Colombia has a diversity of landscape, climate and culture which should make it one of the world's most popular travel destinations. Its jungles, including large swathes of the Amazon, are some of the world's least explored places, hiding ancient temples and astounding ruins, while its cities offer both the grace of their colonial heritage and the vibrancy of modern South America. This variety is reflected in Colombia's hotels, posadas and hostals - from luxury through boutique and budget - there are a range of great places to stay in Colombia for every taste.
Its mountains, too, are magnificent - perfect for both trekkers and skiers, and its beaches wouldn't seem out of place in a Caribbean travel brochure, with whale watching, diving and surfing opportunities. In short, Colombia is a paradise. The deterrent for most visitors has been its history of drug cartels and violence, but this is changing, so use our guide to the best places to stay in Colombia and take the opportunity to experience this paradise before it becomes too mainstream!
If you find the climate of Bogota a bit too fresh, drive for an hour down the mountains to where it's warmer. Lower still are the lush jungles, coffee plantations and the Reserva Natural Canon de Rio Clara, just one of many beautiful Colombian reserves. This is a great spot for anyone who wants to get into Colombia's great outdoors and do some hiking or kayaking. The coastline is tropical - almost right on the equator, and things are naturally more languid here and happen at their own pace. Beautiful Cartagena is probably the country's best known destination, and it remains one of the best places to stay in Colombia. Once an important and wealthy port on the gold and silver trade routes, Cartagena boasts a wealth of colonial architecture and a charming walled old town, amply deserving of its Unesco World Heritage status.
Colombia's cities and towns
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Bogota, Colombia's capital, is a huge place. And like most major cities, you can find most of the top attractions in the central area. As well as all the cultural sights, Bogota has stunning botanical gardens and a lively cafe, bar and restaurant scene.
- Many claim that Cartagena is the jewel in Colombia's crown, and we'd certainly recommend a stay here! In addition to its stunning UNESCO World Heritage Listed old town, you can also take advantage of its location on Colombia's Caribbean coast. There are some excellent colonial townhouse hotels to stay in here.
- For wild, joyful partying, Cali is the place to be. Warm, tropical and full of salsa and dancing, in Cali it's considered reasonable to want to dance until dawn every night of the week - perhaps one of the best places to stay in Colombia for an inpromptu party! There are a couple of chic places to stay we can recommend here.
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Manizales is a student city with a lot of universities and not only has some beautiful public artworks lying scattered around, amazing coffee, but some of the coolest nightclubs in Colombia.
- Just to the south, Pereira is a fast-paced commercial centre that also has a thriving bar and club scene. Though it has few attractions, it is near thermal springs, colonial towns and the Los Nevados National Natural Park.
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Villa de Levya is great for exploring the pre-Colombian past of the region, the Muisca Civilisation: there are burial mounds, sacred sites and ancient monuments on the outskirts of town that are worth exploring, and the town itself seems as if caught in a time lapse of the 16th century.
Rural Colombia
- If you want to escape to the countryside, then Anapoima and Nobsa should be high on your list. An Arcadia used as a weekend escape by wealthy Colombians, Anapoima has a lovely climate, rolling foothills, some amazing gourmet restaurants, golf clubs and an incredibly friendly community. Nobsa is a charming little town, surrounded by mountains. It is the spiritual home of the "ruana" garment, traditionally worn by the Muisca peoples, and they manafacture it here to an extremely high standard working only by the loom.
- If you want adventure sports and the great outdoors, Tobia is a great choice. Though often overlooked in favour of San Gil, it is quickly making a name for itself as the capital of adventure sports in Colombia: whether it's white water rafting, rappelling, hiking, absailing or mountain biking. There's an excellent riverside guesthouse we recommend here.
- If you're looking for Colombia's colonial charm, look no further than Mompos. Though it is a trek getting there, down dirt tracks that wind through jungle, it is perfectly preserved in time, where colonial buildings far outnumber anything remotely modern. Indeed, mule-driven carts still outnumber cars here! There's a good choice of historic and colonial properties to stay in here.
Colombia's beaches
- For wide white-sand beaches, you have a great variety to choose from. Buritaca and Santa Marta both lie on the Caribbean Sea and are great for lounging with a cocktail and bathing in the sunshine. Both are near the Lost City, known as Ciudad Perdida, built by a civilisation that preceded the builders of Machu Picchu, where you can trek with a professional guide through the jungle. Between them they offer a choice of laid back beach cabana resorts and townhouse boutique hotels.
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Providencia, however, is without a doubt the place to be. A tiny island that's essentially a tropical paradise, it is laid-back, unknown by the tourist industry and has some of the best places to go snorkelling in the region, if not the world, owing to the fact that it lies just by the world's third largest coral reef.
Use our guide to the best places to stay in Colombia and start to plan your South American adventure!
