Looking for an unforgettable adventure in South America? Look no further than Colombia! This incredible country is packed with natural wonders, fascinating history, and vibrant culture that is sure to captivate you.
Colombia boasts two stunning coastlines, one on the Pacific and one on the Caribbean, as well as towering mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and lowland plains that make up the interior.
Along its coasts, you’ll find unspoiled beaches and picturesque tropical islands, while cities like Bogota, Cali, and Medellin offer a diverse range of attractions, from world-class museums and eateries to pulsating nightclubs and charming colonial architecture.
But that’s not all. Colombia is also home to some of the most impressive ancient sites in the region, including San Augustin and Ciudad Perdida de Teyuni, as well as stunning national parks like Amacayacu and Los Nevados, where you can hike through breathtaking woods and volcanoes.
And let’s not forget about the beaches. Colombia’s coastline spans both the immense depths of the Pacific Ocean and the tropical warmth of the Caribbean Sea, and is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches. Whether you prefer soft sand or rough shores, Colombia has something to offer. So why wait? Book your trip to Colombia today and start exploring!
10. Playa Manzanillo, Providencia
the San Juan del Guia Beach in Tayrona National Park, Colombia. Image source: Jess Kraft/Shutterstock.com
On the southeast coast of the uninhabited Caribbean island of Providencia is a beautiful harbor with a stretch of sand that stretches for 300 meters and is in immaculate condition. Playa Manzanillo is not the most convenient beach to visit (it’s actually closer to Nicaragua than Colombia), but the journey will be well worth it once you lay eyes on the beach’s gorgeous blue seas.
Everything about this place reeks of that typical laid-back Caribbean vibe. Take in the soothing sounds of reggae music as you enjoy a glass at the beach’s lone bar. One of the greatest times to take in the tropical atmosphere is in the evening, when the modest bar really starts to buzz.
Relaxing beneath a palm tree while the warm waves wash at your feet is all this beach is good for. No watersports or high-octane activities are allowed.
9. El Rodadero, Santa Marta
the Bright port of Rodadero in Santa Marta, Colombia. Image source: Ekaterina McClaud/Shutterstock.com
El Rodadero, Santa Marta offers everything you need for a perfect Caribbean holiday and is widely considered to be one of the best beaches in all of Colombia.
There are plenty of places to stay in town, and the town’s many eateries and watering holes virtually spill out onto the beach. A long stretch of coastline is sheltered by the towering mountains on each side. The water is great for swimming, and you can even attempt some more extreme sports like water skiing if you’re feeling adventurous.
During peak times, the beach may become quite crowded with locals taking advantage of their days off and merchants offering things to sunbathers, but this just adds to the lively atmosphere and provides for great people-watching. Don’t forget to circle back around at nightfall to see the sun sinking dramatically below the horizon.
8. Sapzurro
The turquoise bay of Sapzurro near Capurgana, Colombia. Image source: Kangtaejoon/Shutterstock.com
Sapzurro’s green bay is a stunning location for a vacation. Sapzurro is a great place to get away from it all, turn off your phone and computer, and relax in the stunning natural setting close to the border with Panama. Sapzurro, a little town with a magnificent beach, is so far from civilization that the only way to get there is by boat.
Sapzurro is the right remedy for those who are feeling the weight of contemporary life. Immerse yourself in the warm waters of the ocean and explore the underwater world by snorkeling or scuba diving.
Surrounding the village and the bay lies a vast expanse of uncharted forest, begging to be explored. After a morning of vigorous trekking beneath the jungle canopy, relax in the afternoon on the beach or in the bay’s quiet waters.
7. Taganga
A scenic view of the Caribbean coast in Taganga, Colombia. Image source: Jazzmany/Shutterstock.com
Within the last two decades, Taganga has transformed from a sleepy fishing hamlet with a nice beach to a bustling resort town with dozens of hotels, restaurants, and stores. If you want a beautiful beach with convenient facilities and a stress-free vacation, go no further than Taganga Beach.
Despite its small size, Taganga Beach has ideal swimming conditions because of the bay’s protection from the surrounding, gently rolling hills. Scuba divers are particularly drawn to this stretch of shore because of the abundance of dive shops in the region.
There are a few pubs and clubs frequented by revelers who want to let their hair down after work.
