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IMPULSE TRAVEL TEAM
We are a team of storytellers here to bring you the best Colombia has to offer. On our blog, we answer your most frequent questions and uncover our countries mysteries, culture, and highlights for you.
Colombia is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular travel destinations. With its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality, this South American gem has something for everyone. But why should you visit Colombia in 2025? Here are 20 great reasons to pack your bags and experience the magic.
1. Connect with Warm and Welcoming People
Colombia is more than just a destination; it's a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions that reflect its multiethnic roots. With around 50 million people, the population is a unique blend of European, African, and Amerindian heritage, with Spanish culture having the biggest influence. You'll find the most striking examples of this diversity in the highlands of the Andes and along the Caribbean coast, where communities live in harmony with their rich traditions.
One of the best reasons to visit Colombia in 2025 is the warmth and hospitality of its people. People in Colombia are known for being friendly, and they really go out of their way to make sure you have an amazing experience. No matter where you are in Colombia—whether you're in Bogotá or Cartagena—you can expect to be greeted with genuine smiles and meaningful interactions.
The country's growing tourism industry is about more than just showcasing beautiful landscapes. It's also about fostering connections. Don't miss the chance to meet our local changemakers who are eager to share their culture and stories. These encounters make every journey unforgettable, adding a personal touch to your exploration of Colombia.
Image source: https://co.pinterest.com/pin/493566440390389343/
2. The Beaches
Colombia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast. With crystal-clear waters and white sand, these beaches are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sun. There are 300 amazing beaches in Colombia, so you're sure to find one that suits you. Two of the most popular beach areas are the Rosario Islands and the beaches in Tayrona National Park. Learn more about Tayrona Park in our blog post about the best national parks in Colombia.
3. The Coffee
If you love coffee, Colombia is an absolute must-visit in 2025! Colombian coffee is well-known around the globe and is one of the country's top exports. Colombia has the perfect weather for growing the best coffee in the world. Even though most of the coffee is exported, you can still get a great cup next to a local changemaker while listening to his stories and memories.
Coffee production brings in income for over 500,000 coffee farming families. Colombia has lots of coffeehouses, shops, and tours in the coffee region, called the "Eje Cafetero," in the south of Medellín. It has a pleasant climate and lets you experience life as a coffee farmer. You'll learn how this popular product is made from seed to cup and interact with some local farmers.
4. Celebrate at Vibrant Festivals
If you want to experience the people and culture of Colombia, you really have to visit one of the festivals. You can check out the Carnaval de Barranquilla, which is the second largest festival in the world, or the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros in Cali. During the festivals, the whole city shuts down for a few days, and you'll see everyone coming together and celebrating with dancing, music, and drinking. The streets are filled with parades and parties. The carnivals are a big draw for tourists, who are very warmly received by locals. If you're in Colombia during one of these festivals, we highly recommend taking part in one of these events. Read our blog post on the top festivals in Colombia to find out more.
Image source: https://eliturs.com/carnaval-de-negros-y-blancos-narino/
5. The Food
Colombia has a rare and delicious cuisine - unique in the world. The range of climates and altitude allows the local farmers to grow a large variety of crops all year round, and the country is home to a number of unique fruits and vegetables. The country prides itself on its homemade meals. Juices are popular as well as rice and corn arepas. A must-try is the limonada de coco, a delicious coconut and lime drink. As well as the bandeja paisa, a massive platter with three different types of meat, rice, beans, potatoes, and a small salad. Especially if you are a meat lover, this cuisine will not let you down. The dishes vary depending on where you are in the country and depending on the local specialty. Another typical dishes and foods in Colombia.
6. The Nightlife
Colombia is known for its wild bars and clubs. The locals love to dance and party. The cities all have a great nightlife, and people like to dance until sunrise. In the country's nightlife, you can find influences from all over, with traditions and cultural influences from each area.
7. The Street Art
Back in 2011, Bogotá made the decision to decriminalize graffiti, which has led to a whole new era of creativity in the city. The flyovers, office blocks, and municipal walls have become canvases for some really talented street artists. The old city area, La Candelaria, is part of a mayoral initiative to protect listed historic structures. In other districts, though, the expression has been allowed to flourish.
8. The Lost City
One of the most popular activities for tourists is the trek to the ancient lost city, hidden in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Santa Marta. The Teyuna archaeological site in the country's far north is thought to have been founded at the start of the ninth century, which makes it about 650 years older than Peru's Machu Picchu. The city was once home to the Tayrona people.
9. Exotic Fruits
Biodiversity isn't just about plants and animals. This country has a huge variety of edible plants, too! Colombia's exotic fruits are a real highlight. They grow in every climate, whether cold, warm, tropical, or dry. Many are native and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If you head to a local market, you can sample colorful fruits like guavas, dragon fruits, zingy zapotes, and lulos. Getting your "five-a-day" has never been easier.
10. Botero's Art
Fernando Botero is a famous figurative painter and sculptor known for his satirical works. He's created art with larger-than-life features, giving the impression of obese people or animals. His artwork has been featured in Singapore and New York. You can also find his sculptures scattered around his hometown, Medellín, and his paintings are showcased in the Botero Museum in the center of Bogotá.
11. Caño Cristales
Caño Cristales is probably one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. For most of the year, it looks pretty normal, but between September and November, something amazing happens—it turns into a rainbow river! It's colored in five different shades: red, green, purple, yellow, and blue. That's why it's also called The Rainbow River.
