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Colombia…..What started as a country to check off my travel bucket list has truly become home in the past 4 months I spent here. The people, the energy, the music…. Dinners turned into Reggaeton nights, endless hours of dancing Salsa, hanging out with friends in a park on a Sunday afternoon… I am getting teary eyed as I type this. I know the country will always be here for me to come back, but the thing with travel is that you never know when that will happen, and that is scary. Leaving familiar and comfortable behind and stepping once again into the unknown… I am grateful for all the growth that this beautiful country has offered me and I promise to be back very soon for an even longer stay!
Livin la vida Colombiana!
I recommend any living and breathing human to step foot onto Colombia at least once before they die. So here is an honest, BS free guide with tips and insights for when you decide to visit!
Safety in Colombia
As long as you watch your belongings, and “no dar papaya”, you will be ok.
Bogota
Most direct international flights fly into the high-altitude capital of Colombia – Bogota, so there is a good chance you will stop here. I left after a good night’s sleep shaking off the jet lag, mainly because it was freezing cold. I make a good effort to skip winters as much as I can, and the high altitude here means that you need a jacket at all times, year-round.
Street art in La Candelaria, Bogota.
I made the most of my day to go around the city and La Candelaria is where you absolutely need to visit. It is the vibrant, artsy neighbourhood with narrow streets lined up with cute shops and cafés, as well as many art galleries and museums nearby.
You must try ajiaco, a stew with chicken and potatoes and corn typical from Bogota. It is delicious and makes for a perfect lunch combined with arepas.
Warming up with a bowl of Ajiaco Bogotano.
Medellin
Medellin was my next stop and I had very high expectations arriving, as I have been hearing a lot about it from my digital nomad circles. Nicknamed “the city of eternal spring”, the weather is always pleasantly warm, never too hot or too cold. It has indeed become as westernized as the many digital nomads make it sound like. There is no shortage of co-working spots and avocado toast.
Countless cafés offer brunch options.
Most people choose to be based in the hip neighbourhood of El Poblado, where most of the nightlife happens. The surrounding area is extremely green and gives you jungle vibes. I personally prefer to stay in Laureles, which is another popular neighbourhood amongst travelers and nomads. There are many great restaurants to choose from as well as Salsa bars. Think of it as a more down to earth version of Poblado.
Medellin has a great public transportation system.
Provenza is the major nightlife street of Medellin. When I first visited, it immediately reminded me of the Khaosan road in Bangkok. You will be surrounded by many nightclubs playing reggaeton, bunch of gringos and the occasional drug dealer. It definitely is an experience though, and not to be missed out on while you are in town.
Baby, ¿qué más? (Provenza – by Karol G)
Communa 13, a used-to-be dangerous neighbourhood now turned into a popular tourist attraction is also a must-visit spot. You can walk around admiring the bright colours of the street arts and watch the street art performances.
Communa 13 mandatory Insta-shot.
I didn’t know Fernando Botero was from Medellin until I arrived to Plaza Botero and was surrounded by his sculptures. If you are interested in seeing more of his art and paintings, you must check out Museo de Antioquia located right inside the Plaza.
Plaza Botero.
Guatapé
You may have already seen some pictures of the famous gigantic rock, Piedra del Peñol, located in Guatapé. If you are in the mood to get your step count up for the day, this small town makes for a great day trip from Medellin. You can take a local bus from the bus station that goes directly there (takes about 2 hours) or if you want to go as part of a group, book one of the many guided tours.
Smiling after the 740 steps climb!
The town itself is also very picturesque and offers great food options, too!
Streets of Guatapé.
Cartagena
As a sea lover and beach person, I quickly made my way up to the coast after Medellin. Costeño way of living is easygoing and relaxed, and it shows in the way people sing, dance, and sit and drinks in parks all day long.
Gestemani, Cartagena.
Best spots to stay during your visit here are the Old City, Gestemani and Bocagrande. Old City and Gestemani are very vibrant and full of street art to be admired. The town comes alive at night any day of the week, as it is a big tourist destination, and offers plenty of amazing restaurants, cocktail bars and clubs to choose from. My favourite spot to party was Alquimico, (ranked on world’s top 50 bars list), with its delicious cocktails and rooftop reggaeton vibes.
