Colombia unique locations

Colombia individual tours: Thanks to its privileged location on the continent, all the ingredients for an unforgettable trip in Colombia are present: glaciers, beaches, plains, rainforests and deserts. Colombian culture is an interesting mix of Indian, European and African cultures. It is difficult to decide from the many special destinations that Colombia has to offer. But whatever the decision, adventure will not be missed on your vacation.* For an impression watch the video
* Choose a planned individual journey or make with personal accents
* For a complete South America experience, choose one of the combo travel

Unique Locations Colombia from Go Local Travel
The highlights of Colombia are actually enough for an unforgettable trip. If you still want to look further, finish the trip with your own personal accents, which you will find below. Discover the special places in Colombia!

Unique locations for your personal touches to the trip

Zipaquira and Guatavita lake (day tour from Bogota)Zipaquira salt CathedralThe salt cathedral in Zipaquira is one of the most special of its kind. The cathedral is located 120m underground, built in a salt mine, which is still active. Authentic salt mines (less touristy) can be found in Nemocon. On this tour you will also visit the sacred lake of the Muisca Indians, the myth of the Eldorado started here. You can take a walk and hear great stories. Not only are these attractions beautiful, but also the villages themselves are well worth visiting.

 

Guajira culture and nature Caribbean coast

Cabo La Vela Playa AzucarIIA beautiful peninsula and also the least visited part of the Caribbean coast. Another pure area, inhabited by the Wayuu Indians. The goat market is already an experience in itself, but the landscapes you will encounter are unique. You'll pass salt fields along the way – you can see traditional salt extraction – and the desert. From the desert you walk into the crystal clear water. You will stay here in a hammock and simple huts on the beach.

 

Nabusimake culture inland

NabusimakeWith the Arhuacos Indians you go back hundreds of years in time. One of the few places in the world where a tribe has managed to preserve the original culture to this extent. There are even places here where tourists are not allowed to come. The villages are truly beautiful and the area lends itself perfectly to very nice walks. During your stay, with local families, you can also take several walks. When you visit this area, a great respect for the culture and environment will become a part of you.

 

Leticia jungle Jungle in Amazon €875,- /5 days)

Leticia jungle, Colombia locations

For people who want to see more of the Amazons than just organized tourism we have an ecolodge adventure on the Yavari River. From Leitaca it is about another 4 hours by boat (Brazil). Due to the travel time, we recommend a stay of 5 days. You will still encounter truly untouched nature and many bird species, flora and fauna because of the limited tourism. In the coming days you will take walks, canoe tours, night tours and get acquainted with Native American communities. Activities are required in consultation with the lodge and possibly also a multi-day canoe trip (airfare including, vaccination yellow fever). 

Tierradentro alternative to San AgustinTierradaentroThe 'land inside', 1000 years ago monumental tombs were made here on the tops of hills. Some of these tombs are up to 12 meters deep and have original paintings, revealing the social complexity and cultural richness that was there long before the Spaniards came. From here you have beautiful views over the valleys. The local Indian market on Saturday is also highly recommended.

 

NP Los Nevados Andean plateau €290,-

Los NevadosActive volcanoes, sleeping volcanoes with snow tops, warm water sources and deep valleys: everything can be found here. Guaranteed unique views and spectacular environments. Please note that the draw requires a good condition. Several tours are possible, but the most common trekking is that of 2 nights. You can also opt for our 3-day trek with climb on the glacier. You spend the night in simple huts and go from 2450m with all the luggage to the encampment at 4000m. Here you have a magnificent view of Nevado de Tolima. At 04:00 you leave for the glaciers for a view over Park los Nevados, on the way back to a thermal bath. Finally, travel back to Bogotá.

Golfo de Morisquillo Caribbean coast 4-6 days resortCartagena BeachA unique place for both beach and nature lovers. You will stay in an ecolodge located in a nature reserve or on beautiful beaches. You will take walks in the nature reserve with a guide and during the two rest days you can enjoy the nearby beach or discover optional activities of the lodge.

