil town. Instead you'll enjoy exploring the spectacularly preserved houses, buildings, and churches. You'll also find a plethora of outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and waterfall rappelling, just to name a few. This gorgeous little pueblo is a destination not to be missed by any culture-enthusiast.

Villa de Leyva is about 3.5 hours from Bogotá by bus from Bogotá's Terminal de Transporte.

A few sights to see:

The Central Plaza- This is perhaps Villa de Leyva's most famous landmark due to its vast size and simplicity, unique throughout the country. The sprawling plaza and its beautiful cathedral set against the dramatic mountain back drop offers the makings of a perfect post-card photo. There are restaurants, hotels, and shops surrounding the plaza making it the epicenter of activity.

Saturday Farmer's Market- If you're lucky enough to visit the pueblo over a weekend, make sure you head up the hill to the huge farmer's market. Even if you don't plan to buy anything, just go to see the colors, hear the noises, and smell the flavors of true Colombian culture mixing together.

Nature Hikes and Adventure Sports- The pueblo's location in the middle of beautiful terrain makes it a perfect destination to get out and do some exploring. There are several tour companies that offer guided hikes, horseback rides, and other more extreme sports like rock climbing and waterfall rappelling.

The Artisan Shops- Villa de Leyva is known for its high quality artisan products and you'll find plenty to choose from. There are dozens of different shops with authentic, hand-made goods at reasonable prices. If you enjoy artisan markets and goods, you'll really enjoy this city.

Cartagena

Upon entering Cartagena's city walls, it is immediately apparent why it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1984. With its perfectly preserved colonial homes in vibrant colors, cobble stone streets, and impenetrable fort in the distance, it's like taking a trip back in time to the 1700s. Cartagena is a popular stopping point for Caribbean cruise ships and the adventure traveler alike; there's something for everyone.

There is no short supply of ways to pass your time in Cartagena. You could easily spend an entire day wandering the city streets, perusing the artisan crafts, and watching the sunset atop the city walls. Or relax on the beautiful white sand beaches and explore the crystal clear waters of the nearby Rosario, Baru and San Bernardo Islands. If you're looking for a truly once in a lifetime experience, immerse yourself in the nearby Totumo mud volcano and take advantage of its mineral-rich healing properties. But no matter how you spend your days, an exciting nightlife full of salsa clubs and discotecas awaits you.

Cartagena is a great city to visit any time of year, although prices do increase significantly during the holidays. Inquire with us about your ideal time of travel and we'll be happy to help you make your arrangements.

A few sights to see:

The Old City- We highly recommend booking accommodations within the Old City walls during your stay so you can truly immerse yourself in the magic of the Cartagena. You'll need at least one day to wander the cobble stone streets and take photos of the picturesque flower-draped balconies, regal doors each with their own unique doorknocker, and to explore the gorgeous Spanish-Colonial homes. There is no shortage of fabulous restaurants, bars, or live entertainment to keep you content within the city walls.

Scuba/Snorkeling- If you enjoy exploring the world beneath the waves, Cartagena is a great place to do it. There are about a half dozen reputable, PADI-certified dive shops in the city and any of them will take you out for a great diving experience. If you prefer snorkeling, we recommend taking a day trip to the nearby Rosario islands or Playa Blanca. There you can rent snorkeling equipment by the hour and set out on your own.

White Sand Beaches- The aforementioned Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca are wonderful destinations about 30 minutes by boat from the port of Cartagena. The beaches in Cartagena or Boca Grande really aren't that great so we strongly recommend taking the boat to the nearby beaches. You'll find yourself pretty much alone with the occasional vendor saying hello just to remind you he's there in case you need anything.

Mud Volcano- About an hour outside of Cartagena is an experience you'll be raving about for months to come. The Totumo mud volcano offers an uncanny sensation of weightlessness and total relaxation, coupled with the feeling of being a kid playing in the mud. Tour companies offer daily trips that include a beach-side lunch, or larger groups can contract a private driver to take advantage of a nearly empty volcano after the tour buses have left.

