25 Surprising Facts about Colombia

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, after Brazil. It’s one of only 17 countries of the world considered “megadiverse”. For example, Colombia has more than 3,000 species of orchids, around 480 species of mammals (including rare animals like the pink amazon dolphin), over 400 types of fruits, and more than 300 different ecosystems.

Also the music culture is extremely diverse, many regions have their own, unique style. Colombian genres and rhythms include, among many others, Cumbia, Vallenato, Salsa, Champeta, Bambuco, Porro, Joropo, Bullerengue and Mapalé.

In Colombia you can observe around1,900 (and counting) bird species. Birdwatching is a popular and fascinating activity for locals and travelers. (It’s incredibly meditative and relaxing, as well.)

The Amazon rainforest covers about 35% of Colombia’s territory and comprises the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vaupés. Many of them are only starting to appear on the touristic map and are extremely unique and fascinating. Check out Things to do near Leticia in the Colombian Amazon.

The world’s largest population of spectacled bears (called “oso andino” in Colombia) lives in the Colombian Andes. With a bit of luck you can spot it, for example, in the Chingaza National Park close to Bogotá. (More info in our article onDay trips from Bogotá.)

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is considered the world’s highest coastal mountain range. Read more about Santa Marta and its Sierra Nevada.

Colombia is one of only 6 countries that have both a Pacific and Caribbean coast, and the only one located in South America (the other 5 are in Central America). This makes Colombia a great destination for beach and water sports enthusiasts. The remote Chocó region is a hidden treasure that encompasses both the Pacific and the Caribbean cost. Read more about Chocó.

If you want to learn Scuba Diving, Colombia offers one of the best cost benefit ratios in the world with prices being cheap and marine life incredibly rich. Great places for scuba diving courses are Santa Marta and nearby Taganga close to Tayrona National Park at the Caribbean coast in the North of Colombia.

Several rivers in Colombia have rights as legal subjects, including the Atrato river.

Talking of rivers, Caño Cristales in the Colombian Macarena province in the Meta department is called “the river of 7 colors” since it takes on multiples colors between late July and November. The colors are caused, among other things, by water plants that change from red to yellow and green depending on their exposure to the sun. Read more about the fascinating Meta department and its capital Villavicencio.

Over 100 different indigenous groups live in Colombia, including the Wayuu, Arhuaco, Kogui/Kágaba, Kankuamo, Nasa, and Embera, among others. These groups have unique cultures and languages and are often very connected to nature. In times of climate change it’s gradually being recognized that the indigenous people of Colombia can teach us a lot.

Bogotá is the third highest capital city in the world with an altitude of more than 2600 m (8500 feet) above sea level. Check out our Insider’s Guide to Bogotá.

Tejo is traditional Colombian game and a national sport. You throw a metal puck at a target made of clay which contains gunpowder. To see what happens, watch Anthony Bourdain play Tejo.

Alcohol is banned during political elections. You have to be sober to decide who’ll govern you. (And above all the ban shall prevent violence.)

Cartagena was one of the most important ports of the Spanish colonial empire. Find out what else is unique about Cartagena.

Cali is dubbed the Salsa Capital of the world. This vibrant city is full of dance schools and clubs and Salsa is visible everywhere, especially at night.

Santa Marta is one of the oldest cities in South America. Officially it was founded in 1525 by Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, but its history reaches back much further. The Santa Marta area gave birth to the most progressive and advanced engineers and architects of pre-hispanic Colombia. Evidence of this is still visible in the archeological sites inside Tayrona National Park and in the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida). Read more about Santa Marta.

Colombia produces more than 70% of the world’s emeralds, primarily in the department of Boyacá. They are appreciated worldwide for their incredible color and supreme quality. Find out what else the department of Boyacá has to offer.

Biking, and especially mountain biking, is a national sport in Colombia. It’s impressive how Colombians enjoy cycling up the steep slopes of the Andes. No wonder Colombian Egan Bernal won the Tour de France in 2019.

Colombia’s national symbol is the majestic Andean Condor, one of the largest birds in the world. It can be spotted for example in the Chicaque Natural Park close to Bogotá, in the Cocora Valley near Salento or in the Purace National Park between Cali and Popayan.

The Spanish conquerors were convinced that the legendary golden city of El Dorado was located in what is now Colombian territory. It’s likely that the legend of El Dorado was inspired by the indigenous Muisca people’s ritual offerings of gold in a closeby lake.

Bogotá hosts the world’s largest theater festival, theIbero-American Theater Festival (Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro). The festival takes place every two years. The last one was held in 2022. Read more about cultural activities in Bogotá.

Colombia is the world’s third-largest producer of coffee and Colombian coffee is appreciated worldwide for its superior quality. The taste varies from region to region, or even from coffee farm to coffee farm, and coffee tasting is one of the top delights when visiting Colombia. Top coffee producing regions include the Coffee Triangle (Risaralda, Quindio, Caldas), Tolima, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Cauca, Huila, Antioquia, Nariño, Valle del Cauca and Santander. You can find great coffee though also in regions that are lesser known for their coffee production, including Cundinamarca (for example close to Bogotá), Casanare, Amazonas (Caquetá, Putumayo), Norte de Santander and Cesar (close to Valledupar).

The Colombian flag consists of 3 colored stripes: yellow, blue and red. Yellow stands for Colombia’s wealth in natural resources and the fertility of its soil, blue represents the ocean, rivers and the sky, red stands for the blood that the Colombian people shed to gain independence and freedom.

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, a small town near Bogotá, is the largest underground salt mine in the world (and one of the unique experiences you can have in Colombia). Read more about the Salt Cathedral in Bogota Day Trips.