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Heroes and Heroines Bogota
Bogota is a vibrant and cosmopolitan capital city, 2,640 metres above sea level and brimming with architectural contrasts.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Colombia Holidays
Just like its famed coffee, this country will bring your senses to life. Whether it’s the blossoming culture, pioneering travel experiences or colourful history, nothing in Colombia is done in half measures.
There are few countries in the world that the vast tourist industry has not assimilated but Colombia is one of them, and we urge you to travel to Colombia before the rest of the world wakes up to the fact that it has neglected one of the highlights of South America.
Cartagena
Founded in 1533 by the Spanish conquistadores, Cartagena de Indias, the queen of the Caribbean coast, became one of the most important…
Coffee Region
The Coffee Region, also known as La Zona Cafetera or Coffee Triangle, is a beautiful region of Colombia which lies between the…
Colombian Amazon
The Colombian Amazon accounts for almost a third of the country’s land mass and is located in the south east of the…
Guajira Peninsula
Spanning an area of more than 20,000km², the peninsula is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and Venezuela to the…
San Agustin
San Agustin enjoys a wealth of history and incredible archaeological sites, and should certainly be considered amongst Latin America's most important historical…
San Andres and Providencia Islands
Just over 800 kilometres northwest of Colombia’s Caribbean coast and only 150 kilometres east of Nicaragua lies a series of idyllic islets…
Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park
The world’s highest coastal mountain range, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, trails dramatically through Colombia and unfurls towards the Caribbean Sea…
What to expect on your Colombia Holiday
We strongly urge spending some time in Bogota to visit the old colonial area of Candelaria with its classic Spanish architecture, huge plaza and old-world ambience as well as the buzzing modern zones that are replete with bars, restaurants, coffee shops and a wave of young Colombians who are revelling in a new safe and more liberal social world. Urban addicts should also visit the salsa city of Cali and modern Medellin, infamously associated with Pablo Escobar.
Coffee Region
Colombia produces some of the world’s finest coffee and a visit to the picturesque Coffee Region or any of the small family-run haciendas that are springing up around the country should feature in your trip.
Even if coffee is not your drink of choice, there are some highly scenic walks and horse treks to be had through coffee-country. Alternatively, you may choose to hold onto your hat and travel in the back of one of Colombia’s famous Willy Jeeps to explore plantations and a vertiginous landscape dotted with 60 metre high Quindian Wax Palms, the national tree of Colombia.
UNESCO sites
History and archaeology buffs will revel in the UNESCO-designated San Agustin Archaeological Park and sister sites of Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras. Enormous pre-Colombian statues and funerary complexes dot the Andean landscape and it’s likely that you and your guide will be the only visitors.
If an Indiana Jones experience is more your style, then head to Tayrona National Park and embark on a six day trek from a wild boulder-strewn and jungle fringed coast to Ciudad Perdida (Lost City). This is a challenging hike that ascends the slopes of the impressive Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. A less testing hike is to the ruins of Pueblito that can be visited as a day trip.
Colonial Legacy
Those interested in Spanish colonial legacy should head out from Bogota to the white-washed buildings and cobble-stoned streets of Villa de Leyva, stopping on the way to explore the huge underground Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira. Continue further into the countryside and arrive at the picture-perfect town of Barichara. The fortified port city of Cartagena should be high on your “to-see” list. The centre is a maze of Bougainvillea-draped balconies and terracotta roofs with coastal ramparts and forts to clamber over that will please the most demanding of military historians.
If you have enough holiday time for a few beach days, then the rugged Tayrona coast, the calm waters around the Rosario Islands or the coral encircled Caribbean island of Providencia are all worth considering.
Explore Colombia
- Bogota
- Cartagena
- Coffee Region
- Colombian Amazon
- Guajira Peninsula
- San Agustin
- San Andres & Providencia Islands
- Santa Marta & Tayrona N.P.
Experiences
Discover some of our suggested activities to include on your Colombia holiday
Places to stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Suggested Itinerary
Highlights of Colombia & Sail Rosario Islands
This journey through Colombia takes in a host of the nation’s highlights, from the grand colonial churches and street art of Bogota to the UNESCO World Heritage city and coffee-growing regions of Cartagena.
With just a sprinkling of internal flights and some indulgent nights spent aboard a privately chartered yacht exploring the turquoise waters of the Rosario Islands, this is a beyond the ordinary way to experience the “gateway to South America“.
Cultural Holidays
Off-the-Beaten-Track in Colombia
This Colombian adventure unveils some of the nation’s most offbeat locations, while still taking time to privately tour the galleries and architectural highlights of the cosmopolitan capital.
An extraordinary trip for intrepid visitors to “the gateway to South America”, it traverses both the Amazon Rainforest and the Guajira Peninsula.
When to travel
Colombia in January
December to March is peak season in the country, with plenty of sunshine and dry weather perfect for relaxing on the beach or hiking in the Andes. December and January, in particular, is a busy time both for locals and tourists holidaying, so it is worth booking accommodation in advance.
