visit the caribbean coast, the paradisiac gem of colombia!
If exploring colourful colonial cities, relaxing on paradisiac beaches and wandering around stunning landscapes is your type of holidays, then the Caribbean Coast is the perfect place for you!
The Caribbean region is home to some of the best beaches in the country, the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena and the highest coastal mountain in the world, the Sierra Nevada. This region along the Caribbean Sea covers a range of different ecosystems from the jungle of the Darien in the border with Panama to the desert of La Guajira near Venezuela, as well as the spectacular San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands.
These varieties of landscapes offer plenty of alternatives to choose from when travelling around this region like ecotourism, bird watching, nautical sports or just relaxing. Unique experiences, gorgeous views and tropical culture, the Caribbean Coast has everything you need for your perfect holidays!
Private Expedition
Best of Colombia Tour
From £3,819
15 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Bogotá, Medellín, the Coffee Region, Tayrona Park and Cartagena, an inspiring journey through Colombia’s culture, nature and vibrant cities, filled with authentic local experiences.
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Private Expedition
Colombia Gastronomy Tour: Bogotá and Cartagena
From £1,981
7 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Enjoy a gastronomy tour through Bogotá and Cartagena, with gourmet dining, cooking classes, rum and coffee tastings, local markets, and cultural activities
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Private Expedition
Secrets of the Colombian Caribbean
From £2,715
10 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Tayrona’s beaches, colonial Mompox, Cartagena’s romance, Aracataca birthplace of García Márquez, and Colombia’s Caribbean culture along the Magdalena River
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Private Expedition
Magical Caribbean Colombia Tour: Tayrona, Mompox & Cartagena
From £3,986
11 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Tayrona’s park, visit Gabriel García Márquez’s birthplace, share with Indigenous communities, and explore Mompox, Cartagena and unspoiled islands of Colombia’s Caribbean
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Private Expedition
Colombia Cultural Tour: Bogotá, San Agustín, Tayrona & Cartagena
From £3,169
12 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Colombia’s heritage, sacred landscapes, Indigenous cultures, Caribbean beaches, and vibrant cities on a 12‑day tour from Bogotá to San Agustín, Tayrona, and Cartagena
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Private Expedition
Colombia Colonial Towns Tour
From £2,842
12 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Discover Colombia’s colonial charm from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva, Barichara and Cartagena, blending history, nature, gastronomy and meaningful local experiences
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Private Expedition
Lost City Trek, Tayrona & Cartagena Tour
From £2,656
10 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Trek through the Sierra Nevada to the Lost City, unwind on Tayrona’s beaches, and explore Cartagena’s colonial charm on this immersive Colombian holiday adventure
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Private Expedition
Colombia Endemics Birding tour
From £7,544
20 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Birding in Colombia explores diverse ecosystems to spot iconic and endemic birds, visiting reserves like Río Claro, Montezuma and Km 18 across lush habitats
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Private Expedition
Colombia Andes and Caribbean Coast Birding Tour
From £4,638
14 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Explore Colombian birdlife and culture from the East and Central Andes to the Caribbean coast
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Private Expedition
Colombia Caribbean Coast Birding Tour
From £2,186
6 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Observe various endemic birds in El Dorado and aquatic birds in Isla Salamanca
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Private Expedition
Tayrona National Park & Indigenous Communities Tour
From £1,680
5 Days
Price based on two people sharing
Explore Tayrona National Park, relax on Colombia's Caribbean coast, visit Indigenous communities and travel from Santa Marta to Cartagena.
More detailstop places to visit in the caribbean coast
cartagena
One of the most fascinating colonial cities in Latin America, Cartagena was declared a world cultural heritage site by the UNESCO in 1984. It boasts an incredibly unique atmosphere that combines the historical elements of the colonial walls, architecture, and museums with the new and modern restaurants and boutiques scattered throughout the area.
tayrona national park
Home of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, its scenery varies from paradisiac sandy beaches to lush rainforest. Tayrona Park has many beaches, but the most popular and best-known beach is Cabo San Juan. Full of biodiversity and unique animal species, it is not unusual to see tamarins, howler monkey or blue-tailed skink. Beware that the park is usually closed in February.
santa marta
The oldest colonial city in Colombia, Santa Marta has a tumultuous history full of legends and pirate attacks. The contrast between yellow sand, turquoise water and snow-capped mountains make it a must-see destination of the Caribbean Coast. Its also the perfect starting point for day hikes and treks.
