My Notes on Traveling in Colombia

Since my friends Alma and Dani are visiting Colombia, I thought I’d share some tips and recommendations. Instead of sending bits and pieces, I wrote everything here like a blog post. Hopefully it makes your planning easier — and gives you some ideas for what to eat, where to go, and what to avoid.

General Things to Know

• Drinks: Always be careful with what you drink — bottled water is safest.

• Bars & Nightlife: Always keep your drink in sight. Don’t leave it unattended or accept drinks from strangers. In some cities (especially Cartagena and Medellín), there are stories of people being drugged at bars, or meeting sex workers via dating apps. Just be cautious.

• Safety phrase: Colombians often say “no dar papaya” (literally “don’t give papaya”), meaning “don’t make yourself an easy target” — for example, by flashing cash or phones in public.

• Plugs: Colombia uses Type A and Type B plugs. An international adapter is handy.

• Cash: In small towns (like Minca, Pijao, or Nuquí), card payments often don’t work — bring enough cash.

  
  

Destinations & My Experiences

Caribbean Coast

Cartagena

• I booked a tour via GetYourGuide. The highlight was the volcano mud bath — the mud makes you float like a little eel! Very fun. They also offer massages, but it was too crowded for me.

• Afterwards: lunch at a hotel + beach time.

• Cartagena itself is gorgeous — colorful colonial houses, photogenic streets, boutique shops, and food I loved (cazuela de mariscos 🦐).

• A touch of history: Spanish colonial architecture, fortresses, and the walled city make it unique.

• Extra: Galerazamba (February–April has a pink beach, but off-season it’s not visible).

Santa Marta & Taganga

• In Santa Marta:

  • Shio: delicious Japanese food (try the miso ice cream + mochi!).

  • This local spot: fresh homemade seafood and juices.

• Taganga:

  • Known for cheap diving certifications — under $500 USD you can do both OW and AOW. Juan did his course here!

  • Big brain corals, though limited marine life.

  • Restaurants: Babaganush and Café Thui.

  • Dive shop: Reef Shepherd — Jaime was a great instructor.

Tayrona National Park

• A stunning mix of rainforest + Caribbean beaches.

• You can dive, hike, or stay overnight in tents/eco-lodges. We dove here daily.

⚠️ Avoid: This Airbnb host. She was manipulative, obsessive, and unpleasant — not sure how she keeps 5 stars.

Minca

• A small mountain town above Santa Marta. Cooler than the coast, perfect for rest.

• We stayed at Hukumizi — with meals, a river, a waterfall, and wild mango trees everywhere.

Cali

Colombia’s salsa capital 💃. Energy is everywhere — people dance in the streets, clubs, and schools.

• Salsa clubs: La Topa, Mulato, Cimarrón (check IG for classes/events).

• I took a private class with Anthony (+57 300 611 1362).

• Stay: Emilio’s Airbnb. Emilio is like a warm uncle — he even invites guests to his mountain house and workshop. Truly a beautiful soul.

Pacific Coast (Nuquí / Bahía Solano)

• A small fishing village — food in local restaurants is simple and delicious.

• I don’t recommend coastal eco-lodges unless meals are included; tides can trap you at night and it feels isolating.

• Seasons:

  • Whale shark: May.

  • Humpback whales: July–November.

Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero) 🌱 (My Favorite!)

Airports: Armenia, Pereira, Manizales. Flights via Clic are cheap and quick.

Salento

• Classic stop for Cocora Valley and coffee farms. Book tours directly on finca websites; take a Willy jeep (stand at the back = fun!).

• Cafés are generally good everywhere.

• Small artisan shop run by a mother-daughter duo — here — very original.

• Calle Real has lots of art/souvenirs (many mass-produced), but evenings have live music.

• Restaurants: El Gran Chocolate, María Ocampos Café-Bar, La Casona.

Pijao (my favorite town)

• Stayed at Flor del Río — my dream “future home.” Coffee farm, river, waterfalls, fruit trees (guava, avocado, tomate de árbol).

• Owners Meli & Pablo built it themselves; Meli taught me glass art. Breakfast with mountain views = happiness.

• Best cold brew I’ve had at La Tienda del Buen Vivir.

Circasia / Calarcá

• Cacao finca: Evelyza.

• Butterfly sanctuary nearby (I missed it, but heard it’s worth it).

Los Nevados National Park

• Great for hiking (use Wikiloc app for trails).

Cocora Valley

• Iconic wax palms, great hiking too.

Medellín

• Green, modern, and full of museums.

• Comuna 13: touristy graffiti tour — interesting but not my favorite.

• Stay in Laureles (local cafés, quieter, climbing gyms) or Poblado. Avoid Poblado’s main party street (too noisy and messy).

• Side trip: Guarne — this finca Airbnb with a jacuzzi, close to the airport, perfect for 2/3 days resting.

• Guatapé: A colorful town near Medellín. Climb Piedra del Peñol for panoramic lake views, can book thru get your guide too.

Bogotá

• So many museums and galleries.

• Good base for culture and history.

Zipaquirá — Salt Cathedral

• Famous underground cathedral built inside a salt mine. I didn’t go, but many people say it’s worth a day trip.

Amazon

I skipped (already visited in Ecuador). But Juan’s friend Martín’s father is a guide — let me know if you want his contact.

What to Eat

Coffee & Fruit

• Coffee is world-famous — best at local cafés or fincas.

• Fruits: Granadilla, Pitahaya (yellow dragon fruit), Lulo (try lulada in Cali), Guanábana (soursop smoothies).

• Visit local markets!

Bandeja Paisa

• Medellín/Antioquia classic — beans, rice, meats, egg, plantain, arepa, avocado. Delicious but very heavy, tried twice and I was bored.

Soups

• Ajiaco (Bogotá): chicken, corn, potatoes, guascas.

• Sancocho (coast/countryside): fish or chicken, yucca, plantain.

• Caldo de costilla (Andean): beef rib broth, often breakfast.

• Mondongo (Medellín/Cali): tripe soup.

Seafood (Caribbean Coast)

• Cazuela de mariscos (Cartagena) — coconut milk seafood stew.

• Arroz con camarones (shrimp rice).

• Pargo rojo frito (fried red snapper, Santa Marta).

• Langostinos al ajillo (garlic prawns).

• Arepa de huevo con camarones (Cartagena street food).

Street Foods & Snacks

• Empanada de pescado con papa: tasty, but greasy if too many.

• Arepas: many styles (de choclo, rellena). To me, a bit plain.

• Buñuelos: fried cheese balls, oily but great fresh.

• Almojábanas: cheesy bread, lighter than buñuelos.

• Patacones: fried plantains with hogao sauce.

Sweet & Unique

• Hot chocolate with cheese (Bogotá/Cundinamarca) — surprisingly delicious.

• Arequipe (dulce de leche).

• Cocadas (coconut sweets).

Vegetarian/Pescatarian Notes

• The coast is easiest for pescatarians (Dani) — lots of fresh seafood.

• Fresh juices (jugos naturales) are everywhere — order en agua (with water) or en leche (with milk).