Howdy! I’m Ginna the gringa, and I’m on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia!
When I first started this project, I knew Colombia was a country rich in cultural and natural diversity. But nothing could have prepared me for all the stories I would find as I drove my moto around the country (and broke my muffler multiple times in the process!)
Colombia is an extraordinary country, and not just for its snowy peaks and powdery beaches. It’s a country with a rich cultural identity – from traditional dance and music to delicious cuisine and coffee. Yes, it’s a country with a challenging past, but the pride, resilience, and passion of the Colombian people have made a tremendous effort to move the country into a new light, and I’m honored to be able to discover it.
So with all this in mind as I explore Colombia, I decided to keep a virtual journal here of my favorite discovery in each department. This could be a place, an activity, or even a dish, but consider it an ongoing record of the extraordinary diversity of Colombia, and proof that every department has something to offer.
But hey – before we get into it, I’m just one person! Let me know in the comments what your favorite thing is about your department.
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Interactive Map
I’ll be updating this map as I travel around Colombia, so you can see what each department has to offer!
Colombia Quick Links
✈️ Flights – Use Kiwi.com or WayAway to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Colombia
🛏️ Accommodation – Find the best places to stay throughout Colombia on Booking.com
✅ Get Insured – I personally use Safety Wing Nomad Insurance for my travels all around the world! VisitorsCoverage is another great option.
🚗 Rent a Car – Find the best deals for a Georgia road trip on RentalCars.com
🗺️ Find Things to Do – Check out Get Your Guide or Viator for exciting adventures all around Georgia
☎ Buy a Sim – Airalo offers eSIMS for over 200 countries and regions
ATLÁNTICO – Attend Barranquilla Carnival
Barranquilla Carnival is Colombia’s biggest party of the year, a celebration of coastal Colombian culture that can’t be missed!
From dance to music to all-night-rumba, Barranquilla Carnaval is an extraordinary celebration of the diversity of the Colombian coast, combining afro Colombian, indigenous, and Spanish tradition that is present in the department of Atlántico. In fact, this colorful festival was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and is the second-largest Carnival celebration in the world, right after Rio de Janeiro.
Carnival takes place yearly, usually in the months of February and March, though you can check upcoming dates here. I was actually able to be a part of the Batalla de Flores of Carnival 2024 — the most emblematic parade of the event!
Perhaps it seems like an obvious choice in Atlántico, but there’s a reason millions of people flock in the masses to Barranquilla every year for this celebration. So grab your glitter and your aguardiente and get ready to celebrate everything that makes coastal Colombia amazing!
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: The BIGGEST CARNIVAL in Colombia! | ATLÁNTICO – 4/32
BOLÍVAR – Visit San Basilio de Palenque
The small, dusty town of San Basilio de Palenque might not look like a lot at first glance, but is one of the most extraordinary pieces of Colombian history, located in the department of Bolívar.
The town was founded by escaped slaves, who found refuge in the ciénagas (swamplands) outside of the city of Cartagena. For years, the town remained a secret, its hidden location communicated amongst the enslaved population through maps intricately woven into the braids of their hair.
This isolation allowed the town to develop independent from the culture on the Colombian coast, with many customs, foods, and even language heavily influenced by various African traditions. To this day, it’s often referred to as “Africa in Colombia.”
Besides its unique culture, San Basilio de Palenque is also notable for being the first freed town in the Americas, established as a free town in 1603. It’s a vital piece of understanding afro Colombian history and tradition along the Caribbean coast, as well as an easy day trip from Cartagena. It’s easily one of the most incredible places I’ve seen on any of my travels, anywhere in the world.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: What to do in CARTAGENA (and beyond!) | BOLÍVAR – 5/32
Christmas is a BIG DEAL in Colombia, and no department goes harder than Boyacá. It’s home to the famous Ruta Navideña — a collection of pueblos throughout the department that go all out for the Christmas season. If you’re visiting Colombia during the Christmas season, making this Christmas pilgrimage is a must.
The most famous route through Boyacá begins in the pueblo of Nobsa and continues through the towns of Corrales, Tibasosa, and Paipa. Most pilgrimages end with a visit to El Puente de Boyacá, the famous site of the final battle of the Colombian Revolution.
You can visit this route on your own, or join a tour, usually leaving from Bogotá or Boyacá’s capital city of Tunja. Make sure to come hungry and try as many of the Christmas treats as you can along the way — the buñuelos in Nobsa are famous for a reason!
A couple other favorite treats we tried along the way were natilla, a milky custard flavored with arequipe, and canelazo, a hot drink made with brandy, cinnamon, panela, and of course, aguardiente! Part of the fun of the Ruta Navideña is the food, so come prepared to get in the Christmas spirit!
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: The BEST PLACE to Spend Christmas in Colombia | BOYACÁ – 1/32
CÓRDOBA – Learn about Sombrero Vueltiaos
The department of Córdoba is the birthplace of the Sombrero Vueltiao, the black and white hat that has become a national symbol of Colombia. While you can find hats for sale throughout the region, there’s no better place to learn the history and process than Tuchín, the unofficial birthplace of the sombrero vueltiao.
The sombrero vueltiao is made from caña flecha, a plant native to the coastal regions of Colombia that is processed, braided, and dyed before being woven into a number of products. The sombrero vueltiao might be the most iconic of the bunch, but you’ll also find bags, earrings, and practically anything you can imagine.
