South America

Colombia

Colonial cities, Caribbean coast, coffee hills and irrepressible joy.

budgetColombian peso ($)

Colombia has shed its old reputation to become one of South America's most exciting destinations — a country of soaring Andes, steamy Amazon, Caribbean beaches and some of the warmest, most joyful people on the continent. From the cool, arty capital of Bogotá high in the mountains to the walled colonial romance of Cartagena on the coast, it dazzles with colour, music, coffee and colonial history. Vibrant, welcoming and increasingly easy to travel, it rewards everyone who comes.

What things cost: Colombia is good value — meals, transport and rooms are cheap by Western standards, though Cartagena's old town and the smart end of Bogotá cost more. Street food, set-menu almuerzos and the superb coffee are a bargain. When a zone below says 'low', that means genuinely low.

The cities

Bogotá — Colombia's high-altitude, cultural capital

Bogotá

Colombia's high-altitude, cultural capital20 must-dos · 5 areas to stay
Cartagena — Colombia's walled Caribbean jewel

Cartagena

Colombia's walled Caribbean jewel19 must-dos · 5 areas to stay
Medellín — Colombia's reborn city of eternal spring

Medellín

Colombia's reborn city of eternal spring19 must-dos · 5 areas to stay

What’s on in Colombia

Sometimes the event picks the city for you.

Jan5–13

Cartagena Festival Internacional de Música

A prestigious international classical-music festival that fills the old city's churches, theatres and plazas with concerts each January — world-class orchestras, chamber groups and soloists performing in Cartagena's magnificent colonial venues, with some free outdoor concerts. An elegant, atmospheric treat that pairs beautiful music with one of the world's most romantic settings; a lovely reason to visit in the sunny dry season. A sophisticated cultural highlight of the Cartagena calendar.

Cartagena · Churches & theatres of the old city

Jan28–31

Hay Festival Cartagena

One of the world's great literary festivals, held in the romantic old city each January — four days of talks, debates and readings bringing celebrated writers, thinkers, Nobel laureates and artists from Latin America and beyond to atmospheric colonial venues. A stimulating, cosmopolitan gathering in a magical setting, with a lively cultural buzz spilling across the walled city; a wonderful time to visit for the ideas, the crowd and the fine dry-season weather. A cultural highlight.

Cartagena · Historic-centre venues

20 Apr – 3 May

Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBo)

One of the most important literary events in the Spanish-speaking world — a huge two-week fair of books, authors, talks and cultural events that takes over the Corferias grounds and much of the city, reflecting Bogotá's status as a UNESCO City of Literature. A lively, bookish celebration; even non-Spanish-speakers will feel the buzz of a city that loves to read.

Bogotá · Corferias

Jul27–29

Colombiamoda

Latin America's biggest fashion event — Colombiamoda, when Medellín, a major textile and fashion hub, hosts runway shows, exhibitions and a buzzing industry-and-party scene, cementing its reputation as Colombia's style capital. Even for non-insiders, the city crackles with a glamorous, creative energy, pop-ups and events during the week. A stylish, lively time to visit for those into fashion and design, and a window into modern, creative Medellín. A fashionable highlight of the city's calendar.

Medellín · Plaza Mayor & across the city

Aug1–10

Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival)

Medellín's biggest and most beloved celebration — the Feria de las Flores, ten days of festivities crowned by the spectacular Desfile de Silleteros, when flower farmers parade through the city carrying enormous, dazzling floral arrangements ('silletas') on their backs. There's music, dancing, a classic-car parade, horse rides and city-wide joy. A gorgeous, colourful and quintessentially paisa spectacle, and the best (if busiest) time to visit; book accommodation well ahead. Medellín at its most festive and proud.

Medellín · Across the city

Aug7–15

Festival de Verano (Summer Festival)

Bogotá's big August festival, celebrating the dry, breezy 'summer' with a packed programme of free open-air concerts, sports, and above all the famous international kite-flying that fills the skies over the city's parks with colour. Family-friendly, joyful and free; the parks come alive, and it coincides with some of the year's best weather. A lovely time to be in the city.

Bogotá · Simón Bolívar Park & across the city