Off-the-beaten-track destinations in Colombia

Colombia has much to offer the traveler, from bustling cities and dense jungle, to beautiful beaches, national parks and traditional villages. There are also still many beautiful, unknown destinations that are not on most travelers’ plans. The reason for this? It is often more difficult to get there or tourism is just getting started. These -off the beaten track- destinations, we at NaarColombia find especially worthwhile!

Here we share tips for our favorite off the beaten track destinations of Colombia!

The department of Casanare in the Llanos Orientales, is known for its great diversity of birds, wildlife and typical Llanero culture. On some hattos (ranches) in the private nature reserves, you can experience the life of the Colombian “cowboys.” Activities you can do are bird watching, horseback riding, wildlife watching during a Colombian safari and take a boat ride on the river. Animals you can see include capybaras (the largest rodents in the world), anteaters, armadillos, caimans and howler monkeys. Starting point for a trip is capital Yopal, accessible by plane from Bogotá and Medellín and by bus from Bogotá. The hattos that are within a few hours’ drive of Yopal are usually easily accessible by car. If you want to get to a hato deep inland, a private transfer from the airport is the best option. Public transportation is limited in these remote areas and you can often only get there by all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle cab.

Chocó is one of the most authentic regions of Colombia and one of the wettest places in the world. Because of this, there is exuberant nature with dense jungle that ends on miles of beaches. This is the best place in Colombia for whale watching and some of the best diving in the world can be found here. Because the jungle in Chocó was inhabited by guerrillas for many years, it was a “no-go area for a long time, but today Nuquí and Bahía Solano + El Valle safe to visit. Nuquí and Bahía Solano can be reached by a direct flight from Medellín. Chocó is one of the poorest areas of Colombia, but locals have embraced tourism and are happy and proud to welcome travelers. Reason enough to be surprised by the overwhelming nature, wildlife and smiling faces of the largely Afro-Colombian inhabitants.

Capital city Leticia is a well-known destination in the Amazon. Less known is that as a traveler you can also be part of life in an Indian community. A stay at a Native American community guarantees a special experience, where you will learn about the rituals and about the community’s special bond with nature. There are more than 60 indigenous tribes in the Amazon, with the Tikuna being the most important group. Among them, you can stay overnight in the Indian community of Mocagua, a 1h boat ride from Leticia, Santa Sofia at 1h, Macedonia at 1.5h and San Martin de Amacayacu at 2.5h by boat from Leticia. Leticia can be reached by direct flight from Bogotá.

La Guajira is the northernmost region of Colombia, 175 km from Santa Marta and 92 km from Palomino. Dit is een dunbevolkt, geïsoleerd en extreem droog gebied. Het landschap bestaat uit woestijnachtige vlaktes, verlaten stranden en hoge zandduinen. Het is een arm en weinig bezocht gebied, waar de Wayuu wonen, de grootste groep indianen in Colombia. De Wayuu overleven hier al honderden jaren, o.a. door te vissen en geiten te houden. Een aantal Wayuu stellen hun huizen open voor het toerisme, waardoor je als reiziger can learn about Wayuu culture. You can stay overnight in a Rancheria, an authentic Wayuu accommodation. By buying authentic Wayuu handicrafts, including beautiful bags, you also support the local community. A trip to La Guajira, is a trip for adventurers, with the limited infrastructure and “basic” amenities. Do you make the trip to Punta Gallinas, you will have gained an impressive cultural experience and be rewarded with beaches that you have largely to yourself.

Ilsa Malpelo is located in the Colombian Pacific, 400 kilometers from the mainland. This is a dream location for divers and one of the best places to dive in the world. Animals you can spot are manta rays, whale sharks (in summer) and nearly 400 species of fish. In addition, Isla Malpelo is “Shark diving capital of the world.” Due to the strong currents, diving on Isla Malpelo is not suitable for beginners. You get there with an organized package trip from Buenaventura or Cali, sleeping on the boat.

San José del Guaviare is located on a transitional area between the Llanos Orientales and the Amazon. This results in unique flora and fauna. Travelers there can hike to recently discovered Indian drawings and spectacular rock formations, spot wildlife and take boat trips on the mirror-smooth rivers. San José del Guaviare also has its own pink river at Tranquilandia, which is a lot less well-known than Colombia’s most famous pink river: Caño Cristales. For a long time, San José del Guaviare was a “no go” destination because of the drug conflict, but after the peace agreement, tourism has slowly taken off. Tour operators are working with local Native American communities and families formerly employed in the coca industry and now telling their stories to travelers. Because tourism is still in its infancy, you will be one of the few tourists! Moreover, a trip to San José del Guaviare, is one that will inspire you and give you insight into the history of the country and its inhabitants, who prefer to look forward, rather than back. San José del Guaviare is just over an hour’s flight from Bogotá.

Tierradentro is an archaeological site of nearly 20,000 square meters in the department of Cauca, with statues and tombs from the pre-Columbian civilization lying on top of the hills. You can also visit tombs there, some of which are up to 8 meters deep. Tierradentro is on the Unesco World Heritage List. The easiest way to get there is via Popayán. It is a destination often skipped while traveling in Colombia. The archaeological site San Agustín is easier to reach during a tour of southern Colombia and is therefore often preferred.

Atmospheric villages abound in the Eje Cafetero/Zona Cafetera, Colombia’s famous coffee triangle. Elke reiziger die naar Colombia gaat, heeft waarschijnlijk wel van Salento gehoord -en in mindere mate Filandia-, but there are many other (and much quieter!) coffee villages, such as Pijao, Buenavista, Apia, Marsella, Salamina and Aguadas.In Salamina you can visit the Valle de la Samaria, the “alternative “(and much less crowded) Valle de Cocora, an hour’s drive from Salamina.

Many travelers visit while staying in Medellín, the well-known villages Jardín and Guatapé. Het traditionele dorp Jericó is a lot less well known. Except among Colombian tourists and lovers of churches, because there are no less than 17 of them! Jericó is about a 3-hour drive from Medellin.You can visit coffee plantations, hike and horseback ride, among other things. Otherwise, you can mostly relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the colorful village, grab a cup of coffee in one of the nice tents and try the local cuisine in one of the good restaurants. Especially on weekends, the square is a pleasant place to be, where more visitors can be found who come there for a cup of coffee or cerveza, or simply for a chat. Other lesser-known villages near Medellin are Tamesis (3h) and Venezia (2h).

Providencia is a Caribbean island located some 800 km north of Colombia and 150 km east of Nicaragua. Where neighboring island San Andrés is a popular vacation island among Colombian tourists, Providencia is a lot quieter. The island is mostly visited by travelers who come to dive, snorkel and relax at one of its beautiful beaches. The sea around Providencia is called the “Mar de los 7 colores,” because of the colors in all variations, from aqua to green. The coral reefs around Providencia are part of the 3 e longest coral reef in the world, part of which belongs to the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park. Turtles, sharks and rays, among others, are found here. With a past as English colonies, Providencia and San Andrés are an “odd duck” in Colombia. The English influence is still evident: the names of villages and beaches are given in English and Creole English is spoken alongside Spanish. Many locals feel more Caribbean than Colombian and there are many Rastafaris on the island.

Continue reading here for more destinations in Colombia, practical information about travelling to Colombia and the best hotels in Colombia. Nog meer inspiratie nodig voor wat te doen? Klik dan hier voor the best things to do in Colombia , travel routes and travel stories.