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 capital15 must-dos · 5 areas to stay
Cartagena — Colombia's walled Caribbean jewel

Cartagena

Colombia's walled Caribbean jewel15 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

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

Nov11–14

Independence Day (Fiestas de Independencia)

Cartagena throws Colombia's most exuberant independence celebrations, marking its 1811 break from Spain — days of raucous street parades, costumed dancers, flour-and-water play, live champeta and salsa, and the crowning of the Reina de Independencia beauty queen. The whole city erupts in colour, music and Afro-Caribbean spirit; join the parades and street parties (and expect to get playfully doused in foam and flour). A joyful, wild and utterly Cartagenero fiesta. Hugely festive.

Cartagena · Across the city

Nov13–15

Rock al Parque

One of the largest free rock festivals in Latin America — three days of Colombian and international bands across metal, punk, ska and beyond, drawing hundreds of thousands to the Simón Bolívar park. Free, huge and electric, a proud showcase of the city's music culture; a brilliant, only-in-Bogotá experience if you're in town, with a famously passionate crowd.

Bogotá · Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park