mompox
A beautiful town known as the setting for Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Mompox was declared a world cultural heritage site by the UNESCO in 1995 and looks pretty much as it used to during colonial times. This frozen in time town is the perfect place to learn more about Colombia history.
the lost city
This ancient abandoned town was built by the Tayrona people around 800 AD 650 years before Peru's Machu Picchu. The only way to get there is by a 4-day hike in the middle of the jungle and requires a good level of fitness. Although it is not exactly a walk in the park, this once in a lifetime experience is highly rewarding.
la guajira
La Guajira is one of the most beautiful spots in northern Colombia. It is known for its stunning desert landscapes, vibrant Wayuu indigenous culture, and pristine beaches. The region's arid beauty, including the striking Taroa Dunes and Cabo de la Vela, offers a unique, unforgettable experience.
more things to do in the caribbean coast
- Historic Tour Cartagena: Cartagena is flush with historic charm. Learn about the colourful colonial buildings, fascinating churches and the massive fort that served as protection during a historical tour. You'll feel like you're walking through a different period. The tropical ambience and warm people make visitors feel welcomed in this romantic coastal city.
- Explore Isla Fuerte: This Island is much less touristic than other Caribbean Islands of Colombia and can be almost empty during low season. You can rent a bike or walk around the Island in a few hours and enjoy paradisiac beaches and luxuriant vegetation.
- Cool down in Minca: Situated in the Sierra Nevada, Minca offers a refreshing escape from the typical heat of the Caribbean Coast. If you're a nature lover, there are plenty of things to do there: birding, hiking, swimming in impressive waterfalls, visit coffee or cacao farms etc.
- Visit Rosario Islands: Located about 35 km off the coast of Cartagena, Islas del Rosario consists of approximately 27 small islands which are surrounded by coral reefs. The whole area has been declared a natural park to preserve and protect the coral reefs.
- Relax in Capurgana and Sapzurro: To access these tiny towns, you will have to travel by boat. But you won't regret it as it's one of the most scenic areas of Colombia. Make sure to try their delicious fresh fish, go snorkelling or diving and hike from a village to the other one. If you can, visit Acandi, a town nearby during summer to spot leatherback turtles laying their eggs.
- Spend a day in a traditional fishing village: If you take a tour to La Boquilla, you will spend some time with locals from the small village of La Boquilla. You will take a trip in a wooden canoe through the mangrove forest and they will teach you some ancestral fishing technics.
Best time to go
when is the best time to visit the caribbean region?
Weather:
- The areas that run along Colombia's Caribbean coast, such as Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Tayrona Park, are hot and humid.
- The average temperature hovers around 30°C. The temperature in the desert of La Guajira can reach more than 40°C at midday.
- The ideal time of the year to visit the Caribbean region is from January to March. The weather is fantastic, warm and minimal precipitations.
Festivals:
Any time of the year is good to visit this region, but if you want to participate in one the festivals and learn more about their traditions and culture, these are some good examples:
- January: The Corralejas Feast in Sincelejo, Sucre Bullfighting festival where the public is invited to engage the bulls in the ring.
- February: Carnival in Barranquilla – The Carnival of Barranquilla is the second-largest Carnival celebration in the world. While Carnival is officially celebrated the four days before Ash Wednesday, there are pre-Carnival activities beforehand around the beginning of each new year. It features a variety of traditional dances and music.
- April: Festival of Vallenato Legend in Valledupar; Cesar One of the most important musical festival in Colombia. For five days, the streets of Valledupar are filled with music, contests, shows and parades.
- May: Wayuu Culture Festival, held in Uribia, La Guajira This festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the indigenous Wayuu. You'll find craft samples, contests, dance, theatre and gastronomic exhibitions.
- July: The Cradle of Accordions festival in Villanueva: Declared cultural and artistic heritage of Colombia, it gathers every years musicians from around the country.
- July: Fiestas del Mar in Santa Marta, Magdalena: The main activity of this festival is water sports, especially with the National and International Reign of the Sea and the National Nautical and Beach Games. But its also music, gastronomy, talks, culture and much more.
Transports
how to get there?
Cartagena is the perfect starting point for your trip in the Caribbean region and is very easily accessible.
- You can book an international flight directly to Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) or fly from Medellin or Bogota. The old town is only 3,5 miles away from the airport and you can reach it with a bus or taxi. There are also domestic flights to Santa Marta and Riocha from Bogota or Medellin
- If you prefer, you can take the bus from Medellin or Bogota. The journey is quite long (Around 20 hours) but a lot of national compagnies are doing it and the prices are attractive.
Safety
is it safe to travel to the caribbean region?
