Colombia is having a major travel moment, and I had the pleasure of returning to CTV Morning Live in Vancouver to unpack exactly why. Colombia is a true globetrotter's destination because it is built for authentic experiences and meaningful travel rather than a checklist of sights. It is a country where staggering natural beauty, living cultures, and genuine human connection come together with a conscious devotion to sustainable, community-based tourism, helping ensure that the recent tourism boom benefits the people who call Colombia home.
There was far more to say than a few television minutes allow, so consider this the extended edition: the numbers behind Colombia's recent transformation, what makes the country so remarkable, and how you can start planning a trip of your own.
Start planning your tailor-made Colombia vacation with a Goway Destination Specialist.
Why Colombia Is Having a Major Travel Moment
Data from ProColombia, the country's tourism board, supports the claim that Colombia is having a major travel moment. Colombia welcomed nearly six million international travellers between January and November of 2025 alone, and roughly 23 million visitors over the past four years. The year 2025 marked one of the strongest performances in the country's history, with tourism revenues reaching a record US$11.2 billion. Air connectivity within the country also continues to expand, making multi-destination travel across Colombia's six key regions easier than ever.
The Country of Beauty: Six Countries in One
Colombia is known as The Country of Beauty, and rightly so. Colombia has six distinct travel regions, spanning everything from Caribbean beaches and coffee mountains to jungles, deserts, cloud forests, and even glaciers. The effect is that a single trip to Colombia feels like visiting six countries in one.
Colombia's greatest appeal is arguably its natural diversity. Colombia holds roughly 10 percent of the planet's biodiversity across more than 300 ecosystems, ranks first in the world for bird species with more than 1,900 recorded, leads the world in orchids and butterflies, and is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and the Atlantic. Additionally, because Colombia sits in the tropics, temperatures vary by altitude rather than season, making it an excellent year-round destination.
Colombia's natural and cultural wealth has earned it nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from Cartagena's walled old city to the Coffee Cultural Landscape. Beyond the UNESCO list, sites like the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, considered one of the most irreplaceable ecosystems on Earth, and the Lost City, an ancient marvel that predates Machu Picchu, are every bit as spectacular.
Essential Colombia: Bogota & Cartagena
Experience the colourful essence of Colombia through colonial charm, underground wonders, lively traditions and rich rum and chocolate flavours.
Meaningful Travel: Colombia's Community-Based Tourism
Colombia has quietly become a world leader in meaningful travel and community-based tourism. The country has championed community-based tourism over the past ten years, developing a model where the locals involved benefit most from tourism's growth.
It isn't just a marketing slogan either; it is national policy. ProColombia notes that Colombia is one of only twelve countries worldwide with a public policy for sustainable tourism, was the first country to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into its national development plan, and protects more than 24 percent of its territory. That translates to experiences with Indigenous communities in the Amazon and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, stays in rural coffee landscapes, and community-led initiatives across the country that let you experience the culture and ecosystems in remarkable depth with the local stewards who understand them best. This is slow travel that delivers meaningful connections instead of surface-level experiences.
Classic Colombia: Bogota, Medellin & Cartagena
Cities & breathtaking landscapes await in Colombia. Taste the culture in Bogota, explore Medellin's transformation, and wander the colourful streets of Cartagena.
Soft Adventure: Something for Every Traveller
Soft adventure has been a hot topic at Globetrotting Magazine lately, and Colombia is one of the best examples of what soft adventure actually means. Soft adventure keeps the thrill of exploring a new destination without necessarily demanding hardcore adrenaline experiences. On the gentler end of the spectrum, you can embark on a birdwatching tour with an expert local guide, light hikes among the towering wax palms of coffee country, and seasonal whale watching on the Pacific coast.
Meanwhile, travellers seeking more intensive active experiences have plenty of excellent options. For example, these travellers can embark on a multi-day jungle trek, none more storied than the four-to-five-day trek to the Lost City, hiking through rainforest alongside Indigenous guides to a citadel older than Machu Picchu, with a fraction of its crowds.
