Captivating cities, incredible landscapes and plenty of charm
The gateway to South America, Colombia does a wonderful job of introducing people to this incredible continent. Its diversity is staggering: golden beaches, arid desert, lush rainforest and vibrant cities sit snugly within its borders and it is surrounded by not one but two oceans. It’s fair to say that as far as first impressions go, Colombia does a fine job.
This is a country that has had its fair share of bad press but its transformation in the last 25 years has been nothing short of remarkable. Cities that once hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons are now bustling hubs of art and culture. Bogota and Medellin are thriving metropoles bursting at the seams with galleries and museums that celebrate creativity in all its forms. From the bulbous sculptures of Fernando Botero to dazzling displays of pre-Columbian gold, there is so much to discover in these exciting cities.
The charming colonial towns of Villa de Leyva and Barichara, with their cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, are the perfect tonic after a few days in the capital. You’ll be drinking it by the cupful in Colombia so make sure you spend some time learning how caffeine gets its kick in the coffee triangle. This is a beautiful corner of the country where plantations blanket the rolling hills and enormous wax palms soar towards the sky.
The north is home to the impossibly romantic city of Cartagena, Caribbean in every way, as well as Tayrona National Park and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This part of Colombia is where salsa catches on the breeze, peaceful rivers give way to the wild waters of the Caribbean and toucans and hummingbirds flit through the jungle.
Tourism is relatively new to Colombia but those who choose to visit never fail to be won over by its outstanding natural beauty and the warmth of its people.
Highlights
Discover the slow-pace of rural life, off the beaten track on authentic excursions around the villages of Villa de Leyva and Barichara
Experience the buzz and culture of Colombia’s coastal gem, Cartagena. Get off the tourist trail with your guide for street food, salsa, rum and much more
Go hiking and birdwatching with your guide in the lush jungles and idyllic beaches of the picture-postcard Tayrona National Park
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle for a birds-eye view of the regions charming coffee farms and villages
Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
Colombia still has that wonderful unexplored feeling. Disarmingly Latin American, with some of the friendliest people in the world, its rugged charm and outstanding natural beauty are just waiting for those who want a real and unspoiled slice of South America. Helping clients plan an itinerary here is really special for me as I always want to share the great experiences I had here with them.
Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Colombia
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Cartagena
Vibrant, colourful and brimming with interesting culture and local heritage. Cartagena is the perfect place to get off the beaten track with a specialist art guide or local historian.
Discover moreTayrona Region
A tropical, picture-perfect paradise where you can relax and unwind. Wildlife enthusiasts will love adventuring with their guide as the region is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 200 species of birds and many reptiles.
Discover moreBogotá
So much more than just a stopover capital city, filled with colourful neighbourhoods, museums, art galleries, exceptional fine dining and atmospheric local markets. Let your guide explain the history of this great city as you sip a cup of Colombian coffee.
Discover moreThe Coffee Triangle
Warm temperatures combined with the fresh air of higher altitudes make this region not only perfect for coffee growing but great for adventure activities. Try hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking and hot air ballooning.
Discover moreMedellin
Medellin has come a long way and is a hub for culture and diversity. Meet with a resident from a local communa and let your guide translate their story and passion for this incredible city.
Discover moreBarichara
Cobbled streets, charming plazas and pretty churches - Barichara is the real colombia. Hike the Camino Real to the impossibly sweet town of Guane and travel back home in a local tuk tuk for truly authentic experience.
Discover moreVilla de Leyva
Despite being a relatively small rural town Villa de Leyva has one of the largest main squares in Latin America, lined with white washed houses and walled gardens hiding colourful sanctuaries.
Discover moreSierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Rising up from the stunning Caribbean coastline is one of the highest coastal mountain ranges in the world, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Magical mists shroud fascinating flower and flora as you can hike to waterfalls and dive underneath the cascading waters.
Discover moreColombian Amazon
One of Colombia’s best kept secrets, the Amazonas region is a place for true adventurers. Navigate the waterways in search of pink dolphins among the water lilies or hike the rainforest for a chance to glimpse to pumas and sloths.
Discover moreMeet your Latin America team
When to visit
Colombia is a year round destination, there are different seasons and climates but these don’t typically impact travel experiences. The average daily temperature is 27°c (81°F), and the rainy season is from May to October.
Wildlife in the Jungle
July-August
Barranquilla Carnival
February
Dry Season
December-March
Head to the Mountains
December-March & August
Plan your trip to Colombia
Whatever you want from your adventure in Colombia, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We have traveled with Jacada four times; to Patagonia, Tanzania, Colombia and a longer trip to northern South America. Each time we had a wonderful trip and felt very supported throughout. We stayed in world class lodgings in amazing places and had experienced guides. Never once did we wait to be picked up. On the rare occasion that there were…
A perfectly planned trip to celebrate my birthday with my son in Cartagena! Jacada never ceases to amaze me with their attention to detail!
Every detail was to be taken care of and the trip had no hitches. Alll of the hosts, drivers and guides were wonderful.
I spent 9 days traveling solo in Colombia, specifically Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena. The trip was planned so thoughtfully and thoroughly, and they took into consideration all of my feedback and interests. From hotels to restaurants, to tours, everything exceeded my expectations. Lily and Berni were great to work with, and always available to discuss the details of the trip,…
Jen Richt designed the trip perfectly for me and my best friend on our first trip to Colombia. She heard us loud and clear and put together an itinerary that was diverse, covered a lot of ground and was exactly what we were looking for. A trip of a lifetime!
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.