We regularly monitor the Colombian press for local tourism news, to keep abreast of the latest trends.
Today we’re talking about new destinations that have recently opened up to tourism, thanks in part to the peace agreement signed last year. These 8 off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia were inaccessible for a long time because of the armed conflict. Paradoxically, this situation has also helped to preserve these places.
Today, these destinations offer us their wonders, and it’s perfectly safe to visit them. Tourism gives a second chance to these territories, most of which are far from the big cities, and an opportunity for economic and community development.
So we’d like to suggest these off-the-beaten-path destinations, which fit in perfectly with more traditional itineraries. We’d like to give you some ideas, and invite you to discover these lesser-known regions, which still hold many natural and cultural treasures.
So, if you’re a bit adventurous, if you like to meet local people and enjoy different, authentic experiences, these destinations might appeal to you. Here are 8 off-the-beaten-path destinations to discover in Colombia, some of which you’ll need to visit through a travel agency, or include in your tailor-made trip to Colombia.
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Casanare
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
We visited Casanare, the region east of Bogotá, in September 2019, and it was one of our favorites of the trip! We discovered landscapes and a culture that were truly different from the rest of Colombia.
For a long time, the Casanare was isolated, due to the presence of paramilitary groups and a lack of means of communication, but over the last ten years or so, the region has become frequented again, and tourism is slowly beginning to develop. This is an ideal opportunity to be among the first visitors of this new era, which we hope will see the Casanare open up more and more to travellers.
During our 4-day stay, we went on what they call a Llanero Safari. This consists of discovering the local wildlife by visiting Hatos, the huge traditional farms of the Colombian llano. We observed a bewildering array of animals (crocodiles, chigüiros, howler monkeys, anteaters, birds of all kinds, iguanas, turtles, waders, etc.).
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The Casanare is also an opportunity to discover the llanera culture, a truly unique culture rooted in the tradition of cattle breeding, the land of the Colombian Cowboys! These 4 days were an opportunity for us to talk with our super guide Heiler about local traditions, songs, music, dance, gastronomy and farm work… an unforgettable experience that we highly recommend!
The capital of the Casanare is Yopal, the starting point for all discovery tours in the Casanare. The Llanero Safari proposed by our partner and guide Heiler starts in Yopal, heading for San Luis de Palenque and Trinidad.
BUS | Bogota – Yopal (8h)
- Fare: approx. $65.000 COP
- Companies: Concorde, Flota Libertadores (Sugamuxi), Copetran
- Departures: all day, with night buses also available.
BUS | Villavicencio – Yopal (5h if no construction work)
- Fare: approx. $45.000 COP
- Companies: Flota Libertadores (Flota Sugamuxi)
- Departures: all day
PLANE | Bogota – Yopal (1h)
- Fare: $250.000 COP one-way
- Companies: Avianca, Latam, Clicair
Favorite local agency
Safari Llanero in Casanare
San José del Guaviare
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
This department at the gateway to Amazonia has been hiding its treasures until now. It’s one of the territories that has been severely penalized by violence, but which is now reawakening thanks to tourism.
Between plains and forests, hills and rivers, this territory has much to offer. There’s Tranquilandia, the little sister of the famous Caño Cristales, as well as surprising rock formations, and treasures such as Cerro Azul, which reminds us of the presence of indigenous populations in this territory. Cerro Azul is a hill where you’ll find almost 4.000 rock paintings that, according to studies, could be as much as 10.000 years old. These paintings bear witness to the daily lives of the ancient communities who inhabited the area: one of the country’s most important archaeological heritages.
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These sites have long remained little-known, and their conservation depends, among other things, on good management of tourism in the area. We therefore encourage you to use local agencies committed to responsible tourism to visit these sites.
We set off to visit the Guaviare with our partner agency, which in our view does a good job of using the best local service providers while respecting fair prices and environmental conservation.
A number of local initiatives are in place to support tourists. We particularly recommend the Playa Guio project, a fine community-based tourism project offering accommodation in the heart of nature and the chance to visit the region’s tourist sites.
PLANE | Bogota – San Jose del Guaviare (1h20)
- Fare: approx. $500.000 COP return
- Airline: Satena
- Departures only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
BUS | Bogota – San Jose del Guaviare (8h)
- Fare: approx. $75.000 COP
- Company: Flota La Macarena
Alternatively, Bogota-Villavicencio and then Villavicencio-San Jose del Guaviare.
BUS | Bogota – Villavicencio (3h)
- Departures every 15 min.
- Fare: approx. $40.000 COP
- Company: Flota La Macarena
BUS | Villavicencio – San Jose del Guaviare (5h)
- Fare: approx. $60.000 COP
- Company: Flota La Macarena
- Departures every hour.
