The 20 Best Cities to Visit in Colombia

Colombia has always been a popular tourist destination. This country is loved for its range of climates and outdoor activities for all seasons. Another reason travelers are fascinated with Colombia is the beautiful cities that are full of life. If you're interested in visiting Colombia, you may be wondering what the best cities to visit are.

Bogota is a city that attracts tourists because it's rich in culture and has an amazing art scene. San Andres is one of the best spots for a relaxing holiday by the water. Visitors can enjoy water activities and tax-free shopping. Another popular city is Jardin, where the weather feels like spring in every season with temperatures in the 70s.

If you want to travel to a country that offers nice weather year-round, Colombia is a great choice. There are many attractions and events that keep travelers entertained. Today, we're going to discuss the 20 best cities to visit in Colombia.  

1. Bogota

Bogota is the capital city of Colombia. The culture of this city draws in travelers from many different parts of the world. When you visit this location, you have the opportunity to learn more about the history of Colombia. Bogota also has one of the best fashion scenes in Colombia. This is one of the best places in the country for shopping and markets.

Why Should You Visit Bogota?

Bogota has many great attractions to keep tourists entertained. Some of the top places to visit are the Gold Museum and Museo Santa Clara. Travelers should also take a trip over to Barrio La Candelaria, the oldest neighborhood in the city.

• Location: Bogota, Bogota, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through March
• Average Temperature: 43 to 68F/ 6 to 20C
• Best Activities: shopping, sightseeing, historic attractions

2. Cartagena

Cartagena has made a good impression among travelers because it is home to some of the coolest neighborhoods in Colombia. Places like El Centro and Getsamani are hotspots for travelers that want to take in more of the city's charm.

Why Should You Visit Cartagena?

Cartagena is a great place to experience more of Colombia's art culture. This city has many independent art galleries and public murals. Another reason that people love Cartagena is the lively nightlife scene. There are several top-rated bars and nightclubs throughout the city. You won't have trouble finding a nice spot for a night out.

• Location: Catagena, Bolivar, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through April
• Average Temperature: 75 to 90C/ 25 to 32C
• Best Activities: art exhibits, dining out, nightclubs

Related Read: 20 BEST Restaurants in Colombia

3. Medellin  

Medellin is a very scenic city that's located in the Andes Mountains. This city is home to several great hiking trails and parks. It's one of the best places to visit in Colombia for a mix of outdoor recreation and city nightlife. Medellin has one of the most exciting nightlife scenes in the entire country. The fun never stops here.

Why Should You Visit Medellin?

Medellin is a city filled with magic. There are so many beautiful sites to see, from botanical gardens to orchids filled with blossoming fruit trees and butterflies. This city is also home to a coffee plantation that offers guided tours.

• Location: Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: June through August
• Average Temperature: 63 to 82F/ 17 to 28C
• Best Activities: hiking, sightseeing, tours

4. Jardin

Jardin is known around the world as the city of eternal spring. This is because there is spring-like weather in the city year-round. Travelers enjoy coming to this city because they never run into muggy weather or cold spells.

Why Should You Visit Jardin?

Jardin is a city that people visit when they want to enjoy recreational activities outdoors. It's popular for hiking trails, public parks, and gardens. Travelers also enjoy exploring the wilderness in Jardin because there are several waterfalls and caves throughout the area.

• Location: Jardin, Antioquia, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through March
• Average Temperature: 59 to 75F/ 15 to 24C
• Best Activities: hiking, tours, visiting parks

5. Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a stunning city located by the Caribbean Sea. It's known for having the freshest seafood in Colombia. You can find many seafood delicacies at the local restaurants. This is where you'll find the best lobster in the country.

Why Should You Visit Santa Marta?

Santa Mata has many beautiful outdoor areas to explore. The beach is lined with green forestry, giving visitors many places to wander and take in the scenery. Tayrona is one of the most beautiful areas to explore here.  Downtown Santa Marta is beautiful to explore, with many historic attractions.

• Location: Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through March
• Avereage Temperature: 73 to 91F/ 23 to 33C
• Best Activities: dining out, nature walks, scenic photos

6. San Andres

San Andres is a popular island in Colombia that is famous for its horseshoe shape. Locals and travelers alike enjoy visiting this relaxing destination. It's a great place for water activities, summer cocktails, and tax-free shopping.

Why Should You Visit San Andres?