Those are only a few of the sights you can see in Cartagena. Others include: the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (Fort previously used to protect the city), La Popa Mount (150-meter high hill with excellent views of the city), Café del Mar (high energy bar/club set on the Old City walls), and a Chivas Bus Ride (a fun, festive, and colorful party bus to tour the Old City during the day or night).

Santa Marta

A beautiful beach destination that stays off the toursit radar is a rare find, and that's exactly what Santa Marta is. While most tourists are drawn to the more famous port city of Cartagena, Colombians like to vacation away from the crowds in the quiet and tranquil town of Santa Marta. Rather than one large city, Santa Marta encompasses a series of small beachside towns along the northern coast of Colombia including Taganga and Rodadero.

Similar to Cartagena, Santa Marta itself boasts hundred year old colonial homes, narrow cobble stone streets, quaint plazas, and plenty of old world charm. Taganga, the small fishing village to the East known for its beaches, diving, and proximity to Tayrona National Park. To the West, Rodadero is home to nightly beach parties where locals and visitors mingle together to enjoy the festive atmosphere and roaming Vallanato bands (traditional Colombian music.

One of Santa Marta's biggest assets is its proximity to Tayrona National Park, one of Colombia's biggest emerging destinations. The Nature Reserve is just 45 minutes from the city making Santa Marta the ideal 'jumping-off point'. If you're not interested in visiting the National Park, there is still plenty to do in Santa Marta with its fresh seafood cuisine, empty beaches, and festive nightlife.

A few sights to see:

Tayrona National Park- 45 minutes from town, many hotels/hostels can set up your transportation and sometimes even your lodging within the park.

Scuba/Snorkeling- Head over to Taganga and inquire about diving. You'll find plenty of local and professional dive shops who are able to help you.

Ceviche Cocktail Cart- There's a small local vendor who sells seafood cocktails off of a pushcart and has been doing so for over 20 years. His fare is fresh, delicious, and exceptionally priced. This is a truly Santa Marta establishment and one that you'll be glad you found. Inquire with us for more detailed directions to find this hidden gem.

Coffee lovers, consider Colombia your Mecca. Located in the geographical center of the country in the Colombian Andes, the Colombian Coffee Region is the perfect place to learn about coffee production set against the backdrop of gorgeous green mountains. Of course, there's more than coffee to lure you here; there are also extreme sports, golf courses, and even theme parks. The Coffee Region spans three Colombian states to make the Coffee Triangle, and each state has it's own unique offerings in addition to coffee plantation tours that are offered throughout the entire region.

Following are a few recommended activities, divided by state:

The State of Caldas is the most important coffee production site in the country and is a great place to experience Colombian culture. For the first week of every January, its capitol city, Manizales, holds a fair to kick off its bullfighting season and is considered to be the birthplace of the bullfighting tradition in Colombia and the Americas. Many of the customs of the fair are imitations of the Feria de Sevilla in Spain, blended with Colombian traditions.

In Quindio, the smallest of the three states, you can find two of our favorite attractions: the charming and quaint city of Salento and Valley of Cocora, home of the giant Wax Palm, the national tree. Salento's slow pace, quiet streets and unbelievable views make it the perfect place to sip a cup of coffee or pick your own coffee berries on the hillside plantations. For scenery you won't forget, take a hike through the Valley of Cocora, a sanctuary for Wax Palms which reach between 150 and 200 feet tall. Finally, end your night back in Salento playing Tejo, a traditional Colombian sport similar in concept to horseshoes, but with clay and gunpowder.

Risaralda boasts botanical gardens, fauna and flora sanctuaries, and Santa Rosa de Cabal, a literal hot spot with healing hot springs and mud baths. The town of Marsella is a wonderful place to see preserved architecture typical to the Coffee Region.

Adventure sports in the Coffee Region include caving, canyoning, rappelling, high ropes courses, climbing Colombia's snow capped mountains, horseback riding, zip lining (canopy tours) over coffee plantations, mountain biking, paragliding, and floating down rivers on large bamboo rafts.

Since many of the activities in the coffee region necessitate good weather conditions, we recommend you don't plan your visit to the Colombian Coffee Region during the rainy seasons, which run from April to June and August to November. Or just plan to get a little wet!