• Visit a local market. Travelers who visit Colombia on the Cartagena extension of our Highlights of Central America: Costa Rica & Panama tour can explore a bustling market in the city to learn about ingredients used in traditional Colombian cuisine.

• Take a cooking class. In addition to a market visit in Cartagena, our Colombia tours offer travelers the chance to visit a restaurant for a cooking demonstration and dinner to get more familiar with Colombian flavors and dishes.

• Explore a mythical lake. Travelers who want to explore mythical sites when they visit Colombia can lean on our in-house team of travel planners to arrange a Customized Tour, or an independent pre- or post-tour visit, to Lake Guatavita. Find out why it’s one of the best mythical places to visit in the world.

• Check out a museum that’s all about gold. The legend of El Dorado lured many explorers to South America with tales of a city made of gold. Europeans never found the city, but the 30,000-plus pieces of gold displayed in Bogotá’s Museum of Gold tell an even greater story of pre-Hispanic Colombia, making it one of the best museums in the world. Visit the Museum of Gold on a Customized Tour, or add an independent post-stay on tour to keep exploring beautiful Colombia.

• Take a salsa-dancing class. Salsa and cumbia music and dancing are central to Colombian culture. Travelers on our Colombia tours can learn signature steps of each during an included class and demonstration.

• Attend an Afro-Caribbean drum lesson. Afro-Caribbean music’s roots run deep in Colombia. Music buffs who travel to Colombia on our Highlights of Central America: Costa Rica & Panama tour can sign up for an optional Afro-Caribbean drumming lesson and learn to create the genre’s signature rhythms.

Colombia is rich with a variety of landscapes, cultural influences, and historical points of interest. Here are some of the highlights you can check out when you visit Colombia on tour.  

• Old Town Cartagena. Each of our tours to Colombia includes a guided sightseeing tour of Cartagena, including the coastal city’s UNESCO-recognized Old Town. The charming area is filled with colorful, centuries-old buildings.

• Plaza de Bolívar. Located in the heart of Bogotá, Colombia’s capital city, this busy square is home to a statue of Símon Bolívar, the Venezuelan soldier who played a key role in Colombia’s independence. We gladly plan customized trips to Colombia for travelers who want to explore the historic city.

• Palace of the Inquisition. This Baroque-style building in Cartagena’s Parque de Bolívar was built in 1770—and is where heretics were tortured during the Spanish Inquisition. Travelers who book our Colombia tour packages can explore the macabre site and see a variety of artifacts and exhibits housed within it during a guided tour.

• San Felipe de Barajas Castle. Built by the Spaniards, this grand fortress sits atop the Hill of San Lázaro in Cartagena.

• Valle de Cocora. Dotted with towering wax palms and at times blanketed with fog, this pristine, mountainous parkland roughly 600 miles south of Cartagena is a paradise for hiking and nature photography. Our in-house planners can arrange customized group trips to Colombia for travelers who want to explore it.

• Tayrona National Park. Sun worshippers planning Colombia trips won’t want to miss this scenic spot in the north of the country, along the Caribbean coast. There’s plenty of coastline for snorkeling, sunbathing, and swimming. Our travel planners are happy to design customized or private Colombia tours for travelers who want to visit the park.

If you’re packing for one of our Colombia vacations, be sure to add these items to your suitcase.

• Comfortable walking shoes. A sturdy pair will keep your feet comfy as you stroll along cobblestone streets and through markets.

• Sun protection. Keep strong rays at bay with a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of SPF.

• Light layers. Think breathable materials, such as linen, and light colors to keep yourself comfortable during Colombia’s warm days and balmy nights.

• A light rain jacket or umbrella. Because of Colombia’s variations in altitudes and ecosystems, weather can be unpredictable across the country and throughout the year. Travelers who book travel packages to Colombia should bring an umbrella, a light rain jacket, and water-resistant footwear.

• Insect spray. Keep mosquitoes and other pests (such as ticks, if you plan to do any hiking in natural areas) away with a reliable repellent.

A highlight of our Colombia travel packages is exploring the country’s history and cultures through its cuisine. Here are a few dishes to try when you visit

• *Bandeja paisa. *The national dish of Colombia, bandeja paisa originated as a calorie-rich meal to keep peasant workers fueled for a full day’s work. It consists of rice, plantains, arepa (corn cakes), avocado, minced meat, chorizo, black sausage, fried pork rind, and a fried-egg topper.

• Empanadas. Often filled with meat, cheese, or chicken, these fried, stuffed pastries are easy to eat on the go.

• Sancocho. This traditional stew is often made with chicken, beef, or pork, but if you’re up for trying something a little different, opt for mondongo, a version made with tripe.

• Arroz con pollo. As flavorful as it is simple, this classic and ubiquitous dish comprises rice and chicken cooked together in chicken stock.

• Cazuela de mariscos. With a base of coconut milk, this creamy seafood stew is popular along Colombia’s coast.

Tipping is welcome. If you dine out or visit a bar in Colombia during your free time on tour, know that, while tipping isn’t obligatory, it is appreciated. In some restaurants, servers might ask if you want to add a tip to your bill. Adding an extra 10% will show appreciation for their service.

Don’t be afraid to speak Spanish. Colombian Spanish is said to be among the most clearly spoken dialects and the easiest to understand for those who aren’t native speakers. It’s the perfect place to practice, and locals will appreciate your efforts.