Here you eat, sleep, and drink: All tips for Colombia
Oh, I’ve completely caught the vacation vibe. I just returned from Greece, but in my mind, I’m already planning the next vacation. It’s probably going to be Bali, nice cliché but always good. Are you a bit tired of the standard destinations, do you want to enjoy the sun, beautiful cultures, nature, and good food? Oh yes, and are you not averse to a bit of traveling during your vacation? Check, check, double check? Okay, then Colombia is for you. A very beautiful country that has been increasingly discovered by tourists lately. So yes, this is still the most ideal time to go, before it gets flooded and you are surrounded by tourist traps. Check here all the places you don’t want to miss, the hotspots where you want to eat or drink cocktails, and the most special hotels in Colombia where you want to sleep. For example, in a floating hotel in the ocean, just to name one.
Places in Colombia
Bogotá
An ideal place to start your Colombia trip. Besides the fact that it is of course the capital and you will probably fly here, it is also a nice city to spend a few days. The people here are super friendly and you can do a lot of bike tours. Maybe very stereotypically Dutch, but I always really enjoy being able to bike in a city. Also, definitely spot the street art here – you can do free graffiti tours every day. Climb the Monserrate mountain for the best view over the entire city. You can do that on foot or take a little train up (which is not only less tiring but also fun). Handy: They have Uber in Bogotá, so that’s definitely the most convenient (and reliable) way of transport.
Salento
Super cute little village, which you can travel to from Bogotá by bus or plane. The first option is of course a lot slower: expect to be on the bus for at least eight hours. However, it is the cheapest option, so it depends a bit on your budget and preference how you want to get there. Most people come here to visit the Cocora Valley, where you can take beautiful walks or go hiking. You absolutely have to do that when you’re in Salento. Furthermore, it’s a quiet little village and not very big, but there are many nice restaurants and cafes. As a foodie, you’re in the right place here.
Medellín
One of the, perhaps the most fun, cities in Colombia. You have everything here: the authentic Colombia, trendy hotspots, there’s a lot to do in the evenings, and there are friendly people. It’s also recommended to take a day trip from here to the village of Guatapé, which is about a two-hour drive. It’s a very colorful village that is really nice to walk through. Furthermore, there’s not much to do, so a day trip is enough. Just like in Bogotá, you can also join free tours here, with the walking tour being the most fun.
Santa Marta
A city where you can easily spend a day and a night to relax. The city itself is not very interesting, but they have nice eateries where you can eat well. A vacation or trip to Colombia is also about a lot of traveling, so occasionally taking a day to relax isn’t so bad.
Minca
A very small village in the middle of the jungle. If you feel like doing absolutely nothing except enjoying beautiful nature, you’re in the right place. There are plenty of activities, such as safaris, hiking, or mountain biking, but as I said, it’s very small. So take cash with you when you go here, because it’s so small that there’s no ATM to be found. However, it’s definitely worth a visit, as the views are stunning. You can also take trips from Minca to Tayrona National Park (do it) and the fishing village of Taganga (also do it).
Palomina
In the mood for a beach day, or beach days? Yes, this is where you want to be. Just like Minca, a small village, and just like in Minca, there’s no ATM. However, there are very beautiful beaches with stunning sunsets, and this place hasn’t really been discovered by the thousands of tourists yet. So it’s still relatively quiet. You can also go tubing (super fun) and eat well.
Cartagena
Another colorful city and according to many, the most beautiful city in all of Colombia. Don’t skip it. Go wild in the nightlife and take mud baths in the El Totumo volcano. Also, definitely check out the sunset. In Cartagena, it’s also possible to join free walking tours, which I always find a fun way to get to know the city better. Warning: the beach here can be really very crowded and touristy. Not exactly a recommendation.
Cabo de la Vela
A very small village in the north of Colombia. No public transport comes here, so arrange a car, jeep, or taxi yourself. It may take some effort to get here, but once you are, it’s worth it many times over. This village is located in the desert, and as you can imagine, it offers a unique view. You sleep here in ‘chinchorro’s’, large hammocks under one roof. Completely out of your comfort zone here. You can book organized tours, which is the smartest option. Through such a tour, transportation and accommodation are arranged.
Providencia
Actually, this doesn’t officially belong to Colombia, but is a Caribbean island. This little island is about four kilometers long and definitely worth a visit. For example, to visit Crab Cay, a rock you can reach by boat or canoe. You don’t often see bluer water, I think. A plus is that a flight to Providencia is considered a domestic flight: you can get there for a bargain. Do it.
Hotspots Colombia
Donde Laurita (Salento)
The most famous spot in the village of Salento, and for good reason. Definitely order the ‘trout’ here, a Colombian fish dish that Salento is known for. It’s a super colorful, truly Colombian place with very friendly service. And incredibly delicious food, of course.
Ouzo (Santa Marta)
This is a Mediterranean hotspot, so yes: you can also get the drink ouzo here. Furthermore, they have a Greek salad on the menu, bruschettas, burrata, but also octopus, pizzettas, and calamari. A night of tapas, I personally never say no to that.