The Best Places to Stay in Colombia
City vibes - Bogota
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B.O.G. Hotel is in the historic centre and is well situated to all the major attractions of Bogota, from the Gold Museum to some of the cities best cafes. Plus it offers a great restaurant and fabulous roof top terrace with bar which serves great cocktails!
- The design-led Casa Legada hits the nail on the head with simple elegant interiors, bold splashes of fab wallpaper, warm welcoming communal areas, and an excellent breakfast. The owner is also the interior designer - she's done an excellent job.
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La Colina Hotel Cottage is an adorable cottage offering boutique accommodation with sustainability at its core. Decor is traditional with black Andean slate floors and wooden ceilings. All five rooms are lovingly decorated with contemporary artwork.
City vibes - Cartagena
- Situated right in the heart of Cartagena's old town, you'll find that most of the city's best bits are easily walkable from Amarla Boutique Hotel. This seven room, intimate hideaway is also great for romantics with its adult-only policy, rooftop pool and terrace and excellent onsite Colombian restaurant.
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Casa Pestagua is a palace of a hotel, built for an 18th Century Count, and it's often referred to as 'the most beautiful house in Cartagena'.
- Nearby the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara used to be a convent, but with four bars and the largest pool in the city, it makes for a lovely stay.
- Another highly popular place to stay here is the Hotel Aguamarina. The rooftop pool and terrace are very private, and with just four rooms, you may have it to yourself. With more of a traditional feel, the rooms have four-poster bed, high ceilings, and original features.
City vibes - Medellin
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574 Hotel is an excellent and great value hotel located in the heart of the El Poblado District. Rooms are bright and simply dressed with white linens and wicker accents; the best suite offers a private indoor jacuzzi. Enjoy a traditional Colombian breakfast at the hotel's Caimán Café terrace. A great city hotel choice.
Colonial time warp
- The Portal de la Marquesa is in Mompos, set in an old colonial building overlooking the river, and just a few steps from the historic centre.
- The Hotel Casa Terra in Villa de Levya, one of the best preserved colonial towns in Colombia, is a charming place with traditional and spacious rooms and a lovely garden.
- The excellent Casa de Alba Hotel in Cartagena is located in a magnificent old colonial townhouse, fully renovated, its 12 rooms are bright and spacious, most boasting a spacious terrace or balcony. The historic sights are on your doorstep, as well as a great range of excellent places to dine.
- Another Cartagena hotel highlight is Quadrifolio, a lovely and romantic manor house in the heart of the old town. Traditional understated elegance is the focus throughout the suites, with stone floors, wooden furnishings and all the mod cons. Great pool, spa and restaurant. Calm, simple and sophisticated. With just 8 rooms, it needs booking early.
Beach life
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Eteka is a tropical island paradise 10 minutes boat from Cartagena. Popular with day-trippers, the beach lounge and hotel offers quaint cabanas to rest your head; think ethnic rugs, locally-made furniture and sea-blue shutters. Enjoy city views across the sea from a tree-house or hammock. Boho beach-resort.
- With its own private beach, the Merecumbe Hotel in Buritaca makes for a delightful stay. Comprised of chic cabanas, it has an amazing restaurant and is the near the regional parks.
- Another good Buritaca option is Gitana Del Mar. It's a secluded spot wedged between the jungle and a white sandy beach. Charming bungalows are all bamboo, white washed walls and simple, yet refined, design.
- The Hotel Boutique Don Pepe in Santa Marta has elegantly refined rooms styled in a minimalist design, and guests have access to a fabulous spa and the hotel itself is short walk from the beach.
Hideaways
- The six room Acqua Santa Lofts Hotel, just south of Cali, features contemporary, designer lodges offering great views. Each loft enjoys its own area of green garden space and there's also a salt water pool and spa treatments.
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Casa Barichara combines two lovingly decorated holiday homes, offering guests privacy and the space to relax in traditional homes set in large gardens. Both homes come with outdoor swimming pools. Located in the town of Barichara, restaurants are within walking distance.
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Hacienda Buenavista enjoys a rural setting in Quimbaya and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Enjoy privacy and space when you stay in one of their five individual suites and curl up in the library with a good book after a day out exploring. A first-rate countryside escape!
For an apartment or villa
- Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in Colombia.
Travel information
- For international flights, Bogota and Cartagena are the best places to fly to. There are airports throughout the country for domestic flights. Buses regularly go from the airport terminals, even to far-flung places like Villa de Levya and Mompos, though some can only be reached by truck - which you can rent at the airport.
- Many of the regions have their own specific microclimates, varying on altitude. As a rule of thumb, you should miss the rainy season, so travel during between December and March, particularly in the Andes region. Luckily, the weather remains fairly constant throughout, so the temperatures do not drop.
- If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.
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