COLOMBIA OUTDOORS

Colombia is fast becoming well-known for its exciting outdoor excursions, adrenaline-packed activities, and adventure travel experiences, as it is for colonial towns, idyllic islands, and intriguing cultural history. There are horse riding trails, ATV tours, and skydiving to be enjoyed from Bogotá, hiking through the Cocora Valley and wider Coffee Region, waterfall walks surrounding Bogotá, mountain biking through the Colombian countryside, and much, much more! Here is an introduction to Colombia Outdoors, with some unmissable outdoor activities to be enjoyed during your trip to Colombia.

 

Leticia

 

Trek to a Lost City

 

The Ciudad de Perdida (the Lost City) is located deep in the jungle of the Sierra Mountains. The point of the 4-day trek is to reach the fascinating, hidden ruins that were built in 850AD by the Tayrona people. This multi-day trek through the jungle is epic. Be prepared to sleep on bunk beds, trek through the mud, and cross rivers. This is a Colombian adventure you will never forget.

 

Visit a remote Island

 

The islands off the Caribbean coast of Colombia are gorgeous. When you visit Cartagena, you’ll be offered a number of trips to nearby islands. For a more authentic trip consider one of the islands in the Rosario Archipelago or the San Bernardo and go find your own deserted tropical island paradise.

 

Rosario Islands

 

Hike Tayrona National Park

 

This national park not only offers the trek to The Lost City but other outdoor adventures within the park. Located on the northern shores, people flock here for hiking, swimming, and sleeping in hammocks. The popular trip is to do an overnight hike to Cabo San Juan de Guia beach and spend the night in a hammock overlooking the sea. This can be a lot of fun (weather permitting), and the scenery is spectacular. 

 

Hike up 740 Steps to the Piedra Peñol

Located in the town of El Peñol, on the border with Guatapé, is this massive granite rock. Hike up the 740 steps for fantastic views from the top. This hike is one of the most popular things to do in Colombia, as many people venture here on a day trip from Medellin.

 

El Peñol

 

Go White Water Rafting

There are a couple of great spots for white water rafting around San Gil. Rio Suarez is the most popular option because it’s more challenging and really gets the adrenaline pumping, but Rio Fonce is also beautiful and can be enjoyed by weaker swimmers and even children.

 

A Colombian Safari

 

The Llanos Orientales is one of Colombia’s most diverse ecosystems with mid-blowing flora and fauna. There are several ways to experience this adventure by jeep as there are not many roads. It takes about 5-7 hours, depending on your safari. From Yopal in Casanare you can find a number of natural reserves in the Llanos region. We recommend the Hato la Aurora private reserve or The unique glamping experience of the Colombia Outdoors at the Corocora Camp to get even closer to nature.

 

Llanos Orientales

 

La Guajira, 

 

This is the northern part of Colombia where the Wayúu community resides and is totally off the beaten track. Be prepared to ride many hours by jeep to enjoy the best highlights: Run down the dunes of Punta Gallinas, let yourself be carried away by its sunsets, and discover a culture very different from yours.

Kite Surfing

 

People come from all over the world to El Cabo de la Vela, where kite surfing is popular. You first need to get to Riohacha, the capital, and then head up north. Kitesurfing at Calima Lake, with its excellent wind conditions (3rd best in the world!), intrepid kite surfers can have the experience of a lifetime.

 

El Cabo de la Vela

 

Visit the Colombian Amazon

This is after all the most important rainforest in the world.  There are no 5-star hotels, lots of mosquitos, and the environment is very humid and usually wet. It is worth coming here for at least 5 days to experience the rainforest to the full. Grab a kayak and explore the flooded jungle or follow your local guide to sleep several nights in the Amazon, surrounded by scary noises. The perfect place for adventure and getting out of your comfort zone. 

 

Visit Colombia´s largest National Park

The biggest Colombian National Park of Chiribiquete was declared a natural heritage of humanity in 2018. The park restrictions are due to the protection of 5 indigenous tribes that live in the region. You can fly over the area with certain travel agencies that have permission to do so.  Very close to Guaviare and Caqueta, there are petroglyphs and pictographs dated more than 20.000 years ago.

 

Pictograph in Chiribiquete

Visit a Coffee Farm

There are more than 500.000 families that live on coffee plantations in Colombia. Arabica Coffee plants are harvested on steep mountains and collected by hand before processing. The coffee Triangle, known as El Eje Cafetero, is located in the departments of Quindio, Caldas, and Risaralda, and would be the most accessible place to see a plantation.

Paragliding

There are several places in Colombia to do paragliding. Although each has its unique views, some are a must-go if this type of sport suits you.  You can see great views from the Chicamocha Canyon when paragliding from San Gil. This is the most visited place for this purpose. If you want to see Medellín from the sky, San Felix is just under 1 hour from Medellin. In the heart of the coffee zone, there is a paragliding center in Buenavista, located about an hour away from Salento. Jerico is also an excellent place to practice this sport. It is located southwest of Antioquia, and the views are outstanding.

 

Paragliding over Jerico, Colombia

Scuba and Snorkel

The island of San Andres is located up north in the Caribbean sea. There are several spots to dive around the island, each with its unique sights. Most of these dives aren’t deep and with excellent underwater visibility. This will allow you to admire the colorful reefs easily. Moreover, the water’s temperature is between 26-28°C/79-82°FProvidencia has several depths for diving, anywhere from 30ft to 130ft. These two places offer excellent diving conditions all year round. Still, try to avoid going there during holidays such as Semana Santa or the first weeks of January. It can get very crowded.

 

Head to The Cocora Valley

 

Cocora is located in the heart of the coffee zone between Armenia and Pereira. You get to Salento, and from there, a jeep takes you to Cocora valley. One of the main attractions is the national tree of Colombia. These wax palm trees are the tallest in the world and can get as high as 200ft. It has one of the most famous hiking trails in Colombia, and you’ll need between 4-6 hours depending on how fast you can go, and you don’t need a guide to do it!

 

Cocora Valley

Hike to La Chorrera Waterfall

A mere 40min from Bogota lies Colombia’s highest waterfall, La Chorrera at 590m (1,935 ft). The hike takes you past picturesque villages, friendly farmers, and breathtaking views of the green mountainous countryside. Rappelling is also available.

 

Whale Watching on the Pacific Coast

 

This is one of the great things to see when visiting Colombia if you are in for nature. Whales are seen in the Pacific Ocean from July to October, especially in The Nuqui region. Whales usually go out when the sun and the sea are calm. So best to go early in the day or late in the evening. These places have warm and humid weather, so dress accordingly for better comfort. Take binoculars beside your camera for better views. Remember that the boat should stay at least 200m from the whales as this can scare them off.

 

Whale Watching in Nuqui

 

If you are looking to discover more about Colombia outdoors, then contact us here at Va Expeditions to help you plan your Colombia Outdoor adventure!