Bao Bei (Medellín)
A Korean night in Medellín, why not? Well, you’re not the only one with that plan. Reservations are a must, otherwise your dinner here won’t happen. Even if you have made a reservation, you should expect a long wait. But yes, it must be good, right? Exactly, it certainly is.
OCI.mde (Medellín)
When you’re on vacation, you should also pamper yourself with a nice dinner. And you do that here. No fine dining with foams and mousses, but pure ingredients that are very well prepared. The menu changes every five months, all the more reason to keep coming back here.
Lulo (Santa Marta)
For the best ceviche, you have to be here. Like many fun hotspots in Colombia, they don’t have a website, but ask in Santa Marta for this place and they will know what you mean. This is also a nice spot for lunch, with many avocado dishes.
La Frontera (Palomino)
If you’re completely done with all that Colombian food: here they have pizza. And what pizza. The pizzas are incredibly delicious and only cost about five euros. A nice change, but I can eat pizza at any time of the day. If you feel the same way, you’re in luck: they are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Nice name, that’s already a plus. As I said, Minca is a very small village, but you can eat well at different spots. This is one of them. From breakfast to coffee, healthy smoothies; they have it all here.
La Miga Panadería (Minca)
What I always, or almost always, miss on vacation: good, fresh, and tasty bread. This spot in Colombia is run by a French owner, so you can guess that the bread is good. A real French bakery, and oh how nice it is to eat a fresh baguette when you’re on vacation.
La Cevichería. (Cartagena)
As the name suggests: here you eat ceviche. The best ceviche in the city, even in the whole country, according to many. Fish lovers definitely don’t want to miss this hotspot in Colombia. If you don’t eat fish, you might want to skip this one, as they don’t have much else on the menu.
Alquímico (Cartagena)
Cocktails? Yes please. Cocktails on a rooftop terrace? Oh, yes please. You also have nice bar bites or full meals here, but especially the cocktails on the rooftop terrace are the highlight.
Saint Roque (Cartagena)
Nice: an Indonesian restaurant run by a Dutch person in Colombia. And they also serve really delicious Indonesian food. As much as I love foreign food, after three weeks of South American food, I really crave something different, and Indonesian is a very tasty alternative. Also nice that you can just speak Dutch with the host here.
Di Silvio Trattoria (Cartagena)
If you feel like something other than South American, but don’t like Indonesian (is that possible?), you’re in the right place at this Italian restaurant. The food is very affordable and tasty. It’s not really suitable for an elaborate dinner, but for a pizza as lunch or dinner, this is a good plan.
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Tips for hotels in Colombia
Casa en el Agua (Cartagena)
Here. Want. To. Go. I can't say much more about it. You've probably seen this hotel on water (I repeat: On. Water.) on social media. I always get the idea from those videos that it will be unaffordable, but that's really not the case here. You do need to book well in advance: about two months. Jump into the water from your bedroom, drink cocktails while you're paddling, and definitely stay for two nights.
Casa Elemento (Minca)
This spot is located on a mountain near Minca. So you go there by jeep or motorcycle and sleep almost in the jungle. Super fun. They also organize various excursions like safaris or mountain biking. Additionally, they serve delicious and fresh food here. And the view? That's already enough reason to stay for a night or two.
Tiki Hut Hostel (Palomino)
Don't let the word ‘hostel’ scare you off. Here you not only have dorms for twenty people (okay, if you want that: you have them), but there are also private rooms. And those private rooms are the ones you want. They are cute little huts with a hammock in front of the door. Ultimate relaxation here.
Casa Kiwi Hostel (Bogotá)
This one is for the budget travelers among us. Unlike the above ‘hostel’, this is really a hostel through and through. It's clean, very cheap, and the location is great. Also, if you enjoy meeting new people, this is a nice option, as it's a very popular hostel where there's always someone up for a drink.
Cabañas Mister Mac (Providencia)
Wow, wow, wow. That view here. So beautiful. The hotel itself is very colorful from the outside. Inside it's not special, but it is clean and comfortable. Hammock in front of the door, ocean in front of the door... What more do you want?
Maloka Hostel (Bogotá)
Here you have a nice coffee bar, a rooftop terrace, and a lot of coziness. The breakfast is also extensive (which I always find a huge plus) and the location is very convenient. From this hostel, you can also book various excursions, and the staff is very helpful with that. Maloka Hostel is actually around the corner from Casa Kiwi, so you can always pop by there.
Makao (Palomino)
A bit more luxury, which is also nice on vacation. At this hotel, they have various bungalows on the beach, and from your little bungalow, you can just take a seat on a lounge bed or take a dip in the ocean. For that luxury, you pay about eighty euros per night, so that's very manageable.
Hotel Centenario (Cartagena)
Nice hotel in the middle of Cartagena, in the historic center. If you're staying in Cartagena for a few days and want to see a lot, this is a very good option. It's a very simple hotel, but equipped with all necessities and reasonably priced.
The Charlee Hotel (Medellín)
Some luxury in Medellín, at this five-star hotel you won't be lacking anything. It's really a lifestyle hotel, so you'll also find a lot of art alongside all the luxury. The restaurant, Lucia, is highly recommended. If you don't want to stay here for a few nights, definitely stop by the rooftop bar for a cocktail. Or two.
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