This range of activities also makes Colombia a well-suited destination for multi-generational trips. Within one tailor-made itinerary, the thrill-seekers in your family can trek through verdant jungles while others linger over coffee tastings and beach days, before everyone reunites for dinner with their own stories to share.
Colombian Highlights: Mountains, Jungles & Bays
Experience Colombia on this independent 9-day vacation from Bogotá’s colonial charm to Tayrona’s lush jungles and Cartagena’s vibrant history on the Caribbean coast.
Venture to Bogota with Air Canada and experience the premium service of a four-star airline, certified by Skytrax. Make your way from the Paloquemao Market's maze of over 750 stalls, sampling local fruits, juices, vegetables, and flowers while immersed in the colourful aromas of the surrounding flowers. Continue to La Candelaria, Bogota’s oldest city quarter and vibrant cultural heart, where you'll discover elegant colonial buildings and churches as you wander through the Plaza Bolivar. Marvel at the works of famed Colombian artist Fernando Botero at La Candelaria’s Botero Museum and explore over 55,000 pieces of goldwork at the Gold Museum.
Fly north to the city of Santa Marta, where you’ll find the expansive Tayrona National Park, home to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the highest coastal mountain range in the world. Immerse yourself in the region’s predominantly year-round hot and humid climate, creating the lush tropical forests along its coast. Embark on a 15 km / 9.5 mi hike through the lush tropical palm tree forests to the warm ocean waters and beachfront restaurant at Cabo de San Juan. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for iguanas, macaws, toucans, monkeys, and other incredible wildlife throughout your journey.
Venture west to the living museum of Cartagena, a port city boasting a dynamic blend of African, European, and indigenous cultures. Explore impressive merchant houses, blossom-adorned balconies, and ornate churches surrounded by the city’s ancient stone fortifications. Immerse yourself in the rich history of San Felipe de Barajas, wandering through the 16th-century fortress ingrained in the city’s defense against pirates. Continue to the flower-filled courtyards, stone columns, and gold-plated altar dedicated to the Virgin de la Candelaria inside La Popa Convent atop Mount La Popa.
Planning Your Tailor-Made Colombia Trip with Goway
Travelling to Colombia is the perfect opportunity to work with a Goway Destination Specialist. Given how diverse Colombia is, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the abundance of travel experiences and destinations at your fingertips. Our Destination Specialists have lived, worked, or travelled extensively in the regions they sell, so they can help curate your trip to Colombia to your standards. Simply browse our sample Colombia itineraries for inspiration, then speak with a Destination Specialist to create a custom experience for your travel style, with 24/7 in-destination support behind every trip.
Colombia Travel FAQs
Why is Colombia so popular right now?
Colombia has undergone a decade-long tourism transformation. According to ProColombia, the country welcomed nearly six million international travellers from January to November 2025, earned a record US$11.2 billion in tourism revenue, and landed on 2026 must-visit lists from publications including Lonely Planet, Condé Nast, and Forbes.
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
Colombia is a year-round destination, with temperatures varying by altitude rather than season. July and August bring a mini dry season and peak international visits, December to January and Easter are the domestic peaks, and October to November offers the best value with thinner crowds.
Is Colombia good for soft adventure and multi-generational trips?
Absolutely. Colombia offers a full spectrum from birdwatching, light hikes, and coffee-farm visits to multi-day jungle treks like the Lost City. A tailor-made itinerary can mix gentle and challenging experiences in one trip, making it ideal for families travelling together across generations.
What is community-based tourism in Colombia?
Community-based tourism ensures local people are the primary beneficiaries of tourism development. Colombia is a recognized leader, with a national public policy for sustainable tourism and community-led experiences ranging from Indigenous territories in the Amazon and Sierra Nevada to rural coffee landscapes.
Mitchell's love of travel and adventure was formed during family road trips in a minivan across Western Canada. He has since passionately pursued a career in travel ever since his first job working at the front desk of a Calgary Holiday Inn. He now leads Goway's marketing and serves as Globetrotting's editor in chief. Mitchell thrives on pushing his boundaries and challenging his fears, seeking out travel experiences that promise adventure and excitement. However, above all, Mitchell is driven by his love of food, delighting in the diverse culinary landscapes he encounters around the globe.