San José del Guaviare
Hotel
Hotel El Aeropuerto
Hotel El Aeropuerto is, as its name suggests, located right next to San José del Guaviare airport. With its swimming pool, nice common areas and all the services of a classic hotel.
San José del Guaviare
Hotel
Hotel Quinto Nivel
The Hotel Quinto Nivel is one of San José del Guaviare’s best-known hotels. Most local agencies lodge their clients in this hotel.
San José del Guaviare
Eco Lodge
Playa Guio
Playa Guio is a haven of peace in the middle of nature, a 20-minute cab ride from the center of San José del Guaviare. On site, you’ll find the warmth of the Melo family, a large common room where you can eat and have a good time, a large hut for those who want to sleep cheaply in a hammock, and two private cabins for those who want privacy.
Best local agency
Book your visit in San Jose del Guaviare
Pacific Coast of Choco
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
Colombia’s Pacific coast is still a little-known destination, even for Colombians. It’s one of the country’s poorest regions economically speaking, but one of the richest on the planet in terms of biodiversity!
Between sea and jungle, the Utria National Nature Park, for example, brings together 4 ecosystems in an exceptional environment: tropical forest, mangroves, coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
One of the main attractions of this destination is the opportunity to observe whales giving birth to their babies sheltered from the currents. This park offers a real connection with nature. No internet, no networks, just these majestic landscapes
Surfing is also possible at Guachalito beach, south of Nuqui.
To the north, a little further afield, you’ll find Bahia Solano and, above all, El Valle with its Almejal beach, also boasting beautiful landscapes, beaches and a wealth of culture and gastronomy. This region of the country also has an enormous African heritage, but with a very different culture to that of the Caribbean coast.
PLANE | From Medellin with San German Express (1h)
- Fare: approx. $600.000 COP return
- Tourist tax payable at Nuquí airport: $41.000 COP
- Airlines: Satena, Clicair, Moon Flights
ONLINE PAYMENTS ON COLOMBIAN WEBSITES
Payment refusals frequently occur when we try to pay online. For example, this happened to us on the San German Express website and on the Avianca website. We solved the problem by using our VPN and locating it in Colombia. This enabled us to bypass local restrictions and the payment was accepted.
Arusi
Eco Lodge
Punta Brava Eco Hotel
Punta Brava is an ecological luxury bubble in the middle of the jungle, with its feet in the Pacific Ocean. A unique, exclusive place, totally cut off from the world, which is well worth the effort if you have the means to indulge yourself.
Arusi
Hotel
Casa Cielito
Casa Cielito was our home for 1 week in Arusi, the place is magical and the food is simply the best we’ve tasted in Colombia!
Tarapoto Lakes in the Amazon
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
This is an exceptional area of 30 lakes with incredible biodiversity! More than 883 species of plants, 244 birds, 201 mammals, 176 fish, 57 amphibians and 30 reptiles inhabit this ecosystem. This destination is best known for being the ideal place to observe pink dolphins in their natural habitat.
The Tarapoto lakes are located in the Amazon, 80 km from Leticia. It’s a 1h30 journey on the Amazonas River to reach this magical place.
There are still 3 indigenous communities living in this area: the Tikuna, the Yagua and the Cocama.
A wonderful destination to discover in the Colombian Amazon.
PLANE | Bogota – Leticia (2h)
- Fare: approx. $500.000 COP return
- Airlines: Avianca, Latam and Satena
By plane to Leticia, then by boat up the Amazonas River to Puerto Nariño.
BY BOAT | From Brazil or Peru
You can travel upriver from Brazil or Peru to Leticia. We don’t have much more information than that at the moment.
Important information
- Mosquito repellent more than necessary, don’t forget it!
- Yellow fever vaccine compulsory
Best local agency
Book your visit in the Amazon Region
Bahia de Cispata in Cordoba
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
Cispata Bay is located in the Cordoba department in northern Colombia, 3 h 30 from Cartagena by car. It is part of San Antero, a small fishing village. It’s a little-known tourist spot, but little by little this destination should attract the curious.
In addition to its beaches, it’s a special place because the fresh waters of the marsh meet the sea, so you can enjoy both.
The area’s tourist attractions include mangrove swamps and two villages well worth a visit: Tuchin, the birthplace of Colombia’s best-known traditional hat: “Le sombrero vueltiao”, and Lorica, one of the country’s heritage villages , which we were lucky enough to visit on our 2018 trip. A village where the Lebanese-Syrian influence is evident in its architecture and gastronomy. Its market facing the Sinu River is one of the places not to be missed.
