Colombia
SMILE. YOU’VE LANDED IN COLOMBIA.
Colombia offers the very best of South America—the essential spirit of the continent’s cultures, with vast landscapes distilled and concentrated. Visitors can time travel through colonial cities, dive into world-class outdoor adventure, or lose their cares in the sand and surf.
—— IMAGE GALLERY
LANGUAGE SPANISH
CURRENCY COLOMBIAN PESO
READ ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE
TASTE AREPAS
SIP COFFEE OF GUANABANA
EXPERIENCE DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY IN CALI
Long prized for its gold and emeralds, this land is also adorned with giant water lilies, great green macaws, shimmering glaciers, and sparkling shores. Here, passion for life is celebrated perpetually though cuisine, music, sports, and spontaneous generosity. A visit to Colombia will forever alter your way of thinking.
Colombia sits at the junction of Central and South America—a location symbolic both of the nation’s cultural and geographic confluences. Its territory is bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea, with the Panamanian forest and Pacific coast marking its east. In the west, you’ll find the grasslands of Venezuela and Amazon Basin of Brazil.
Last, but certainly not least, Southern Colombia is home to the majestic Andes and lowland jungles of Ecuador and Peru. In its interior, three majestic mountain ranges are traversed by winding roads, connecting vastly-diverse cities, races, and cultures.
The first settlers arrived in Colombia over 12,000 years ago. Subsequent civilizations erected complex cities near present-day San Agustín and Tayrona, in both the first and eleventh centuries. By the time the Spanish arrived, the Muisca Confederation had a population of over 600,000—making it the third-largest New World culture in existence. Today, indigenous communities including the Kanzá, Cubeos, Wayuu, and Arhuacos hold ancient traditions intact.
As one of the New World’s earliest European settlement sites, Colombia is also home to a wealth of colonial history and architecture. Early explorers such as Alonso de Ojeda arrived here at the dawn of the 16th century, in search of El Dorado. Successive waves of European settlement took hold on the Caribbean Coast throughout the 1530s, subsequently expanding inland. These colonial cities are now yours to enjoy. Lovingly preserved Spanish fortresses, palaces, and churches can be found throughout Cartagena, Mompox, Girón, and Bogota.
Colombia’s legendary wealth extends well beyond city limits–its biodiversity is among the highest on earth. No other country is richer in avian diversity. More than 1,800 bird species have been identified here, 70% of which are concentrated in the Andean cloud forest. Off the Pacific Coast, migrating Humpback whales breach spectacularly from June to October. In the country’s southeast, visitors to Amazon Basin lodges can observe monkeys, jaguars, and pink river dolphins in their lush, natural habitat.
Its equatorial climate renders Colombia a year-round destination. Unbeknownst to some, Colombia is quite convenient to the continental United States. Direct flights are available to Bogotá from Miami (3.5 hours), Houston (5 hours), New York (6 hours), and Los Angeles (7 hours). Direct flights can also be arranged from Miami to Cartagena, with a flying time of only 2.5 hours.
Vacations to Colombia are easily combined with trips to Panama, Ecuador (including the Galapagos), and Peru. LANDED arranges personalized travel in Colombia and throughout South America and Central America. We organize luxury accommodation, private transportation, and tours with expert guides. Speak with a travel planner today at 801.582.2100. We’ll take care of the details.
—— DESTINATIONS
BARICHARA & SAN GIL
BOGOTA
CANNUA HOTEL MARINILLA
CARIBBEAN COLOMBIA
CARTAGENA
COLOMBIA’S AMAZON
COLOMBIA’S CARIBBEAN ISLES
COLOMBIA’S COFFEE COUNTRY
COLOMBIA’S PACIFIC COAST
COROCORA CAMP
HELICOPTER TOURS & CHARTER FLIGHTS THROUGH COLOMBIA
LA MANIGUA
MEDELLIN
MOMPOX
POPAYAN & CALI
SAN AGUSTIN
VILLA DE LEYVA
VILLA RENTALS IN COLOMBIA
FAQs
What is the best time to visit Colombia?
Colombia’s equatorial climate makes it a year-round destination. The lowest rainfall months are July, August, December, and January.
Want a Colombia travel expert to help you sort through the options? Overwhelmed by the idea of creating and managing the perfect Colombia vacation for your family or group? Speak to one of our expert travel planners today at 801.582.2100.
What is the climate in Colombia?
Due in part to their altitude, Bogota and Medellin enjoys a perpetual spring-like climate. Daily temperatures in these cities usually range from the mid-40’s at night to the high 60’s in the afternoon.
Cartagena’s warm climate changes little throughout the year. Temperatures reach into the 90s, with 90% humidity. Welcome breezes cool the area from November to February.
Hurricanes are rare, and even in the wettest season (September – November) monthly rainfall almost never exceeds five inches.
The climate in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle is consistently spring-like, with highs rarely exceeding 72ºF and overnight lows hovering near 50ºF. Sunny skies are the rule, although average monthly precipitation for April, May, October, and November can exceed six inches.
Want help sifting through the Colombia travel options? Overwhelmed by the choices? Speak with one of our Colombia experts today, at 801.582.2100.
What language is spoken in Colombia?
Spanish is the official and predominant language of Colombia. English is widely spoken in locations frequented by foreign visitors. Additionally, an estimated 70 languages are spoken by Colombia’s indigenous populations.
Want to know which options are right for your Colombia vacation? Speak with one of our Colombia experts today, at 801.582.2100.
How safe is Colombia?
Generally speaking, Colombia is safe for foreign visitors. Travel anywhere, and you’ll want to exercise increased caution. All travel carries inherent risks.
Colombia’s civil war was settled in 2016. With that peace, the country has opened to foreign travelers as never before.
The larger cities do have neighborhoods with high crime rates, but those are not the places you are likely to visit as a foreign traveler. Still, petty crime is a reality. It pays to have a professional guide and heed his advice.
As with many countries with a history of conflict, border regions and remote areas can carry a higher risk.
When considering travel to Colombia, it’s best to consult with those who know the situation on the ground. The expert travel planners at LANDED know Colombia first-hand and by heart. Speak with us today at 801.582.2100. We’re at your service.
What are the COVID requirements for visiting Colombia?
Colombia is open for travel from all US states, though there are some requirements for entry. Here are the current entry requirements for Colombia:
- Passengers entering Colombia must submit the Check-Mig Registration Form within 24 hours prior to boarding your flight. This form can be downloaded at the following link: https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/public/preregistro.jsf. The same process must me followed before exiting Colombia.
- Fully vaccinated travelers over 18 only need to show a vaccination certificate on arrival. No PCR test is needed.
- Unvaccinated travelers over 18 are not allowed to enter Colombia.
- Travelers under 18 can enter Colombia regardless of their vaccination status.
- Partially vaccinated travelers over 18 (1 dose only) must present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before boarding.
- To be considered fully vaccinated, the last dose must have been applied more than 14 days before arrival in Colombia and approved by PAHO (https://covid-19pharmacovigilance.paho.org/)
- Once in Colombia, a vaccination certificate will be asked to enter museums, restaurants and public places.
- Use of facemasks is still compulsory everywhere in Colombia, including in the streets. For domestic flights, disposable face masks are required (no tissue).
TRAVEL
GUIDES
MACHU PICCHU
First light at Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience. At dawn, the site is often concealed by low clouds. As the sun rises, the mists slowly dissipate to reveal walls and plazas — first in glimpses, then in majesty.