After we watched Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode on Colombia, we were surprised to find ourselves pining for the beaches of Medellín, the romantic, vine-draped courtyards of Cartagena, and the art, design and restaurants of Bogotá. We’ll get there someday, but for now…Here are some resources to help you plan your own “travels with two” to Colombia.
COLOMBIA
Guides
Official Tourism Guide
National Geographic
New York Times
Frommers
Fodors
Concierge.com
Anthony Bourdain
Globe Trekker
Natural Parks of Colombia
Articles
Budget Travel search results
NGT’s Intelligent Travel: My Favorite Colombian Sweet
Condé Nast Traveller: Bad Reputation, Great Destination: Bogotá
Condé Nast Traveller: Cartagena: Sleeping Beauty
Travel + Leisure: Cartagena, A Hidden Retreat
New York Magazine: Shake Your Hips in Cartagena
New York Magazine: Romance the Past in Bogotá
Got Saga: 6 Incredible Places in Colombia That You’ve Probably Never Heard of Before
Santuario de las Lajas, Ipiales, Colombia - photo by Carlos Adampol Galindo
Blogs
Medellin Living
Gadling
Almost Fearless
Cartegena - photo by Ho Visto Nina Volare
Places to Stay
South Travels
Colombia Link
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Travel Agents & Tours
Geographic Expeditions
Big Five Tours & Expeditions
Mantaraya Travel
Tours of Colombia
Tours by Locals
Have a Colombia tip, story, or blog post you’d like to share?
Nice post: practical and pretty. Great map. Love the links to articles and blogs in one convenient place. Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena are high on my list of places to visit as well, and I’m saving this information for when it’s time to seriously plan and book. Thank you!
Wow, lots of great tips. I’ve only been to Brazil, nowhere else in South America, but now I’m dying for some Columbian action
Thanks for the map too – dunno why, but I always find this useful as a visual reference.
Mitzyli and Andy, thank you! I have Binders on dozens of countries and almost all five U.S. states — and believe me, the maps help me every bit as much as I hope they’ll help other travelers. I’m always amazed how much geography I’ve forgotten since school…
I keep notes on places I plan to visit when I read articles about them, or speak to people who have visted there. My notes on Columbia, if anyone is interested:
BOGOTA
Neighborhood: Zona Rosa
Do: bike on Sunday, Botero Museum, funicular to Monserate, Salt Cathedral, Museo del Oro, Usaquen Flea Market (Sundays),
Eat: Estrella de los Rios (owner only let’s you in is she likes you), Bogota Beer Compant (burgers), Casa Vieja, El Envigadeno, La Sociedad
Hotel: Abadaia Colonial ($110), Hotel Andino Royal ($200), Hotel de la Opera ($150),
CALI
Hotel: NOW ($155),
CARTAGENA
Hotel: *Tcherassi Hotel, Casa Lola
Bar: Cafe Havaba (dive), El Coro (Sofitel),
Do: Park Tayrona for hiking, Casa Lola, speedboat to The Rosario Islands,
Eat: Restaurant Don Juan, Le Cevicheria,
Mitzyli, thank you so much for posting your Colombia notes — you’re a traveler after my own heart!