I blend right in.
Once you want to hit the beach during the day, the closest one you can go to is Playa de Bocagrande. I was absolutely not a big fan of the beaches in Cartagena, though. Get ready to be constantly harassed by people trying to give you massages, and sell you food and drinks. The sea water did not feel clean either. I concluded that what makes Cartagena so attractive is mainly its nightlife.
Sneak peak into one of the many bars in town.
Islas del Rosario
During my stay in Cartagena, I met up with a friend of mine who lives full time on his boat, and had recently sailed across the Atlantic to end up in Colombia. I joined him for a few days and, and as we both were equally disappointed by the city beaches, we decided to sail to the islands nearby.
Sailing to Rosario Islands.
The water quality improves significantly as you soon notice with the change in the colour from green to a crystal blue. For this reason, these islands make for a great day trip if you want to have a proper beach day and go for an actual swim. There are many companies offering boat tours (that is if you don’t have your own sailboat with you).
Santa Marta
Once you have had enough of the Cartagena nightlife, you can catch a minibus to Santa Marta. About 4 hours away, Santa Marta is quieter and offers a more chill vibe but there are still plenty to do during the day and at night. It serves as a great base to explore the Tayrona Natural Park which many people mention as the highlight of their coastal trip.
Dancing in the streets of Santa Marta.
I actually loved not seeing too many gringos and being surrounded by Colombian locals and tourists. I was there during a Colombian public holiday, and let me just tell you that Colombians party hard on their holidays. Aguardiente (aka Colombian fire water) was flowing and we danced reggaeton until the sun came up, several nights in a row.
Taganga
If you are looking to have a beach day while you are in Santa Marta, Taganga makes for a great option. It is a super cute fishing village turned into a hippy hot spot, dotted with scuba diving schools. It is only about 3kms from Santa Marta, so it is absolutely possible to do a day trip, but I chose to pack all my bags and move there for a couple of days as I just loved it so much.
Settling Into Beach Life in Taganga.
Minca
Minca is another interesting idea for a day trip or an overnight stay, especially if you love nature. As it is located up in the mountains (about 40 minutes from Santa Marta), it is a little cooler than the city climate. You will be surrounded by rainforests, wildlife, waterfalls and plenty of hiking options. I clearly remember how the fresh air felt amazing on my lungs after being in the city for so long! There are also many guest houses offering yoga, meditation and art classes. Make sure to check the weather and bring a rain jacket with you, to avoid getting soaked in the monsoon rains.
View from my guesthouse in Minca.
Palomino
A trendy paradise, still not fully discovered by travelers and backpackers, makes for an amazing spot to kick back, rest and reset after all the partying you have done on the coast. It still is very off-grid, with muddy roads sometimes flooding due to heavy rains, but that is exactly what makes it so charming. You get away from civilization, even for a bit, and get transported to a parallel universe where all you have to do is wake up and take a few steps to go for a dip in the ocean.
Palomino is a mental state (in Spanish)- it really is.
As of today, there are many hotels and hostels being constructed, so it may emerge into the South American version of Bali one day.
On weekends there are DJs playing on the beach with huge crowds gathering around. Weekdays are generally calm and quiet.
San Andres
Oh, where do I start? I saved my favourites for the last and San Andres definitely tops my list of Colombia must see’s and do’s. Located off the coast of Nicaragua, this island paradise belongs to Colombia, but boasts an island culture with its own language and culture.
Omg, check out where I am!
I am a huge fan of islands in general, and I try to spend as much time as I possibly can living on islands. To me, they symbolize freedom and an escape out of the matrix. Rules tend to apply less strictly, people know each other by their first names, and there is a much more relaxed atmosphere than on land. I noticed this in San Andres as soon as I stepped off the airplane feeling the fresh air mixed with the smell of the sea water and hearing the sound of the birds.
San Andres, my love, with its 7 shades of blue.
The island is nicknamed “The Sea of Seven Colors”, and you will understand why as soon as you have a look at the sea. The seven shades of blue are clearly visible and immediately took my breath away! I have been to many islands in my lifetime but the sea is very special here. It makes it a prime scuba diving destination worldwide, and I highly recommend you give it a try whether it is your first time or you are already an experienced diver. Check out my blog post on scuba diving to get more information and book your dive, by clicking here!
