Some of Our Colombia Holiday Ideas
Discover our full range of tailor-made Colombia holidays at Rainbow. On your holiday to Colombia, you can experience everything from extraordinary colonial towns to hidden cultural gems and stunning natural beauty. The more you discover, the longer you want to stay – a truly enamouring destination.
Rainbow Colombia Specialist
Kerry's review
Colombia is a land of contrasts, from the Amazon jungle to the colourful, vibrant soul of Cartagena and everywhere in between. Each region uncovers something different, be that its topography, wildlife or local cultures – it's just so incredibly diverse and naturally rich. Tayrona National Park is well worth a visit. Backed by the dramatic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, it’s home to a plethora of wildlife and has a very rich history and culture that's still present today.
Kerry's Top Tips
- If you're a history lover, head to the charming town of Villa de Leyva. It's filled with whitewashed walls, Spanish-style houses, cobbled streets, and is declared a national monument.
- In Bogota, head to bustling Paloquemao Market, where you’ll find a mind-boggling array of fruit, vegetables, fish, natural medicines and – on Fridays – a cacophony of colour that's the flower market.
- Stay on a cacao plantation for a truly authentic experience with the most wonderful hosts and take a traditional Willys Jeep to the El Silencio Fog Forest to see the looming wax palms without the crowds.
Jack Brooker
Travel Specialist
Best Time To Visit Colombia
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Quick Country Facts
Time Zone:GMT -5 hours
Capital:Bogota
Currency:Colombian Peso
Why visit Colombia?
After years of being overlooked as a tourist destination, holidays to Colombia are now enjoying a revival.
It’s a vibrant and exciting place to explore, with wonderful coastlines, colonial Spanish cities, pre-Colombian ruins, spectacular national parks and famed coffee farms. With trips to Colombia, you get to know the country's zest for life, where the rhythms of salsa and merengue are never far away. Be immersed in history, culture and unique wildlife with a visit to this Latin American gem.
Jack Brooker
Travel Specialist
What to do in Colombia
Enjoy a trip to Colombia's Cities, from Bogota to Cartagena
Bogota stays offer an eclectic mix of old and new. Colombia's capital, nestled high in the Andes, it's the continent's third largest city. With its many universities and libraries, it's been dubbed the ‘Athens of South America'. In the city centre, discover the famous Gold Museum, home to the world's largest collection of gold artefacts. For spectacular city views, head up Monserrate Mountain via the cable car.
A visit to Cartagena is equally incredible. Located on the Caribbean coast, it's without doubt the jewel in Colombia's crown. The old quarter is home to colourful colonial architecture in the many mansions that have been carefully repurposed into boutique hotels, sophisticated restaurants and wine bars.
Medellin has seen incredible social transformation since its troubles in the 1980s/90s. Tour the city before making your way to El Peñol rock, with a 654-step climb to the top for outstanding views.
Colombia has various other thriving urban areas for a more off-the-beaten-track experience. But for most intrepid travellers, the real charm is to explore some of the more rural areas of the country.
Head out on a Colombia Tour to Discover its Natural Wonders
On a tour of Colombia, don't miss the Cocora Valley. This haven for wildlife is enshrouded in a cloud forest and home to the world's tallest wax palms, lending themselves to a picturesque hiking experience.
Tayrona National Park, on the Caribbean coast, is where the spectacular, forest-clad Sierra Nevada Mountains provide the backdrop to wild, tropical beaches. Hundreds of species of birds, plants and sponges reside here. It's also the only place in the world where the cotton-top tamarin is still found.
If you're seeking off-the-beaten-track adventure, head south to discover the pre-Colombian ruins at San Agustin UNESCO World Heritage Site – where gods and mythical creatures are skilfully represented.
Call one of our Latin America Travel Specialists to discuss our tailor-made Colombia tour packages.
Is Colombia a good place for a holiday?
A holiday in Colombia is an excellent choice for your travels. The country has an equatorial climate, meaning it doesn’t experience dramatic seasonal changes. So, you could visit in either the dry or wet season and enjoy an adventure as you would at different times of the year. The very best time to visit, though, is from December through to March. This is when the least amount of rain falls in the country overall.
Imagine salsa dancing through the night at the home of the dance in Cartagena – Café Havana. Or, what about exploring the underground salt cathedral, Zipaquira? Carved meticulously by removing 250,000 tonnes of salt, the church is now lit up to showcase the workmanship of the miners and artists.
Colombia family holidays are also possible. Everything from trekking through the Amazon and seeing pink dolphins to relaxing on the Caribbean coast's white, balmy beaches make for an adventurous trip.
How to get to and around Colombia
The best way to get to Colombia from the UK is to get a flight directly to Bogota via Avianca.
From here, you can explore the whole of Colombia, and Colombia trips do involve a series of domestic flights to get around this vast country. With our tailor-made Colombia tours, we include transfers and flights where specified, so you only have to worry about being on time to be transported to where you need to be!
What destinations can I see on a Colombia trip?
On your Colombia trip, you have a plethora of routes to choose between.
Some of the most popular involve Bogota, Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Medellin, Cartagena and Tayrona. Throughout, you get a blend of culture discovery, gastronomic dining, wildlife watching and beach relaxation. The coffee plantations in the Coffee Region (Zona Cafetera) are a must on holidays in Colombia. This is especially if you're keen on learning about the intricate process from bean to cup.
Our Travel Specialists, Sarah and Kerry, explored the country together in 2024. Discover their expert insights into what is a wonderful destination with our handy travel guide: Best Time to Visit Colombia.
Where to go in Colombia
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Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware