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Medellín, Colombia
- Stay in the El Poblado area. If you stay near Parque Ileras it's very reminiscent of Ubud in Bali with lots of amazing hostels and cafes around this area.
- hostel recommendations: the best rated hostel in the whole of South America called Los Patios hostel boutique (although spennier at £16 a night). Opposite there is Florentina Hostel which is £6 a night and still super cute and quaint. But do at least one night in the amazing one!
Other reccs: Purple monkey hostel; the Somos hostel; La Playa; Noah boutique; Hostel Ondas; International House; Secret Buddha
Use the metro to get around here - it's one of the only places in Colombia with one and is super developed and easy to get to places. It's a big place so we want to see as much as we can here.
• Do a Pablo Escobar tour here!
• visit el centro histórico - plaza Botero is one of the prettiest squares in the city. Located on Botero plaza you will also find the museum of Antioqua which has two of the city's most acclaimed artists Botero and Pedro Nel Gomez. The famous painting is 'the death of Pablo Escobar'. Museum is open from 10am-5pm Mon-Sat
• join a free walking tour hosted by Real city Tours. You get to see all the city's major streets, parks, and plazas. Tours deport Mon-Sat at 9:30am from Alpujarra metro station. Online reservations are essential so go to their website!
• Sunset at pueblito paisa - good party area and lots of bars,
• Wake up early for the plaza minorista fruit market (starts from 4:30am but aim for 9 to see the true hustle and bustle)
• go on the gondolas
• Hike in Parque Arvi - the huge nature reserve and archaeological site offers walking and biking trails, waterfalls, a farmers market and loads of coffee shops.
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Guatapé, Colombia
• Climb the penõl - towering rock karst wrapped in stairs. It provides the most scenic views in all of Guatape. The key is picking the right time to visit - arrive after 4pm to find it relatively empty.
• catch the sunrise.
• essentially just a great place to wander the streets and have a mooch. Not to be missed but don't need more than a night here !
Namaste Cafe ($)
One of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in town. With tasty fruit bowls, crepes, sandwiches, and pastries this is a much lighter version of Colombian cuisine.
The Snuggly Duckling ($)
Meat piled high onto sandwiches and various other comfort foods served here. The Colombian coffee and biscuits are top-notch.
Thai Terrace ($)
Yes, there is phenomenal Thai food in Colombia. Located on the rooftop of a hostel, really adding to the ambiance. A great place to begin a boozy evening out.
Pizzeria de Luigi ($)
Colombian’s love their pizza. Even deep in the Amazonas region, you can find phenomenal pizza. With thin-crust, candle-light, and a small selection of wine you’re sure to have a relaxing evening.
Cafe La Manchuria
Cate La Manchuria is a great coffee shop in the centre of town. You will find amazing Colombian coffee alongside homemade pastries.
Mitos Cafe
Mitos Cafe is a cute cafe located right on the Guatape Reservoir. You will find a boho chic style and delicious coffee and pastries at Mitos Cafe.
Things to do:
CLIMB LA PIEDRA DEL PENOL
750 stone steps twist around the massive rock karst that dominates the landscape of Guatapé. Hiking up them is a sort of pilgrimage that all travelers must take. The views from the top overlooking the reservoir are indescribable. One of the best miradors in all of Colombia. At the peak stop for a beer and some seasoned mango and just take in the view.
Pro-tip: Visit before 10 AM or after 4 PM to miss the crowds. Visitors on a day-trip tour arrive mid-day and the stairway can become claustrophobic. You’ll also have to jostle through people for your chance to photograph the view.
Avoid the restaurants next to El Peñón de Guatapé they are overpriced and not great.
Getting to the Peñol: This attraction is the furthest from town. Luckily, the local tuk-tuk drivers are looping back and forth from town to the rock constantly. Prices are set at 12,000 COP so there is no need to haggle.
GIVE YOURSELF A DAY AT THE LAKE
The Guatape Dam (also known as The Punchina Dam) is a stunning 26 square miles lake that offers incredible views, cruises, kayaking, and swimming. It is perfect for a family vacation when in need of some sun and water sports.
La Ceja de Guatape is the colorful town of Guatape that you see all over instagram. It is a must see while in the Medellin area. In La Ceja de Guatape you will find lovely shops and restaurants that are budget friendly. While the shopping and food in La Ceja de Guatape is amazing, the main attraction is definitely the unique and colorful buildings that are unlike anything you have ever seen.
Plazoleta de Los Zócalos is of the most photographed parts of Guatape. Make sure you take a few minutes to walk down this colorful street. Plazoleta de Los Zócalos was super crowded when I was in Guatape so beware of pickpockets.
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Jardín, Colombia
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Filandia, Colombia
- coffee farm region
-have dinner with a priest (sounds weird but apparently the best meal ever)
- another restaurant recommendation is Helena Adentro
- head to Cancha de Tejo Café Pueblo after dinner in order to try your hand at Colombia’s national sport, and one of the most bizarre games you will ever experience: tejo. This traditional Colombian game involves throwing heavy chunks of metal at gunpowder while drinking beer, and is exactly as fun as it sounds.
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Salento, Colombia
• super colourful town and famous for being one of the best coffee spots. Gateway to Cocora valley which has the tallest plamtrees in the world. 🌴
• go to a coffee farm such as Las Acacias but there are loads around the area.
• can do a day trip to Filandia
• Can stay in Viajero hostel or Coffee tree boutique hostel.
• Tejo - alcohol and explosives
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Cali, Colombia
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Bogotá, Colombia
• 7.90 tattoo studio
- stay in La Candelaria which is the historic centre of Bogota and where most of the main tourist attractions are located.
• Do a Bogata walking street art tour
• visit Bolivar square
• Colombia food tour with beyond Colombia tours
• visit monserrate - no matter where you are in the city, you can see the iconic Monserrate mountain which is a Colombian spiritual and cultural symbol. Ride the funicular or the cable car up the mountain for a panoramic view of Bogata and beyond.
• Botanical gardens
• bike tour
• gold museum
• if you're in Bogata for a Friday or Saturday do a night out in Chia at Andrea Carne de Res.
• Eat at: Cacio & Pepe
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San Andrés, Colombia
https://www.weseektravel.com/things-to-do-san-andres-island-colombia/
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Cartagena, Colombia
Mos touristy and expensive place in Colombia but will get you to the coast!
• stay in el Arsenal hostel; La Antigua Capsula; Casa Zahri; Mamallena; Republica; Hostel papaya; One day; life is good; Selina
• visit the old town and watch the sunset!
Go to the San Bernado islands from Cartagena, costs around £21 and the only company that will get you there directly is Tranq Iteasy boat terminal
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Minca, Colombia
- hostel recommendation: Masaya Casa viejas; Mundo nuevo; jungle joes
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Palomino, Colombia
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Parque Natural Tayrona, Colombia
• before you go stay in the Journey hostel, it has an infinity pool!!
https://www.laidbacktrip.com/posts/ultimate-guide-tayrona-national-park-colombia
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Santa Marta, Colombia
Lost city trek
Two hours away is Rincon Del mar - you should visit!!
Hostel recommendation: the Fort hostel
• get money out here: there are no ATMs on north coast of Colombia
https://ancestralretreats.com/cacao-ceremony/