COLOMBIA

Mountains, beaches, salsa, and some seriously good food—Colombia doesn't believe in choosing just one personality.

Colombia surprised me with just how diverse it is. You can wake up surrounded by mountains and end the day with your toes in the sand. Explore colorful cities steeped in history, disappear into lush landscapes, or hop on a boat to a private island and spend the afternoon at a beach club away from the crowds.

It's a country full of music, movement, food, and culture, and it has an energy that's hard to sit still around. Dance all night, catch some sun all day, and repeat as necessary.

Come for the salsa, stay for everything else

Salsa is one of the biggest reasons Colombia has a special place on my travel list. And if you love to dance, Cali needs to be on your radar.

Cali is considered the world's salsa capital, and its unique style—Caleño salsa—is known for incredibly fast footwork and rapid movements. Watching skilled dancers move at that speed is equal parts impressive and humbling. Let's just say your basic salsa class might not prepare you for this.

But salsa isn't simply entertainment in Cali. It's deeply woven into the city's identity and community. You'll find it in clubs, performances, dance schools, and everyday life. If you want to understand the heartbeat of the city, follow the music.

And then there's the food...

Colombia's food deserves its own itinerary. Arepas are a personal favorite—crispy, warm, endlessly customizable, and somehow appropriate for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or basically any time you're hungry. And Colombian coffee? Smooth, rich, and exactly what you'd expect from a country responsible for some of the world's most famous coffee.

Then there are the beaches. Cartagena offers colorful colonial architecture and Caribbean energy, while the country's islands provide a completely different experience. One of my favorite ways to escape the crowds is taking a boat out to a private island, where you can spend the day at a beach club with turquoise water instead of fighting for a patch of sand.

A country worth discovering

Colombia has a complicated and fascinating history, and its culture has been shaped by Indigenous, African, European, and Caribbean influences. That diversity is part of what makes traveling through the country so rewarding—each region feels like its own little world.

Whether you're looking for nightlife and dancing, mountain adventures, Caribbean beaches, incredible food, or a deeper cultural experience, Colombia delivers.

Just bring comfortable shoes. If you end up in Cali, you're going to need them.

Destination key features:

• Salsa & Nightlife — Experience the energy of Cali, the world's salsa capital, alongside vibrant nightlife throughout the country.
• Caribbean Beaches & Islands — Cartagena, tropical islands, beach clubs, and boat excursions away from the crowds.
• Mountains & Diverse Landscapes — From lush coffee country and mountain cities to tropical jungles and coastlines.
• Food & Coffee Culture — Arepas, fresh regional cuisine, incredible Colombian coffee, and lively local markets.

Good to know
Colombia offers excellent value, especially for food, accommodations, and experiences. However, beach destinations like Cartagena and the islands can be noticeably more expensive than cities such as Medellín or Cali. A private boat day, upscale beach club, or luxury hotel can quickly turn a very affordable trip into a splurge—and honestly, sometimes that's exactly what the itinerary calls for.

Estimates assume economy airfare from the U.S. and are intended as a general planning guide, not a quote.