The BEST Cities to visit in Colombia!
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Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Tiffany
Colombia is one of my favorite countries in the world. Kind hearted people who are willing to help you even if there’s a language barrier, great food, and endless activities to do.
Traveling throughout Colombia was like a dream! From hiking to waterfalls, seeing the tallest palm trees in the world to swimming in crystal clear beach water, Colombia is honestly such a gem. Here are the best cities to visit in Colombia and what to do when you get there!
Salento- Cities to visit in Colombia
This bright and colorful city is basically Encanto incarnated. Home to the world’s tallest palm trees in Cocora Valley, this city is nothing short of gorgeous.
There are plenty of coffee farms you can visit and make your own blend, and plenty of delicious restaurants to indulge in.
When most people visit Salento, they’re heading straight to Cocora Valley, and it makes sense. To arrive there, you’ll take a jeep from the main square, and I do have to say it was such a fun experience!
You can also walk to El Mirador for stunning panoramic views, make sure to bring your camera!
Cocora Valley is definitely an all day trip. Hiking for hours, you’ll want to make sure you’re stocked up with snacks and hydrating beverages.
Isla San Andres
My all time FAVORITE spot in all of Colombia! While technically not just one city, San Andres is a Caribbean island located next to Nicaragua.
This island is particularly amazing to me because the native people speak a creole similar to Jamaican patwa. Their food is also more Afor-Caribbean than Colombian or even latino!
I celebrated my 23rd birthday here, and every single day was a blast! One day I rented a cart with a few people from my hostel and rode around the island.
Airbnb had a catamaran boat experience to a nearby island for just $30 USD, and it was one of the best ways to celebrate my special day.
Renting a cart or scooter is pretty inexpensive (if split) and gives you the opportunity to see gorgeous sights.
Johnny Cay island offers extremely beautiful beaches, but you can also have a realxing beach day right in the downtown area! Playa Principal is located right besides plenty of store fronts, and a great place to go star gazing at night.
Hoyo Soplador is a super cool place to see because it has a blowhole that randomly shoots water up into the air! West view and La Piscinita are perfect cliff jumping destinations and snorkeling.
Minca- Cities to visit in Colombia
Not many people think about Minca when they plan a trip to Colombia, but it is a must visit. A small indigenous town, you actually need to stop in Santa Marta before getting to Minca. If you love lush mountains, hiking, waterfalls and nature, visiting Minca is a must.
Once you arrive to Santa Marta (I suggest staying there for the night) take a 45 minute colectivo ride at the public market.
Don’t worry, there will be plenty of other backpackers and travelers waiting there too! The ride will run you about 9,000 COP or just under three USD.There typically aren’t many taxis there, so when we arrived I just walked from the bus stop to my hostel.
I absolutely fell in love with this town! Every day I was hiking to a different waterfall, bird watching, and enjoying the nature views right from my hostel! I would highly suggest to stay in the little town center as farther hostels/hotels require a motor bike to get to.
Medellin
One of the biggest cities in Colombia, Medellin is a bustling metro with countless things to do. I was only there for three days, and I still found myself busy every moment of the day!
I did a party bus pub crawl with a couple of people I met at my hostel, with all drinks for the entire night included (crazy, I know).
Another awesome mention is getting a mani pedi with gel polish for only $20 USD (also crazy!). My hostel had free yoga early in the mornings which was also incredibly refreshing.
Comuna 13 was one of the most eye opening tours I have ever been on. I took a free walking tour and learned about the history of the neighborhood and how it has recovered and it was simply incredible.
Experiencing my first futbol game was also surreal and so much fun! I took a couple of Spanish classes and went salsa dancing at night. The possibilities are genuinely endless in Medellin!
Cartagena- Cities to visit in Colombia
There are endless possibilities and activities to do in Caribbean town Cartagena Colombia. Learn about the African maroon village in Palenque de Basilio, go island hopping, or take a sunset cruise!
There is also amazing and incredibly colorful art for sale in Cartagena. Support local artists and take a cultural piece home!
My first introduction to Colombia was Cartagena. As soon as I landed, I met someone in my hostel room and instantly went on a sunset booze cruise! My time in Cartagena was a dream meeting so many people and exploring the city.
At night, there are also cultural shows in the plaza/park area that offer a beautiful displace of Afro latino dances.
As Cartagena is located on the Caribbean Sea, you can take a boat to surrounding islands the Rosario Islands (Isla Grande), Isla Tiera Bomba, or San Bernardo.
Cali
Cali is the place to be if you love salsa, history, and good food. La Topa Tolondra and Tintindeo are two popular salsa clubs where you can show of your skills or even just learn!
If you’re a fruit person like me, Galeria Alameda is a large food market that offers tropical fruit like soursop, mangosteen, and guinep.
There are also plenty of things to see in the city like the Cristo Rey Christ statue that offers beautiful surrounding views and El Gato del Rio.
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