6. El Cabo San Juan
A view of Cabo San Juan at Tayrona Park in Santa Marta, Colombia. Image source: Janeth Warrick/Shutterstock.com
Located in Tayrona National Park, El Cabo San Juan is a beautiful, traditional sandy beach. With its convenient location—just a half-drive hour from Santa Maria—El Cabo San Juan may be easily included in a trip to any of Colombia’s most famous tourist destinations.
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Caribbean coast can be found in El Cabo San Juan, a relatively unspoiled area where you won’t find any loud bars or even many automobiles. There’s just one beachside eatery, and it’s the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a drink in hand. Then, if you’re feeling very daring, you may spend the night in a hammock on the finca (Spanish for “estate”) or, for a little more shelter, at the campsite.
5. Palomino
the natural beauty of Palomino Beach in Colombia. Image source: LAYER CULTURE/Shutterstock.com
At first glance, this beach may not seem like a typical Caribbean paradise, but after you go beyond the town’s sprawling urban center, you’ll find one of the world’s most beautiful shorelines.
Palomino is a terrific home base for your beach vacation because of its abundance of reasonably priced lodging options and kind and welcoming inhabitants. With the towering Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, Palomino Beach offers a large amount of tropical isolation.
Splash about in the crystal-clear waters and take in the Colombian way of life; this place is always intriguing and distinctive because of its vast biodiversity and the indigenous people who still live traditional lifestyles in the highlands.
4. Johnny Cay
the beauty of Johnny Cay Island in the Archipelago of San Andres in the Colombian Caribbean. Image source: Larissa Chilanti/Shutterstock.com
When you picture paradise, this is the type of place that comes to mind. Johnny Cay is a popular beach destination in Colombia due to its palm trees, white sand, and calm waters. This little island is located in the San Andres and Providencia archipelagos, just across from San Andres Town.
Although there is a modest cost to visiting Johnny Cay since it is part of a regional park, once you are there, you are free to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Even though it might become crowded during peak season, you can always find room for oneself on this beach, which is refreshing because of its pristine white sand and warm, clear waves.
You may spend the day relaxing on a rented sun lounger and eating delicious, locally sourced dishes served at the island’s several restaurants. The island is so tiny that it can be walked around in under an hour. The park shuts at 4 p.m., so if you’re ready to travel back to the island, you can easily catch a boat.
3. Guachalito Beach
the natural beauty of Guachalito Beach in Colombia. Image source: oscar garces/Shutterstock.com
When visiting Colombia, you must visit Guachalito Beach, easily one of the most stunning beaches in the country. The beach is surrounded by thick, unspoiled forest where incredible wildlife roams freely and waterfalls cascade down sheer cliff faces, making up a portion of what is perhaps one of the most radically striking natural environments in the nation.
Travelers may experience authentic Colombian rural life in this region. The black sands of Guachalito’s beaches are part of the reason the area is so stunning, and if you’re fortunate, you can see whales and dolphins here, too.
An eco-lodge on the shore of Guachalito Beach provides a one-of-a-kind lodging option for those who value environmental responsibility.
2. Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca, located on Island Baru near Cartagena, Colombia. Image source: streetflash/Shutterstock.com
Playa Blanca is often regarded as the finest beach in Colombia due to its brilliant white sand and crystal blue waters. The beach sits on Isla Baru, a peninsula southwest of the old city of Cartagena that can only be reached by boat.
Travelers looking to relax on a beautiful beach for a few days should definitely consider visiting Playa Blanca. Sun loungers may be rented, and there’s a snack bar for when you get hungry. Part of Utria National Park, Playa Blanca is a great place to see migrating humpback whales from July to October.
1. Pilon de Azucar
the coast of La Guajira peninsula, located in Colombia. Image source: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock.com
Pilón de Azcar is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It seems like a paradise with its sandy shoreline and glistening ocean. This is a very unusual beach. It is found at the point where the Guajira Desert dips into the warmth of the Caribbean Sea.
Sand grains of contrasting colors—orange, red, and brown—swirl into the water and create a vibrant color contrast. Take advantage of the calm waters of the sea, the warm sunshine, and the opportunity to explore the area’s rocky shoreline by swimming, sunning, and rock-hopping.
Get here early so you may enjoy the whole day in paradise. Then, for an absolutely beautiful experience, wait until the sun sets and the land and sky flame orange as the spectrum of hues are reflected over the water.