Colombia in February
December to March is peak season in the country, with plenty of sunshine and dry weather perfect for relaxing on the beach or hiking in the Andes.
Colombia in March
December to March is peak season in the country, with plenty of sunshine and dry weather perfect for relaxing on the beach or hiking in the Andes.
Colombia in April
April to June is the beginning of the rainy season, but it is mainly restricted to short, sharp, showers. Easter is a popular time for locals to travel so be prepared to plan ahead should you wish to visit then.
Colombia in May
April to June is the beginning of the rainy season, but it is mainly restricted to short, sharp, showers. Easter is a popular time for locals to travel so be prepared to plan ahead should you wish to visit then.
Colombia in June
April to June is the beginning of the rainy season, but it is mainly restricted to short, sharp, showers. Easter is a popular time for locals to travel so be prepared to plan ahead should you wish to visit then.
Colombia in July
July to September is a great time to explore the Andes region, as it is a mini dry season. The Amazon continues to receive a lot of rain throughout the year.
Colombia in August
July to September is a great time to explore the Andes region, as it is a mini dry season. The Amazon continues to receive a lot of rain throughout the year.
Colombia in September
July to September is a great time to explore the Andes region, as it is a mini dry season. The Amazon continues to receive a lot of rain throughout the year.
Colombia in October
October and November are the wettest months in much of the country, so visitor numbers are low. Road travel can become tricky, but periods of bright sunshine can still be enjoyed.
Colombia in November
October and November are the wettest months in much of the country, so visitor numbers are low. Road travel can become tricky, but periods of bright sunshine can still be enjoyed.
Colombia in December
December to March is peak season in the country, with plenty of sunshine and dry weather perfect for relaxing on the beach or hiking in the Andes. December and January, in particular, is a busy time both for locals and tourists holidaying, so it is worth booking accommodation in advance.
Recommended reads
HISTORY
The Motorcycle Diaries
FICTION
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
John Faithfull
Colombia is a firm Latin favourite with John, who’s most memorable moment in the country included an exhausting hike through the wild (and lawless) Darien Gap with The Times journalist Martin Fletcher.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
James Armitage
James has discovered the huge variety of landscapes from the flat Llanos flood plains to the towering Andes and the rich golden beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Let’s chat
Speak to our experts
Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 880 980 How good are the beaches?
There are some beautiful beaches along the Colombian coast and a range of accommodation depending on your preferences. We can suggest options to include eco huts in amongst the forests of a coastal national park or more luxurious boutique hotels on the Caribbean island of Providencia.
I’ve heard that the coffee is fantastic. Will I get lots of opportunities to try it?
You’ll definitely have plenty of opportunity to sip coffee during your trip. You might like to explore the coffee region to visit coffee farms and do some tastings but wherever you go, coffee will be hard to avoid!
Is it safer than it used to be? Do many people travel to Colombia?
Colombia is a fantastic country to travel within and the areas that we would suggest for an itinerary are receiving more and more international travellers. There are no restrictions in place for areas such as Cartagena, Bogota & Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Park and we would not have any concerns over safety. There are still areas of Colombia that we would not recommend travelling to and we always keep up to date with the latest Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice.
Is there a direct flight from the UK to Colombia?
Yes, a direct flight has recently been introduced by Avianca but there are also alternative airlines and routes that offer indirect options depending on your preferences.
What standard of accommodation is available? Are there boutique hotels?
There are some great boutique properties in Colombia, particularly in Bogota & Cartagena. There is no shortage of interesting options and if you are looking for a very high standard then this is perfectly possible in the most visited parts of the country.
What is the time zone in Colombia?
Colombia is five hours behind GMT.
How long are the flights to Colombia from the UK?
Avianca offers direct flights from London Heathrow to Bogota which take 11 hours and 30 minutes.
Is it safe in Colombia?
As with most cities around the world, pick-pockets are always on the lookout for easy pickings. Please be vigilant and keep wallets and purses safely out of sight, especially when paying at attractions.
What is Colombia like?
In the midst of an ever-changing political landscape is a beautiful country that has much to offer. Nature has provided the Amazon Basin, large lakes surrounded by majestic mountains as well as the unspoilt beaches of the Caribbean coastline.
Colombia’s vibrant cities are similarly scenic. Urban Colombia centres on Bogota, home to about 20 percent of the country’s inhabitants. This ancient city was the pre-Columbian capital of the Chibcha Indians and remains a blend of old and new, teeming with Spanish colonial buildings and plazas alongside modern skyscrapers.
Another highlight is the Spanish colonial port of Cartagena with its spectacular walled old town, a medieval wonderland of palaces, monasteries, plazas and overhanging balconies. To the south of the town are Colombia’s major seaside holiday resorts with excellent beaches and scuba diving opportunities.
Do I need any vaccinations?
Yes. A Yellow Fever certificate is now required to travel within Colombia.
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