San Andres is the ultimate holiday destination in Colombia. There's beautiful scenery throughout the island, with multi-hued water and mangrove forests. It also has a vibrant nightlife scene with parties all year long.

• Location: San Andres, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: April & May
• Average Temperature: 77 to 88F/ 25 to 31C
• Best Activities: shopping, snorkeling, diving, boating

7. Bucaramanga

Bucaramanga isn't known as a popular tourist destination, but this city offers many great attractions for visitors. This is a place that's worth visiting if you're interested in seeing cultural attractions that are essential to Colombia. It's the home of Capilla de Los Dolores, the oldest temple in Colombia.

Why Should You Visit Bucaramanga?

In Bucaramanga, you can enjoy the culture of Colombia without the crowds that are in other cities. This city is also known for its selection of natural parks. Visitors can enjoy the serenity of these parks and some amazing views of the city.

• Location: Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: January through May
• Avereage Temperature: 68 to 82F/ 20 to 28C
• Best Activities: hiking, picnic, sightseeing

8. Guatape

Guatape has gained popularity among travelers because it's the most colorful town in all of Columbia. This city has unique architecture painted in various different colors. It's one of those towns that instantly puts people in a better mood when they visit and see the sights.

Why Should You Visit Guatape?

There are many natural wonders in Guatape to visit. It's popular for swimming holes and waterfalls. If you feel like going on an adventure, you can climb the El Penol rock. For a more leisurely (yet educational) day, you can arrange a boat tour.

• Location: Guatape, Antioquia, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: June through September
• Average Temperature: 57 to 75F/ 14 to 24C
• Best Activities: tours, sightseeing, dining out

9. Rosario Island

Rosario Island is a great destination in Colombia for a family-friendly vacation. It's a somewhat underdeveloped island and brimming with natural beauty. This is a wonderful place to visit when you're craving a relaxing getaway with a side of fun.

Why Should You Visit Rosario Island?

Rosario Island has several 5-star resorts to stay at. It's not difficult to find a luxury stay for more affordable prices on this island. Visitors can easily find somewhere to relax in the sun and enjoy some peace and quiet.

• Location: Rosario Island, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: June & July
• Average Temperature: 77 to 91F/ 23 to 33C
• Best Activities: swimming, sunbathing, watersports

10. Cali

Cali is a lovely city in the mountainous area of Colombia. This is an excellent destination for travelers who are looking for a cooler part of the country. Daily highs remain below the mid-80s.

Why Should You Visit Cali?

There is a lot of land to explore in this city. Travelers enjoy wandering through the hiking trails and taking a look at the lush greenery growing. Cali is also known for its fantastic selection of swimming locations. The water is clean and clear in this Colombian city.

• Location: Cali, Valle de Cauca, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through March
• Avereage Temperature: 64 to 86F/ 18 to 30C
• Best Activities: hiking, swimming, bird-watching

11. Barranquilla

Every day is a party when you travel to Barranquilla. This city is popular for its celebrations. You can find events and festivals year-round, like Barranquilla Carnival in February and Festival de Musica in September, just to name a few.

Why Should You Visit Barranquilla?

The energy in Barranquilla makes it a hit with travelers. The locals are friendly, the nightlife is vibrant, and there is always something fun going on. Barranquilla also has an incredible culinary scene, where you can find many authentic Colombian dishes.

• Location: Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through April
• Avereage Temperature: 75 to 91F/ 24 to 33C
• Best Activities: dinging out, nightlife, sightseeing

12. San Gil

San Gil has over 300 years of history packed into it. It's become a very popular tourist destination for people that want an exciting outdoor adventure. This area is famous for whitewater rafting, challenging trekking areas, and cave tours.

Why Should You Visit San Gil?

San Gil is a great destination for people that want to spend time exploring the park. There are a lot of natural sites throughout this city that are on travelers' bucket lists, like Rio Fonce. San Gil is also a popular area for extreme activities, like paragliding and bungee jumping.

• Location: San Gil, Santander, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through March
• Average Temperature: 55 to 80F/ 13 to 26C
• Best Activities: whitewater rafting, trekking, paragliding

13. Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva is a leisure destination in Colombia. This city is best known for its natural beauty over exciting attractions. It's the type of place you visit when you want to escape the noise and take in the sights.

Why Should You Visit Villa de Leyva?

The wonderful settings are enough to draw the curious traveler into Villa de Leyva. This is one destination where you will want to bring your camera everywhere. From the cute cobblestone streets to the 400-year-old architecture, there are many pretty sites throughout this town.