Putumayo and the end-of-the-world waterfall
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
This region of Colombia is at the gateway to the Colombian Amazon on the south-western side. Visiting these waterfalls is a great way to immerse yourself in the jungle and admire the diversity of flora and fauna it harbors.
It’s worth noting that this area was also penalized by war for a long time, but fortunately for us all, this marvel is available to us today, and it’s possible to visit it in safety.
Imagine arriving at the aptly-named “Waterfall of the End of the World” and admiring its 75 m drop – it must be quite impressive. In the same area, you can also visit the waterfall known as l’ojo de dios (the eye of God), so named because the water flows through an oval hole in a rock. The waterfall is perfect for activities such as abseiling.
Other activities include bird watching, and a visit to a natural observatory dedicated to the research and conservation of typical Amazonian species.
The waterfalls are a 15-minute bus ride from Villagarzon. You can reach Villagarzon by plane or bus (13-hour drive)
PLANE | Bogota – Villagarzon (2h)
- Fare: approx. $400.000 COP
- Airline: Satena
BUS | Bogota – Mocoa (13h)
- Fare: approx. $80.000 COP
Practical info End of the world Waterfall
- Opening hours: Every day except Tuesdays, from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. You can stay until 3:30pm. Access limited to 350 people/day
- Entrance fee: $15.000 COP
- Mosquito repellent more than necessary and good non-slip shoes recommended.
Cerros de Mavecure
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
At the gateway to the Amazon, in the department of Guainia, we can admire these 3 large granite boulders that rise up from the plains like totem poles. They are called “Tepuyes” in the indigenous language, meaning “house of the gods”. They are part of the Guiana Shield, one of the oldest rock formations on the planet! In my opinion, this adds a little something extra to the visit.
It’s possible to climb these 3 rocks, Mavecure (170 m), Mono (480 m) and Pajarito (750 m), and enjoy amazing views over the jungle and the imposing Inirida River. Its landscapes made a name for themselves in the film “The Embrace of the Serpent”, (a Colombian film nominated for an Oscar in 2016 as Best Foreign Film, and which we invite you to watch, as it is simply sublime).
It’s an off-the-beaten-path destination we’re really looking forward to! Activities such as birdwatching, boating on the river, meeting the indigenous communities who inhabit these territories, are among the options.
PLANE | Bogota – Puerto Inirida (2h)
- Fare: approx. $600.000 COP return
- Airline: Satena
To get to the Cerros, you’ll need a guide, as this is sacred territory. The Cerros are about 1? hours from Lancha on the Inirida River.
Practical info
- The best time to visit this destination is from November to February.
- Vaccination against yellow fever and tetanus
- Don’t forget mosquito repellent, light clothing and walking shoes
Also worth seeing
A little further north, on the border with Venezuela, lies the Parque Nacional del Tuparro, another destination to discover, if you make it that far. The power of water, magnificent landscapes and incredible biodiversity are just some of the riches of this park. Many activities are also possible.
Best local agency
Book your Mavecure Tour
The Uraba region
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Colombia
The Uraba region, in the very north of the department of Antioquia, is also enjoying a renaissance thanks to tourism. It’s in this area that we find Necocli, a small town that charmed us. In a previous post, we told you about our experience there and the sustainable tourism on offer in Necocli.
Uraba offers historical and archaeological trails, an immersion in nature with superb mangroves, as well as the chance to learn a little more about banana cultivation and visit the plantations. But there’s also the sea (admittedly not as turquoise as elsewhere in the Caribbean, but nice all the same) and the beaches with their quiet, family atmosphere.
If you’re going to Carpurgana, you’ll no doubt be passing through this territory, so make the most of it, and maybe take an extra day or two for a break. Necocli in particular. We loved our experience there.
Monteria is the nearest large town to Necocli.
BUS | Monteria – Necocli (2h30)
- Fare: $45.000 COP
- Company: Sotracor
BUS | Cartagena – Necocli (8h)
- Fare: $90.000 COP
- Companies : Sotracor
BUS | Medellin – Necocli (8h)
- Fare: around $70.000 COP
- Companies: Cootrans Uroccidente (ticket office no. 34) or Sotrauraba (ticket office no. 13 – 19)
- Timetable: departures from 7:30 a.m. to midnight
Necocli
Hotel
Punta Caribana
The Hotel Punta Caribana is our usual stop-off point in Necocli, where Cruz and Wilberto go to great lengths to make you feel at home – 100% recommended, quite simply!
Necocli
Hostal
La Mariapolis hostal
A relaxed atmosphere by the water, a young manager totally involved in Necocli’s local life, basic and clean services for those looking for budget accommodation.