The streets of Tuchín are lined with artisans crafting caña flecha products at all times of day, so make sure to stop in and take a look for yourself! Or better yet, visit a local finca where the process is done from start to finish. I was able to visit Finca Las Palmas, one of the fincas associated with Sombvueltio during my time in Córdoba, but I highly recommend asking around in Tuchín, as the entire area is filled with artisans and fincas dedicated to the craft!
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: I MILKED A BUFFALA in Montería | CÓRDOBA – 7/32
LA GUAJIRA – Visit Punta Gallina
Punta Gallina, or “the end of the world,” isn’t just the northernmost point in Colombia, but in all of South America! It’s home to otherwordly landscapes that closer resemble Mars than anywhere else I’d visited in Colombia, and is a must-do for any adventure traveler.
The department of La Guajira is the indigenous homeland of the Wayuu people, and the desert landscapes hold a special significance for the people in the region. Each territory is owned by a specific clan, and land is passed down through the maternal side of the family. Due to the challenging conditions of these arid desert landscapes, the Wayuu people were one of the only indigenous groups in Colombia not to be fully evangelized by the Spanish, and resultantly, many indigenous traditions live on throughout the department.
I highly recommend visiting Punta Gallina from Cabo de la Vela, a town in La Guajira Alta that serves as the best jumping off point for excursions deeper into the desert. You can reserve a guided tour in a vehicle, or trek out into the desert on the back of a motorcycle like I did! Whatever route you chose, this is sure to be one of the most extraordinary adventures you’ll find in Colombia.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: Welcome to the END OF THE WORLD | LA GUAJIRA – 8/32
QUINDÍO – Hike in the Valle de Cocora
Quindío‘s Cocora Valley feels like stepping into another world. It’s home to the largest concentration of Palmas de Cera in the country — Colombia’s National Tree and the tallest palm tree in the world, often growing up to 60 meters tall.
The Valle de Cocora is home to a number of hiking trails, or visitors can even explore the area on horseback. Besides Palmas de Cera, the valley is also home to a diverse number of bird species, including a hummingbird sanctuary deep within the valley. It’s one of the most unique landscapes not just in Colombia but in the world.
The Valle de Cocora has become a popular spot along the tourist trail in recent years, but I highly recommend wandering past the photo ops deeper into the valley for some of the most incredible sights. No matter where you turn, you’ll be rewarded with absolutely stunning mountain views, spotted with towering Palmas de Cera.
For the true Valle de Cocora experience, I highly recommend staying the night in the colorful nearby town of Salento and riding a Jeep Willy into the valley — one of the most unique experiences in the coffee region!
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: Exploring Colombia’s COFFEE REGION and Valle de Cocora | QUINDÍO – 2/32
SAN ANDRÉS – Visit Providencia Island
Colombia’s department of San Andrés is actually made up of three islands — San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. While San Andrés is the most visited, the tranquil, untouched shores of Providencia are truly one of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever seen.
Yet to be dominated by beach resorts and tiki bars, Providencia Island embodies the true essence of island life in the Caribbean, from the reggae music drifting over the wide beaches to the towering green peaks ripe with sugarcane. The locals of Providencia are deeply proud of their island home — as seen in their resilience post-Hurricane Iota but also in the deep sense of community that exists on the island (it’s home to just over 5,000 residents after all!)
If you’re looking for a true island paradise, there’s certainly no other place in the world like Providencia Island. It’s a disconnect from the outside world, a place rooted in the deep pride of the local culture, history, and tradition. I truly believe there’s no other place like it — in Colombia or the world.
I’ve actually written more in depth guides to both Providencia Island and San Andres Island, so go check them out if you want to plan your own trip!
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: Colombia has CARIBBEAN ISLANDS? | SAN ANDRÉS & Providencia – 3/32
SUCRE – Watch the Sunset in Rincón del Mar
Sucre is one of the most diverse departments in Colombia, home to 5 distinct regions each with their own unique cultures, foods, and stories. While many flock to the department’s capital of Sincelejo for the annual corralejas — or bullfights — the Caribbean Coast of Sucre truly stole my heart. Specifically, the epic sunsets in the beachside town of Rincón del Mar.
Home to the Reserva Natural Sanguare, Rincón del Mar is home to a diverse number of species and landscapes — from winding tunnels through the mangroves to countless colorful birds that call them home. Take a boat from the beach for the best sunset views and then swim with the bioluminescent plankton once the sun goes down. It literally feels like swimming in the stars.
Besides epic sunsets, Rincón del Mar is a great beach spot along the Atlantic coastline that has yet to see some of the hyper-tourism of beaches closer to Cartagena and Barranquilla. It’s a great place to spend a few days, coconut in hand!
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: Inside Colombia’s BULL FIGHTING Culture | SUCRE – 6/32
Keep Exploring Colombia
I’ll be updating this post as I travel around Colombia, but if you’re looking to plan your own trip to el país de la belleza, I’ highly recommend checking everything I’ve written about Colombia, I’ve also written more in-depth guides to all corners of Colombia! You can check out all of my Colombia articles and stories here.
I also post a new department-focused video on my YouTube channel every other Thursday, so if you want to explore Colombia along with me, go subscribe for the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox!
Lastly, let me know what your favorite things to do in your department! What did I miss on my travels, and which department should I explore next?
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.
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