Having an island photoshoot sesh.
As the island is super tiny and there is one main road, you will have no problem getting around. Renting a golf cart or a scooter is the best way to do it. Alternatively, if you stick your thumb out for a few seconds, someone will stop and drive you to your destination, everyone works as a moto-taxi, and it was my main way of getting around during the month I spent here!
Don’t mind waking up to this everyday.
Spratt Bight Beach is the main beach located in the north, where all the restaurants, cafés and shopping malls are located. I loved it for the convenience it offered being close to all amenities. It has a great atmosphere, absolutely gorgeous water, and is empty enough during the week that you don’t need to venture any further.
Caribbean vibes all around.
I also recommend hiring a private boat for the day and spend a day at sea. You can check out El Acuario where the water gets shallow again, and spot all kinds of colourful fish.
I suggest to stay away from doing tours organized by agencies, as they get insanely crowded and are not enjoyable.
Locals are such fun people that you will have no problems making new friends here. I ended up going on a date with an islander, and we were skinny dipping with a bunch of other travelers at the end of the night. Although there is not a huge nightlife scene (there is only one official nightclub), people drink and dance at the beach any day of the week. The tourists are mostly Colombians on vacation, so if you are looking for a unique and local experience, San Andres offers it!
You can shop duty-free on the island!
Have a few coco locos, enjoy the local food and make sure you put lots of sunscreen!
Cali
Cali is the world capital of Salsa and it absolutely deserves that title! Salsa music plays everywhere; in grocery stores, on the streets, in parks and of course in the countless salsa bars spread throughout the city.
Cali aka the World Capital of Salsa.
After visiting a salsa bar, you will want to start practicing more. La Topa Tolondra is a great spot for some salsa classes. La Caldera del Diablo and Mala Maña Salsa Bar were my favourite spots to go out and dance on weekends. There is always something going on Calle de la Salsa Caleña if you are up for some street salsa. If you are looking for some reggaeton after so much salsa dancing, La Pergola Clandestina is the go-to spot for that.
El parque de gatos is the mascot for Cali.
I was fortunate enough to be in Cali during the festive season and experience my very first Feria de Cali. It is a week-long celebration of the city’s cultural identity, where everyone comes together to sing, dance and celebrate. There are endless Salsa parades and dance parties. There are also tons of concerts taking place and I got to see one of my favourite reggaeton singers live and witness the passion of the people of Cali. It truly is a unique moment not to be missed if you happen to be in Colombia during this time of the year! Check it out on my Youtube channel!
Festive season in Cali is something special.
Salento – Cocora Valley
I had extremely high expectations of the coffee in Colombia and was very disappointed after my first few cups. So, I decided to take the trip to the coffee region to fully understand the coffee production process and taste the real coffee. And also, to check off a long-standing item from my bucket list – visiting the tallest palm trees in the world!
Arriving into Salento.
Salento is the main town and the ideal spot to base yourself out of, about 4 hours away from Cali. From there you can book your coffee tour to the nearby coffee farms and take a Jeep to visit Cocora Valley. I recommend doing both!
As you probably already figured, I am not a big fan of touristy activities, but I found the coffee tour to be very informative. It also helped me to understand why the coffee sucks in most cafés in Colombia and how to find the best coffee available! You can watch all of it on my Youtube channel!
Nature always finds a way to amaze me.
Cocora Valley as well, did not disappoint! It is the perfect hiking destination and an incredibly dreamy place to visit. Watch my reactions when I saw my first 60-meter tall wax palm tree and get a glimpse of this fairytale destination, on my Youtube channel!
Colombia has captured my heart and tested my liver in ways I’ll never forget. If you are also looking for a fun, solo South American adventure, look no further and book your flight to Colombia! And make sure to pack my Colombia for Digital Nomads guide with you!
Travelling long term is fun but constantly arranging transport & hotels for yourself can be exhausting if you don’t know where to look. I use the following platforms to make my booking process a breeze:
For researching & booking the best flights:
For researching & booking the best buses & trains:
Great blog post. Thank you for all the helpful suggestions!