12. The Amazon
The Amazon is an amazing place for tourists who want to get really close to nature and experience some of the country's most important cultures. About a third of Colombia is jungle. The capital of the department, Leticia, is a friendly little place located right on the border with Brazil and Peru. But the main reason to visit is the Amazon River and the rainforest that surrounds it. There are some strange and exotic plants and animals there. The jungle is the longest in the world, at 6,800 kilometers. This is a destination where 212 species of mammals and 195 of reptiles live. If you want to know more, read our blog post about the Colombian Amazon.
13. The Desert
The Tatacoa Desert isn't actually a desert. It's a dry tropical forest with a rich, colorful terrain. Millions of years ago, it was a lush forest full of plants and animals. Today, the earth and rock are where the trees and flowers once stood. The land isn't covered in dunes, as you might expect, but with rocky canyons that form dry labyrinths whose red and gray colors are interrupted by the occasional green bush. It's considered one of the largest vertebrate fossil sites in South America and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out our blog post to find out how to visit and what to do in the Tatacoa Desert.
14. The Gothic Church
The Las Lajas Sanctuary (also called Las Lajas Cathedral) is well-known for both the legend surrounding it and for its impressive architecture. The Gothic-style church, which spans across the Guaitara River, has a breathtaking structure. It was built between 1916 and 1949. The legend goes that the Virgin Mary paid a visit to a mother and her deaf-mute daughter during a fierce storm. Years later, after the daughter died, the mother returned to the site and was reunited with her daughter by the Virgin Mary. The area is said to have healing powers, and there have been many reports of this over the years.
Image source: https://destinationlesstravel.com/2018/06/30/las-lajas-sanctuary/
15. The Nature and the (National-)Parks
If you enjoy immersing yourself in nature during your vacation time, this country is an excellent choice for you. There are lots of great hiking and trekking opportunities. There are also lots of easily accessible parks in the cities. Bogotá has the impressive Simon Bolivar Park, which is even larger than New York City's Central Park. There are endless opportunities to escape into nature here. The country has 59 national natural parks, which vary in landscape, climate, and ecosystems. Many of them offer unique experiences for visitors. All national parks are designed to protect the wildlife, ecosystems, culture, and architectural heritage of the area. You can visit the rainforest as well as the mountains, which both have rare species of wild animals. The Andean mountains bring about some of the highest points in Colombia and some of the nicest scenery as well.
16. The History
You probably know a bit about Colombian history already – it's quite fascinating. The history goes back centuries, with communities from the time of the Spanish conquest creating many of the towns and cities. The country has been shaped by its native populations, as well as by the Spanish, French, and British. It shows its history as a colony of Spain. Colombia is often called the most Roman Catholic of the South American countries, and most of its people are proud of the purity of their Spanish language. The country is now moving on from its history of the last 50 years. There was a civil war, but in 2016, a peace agreement was signed.
Image source: https://www.colombia.co/en/this-is-colombia/culture/august-7th-flag-day/
17. The music and rhythms
Dancing and music have been a big part of Colombian culture for a very long time. They represent the various influences, and they're an important part of it. The music from the Andes region has a mix of indigenous and Spanish influences, played mainly with string and wind instruments. In contrast, the music from the coasts has a clear African influence. Drum rhythms are a big part of this. Salsa, cumbia, and vallenato are very popular styles in the whole country and have now reached global audiences. The country's most popular dance style is cumbia, which also happens to be one of the most popular music forms in all of Latin America.
18. The Cities and Towns
The two most well-known colonial cities in Colombia are Bogotá and Cartagena. Both cities have beautiful old neighborhoods with Spanish-style architecture, lovely churches, statues, and squares. If you're looking for something a little smaller, Villa de Leyva is just a three-hour drive north of Bogotá. Villa de Leyva is a lovely spot with pretty cobblestone streets. It's located near a desert area with dinosaur fossils and remnants of a previous empire. Another city you should check out is Medellín, the second biggest city in Colombia. It's a rapidly developing urban area that has undergone a significant social transformation over the past 20 years. It's gone from being one of the world's most violent cities to becoming an award-winning hub of innovation, and it's now a model for other cities around the world. You can read more about Medellín's Transformation in our blog post series.
19. The Salt Cathedral
Just a short drive from Bogotá is the colonial city of Zipaquirá, home to one of the country's most popular attractions: the underground salt cathedral. The cathedral is located within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters deep. It was built using 250,000 tons of rock salt and is 75 meters long and 18 meters high. It opened in 1954, hewn from the town's salt deposits and was traditionally used by miners. The mine is the largest deposit of rock salt in the world. Today it is a pilgrimage site for many Catholics. The salt cathedral is a functioning church, but it doesn't have a bishop and isn't officially recognized as a cathedral in Catholicism.
20. The Safety
Colombia hasn't always been a top destination for tourists due to security concerns in the past. However, over the past 20 years, the country has become much safer, addressing many of its challenges. Its capital cities, Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, and Cartagena, are all safer places today. You'll see many foreign tourists everywhere in Colombia, and locals are happy to have a growing tourism industry.
Image source:https://www.shexexplores.com/blog/2017/2/27/cartagena-colombia-you-seafaring-beauty
Are you ready to visit Colombia in 2025?
Colombia is becoming a must-see tourist destination, with a big increase in visitors from all over the world in the last five years. With its Caribbean beaches, snow-capped Andean mountain peaks, rainforests, and national parks, Colombia has something for all types of travelers.
With Impulse Travel, you'll get to experience the beauty of Colombia while also making a positive impact. Our journeys are led by local changemakers who are passionate about their communities and committed to sustainable tourism.
Click here to get start planing your dream trip or check out all our great Colombia travel experiences.
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/south-america/colombia/articles/21-reasons-why-colombia-should-eb-your-next-holiday-destination/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/reasons-to-visit-colombia-34301