Cartagena is one of the safest cities for tourists in Colombia but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be aware of your surroundings. The rest of the Caribbean region of Colombia is pretty safe too but you must avoid the regions of Southern-Bolívar and Southern-Córdoba.
For the recommended touristic areas, these are some simple tips that should keep you out of trouble:
• Don’t flash large amounts of money in public
• Look out for pickpockets on public transportation
• Call or use a smartphone app to arrange for a taxi instead of hailing it on the street
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Keep your phones and cameras out of sight
• Don’t wear flashy jewellery
• Avoid taking cards or passports out with you
Local
gastronomy
The gastronomy in the Caribbean Coast is fresh and full of flavours; it's one of the best cuisines in Colombia. In general, the main ingredient is the daily catch, which can include Sea Bass, Red Snapper and shellfish served fried with plantain and coconut rice. This region is also famous for its finger food and snacks that you can find in the streets. These are some typical dishes you should try during your trip to the Caribbean region:
Bollo limpio: Cooked corn grain dough wrapped in corn husks usually served with meat.
Butifarra: Sausages made from ground beef and pork with spices. This recipe is top-rated in the Caribbean Coast and is ideal for party food.
Cazuela de Mariscos: this thick seafood stew is a mix of lobsters, shrimp, clams, fish and prawns with a rich, creamy broth.
Suero costeño: This kind of sour cream is perfect with plantain and steam cassava.
Arepa de Huevo: These arepas filled with fried egg are a fantastic afternoon snack to take with your coffee.
more travel tips to visit the caribbean coast
What our clients say about us
We knew we were in for a treat just looking at the detailed and personalized 18-day itinerary that Uncover Columbia put together for us! Our specific goals were woven in with new and interesting locations and activities that had us very excited. Unfortunately, my father and I succumbed to the flu upon arrival in Bogota. This is when Uncover Columbia revealed themselves to be more like a caring host family! Communication was so smooth and the local guides so helpful that we even had someone to walk us through the process of seeing a local doctor and filling prescriptions. We were sad to miss out on activities, but UC rescheduled a couple key outings with our birding guide, and we didn’t miss the hummingbird observatory! Our next destination was Leticia for the primary birding portion of our adventure. Our second super knowledgeable guide paired up with local and often indigenous guides to acquaintance with the sauna-like Amazonas. It was a truly amazing experience, connecting with the jungle and river on foot and by boat, especially at Marasha Nature Reserve, where a nighttime paddle left us awestruck at the beauty -despite the Caiman being elusive. From there we went to the Caribbean and Sierra Nevada Tyrona National Park. We visited an authentic native village in a manner that was entertaining as well as respectful and educational. We were fully recovered and not really wanting a day at leisure so Uncover Columbia arranged an impromptu city tour of Santa Marta with our third guide and we wrapped up our tour with a fourth guide in beautiful Cartagena with a quick island stop for snorkeling and fishing lesson in Bocadilla. All of the partnering guides, drivers and accommodations were friendly and helpful to the point that saying adios was bittersweet! And here’s a special shout out to Ana at Uncover Columbia for helping us with all the on the ground changes!! She was always accessible on WhatsApp and so sweet and helpful!
– Dana, October 2026
Nidia at Uncover Colombia organised a fabulous 19 day holiday across 5 locations in Colombia for my family. She was wonderful to deal with and really listened to our requests. Ana took over once we were on the holiday and made changes immediately where things weren’t quite as we’d all expected. We all had the best holiday ever. Thank you
– Annie, July 2026
We did the La Boquilla Fishing Village and African Drum Workshop. Sofia and Juan picked us up from our hotel and we took a drive to La Boquilla. We rode the canoes through the mangroves and learned to fish with a net and set crab traps with Señor Juan. We then went to the drum workshop and worked with some amazingly talented young people who introduced various musical styles and different types of drums. We played and danced and they truly made us feel like we were part of the family. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in diving into the culture of Cartagena, and spending time face to face with the guardians of their craft and environment.
– Glen K, July 2026
I have traveled throughout the world and worked with many tour companies. Uncover Colombia is the most organized, detailed and responsive tour company I have worked with. Every guide that was provided is an amazing and enthusiastic person. Accommodations were incredible. Overall , nothing can top it ! USE UNCOVER COLOMBIA and you won't be disappointed.
– Richard, January 2026
Uncover Colombia put together an itinerary for us based on our love of nature, scenery, and hiking, and our desire to see some of the best the country has to offer. We loved their suggestions and we have felt looked after every step of the way - hotel bookings, transfers, internal flights, guides...