 

 

Caño Cristales 4 days only July to November) v.a. €495 with flight (Bogota or Medellin)This unique piece of nature is 1 hour flight from Bogota (or Medellin) and can only be reached by plane. You come here in a jungle environment where the river has a spectacular kind of algae that turn the river into the most beautiful colors. With the animals and waterfalls, paradise is complete. Stay is these days in La Macarena and the hotel is easy in nature. After the flight you have the time to yourself and you can possibly already go to Caño Piedra or Caño Cristalitos. The next day you will take a small boat to Caño Cristales. Along the way you will see various animals (monkey caimans) and bird species and there is plenty of time to enjoy the waterfalls and natural pools in paradise. The third day you will discover another part of the river. The next day we say goodbye to the area and fly back to Bogota (or Villavicencio). Take a look at location here

Choco, Nuqui Pacific coast eco lodge v.a. Medellin

Choco (Pacific), Colombia locationsNowhere is the tropical rainforest as lush as in the Amazon, but the Choco region hardly detracts from it. The beaches here are more lonely than those on the Caribbean Sea and the people are considered the friendliest in Colombia… The Colombian Pacific region invites you to explore an undiscovered tourist destination, full of virgin and unspoilt nature with white beaches, crystal clear jungle rivers and one of the highest bio-diversity in the world with hundreds of endemic species. Immerse yourself in a true pacific experience for a week.

Capurgana Caribbean coast near Panama 4d v.a.€ 450,-


Capurganá is a remote, car-free village on colombia's Pacific coast (west), accessible only by flight or by boat. It is known for quiet bays with a dense rainforest as a backdrop. Also underwater it offers plenty of beautiful nature and is a popular spot for divers. You stay here in an 'all-inclusive' resort with less than 50 rooms on one of the most beautiful beaches. From here you can undertake various activities and hike to surrounding villages, piece of rainforest and beaches. It is possible to combine this stay with a stay on Nuqui (pacific).

Casanare Hato La Aurora Savannah 4-day wild life € 715, Bogota

Casanare La Aurora, Colombia locationsHato La Aurora is a reserve of 16,000 hectares in Casanare. Located in the vast eastern plains. This part of Colombia has a very unique ecosystem. Here you have the chance to see fantastic wildlife and birds. White-tailed sweethearts, jaguars, capybara, caimans, iguanas and giant anteaters are a few of the species you can find. The reserve is known as the "Colombian Safari", and its beauty will surely render you speechless. If you are a wildlife or bird photographer, this is a destination you don't want to miss. With 4×4, horse or motorboat you will discover here (all inclusive)

Taironaka primary forest and culture €220,-/3 days on the Caribbean coast )

Taironaka, Colombia locations

A relatively unknown destination and only 1 hour away from Santa Marta. It is a location ideal for the bird/nature lover. It lies in the foothills of the mountains of the Sierra Nevadade Santa Marta. Where there are a few cabanas on the Don Diego River. The cabins are complete including shower and toilette, but there is no electricity. In this nature reserve you will also find the Kogi families. The next 3 days you will get acquainted with the flora and fauna.

 

Jungle San José de Guaviare primary forest 3 days nature and history € 470, Bogota

San Jose Guaviare jungleLocated in the vast eastern San José de Guaviare. With an 8-hour bus ride from Bogota or a domestic flight, you'll arrive in san Jose giving access to a very special place. Here you get native culture and jungle experience where you can go see many animals. You stay in Cabanas and you can put together your own program with the guide for hiking, boat trips, spotting fauna, waterfalls, etc different species of monkeys and colourful birds you will definitely see during the tours. This includes certainly Ciudad de piedra for various stone formations and tunnels, pozos naturales along the crystals of the river, a beautiful waterfall, an encounter with a shaman and by boat over the Guavuare River with the chance of many birds and parrots.

Jungle Guaninia with Cerros de Mavecure primary forest 5 day nature and community € 550 or group tour, Bogota
Guainia and Los cerros de Mavecure, a special stretch of Colombia near the border of Venezuela tucked away on the transition from Savanna to the tropical forest. There are still few tourists in this section. The overnight stays are very easy for residents of different communities. The scenery, activities and different communities make this a fantastic and unforgettable journey. These communities can only be reached by boat, this is also one of the few places where a car does not yet belong to general good. The journey starts in Inirida where you will arrive by plane from Bogota. From here the tour starts to the communities. They will welcome you and here you will spend the next few days and you will get the meals. They also take care of the local guides to show you the area. The 5 day trip takes you the first day to the community La Ceiba, here are hammocks and beds of the night. After 20 years of persevering, this community has now established the first independent in friendly honey production. This incredible success story is not only fascinating to visit but also to taste. You will also take a walk here and can take part in their famous handicrafts with clay and reeds. In the night there is a possibility of fishing (recommended also for non fishermen!) and in early morning it is great to see how the village awakens. Then you can sail on the motor canoe to the remanso community. Here you stay 2 nights again in bed or hammock. The height point is Los cerros de Mavecure (the famous rocks that rise from the forest), but the experience of the daily life of these communities is not much less. Note the stay is very easy and has little privacy. In the villages you will see the activities (participate) that fill their daily life (making Yuca, fishing, washing, going to school etc). Finally, sail back to Inirida and visit Parque Rupestre amarra where you will see the mysterious famous petroglyphs. Along the way there are opportunities to spot the freshwater dolphins and see the different rivers come together. The night is in Reserva natural Acefin. Here it is a bit more luxurious and there is a Glamping set up. Another highlight is climbing the trees for fantastic views and bird watching. Furthermore, there are many walks possible through the forest with the guide. A tour for holders but an experience you won't soon forget.

