7 Reasons to Visit Colombia with Llama Travel

1. Small Groups

Our group sizes are small, with a maximum of 18 guests but an average of 11. This means you can see the sights without feeling like part of a crowd, get to know your fellow travellers, and have more time to ask your guide questions.

2. Explore Colombia's colourful cities

One of Colombia’s biggest draws for many visitors is the vibrancy and colour of its cities.

Our ‘Treasures of El Dorado’ tour begins in Bogotá, Colombia’s modern-day capital. Originally populated by indigenous groups like the Muiscas, Spaniard Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded the city as Santa Fe de Bogotá shortly before it became an outpost of the Spanish empire in 1550. Independence from Spain was declared for the first time in 1810, but it was not until the decisive Battle of Boyacá in 1819 that the Republic of Gran Colombia was formed and Bogotá was named the capital. After several periods of civil and political unrest, the 20th century brought major development to the city, growing from a population of around 700,000 in 1950 to almost 8 million today. Bogotá has now developed into a safe, thriving capital, with welcoming locals, cultural draws, a booming university community and new modern districts sitting beside well-preserved historic neighbourhoods. Our optional Historic Bogotá excursion includes a guided tour through the historic centre and a funicular ride into the surrounding Andean peaks for 360-degree views of the city.

The ongoing transformation of Colombian cities is an impressive story.

Medellín is another city with a fascinating history. In the 1980s, drug lord Pablo Escobar gained control of the city and reigned for over a decade. Since then, huge efforts have transformed Medellín into a safe, modern, pioneering city. El Poblado, located south of the city centre, is where many of the international restaurant chains and shopping brands, fashionable bars and nightclubs can be found. This is one of the more prestigious neighbourhoods, along with other upper-class residential suburbs such as Laureles and Belen, and is comparable to Bogotá’s Zona Rosa district. As in Bogotá, the city centre of Medellín has a more authentically Colombian feel, and, thanks to the current spirit of preservation and regeneration, this district is of considerable cultural interest, with architectural heritage and recently installed artwork intended to underline Medellín’s reinvention. Nowadays, Medellín has consolidated its status as a major centre for international business and commerce. Our optional Inspirational Medellín excursion unpacks the city’s transformation into one of Latin America’s most innovative and creative places. There is also the option to add a visit to Guatapé, less than two hours from the city of Medellín, on our ‘Colourful Guatapé’ excursion.

Cartagena, a colourful seaport town, is the final stop on our core 13-day ‘Treasures of El Dorado’ tour. The city’s position close to the northern tip of South America and proximity to the mighty Magdalena River made it an ideal location for the Spanish conquerors to store plundered gold and resources before shipping them to Europe. Inevitably, numerous attacks from pirates and privateers, including Francis Drake, ensued, leading to the construction of the town’s fortified walls in the 17th century. Today, the walled Old Town is the city’s main attraction; its brightly-coloured buildings and balconies covered in flowers are one of the most iconic images of Colombia. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has a friendly, bustling atmosphere, and the nearby Caribbean beaches add to the attraction. With two full days at leisure in the city, you can opt to explore independently or take our ‘Colourful Cartagena’ tour.

3. Visit the Coffee Region

The Coffee Region, located in the centre of Colombia, has possibly the finest coffee plantations on the continent, as well as some stunning scenery. There is a large population, and the three main towns of the region are Manizales, Armenia and Pereira, collectively forming what is known as the ‘coffee triangle’.

The area of Pereira was inhabited before European colonisation by the Quimbaya, known for their artwork in gold. The Spaniards established their first settlement here around 1540, and it is now the largest city in the region.

With 3 nights in the Coffee Region, you can relax around the hacienda-style hotel, which has an outdoor pool, sauna, restaurant and panoramic views, take an optional excursion to a coffee plantation to learn about the journey from bean to cup, or take a guided walk through the cloud forest in the Cocora Valley.

The Coffee Region is renowned worldwide for the quality of its exports.

4. Try Colombian cuisine

Colombian food is quite diverse, with the coast, the Andes and jungle favouring different ingredients, allowing for an interesting mix.

Many of the most traditional dishes can be found in the historic city centre of Bogotá, and Calle 11 has a number of tourist-friendly restaurants with menus in Spanish and English. One of the most popular dishes from Bogotá itself is ajiaco, a tasty soup containing shredded chicken, potatoes, tubers, and corn on the cob, served with rice and avocado. Another interesting and unique choice is chocolate santerfereño: hot chocolate served with cheese (to melt in the chocolate) and two types of bread.

The most well-known dish to hail from Medellín is ‘bandeja paisa’, a tasty plate showcasing many of Colombia’s favourite foods. The dish includes a generous variety of ingredients: red beans with pork, rice, a fried egg, plantain, minced meat, chorizo, an arepa (a type of corn flour pancake), black pudding, pork scratchings, avocado and hogao sauce. The bandeja, or platter in English, originated in the Andean region, so Medellín is the best place to try this much-loved meal.

The restaurants in Cartagena offer a rich culinary variety, combining flavours and ingredients from the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. Lunchtime set menus offer good value for money, whilst high-end international cuisine is common in the historic centre.

5. End on a tropical jungle beach

A variation on our core ‘Treasures of El Dorado’ tour adds 3 nights in Tayrona Beach to the end of your holiday, allowing you to unwind and relax in one of Colombia’s most gorgeous and idyllic destinations.

On the ‘Treasures of El Dorado + Tayrona Beach’ tour, you have 2 full days at leisure in Tayrona, giving you the option to lounge around the pool at the Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos, relax on one of the nearby beaches or navigate Tayrona National Park’s vast wildlife and waterfalls just 3 kilometres away.

A tropical beach stay is a fantastic way to unwind at the end of a holiday.

6. Your holiday, your way

As well as the choice between our core 13-day ‘Treasures of El Dorado’ tour or the 16-day option including a stay in Tayrona, there are a number of optional excursions throughout the tour, from city tours to cloud forest walks.

When booking with Llama Travel, you can enquire about regional airport departures, a choice of room or hotel upgrades and a variety of departure dates, allowing a greater degree of flexibility than many other providers.

7. Speak to an Expert

A number of our in-house Travel Experts have visited Colombia themselves. When you enquire with us, you will have the chance to talk directly to an expert who has experienced Llama Travel tours themselves; they are always happy to share their expertise and help curate your perfect trip.

Contact us at 020 7263 3000 to speak to one of them today or order a brochure here to explore our full range of holidays.