• Location: Villa de Leyva, Boyaca, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: March through June
• Average Temperature: 46 to 66F/ 8 to 19C
• Best Activities: sightseeing, nature walks, photography

14. Popayan

One of the reasons that Popayan strikes interest among travelers is that it's one of the oldest cities in South America. On top of that, all the ancient buildings have been well-preserved, so they are still beautiful attractions to this day.

Why Should You Visit Popayan?

There are many historic attractions and landmarks within the city. Some of the top places to check out when you're in the area are Parque Caladas and Centro Historico de Popayan. When you're in the city's center, you can find many 5-star restaurants to dine at.

• Location: Popayan, Cauca, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: July through September
• Average Temperature: 55 to 75F/ 13 to 24C
• Best Activities: historic attractions, scenic walks, dining out

15. Manizales

Manizales has many scenic attractions for travelers that want to explore the outdoors. One of the main reasons people enjoy this area is for the hot springs. There's nothing like a thermal soak after a day filled with activity.

Why Should You Visit Manizales?

Manizales has a national park with beautiful hiking trails. There are many great places to explore in this area. To make sure you get the most out of your journey, visitors are encouraged to book a guided walking tour.

• Location: Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: January through March
• Average Temperature: 55 to 70F/ 13 to 21C
• Best Activities: guided tours, scenic views, photography

16. Leticia

Leticia is a charming city that makes an excellent destination for a summer getaway. It's ideal for nature lovers and people that enjoy the idea of an ecological adventure.

Why Should You Visit Leticia?

Leticia is one of the safest cities in Colombia to visit. On top of that, the weather is consistently summer-like all year round. It's the perfect destination for travelers looking to enjoy time in nature while avoiding crowds.

• Location: Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: June through August
• Average Temperature: 72 to 90F/ 22 to 32C
• Best Activities: nature walks, tree climbing, sightseeing

17. Jerico

Jerico is a scenic city that provides a lot of adventure for travelers. This is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Colombia. There are so many fun activities and breathtaking scenic views throughout Jerico.

Why Should You Visit Jerico?

Jerico is built on a hillside, allowing visitors to enjoy remarkable views no matter where they stay. If you're in the area, it's strongly recommended to rent a vehicle so you can enjoy a scenic drive throughout the mountains and valleys.

• Location: Jerico, Antioquia, Colombia
• Best Time To Visit: June through August
• Avereage Temperature: 63 to 82F/ 17 to 28C
• Best Activities: scenic drive, sightseeing, photography

18. Pasto

Pasto is most well-known for the historic architecture that's present throughout the city. When taking a tour through this destination, you will get to see many fascinating churches, homes, and buildings that date back as far as the 1500s.

Why Should You Visit Pasto?

Pasto isn't a popular tourist city. It's unlikely that you'll find 5-star lodging and leisurely attractions for guests. However, this city is worth visiting for a day trip to see the historic buildings and sites.

• Location: Pasto, Narino, Columbia
• Best Month To Visit: July & August
• Average Temperature: 48 to 68F/ 9 to 20C
• Best Activities: sightseeing

19. Valledupar

Valledupar is a great Colombian city for arts and culture. It's the birthplace of vallenato music, which plays a big role in the city's heritage. This city also has stunning Spanish architecture that's the perfect backdrop for photos.

Why Should You Visit Valledupar?

Valledupar is one of the tropical cities of Columbia. It offers summer-like weather year round and you can find mango trees growing throughout the city. It's also the home of many cultural attractions, like Plaza Alfonso Lopez and Casa Beto Murgas.

• Location: Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: December through February
• Average Temperature: 73 to 97F/ 23 to 36C
• Best Activities: dining out, sightseeing, view art

20. Pereira

Local coffee, warm weather, and natural beauty are just some of the reasons that travelers are drawn to Pereira. This Colombian city is one of the best places in the country for exploring nature.

Why Should You Visit Pereira?

Pereira is one of the biggest towns for tourism in Colombia. It's rich in attractions and scenic hotspots, like La Divisa De Don Juan SAS and Nevado Santa Isabel. It's also known as the Coffee Culture Landscape for its local coffee plantations.

• Location: Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
• Best Month To Visit: February & March
• Avereage Temperature: 63 to 81F/ 17 to 27C
• Best Activities: drink coffee, tours, sightseeing