– Ellie, January 2026
Beatriz was a wonderful tour guide for visiting Guatape city from Medellin. She went out of her way to help me find shoes before we officially started our tour because my shoes got ruined in the rain the day before and I had nothing proper to wear. She has a clear love for the city she grew up in and that personal connection to it made the tour and information she shared more genuine and meaningful.
– Rahma, January 2026
We traveled three weeks across Colombia – from Bogotá, Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Medellín, the Pacific coast of Nuquí, the Coffee Region, Tayrona National Park, and finally Cartagena. In one word: exceptionally well organized. Excellent guides, seamless transfers, and an organization where everything worked exactly as planned.
– Damjan, December 2025
We have travelled to just under 80 countries around the world, often on our own, sometimes, when the country had some problems, relying on an agency; something we decided to do for Colombia as well. I must say that UncoverColombia is absolutely among the best tour operators I have ever met. The organization is immaculate, precise and very accurate...
– Cinzia and Luca, August 2025
Uncover Colombia did a great job in arranging accommodation, transport which included 4 domestic flights and meals. Most importantly, they have assigned tourist guides who are professional, friendly and passionate. They are sometimes funny and always helpful.
– S L, August 2025
Every detail was taken care of, the destinations are world class, communication was excellent. I would give them 6 out of 5 if I could. The guide UC booked for us was exceptional. He knew his stuff, was very good with e-bird, he was an interesting guy and an overall good bean. Our tour actually started in Barranquilla...
– Derek, April 2025
Sol, our tour guide, was amazing. We did a three day tour of Medellin and local villages nearby. Sol shared her vast knowledge of the political and social recent history of the region. She led the tour at our pace. She was lovely to be with. The driver was very cautious. It was a great experience.
– Lynn, February 2025
Uncover Colombia was fantastic to work with! We had a 12 day itinerary and everything went very well. The agency reps were very flexible before and during the trip even when we requested last minute changes. They always did their best to accommodate us. The assigned contact person during the trip was always reachable and responsive...
– Gary, December 2024
My girlfriend and I wanted to visit Colombia, but were late in the planning. We reached out to Uncover just a couple of weeks before our departure and they were able to organize the whole tour in just a few days, and for a more than fair price...
– David, December 2025
We had a FANTASTIC experience with Uncover. Nidia and her team organized the most magical 4-day trip to the Colombian Coffee Region. I am Colombian but needed assistance as I wasn’t familiar with the area. We went to the Cocora Valley, Rafting down a river, had a fabulous coffee farm experience and even visited a cacao farm where we got to make artisan chocolate. We traveled with our school aged children...
– Daniela, July 2024
We feel very fortunate to have chosen Uncover Colombia. Your guides were passionate and professional and informative, the accomodation was exceptional at every stop and most impressively, we were aware of you constantly checking in our wellbeing. We return to Australia with an awareness of Colombia’s variety, vitality and positivity.
– Mal & Michelle, July 2024
My mother and I did a 5-day trip to San Agustin, Tierradentro and the Tatacoa dry forest/desert with Uncover Colombia. It was absolutely brilliant. The communication was great and Nidia helped us to ensure that the trip was tailored to our needs and wishes. Our driver, Jesus, and guide, Jorge, were very friendly and Jorge was very knowledgable...
– Gary, July 2024
Uncover Columbia, specifically Helena (who handled all logistical questions pre-trip) Sergio (our amazing guide) helped make an unforgettable 4 day experience as part of our honeymoon.
– Mates, July 2024
 | Want to know more?Get in touchAll our tours are private and can be customised. Just complete our tailor-made tour form or give us a call. We’re flexible and happy to design the most suitable Colombia tour for you! |
Why Travel with Uncover Colombia
Local Expertise
- As Colombians, we know the best local spots and the stories that bring them to life
- We understand the diversity, traditions, and subtle nuances of every region
- Our guidance is shaped by years of exploring our homeland with genuine passion
Private and Tailor-made
- Private, tailor-made tours designed around your interests
- Hand-picked hotels, meaningful experiences, and real local encounters
- Support and flexibility throughout your trip; travel at your own pace
Trusted & Protected
- UK‑based, fully bonded, and ATOL‑protected
- Transparent, reliable service from planning to travel
- Peace of mind knowing your holiday is financially secure
Positive Impact
- We create journeys that actively support Colombia’s people, nature, and cultural heritage
- Every tour strengthens local communities through fair partnerships and meaningful engagement
- Travel with us contributes to conservation efforts and leaves a lasting, positive footprint