Thinking of traveling to Colombia for the first time? Congrats! You’re in for a great adventure. Colombia definitely gives its visitors a mix of everything, be it culture or breathtaking experiences as well as natural beauty.
Planning out your trip allows you to experience it all without leaving anything out. Here’s a practical guide you can use to explore Colombia for the first time.
What First Time Visitors Will Love About Colombia
When you ask people what they really liked about their trip to Colombia you are bound to come across the following experiences;
Friendly Locals
More than the food, the culture, and the amazing sights, what will stay with you is the hospitality. The locals are genuinely the kindest people you will come across and you are bound to make real connections.
The Natural Beauty and Diversity
In a single trip to Colombia, you’ll be left amazed by the sheer diversity of landscapes you get to experience. You can travel to Amazonian rivers, forests, tropical beaches, high-altitude cities, and so much more, while in the same country.
The Culture
You can choose to walk through the vibrant Coffee Region, art museums in Bogotá, or cobbled streets of La Candelaria. Whatever adventure you choose, you are bound to come across rich culture and a clean atmosphere which makes for a splendid trip.
The Coffee (What You’re Here For)
Contrary to popular belief, you’re not going to get the best coffee no matter where you go in Colombia. You are still going to have to look for it. Consider visiting a coffee farm in the mountains and experience the harvesting and roasting of the beans.
Add Variety to Your Trip
Throw all pre-conceived notions about Colombia out of the window before you plan your trip. This is because Colombia is a lot different than what pop culture has led you to believe.
On one hand you will find thriving cities like Cartagena, Medellín, and Bogotá, and on the other small but bustling coffee towns that take you back to an old age. You will also get to experience the best natural landscapes with parks, rivers, and mountain trails. It is important to add a little bit of every experience to your trip without overwhelming it.
Safety for First Time Travelers
Colombia is a lot bigger than it looks on the map. If it is your first time, don’t try to squeeze each and every city in your itinerary. Instead, select a few regions and explore them in depth.
- The easiest (and most budget-friendly) way to travel between regions is through domestic flights.
- Avoid dark alleys and unknown neighborhoods at night.
- Use official taxi apps such as Uber to avoid excessive fares.
- Learn some Spanish to get by.
- Carry a copy of your passport at all times.
- Avoid flashing valuables in public.
Set Your Preferences
Since you have limited time, try choosing the regions you will visit depending on what you are looking for and what you hope you achieve from the trip.
As you travel to different altitudes within Colombia, the climate changes considerably. Bogotá, for example, is located at 2,600 meters above sea level which leads to a cool and fresh climate all year-round. Same goes for Medellín (1,500 m), but its climate tilts more towards spring.
Places like the Amazon and Cartagena are relatively hot, humid, and rainy, depending on the time of the year. Choose a couple of locations from each climate type and experience the best of everything!
Food as an Experience
When visiting Colombia, make sure food is a big part of your adventure. You won’t get to experience a lot of spice, but you can definitely try the diverse fruits in the region.
Colombia is home to more than 400 varieties of fruits, mangoes being the most popular. That’s not all. There are a variety of other things you can try.
If you’re in Bogotá don’t forget to try Ajiaco, a soup made of different herbs, chicken, corn, and potatoes. Speaking of savory dishes, Arepas (corn cakes) are another must.
If you can’t get a hold of anything else, we recommend you at least try an Empanada for the authentic Colombia experience. This is a delicious crispy snack filled with meat or cheese and is a popular dish in the region.
Final Thoughts
Make sure you take your budget into consideration when planning your trip. Factor it into your itinerary or take advantage of a top-rated budget Colombia tour pre-planned for your comfort.
No matter what you add to the plan, make sure you keep one day free of any activities and dedicate it to going off the trail and exploring local culture by walking through neighborhoods and interacting with the locals!