Colombia holidays
Colombia holidays at a glance
Our Colombia holidays take you across a country of dramatic contrasts, from snow-capped Andean peaks and lush coffee plantations to Caribbean beaches and colonial cities.
In a single trip, you can walk the cobbled streets of Cartagena, travel through working coffee farms, hike beneath the towering wax palms of the Cocora Valley and reach the coast by nightfall.
Colombia has a rich cultural heritage and a natural diversity that few countries in South America can match. It’s home to more bird species than anywhere else on Earth, nearly 2,000 in all, and beyond the well-trodden route, the Llanos grasslands bring:
- Capybara
- Giant anteaters
- Caimans on open savannah
In the Amazon rainforest, you’ll find:
- River dolphins
- Monkeys
- Birdlife found nowhere else in the world
It’s the people, though, warm and quick to welcome, who most travellers remember.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Colombia
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
If it’s your first visit, the classic route of Bogotá, coffee country, Medellín and Cartagena gives you a real sense of the country’s variety.
When to visit Colombia
Colombia sits close to the equator, so it doesn’t have summers and winters in the usual sense. The climate varies more by region and altitude than by month, and the right time to go depends on where you’re headed.
These are some of the warmest months in Colombia, with bright sunshine and blue skies across many parts of the country. In many places, such as Bogotá, Los Llanos and the Caribbean coast there is reduced chance of rainfall; conditions are perfect for outdoor activities like guided walking tours or scenic nature hikes. As these months coincide with Latin American holiday times, there will be a high volume of visitors and a bustling, lively atmosphere in many places, particularly over Christmas and New Year. It is important to book far in advance as many hotels will fill up quickly. There are any number of cultural events during these months, including Barranquilla Carnival in February, film, music and literature festivals in Cartagena and Popayán’s historic Festival de Los Negros y Blancos in January.
With fewer visitors than the peak season, this can be a great time to visit Colombia without encountering large crowds. April brings particularly dry weather in the Caribbean- perfect conditions for exploring the golden sands and lush jungles of Parque Tayrona. This is the rainy season in the Amazon, when the flooded jungle can be explored by kayak. In the capital, Bogotá hosts an International Theatre Festival, beginning in March but continuing into April, with an exciting programme of productions from across the globe. In Mompós you’ll find deliciously hot weather and grand processions for Semana Santa (Easter week) in the quaint cobbled streets.
These months welcome a brief dry season, with less rainfall and increasingly warm temperatures. Bogota enjoys warmer weather, with sunlit street parades and dancing for its exuberant carnival in July, while Medellín bursts into bloom with processions of floral floats during the Feria de las Flores in August. In Villa de Leyva, the popular religious festival of Virgen de Carmen draws bustling crowds and live folk music. In the Caribbean, temperatures remain hot and steamy, and by August there are regular downpours which can be torrential. August is the warmest and driest month in San Agustín and Popayán, averaging 24°C, making this a great time for scenic hikes and visits to archaeological gems.
Weather conditions vary greatly during these months. While in the Caribbean there are regular torrential downpours and hot, steamy temperatures, the Amazon rainforest is in the height of its dry season, meaning you can hike into the depths of the jungle and encounter abundant, though shy, wildlife. In the Llanos, the heavy rains of the wet season tail off and thousands of birds are visible at watering holes, while capybara, anacondas, alligators and monkeys also become more visible as the flooded plains begin to dry up. Bogota hosts a world-famous International Jazz Festival in September.
Places to visit in Colombia
Colombia has a comprehensive air network and a good local road system, so with a bit of careful planning you can cover several distinct regions in a single trip. Here’s where we recommend spending your time.
Bogota
Colonial history, world-class museums and modern urban energy combine beneath the dramatic peaks of the Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, the country’s vibrant capital. Sitting at over 2,600m above sea level, Bogotá blends cobbled colonial streets with sophisticated cultural institutions, lively cafés and some of the country’s best nightlife.
Caribbean coast and islands
Colombia’s sun-drenched Caribbean coast, where colonial cities, idyllic islands, tropical beaches and vibrant culture combine to create one of South America’s most rewarding coastal destinations. From the historic streets of Cartagena to the white sands and coral reefs offshore, this is Caribbean Colombia travel at its most complete.
