Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in South America, characterized by stark contrasts in climate and geography – from the sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean coast to the majestic Andes mountains. This makes it an incredibly exciting adventure travel destination, offering a vast array of outdoor activities.
This article highlights some of the best outdoor and adventure activities in Colombia to give you an idea of what’s out there waiting for you.
Photo by Joel Carillet, Paragliding in Bucaramanga
Colombia is paradise for adrenaline seekers and extreme sports enthusiasts. Many places offer a diverse set of fun activities to engage in. Top adventure activities in Colombia include:
Jungle Trekking: For example, you can trek to the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Ciudad Perdida) and do jungle tours in Colombia’s Amazon region near Leticia and Puerto Nariño, or near Mocoa in the Putumayo region.
Mountain Trekking: You can trek in Colombia’s snow peaked mountains, for example, in the Los Nevados National Park near Manizales, or at Nevado del Cocuy.
Hiking: Hiking is possible almost everywhere in Colombia since the natural scenery is stunning throughout the country. The great thing about Colombia is that you can find fascinating hiking trails even very close (or inside) big cities like Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Bucaramanga.
Paragliding: There are a lot of great paragliding sites in Colombia where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the landscape from high above, for example near Medellin and Bucaramanga.
Caving: Colombia has many interesting caves to explore. You may want to check out Cueva de los Guácharos (Huila, featuring the Guácharo birds which make impressive primordial sounds), Cueva del Esplendor (Antioquia), and Cueva de los Aviones (Santander, featuring waterfalls), among others.
Canopying, zip-lining: Zip-lining is very popular in Colombia and a lot of outdoor destinations and nature reserves offer you the possibility to move through the tree canopy. A hidden gem for canopying is the Lost City of Falan in Tolima.
Abseiling, rappelling, rock climbing, bouldering: Popular destinations for rock climbing and rappelling include Suesca and Tobia (not too far from Bogota), the department of Santander and many other places in Colombia.
Biking & Mountain Biking: Mountain biking is a national sport in Colombia and you will see motivated bikers pedaling up steep hills all over the country. Just rent a bike wherever you cherish the landscape.
Motorbike Tours: Another great way to explore Colombia is by motorbike. Several tour agencies in Colombia specialize in motorbike rentals and tours, for example Colombian Riders in Santa Marta (see on Google Maps).
Other adventure activities: This list could go on and on since almost any adventure and outdoor activity you can think of is possible in Colombia due to the country’s mega-diverse landscape and climate zones.
You can book a wide range of adventure activities online with my affiliate partners GetYourGuide*, Viator* and Civitatis* who work with local tour operators and guides in Colombia!
Photo by MikeLane45, Pink Dolphin
Colombia’s unique geographical position close to the equator and its wide range of ecosystems offer unforgettable wildlife encounters. As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Colombia is home to over 1,900 bird species and a vast array of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Here are is just a small selection of unique wildlife experiences to explore:
Interesting wildlife tours are available at my affiliate partners GetYourGuide*, Viator* and Civitatis*!
Photo by gstockstudio, Kayaking
With two oceans, numerous rivers and lakes and an endless amount of waterfalls, Colombia offers water activities around every corner.
Here are some fun water sport and beach activities you can do in Colombia:
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Santa Marta and Taganga are great places to learn diving in Colombia without spending a fortune, and the marine life in the nearby Tayrona National Park is amazing. Other great diving and snorkeling sites in Colombia include, for example, San Andres and Providencia (near Nicaragua) and Islas del Rosario (near Cartagena). Discover the best dive spots in Colombia!
River Rafting, White Water Rafting: San Gil, Bucaramanga, as well as other places in the department of Santander, are especially known for their great river rafting experiences. That being said, you will find excellent opportunities for white water rafting also in other parts of Colombia, for example near Bogotá (Tobia), Medellín and Cali (Pance).
Canyoneering: Colombia is a country full of waterfalls. No matter where you are, do a quick Google search and you will most likely find some place nearby to practice canyoneering and waterfall rappelling.
Kayaking and Canoeing: You can do kayaking in Colombia in different places, for example, in Guatape (near Medellin), in San Gil (river Fonce), in the El Cocuy National Natural Park (in the north-eastern Andes), in the Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park (near Buenaventura), and in many other rivers, lakes and or in the oceans.
Surfing: The Mendihuaca area at Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast (between Santa Marta and Palomino) is a great place for surfing with several good surf schools at the beach. Read more about Mendihuaca and nearby idyllic beach Playa Los Angeles. Other great surf destinations in Colombia include Tayrona National Park, Palomino, Nuquí (Chocó), Isla Fuerte (Córdoba), and some beaches between Barranquilla and Cartagena.
Kite-Surfing: La Guajira is Colombia’s top destination for kite-surfing and provides a totally otherworldly scenery with its huge sand dunes by the sea. There are also some emerging kite surfing hotspots between Barranquilla and Cartagena.
Beach life: With its many beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, Colombia has much to offer to sun worshipers and beach lovers. Among Colombia’s best beaches are Playa Blanca on Isla Baru (near Cartagena), the beaches inside Tayrona National Natural Park (close to Santa Marta), Playas Mayapo (in La Guajira), Sapzurro, Bahía Solano and Nuqui (all three in Chocó) and the beaches of San Andres and Providencia. Not all beaches are suitable for swimming, though. Check if there are any warning signs before jumping into the water.
Checkout GetYourGuide*, Viator* and Civitatis* to book water and beach activities online!
Outdoor and nature activities in Colombia are mostly easier, safer and more fun to do in a group rather than alone. Tours also often get cheaper the more people join in, while you get the best value for money, if you assemble your own small group and book a private tour.
You can quite easily meet other travelers in hostels in Colombia. If you are a women traveling alone, join our Colombia Solo Female Travelers Facebook Group.
Dry season is usually considered the best time to visit Colombia for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, beach activities, etc. In most regions, this means December to March and, in some regions, also June to September.
July to September, in our eyes, are particularly great months for nature and wildlife lovers:
Photo by Silvana Palacios, whales in Chocó (mod.)
If you’re planning to engage in extreme sports and adventure activities in Colombia, check out our affiliate partner World Nomads – they offer comprehensive travel insurance tailored to the needs of adventure travelers. (If these insurances are a good fit for your needs and you purchase through our links, you also support Travelhapp since we would earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
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