A few more day tours for consideration

Peñol-Guatapé day tour from Medellin et cetera with overnight stayGuatape is about 2 hours from Medellin and here you can explore the 19th century colonial village, with houses painted in all colors of the rainbow and narrow cobbled streets. After the visit to Guatapé, continue to the nearby Piedra de Peñol ("The Rock of Guatape"), a 220-foot-tall, ancient rock formation that you can climb by taking the 740 steps. A big climb but the wide view from the top over the huge Peñol-Guatapé reservoir more than makes up for it.

 

Tuesday Market Silvia day tour from Popayan60 km away from Popayan is the authentic town of Silvia, the indigenous city of the Guambiano people. People still wear their traditional clothes: colorful long dresses, ponchos and scarves. The women wear amazingly beautiful white necklaces. The guambiano ethnic group lives in villages around Silvia. Every Tuesday they sell their products at the traditional market in Silvia. From the bus station in Popyan there are buses (1.5h) and collectivos (1h) that depart every half hour to Sylvia. For Colombia another unique authentic market.

 

Real Cartagena day tour from CartagenaCartagena is one of the special places in Colombai and famous for its fantastically beautiful houses and warm colored houses. Also has a different face behind these colorful streets. With the help of a local partner, attention is given to the community that does not participate in the tourist mass. They show you (with an English-language guide) a special piece of Colombian life. Of course we will have a moment to think about the famous squares and streets of Cartagena, but after that you will visit the fishermen in the mangrove and/or the market at Bazurta. Here you can buy yourself some essentials with which you will visit the community. After the introduction you will jointly convert the fresh vegetables into a delicious meal. After this day you will say goodbye and be taken back to your hotel in Cartagena. Suitable for: People who want to see more of the traditional life in Colombia, it is an outing that is particularly well organized.

Isla Rosario day tour from Cartagena possibly with overnight stayCartagena is a country and culture in itself, but if you want to relax in a tropical way then a day tour (or with stay!) on the island archipelago isla Rosario is the best way. Here you will find peace and no commercial activities. From the historic centre it is about 45 minutes boat ride by water taxi. This leaves in the morning and at the end of the afternoon you will be brought back. The day tour includes a lunch and if desired you can dive from here as well.

 

Taironaka from Santa Marta day tour from Santa Marta or Palamino possibly with overnight stayTaironaka is a location located between Santa Marta and Palominos. It is a very accessible place to get in touch with the Kogi Indian tribe. A very special people who, more than 50 years ago, proclaimed that human behaviour is going to be a climate change. The location you visit here has exposed a wealth of history. Living terraces have been found (and restored) and many special artifacts have been found and are now in a museum. In addition to the culture, you will also get a guided tour of the garden full of fruit trees and plants. To get here there is a 10-minute canoe trip or a fantastic 20-minute walk that is brightened up with birds and the sounds of the roar monkey, in fine weather the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada contrast in stark contrast to the forest in which you find yourself.

21-Day sample trip €1,385,- 

DTatacoa Deserto you want to get a complete picture of Colombia's versatility? And discover the special places in Colombia? Then this trip is highly recommended! You travel individually through the country. You travel by private and public transport. In this trip we have included the most important and varied locations. You can book your stay in two classes: comfort and luxury. In both cases we have searched for small beautiful personal stays. This trip includes: Tatacao desert, San Agustin, Zona Cafatera, Medellin, Tayrona and finally Cartagena. Join us for a full description and impression of this trip!