Cartagena
One of Latin America’s most captivating and romantic cities, where flower-draped balconies, cobbled streets, colonial architecture and Caribbean sunshine create an unforgettable atmosphere. Nowhere in Cartagena Colombia feels quite like the walled Old Town, and this Cartagena travel guide starts, as most visits should, right there.
Top Things to do in Colombia
Colombia rewards those who mix city sightseeing with time outdoors, so you’ll never be short of things to do, whether you’re touring a coffee farm, hiking to a beach in Tayrona or watching wildlife on the Llanos. Here’s what we recommend.
Observe the abundant wildlife of the savannahs and wetlands of the Llanos in eastern Colombia.
Explore the Colombian capital’s colonial streets, leafy parks and historic monuments by bicycle.
Follow the original cobbled Spanish road downhill to the lovely village of Guane.
Accommodation in Colombia
We hand-pick every property for character, location and quality, from boutique hotels in the colonial heart of Cartagena and Bogotá’s historic La Candelaria, to converted coffee fincas in the Zona Cafetera and jungle lodges in the Amazon. Our expert team has visited and assessed every property, so you can be confident it’s the right fit for your trip.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Colombia
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Escorted Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted
Colombia tours. Use the options below to filter by region, holiday style and duration.
Group Colombia Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Chachalaca: Colombia’s Colonial and Coffee Culture
Places visited: Bogota · Villa de Leyva & Barichara · Coffee Region (Zona Cafetera) · Medellin · Cartagena
14 days from £4,476
Weaverbird: Spirit of Colombia
Places visited: Bogota · San Agustin, Popayan and Cali · Coffee Region (Zona Cafetera) · Caribbean coast and islands · Villa de Leyva & Barichara · Cartagena
16 days from £3,326
Tailor-Made Colombia Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Magdalena River Cruise: Colombia’s Hidden Gems
Places visited: Cartagena · Caribbean coast and islands · Bogota · Medellin
13 days from £4,800
Magdalena River Cruise: Colombia’s Hidden Gems
Places visited:
Off The Beaten Track Colombia: Colonial towns to the Llanos
Places visited: Bogota · Villa de Leyva & Barichara · The Colombian llanos
13 days from £5,350
FAQs about visiting Colombia
Colombia is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Colombia?
The country is an all-year destination. The highlands have a permanent spring-like climate. The Caribbean coast is mostly dry and hot with plenty of sun, at its driest Dec-Mar. The Amazon jungle is hot and humid all year. Beach resorts can be very crowded at weekends, national holidays and Dec-Feb.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What is the official language in Colombia?
The official language in Colombia is Spanish.
- What is the official currency in Colombia?
The official currency of Colombia is the Peso. Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs in larger towns and cities using a UK credit or debit card, though you may have to advise your bank first and amounts that can be withdrawn may be lower than in the UK. Banks will offer advances on a credit card. Money exchanges (casas de cambio) change US dollars cash (very few accept euros or sterling and the rate will be poor).
- What is the time difference between Colombia and UK?
The time difference between the UK and Colombia is GMT -5 hours.
- Do I need a visa for Colombia?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need for Colombia?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What places combine well with Colombia?
A trip to Colombia combines brilliantly with many destinations in Central and South America, due to great flight connections from Bogota. Some of the most popular combinations include Peru, Ecuador and Panama.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sport events in Colombia?
Hay Festival take place in January in Cartagena. An offshoot of the famous literary festival in Hay-on-Wye, it attracts Latin American and international writers and intellectuals of international renown.
Carnival takes place countrywide in Feb-Mar. The most famous and extravagant carnival takes place in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla, with frenetic dancing and parades of revellers wearing extravagant costumes.
Easter (Holy Week) is also celebrated countrywide in Mar-Apr: Many Colombians spend this week away at beaches and other popular destinations.
The Flower Fair takes place on Medellin in August. This is a sumptuous floral celebration with displays of artistic creativity.
International Jazz Festival happens in Bogota in September. World renowned artists will perform in front of thousands of jazz enthusiasts.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
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