Best local agency
Book your activities in Necocli
Hello,
Bravo pour vos récits de voyage ça donne envie d’y rendre! I’m looking for wild animal shelters where I can work or volunteer. Do you have any ideas? Thank you very much!
Hello Claire,
Thank you for your compliments, it makes us happy 🙂 Concerning your question, the only idea that comes to my mind is a project in the Amazon in an indigenous community that works in the rehabilitation of monkeys recovered from illegal trafficking, including endangered species. It’s called Mokagua and they accept volunteers. You can find out more here https://fundacionmaikuchiga.org/
Hello and congratulations on your blog
We were already in contact last year, but in the end a death in the family forced us to return to France, while we were in Chile, still a long way from Colombia. So we hadn’t even started exploring Colombia
I searched your particularly well-done blog for information on how to visit the Cienaga Grande and, in particular, how to get to Venecia nueva by fishing boat, but I didn’t find much practical information, other than that given by an agency near san Marta
san Marta, which charges around €200 for a day trip on the Cienaga.
Do you have any information on how to do this type of tour using a fisherman or a local guide with his boat, which would be a bit more reasonable in terms of price?
Thanks again for the help you give to future visitors, and the quality of your blog
GP
Hello, thank you for your message. Unfortunately we haven’t been there ourselves yet, so it’s difficult to give you this kind of information. We know that it’s possible to get there from Sitio Nuevo, where you have to take a motocarro to the “muelle” de la Cienaga, from where a “public transport” boat called a “johnson” leaves for Nueva Venecia. Beware of timetables, as they don’t run all day. In short, doing it on your own requires a bit of research and time to talk to the locals and organize everything, but it’s possible. You can also sleep there, but you can’t book on the internet, but here again, you’ll have to talk to someone who’ll put you up.
Bravo, for your very complete site and these splendid videos. You really make us want to discover all these magical places
Thank you for all Colombia lovers
Thank you very much Laurent for your comment which makes us very happy! 🙂
Hello,
What a wonderful site! The only negative point: it depresses me to have only too few vacations at my disposal, because you sell dreams!
I have a Colombian friend who lives in Leticia in the Amazon and I have about twenty days free in January (just after Christmas). My partner and I are thinking of landing in Bogotá, visiting the city for a day or two (we don’t like cities as much) and then flying back to Leticia.
We don’t really know how to allocate our very limited time (considering the days lost in transport). We’re thinking: a week or ten days in the Amazon and then 5 days (with transport days included) somewhere else? Any advice on another area of Colombia we could slip into our itinerary, bearing in mind that we’re flying a-r from Bogotá and our main objective is Leticia. Or, considering our limited time, go all out in the Amazon because there’s already so much to do there..
Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, thanks for your message 🙂 Yes, it’s true that Colombia has a lot to offer and it’s impossible to do it all in one trip, unless you spend 6 months or more there ;-). 20 days in the Amazon would give you plenty of time to explore the country in greater depth, but in 10 days you’re already going to get the most out of it. If you want to see a different side of Colombia, the easiest thing for you to do might be a bus tour from Bogotá to Boyaca / Santander, where you’ll get a taste of Andean culture and colonial villages.
Hello Angelica and samuel. We will be going to Colombia between January and June 2020 ( between 2 and 3 months on site). We are a family of 4, us, mathias and I and our daughters aged 6 and 10. We’ve been going for 15 years, between 2 and 5 months every 3 years. We travel by local transport without the net and therefore without booking. With our experience of volunteering in orphanages, wwofing, etc., we’d like to do it again, as these moments of sharing have always been part of, if not the basis of, our travels. I’ve found the Workaway site, which offers contacts…do you have any others…we love nature, meeting people, authenticity (yes, I know it’s very trite!)…do you have any nice, simple places to recommend? Are there hospedaje with rooms with 2 double beds and do you know the rates (we sleep in places with the minimum …)
Many thanks for your answers
Kind regards
Gaelle
