The 8 things to do on the Caribbean Coast in Colombia

Between the snowy summits of Sierra Nevada, the Guajira desert, exotic beaches and colonial cities, visiting the Caribbean coast in Colombia represents a journey in time and cultures!

Recently opened to tourism following the appeasement of conflicts, visiting the Caribbean coast in Colombia is now possible and represents a journey through history and landscapes.

You will let yourself be carried by its colonial cities that shaped the face of South America, such as Cartagena, which witnessed many conflicts. You will learn about the culture of the people of Tayrona and discover on their descendants who are still today the Sierra Nevada. Not to mention also its many heavenly beaches that will no longer make you dream.

To help you organize your trip, here are the 8 things to visit on the Caribbean Coast in Colombia!

1. Cartagena de Indias

For many, Cartagena de Indias represents the reason why the South American isthmus speaks Spanish and not English today.

In 1741, the settlers managed to push back the attack of the English armada. In case of victory, the British crown would have had free access to the rest of the continent. You will be seduced by his fortress or Castillo San Felipe de Bajaras which represents this victory and its historic centre and its ramparts.

Cartagena has managed to preserve its architecture and you will let yourself be carried in its colonial alleys to colorful buildings. Without forgetting its countless museums that will allow you to learn more about the culture of the country and its history. Don’t forget to get out of the fortifications to lose you in the neighborhood Getsemani which is filled with street art and strolling in the evening to enjoy its festive atmosphere.

2. The Tayrona Park

A true treasure to visit from the Colombian Caribbean coast, the Tayrona park holds its name from the ancestral people who created the Lost City or Ciudad Perdida . Indigenous people Kogi one of the descendant ethnic groups of this mysterious people still populate the place.

You will let yourself be carried by its countless sandy beaches straight out of a postcard. Wildlife and flora are also very rich and it is possible to hike through the tropical jungle to admire the ruins of Pueblito , vestige of the Tayronas people having given their name to the park and whose architecture is not without recalling the Lost City.

3. Taganga

Located between Tayrona Park and Santa Marta, Taganga is a small fishing village without great interest if it is not for the wealth of its seabed.

Indeed, you will be filled with its population of fish and coral from the Caribbean Sea. In order not to remove anything, it is also one of the most affordable places in the world in terms of rates! You can pass your PADI for about 230 euros... Not bad is it?

We also recommend you go to the beach at the end of the day to buy some fresh fish from local fishermen. Nothing like that to end the day after I dive!

4. Los Famencos

The Los Flamencos Wildlife and Flora Shrine is between Palomino and Riohacha along the Caribbean coast.

All the interest of this place lies in the wealth of its fauna. You will be able to admire many species of birds, such as pink flamingos! We advise you to go there in December and January as the population reaches more than 25,000 specimens.

The ideal is to go to Boca de Camarones and ask a local guide Wayu (La Guajira ethnic) to take you to explore the lagoons on a boat.

5. Punta Gallina

Punta Gallina is considered the most important place in North America. This is a unique place where the dunes of the Guajira Desert throw themselves into the Caribbean Sea.

It is necessary for you to use agencies to cross the desert and you will be directly in contact with the Wayu people who occupy the region at 80%. It is one of the only peoples to have always resisted the Spanish settlers.

6. Minca

Located at the entrance of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Minca is a small village in the bohemian atmosphere. The latter fully benefited from the rise of tourism in Colombia.

It will be possible to lose you in many walks through the mountains of Sierra Nevada and its countless forests, rivers and other waterfalls. This is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of cities and come and relax between heaven and earth.

You will also be able to visit one of the oldest coffee factories in the country: La Candelaria. Minca represents a taste of Sierra Nevada, which is passing through the highest coastal mountain range in the world with snow-capped peaks, the highest of which is more than 5600 metres.

7. The Lost City

We talked about it at the beginning of this article, Sierra Nevada was part of the territory of the Tayronas that gave its name to the park.

We know little about this people because he did not leave any writing behind. However, four peoples of Sierra Nevada are their descendants: the Kogis, Arhuacos , Kankuamos and Wiwas . The latter are the territory of the Lost City or Ciudad Perdida, who was the capital of the Tayronas people.

The city could accommodate up to 8,000 inhabitants and was abandoned shortly after the arrival of the Spanish settlers. It is a mystical place, quite unknown and rediscovered in 1976 that has nothing to envy at the Machu Picchu . Considered one of the main archaeological sites in the country, it is essential if you are looking to visit the Caribbean coast in Colombia.

To get there, you will need to go through one of the five authorized agencies. Because the site is protected and owned by the indigenous peoples, it will be impossible for you to go there alone. The journey to the Lost City consists of a trek from four to six days. It will lead you through the jungle, where you will be able to meet some natives on the way.

8. Nabusimake

Nabusimake is the capital of the Arhuacos people. It is one of the four descendant peoples of the Tayronas and certainly one of the most accessible.

Indeed, it is often complicated to be able to engage in dialogue with these peoples. Nabusimake is however open to tourists and it will be possible for you to go there. This is the last point accessible to Bonachis (name given by the Arhuacos to the people of the city) and gateway to Sierra Nevada.

It will be necessary for you to remain respectful of this people who begin to open up to the outside world. In addition, you will have to accept that even if this people are open to visitors, it remains difficult to have a true interaction, or to explain the culture of this people.

However, a visit to Nabusimake will allow you to realize how close this people are to nature. Indeed, its capital is located in an idyllic place, in perfect communion with nature.

How to get to the Caribbean Coast in Colombia?

To visit the Caribbean Coast in Colombia, two options are available to you: the plane or the bus.

By plane

After arriving in Colombia from France, most often in Colombia Bogotá , you can take another plane to Cartagena or Santa Marta.

It is often the fastest, most comfortable option, and as surprising as it is, much more economical than the bus. Do not hesitate to consult our partner’s website Ulysses which will allow you to compare the different options available at the best price.

If you only want to visit the Caribbean Coast in Colombia, you can also find direct flights from Europe to Cartagena.

By bus

This is the second option available, but it is much longer. It is possible for you to travel on very comfortable buses between major cities. However, you will need to use local transport in order to get to places such as Minca, Taganga or Nabusimake.

These means of transport are very often uncomfortable, but represents an obligatory passage to discover Colombia as a whole.

Where to stay during a visit to the Caribbean Coast in Colombia?

Several options are available to you and the good news is that the country is opening more and more to tourism. Whatever your budget and your type of travel, you will be able to find what matches you.

The housing offers are multiplying and each month new establishments are born in Cartagena, Santa Marta or Tayrona. Between hostels, hotels or accommodations in the living room, you will have it for all tastes. We therefore advise you to play competition and to go on this Compare hotels to compare prices and housing offers on your area.