Hi Gaelle, thanks for your message 🙂 We have a rather mixed opinion on voluntourism, which is why we don’t give any information on the subject on the blog. Of course, everyone is free to travel in their own way, but we can’t help you much in this area, apart from advising you to get in touch with the FEM foundation in Cartagena, which works with vulnerable populations and offers long-term volunteer positions. For our part, we try to “travel responsibly” and to promote tourism initiatives that go in this direction. That’s why we stayed at the Volunteers Hostal, where part of the profits go directly to the FEM foundation, and were able to meet the teams and find out more about this wonderful project, which we’ll be talking about soon on the blog. Otherwise, yes, the Workaway site is indeed one of the best-known bases for Colombia, and we don’t really have any other sites to recommend. As far as nice, simple places are concerned, on the whole you can tell yourself that if you get away from traditional tours, you’ll very quickly find that “authenticity” you’re looking for. In any case, that’s how we had our best experiences in Colombia, by “going and seeing” without really knowing what to expect(Necocli, Lorica, Jerico, Punta de los remedios, etc.). Finally, as far as accommodation is concerned, it’s difficult to know which hostels or hotels offer rooms with 2 double beds. But for example, our favorite hotel in Necocli, with its family atmosphere and clean, well-kept facilities, offers a quadruple room at 160,000 pesos. Necocli is not a popular tourist destination at the moment. Otherwise, for the lowest rates, you may have to opt for dormitory nights in small hostels. That’s it! We’re not much help at the moment, but don’t hesitate if you have any further questions 🙂
Hello, we are Michèle and Frédéric from Metz…delighted. We’re planning a 15-day trip to Colombia in February 2020 …. Yesii it’s still far and maybe a bit short, but it’s in colombia that we want to go
We’d like to visit some of the off-the-beaten-track destinations described in your wonderful blog. Could you send us an outline of a 13-day trip from Bogota
Best regards from Metz
Hello,
We are going to Colombia in February 2019 to see the country again with our son adopted in 2002.We want to go to islands not too touristy and not far from Cartagena.My husband can’t get vaccinated against yellow fever.Can you give me some info
Thanks
sandrine
Hello, February is a great time to go to the Caribbean. You can go to the San Bernardo archipelago, relatively close to Cartagena. Isla Mucura or Tintinpan are less well known to foreign tourists, as far as we know. For these areas, the yellow fever vaccine is not compulsory, so there should be no problem. You can stop off at Rincon del Mar, a small fishing village. It’s starting to get a bit of a reputation, but it’s a long way from mass tourism. That’s all the information we can give you. Thank you and enjoy your trip:)
Hello Samuel,
I discovered your blog a few days ago while preparing our trip to Colombia with my wife and one-year-old son. First of all, hats off to you and thank you for this extraordinary and comprehensive site. It’s a great help and very well done. It’s a real pleasure to browse through your articles.
For our part, we’re leaving from January 19 to February 9, 2019. My wife’s Colombian friends will put us up for a few days in Bogota, then we’ll go to Cartagena for a few days so the girls can enjoy the beach. For my part, thanks to your article on the Cocora Valley, I’ve already decided and convinced my wife that we should go on this trek and enjoy these great landscapes.
Here are my 2 questions, hoping you can help me 🙂
1. Do you have any general advice to give us about places to go more than others, especially taking into account the most important factor which is that we have our son who will only be 17 months old. Are there any places we should avoid?
2. My wife might also like to spend a few days on the island of San Andres, but I haven’t found an article on this subject on your blog. Would you recommend this destination?
Have a nice day, and thanks again for all the information.
Max
Hi Max and thank you so much for your compliments on our blog, you don’t know how good it is to hear! 🙂 Glad if we can inspire you to discover different desti in Colombia, that’s the idea of the blog.
As for Cartagena and going there for the beach, from our point of view it’s not the ideal destination for enjoying the beach… Cartagena’s beaches aren’t very beautiful, playa blanca is nice but very touristy and the islas Rosario are a bit tricky to get to because there are so many private beaches.
To answer your questions, I have to admit that not having children, it’s hard to anticipate what kind of traveller you’ll be with your son, but I imagine that if you’ve decided to go with him, it’s because you’re open-minded parents.
1. For general advice, I’d say that if you do Bogota, Salento / Cocora Valley, Cartagena beach destination, and if you take your time in each place so as not to accumulate too frequent transport journeys for the little one, you’re not far off the mark in terms of time.
2. We don’t recommend San Andres, as it’s become too touristy. If you’ve got the time and the means, opt for Providencia. You’ll need to take 1 flight to San Andres, then another to Providencia. Otherwise, there’s the Isla Mucura option, a 2h30 drive from Cartagena, then a 50min lancha ride, but I don’t know if you’d like to go lanchaing with your son, it’s not dangerous, but it can be rough depending on the state of the sea, but it’s not very long and it can make memories 😉 Or you could go to Santa Marta and enjoy the beaches around Tayrona Park, like Buritaca, which is a simple, family-friendly spot, not necessarily “heavenly”. We’ve written an article about it.
Here it is quickly!
Thanks for your videos. They’re really pretty. Colombia is a beautiful country with a very rich culture. I can’t wait to discover these 7 off-the-beaten-track destinations.
Thanks Léa, the videos are obviously not ours, but thanks anyway 😉