7 awesome places in Colombia with nonstop flights from the U.S.
Looking for a ticket to paradise? Colombia—the only South American country with Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, plus mountains, high-desert plains and an Amazon rainforest—has several destinations with instant access from cities in the United States.
From the sandy beaches of the Caribbean to the flower-strewn slopes of the Andes to the steamy jungle along the Amazon River, Colombia is full of incredible beauty, diversity and warm, friendly people. It’s impossible for most travelers to experience it all in one visit, let alone six. That’s how many times I’ve been to Colombia—often for an extended period of time — and yet the list of places I want to go and things I want to do keeps growing instead of shrinking.
Luckily the number of Colombian cities served by international flights is rising, too, according to Flavia Santoro, the outgoing president of ProColombia, which promotes foreign investment, exports and tourism for the South American country. Following a global slump in air travel, Colombia has not only seen the sector bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, but also make gains.
“There are now 27 airlines in operation that connect to 10 destinations in Colombia,” says Santoro. “It gives us the opportunity to show off our different regions.”
The vast majority of international flights touch down in Bogotá, but if the capital city isn’t on your bucket list, chances are you might find a destination that’s closer to your happy place. Here’s an overview of destinations reachable by direct flights from the U.S. and what you will find in each location.
1. Bogotá splays out in a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by sweeping peaks of the Andes. At 8,660 feet above sea level, it’s the third highest and third-largest capital city in South America. More than 11 million people call the city home, but it was a hub of civilization well before the Spaniards arrived looking for treasure. Take a deep dive into Colombia’s history, art and culture within Bogotá’s many museums, including the must-see Museo del Oro and Museo Botero, then soar in a cable car to the top of Montserrate Hill for an incredible aerial view overlooking the vast territory.
How to get there: Bogotá is the gateway to South America and more flights arrive in the capital than any other Colombian city.. You will find direct flights to Bogotá from most major airline hubs. Fly direct from Atlanta, Houston and Dallas, plus Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Where to stay: The Chapinero neighborhood is a great bet for dining and nightlife. Try bs Rosales Hotel, a gem of a hotel by Zona G.
2. Medellin is a modern metropolis that transformed itself from the murder capital of the world into a hub for technology, innovation and, yes, tourism. The city is the birthplace of internationally recognized artist Fernando Botero, known for his paintings and sculptures of supersized humans. His unique style is on display in the Plaza Botero, where you’ll find 23 bronze sculptures in a large open-air gallery. Then, step into the adjacent Museo de Antioquía for more works by Botero and other Colombian artists. Don’t miss a visit to the Museo Casa de la Memoria, which doesn’t shy away from Medellín’s dark past; instead, it filters it through the lens of the victims and survivors of decades-long armed conflict in the region.
How to get there: There are direct flights to Medellín from New York’s JFK airport, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Where to stay: Botánica Casa Hotel by DOT Tradition is a great value in an excellent location in the El Poblado neighborhood, close to Medellín’s Museum of Modern Art.
3. Did you know Colombia has territory in North America? The islands of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina lie 500 miles north of the mainland in the Caribbean Sea. LIke other Caribbean islands, you can expect swaying palm trees, gorgeous white sand beaches and various shades of turquoise seas. What you won’t find are the crowds—for now, anyway. This year, American Airlines launched a nonstop flight from Miami to San Andrés, which makes it much easier to reach this lesser-known archipelago. Rent a golf cart to explore the island, or snorkel in the Cayo Acuario, a natural aquarium known for its abundant marine life, including manta ray and nurse sharks. Avid scuba divers can try their hand at coral gardening with Corales de Paz, an organization that is reconstructing damaged habitats in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve.
How to get there: American Airlines has nonstop service from Miami.
Where to stay: Hotel Reina del Mar By Dorado sits on Rocky Cay Beach surrounded by swaying palm trees.
4. Cartagena de Indias reigns as the crown jewel of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. The popular tourist destination has lots of sunshine, slick high-rise condominiums, designer shops and international cuisine, but it is also home to one of the most beautifully preserved historic centers in all of the Americas. The gate to the Old Town is a time machine to the 17th century, with narrow cobblestone streets lined with colorful colonial buildings with wood balconies dripping with bougainvillea. Plan to wander the maze of streets in the late afternoon when the tropical heat starts to dissipate, then partake in sunset from atop the wall at Café del Mar, one of the city’s most iconic spots to watch the day slip away while sipping on a cocktail and listening to music. After dark, the party spills over to the bohemian neighborhood of Getsemani, where colorful chiva party buses cruise the streets blaring live music with passengers sipping on drinks from the open bar on board.
How to get there: There are direct flights to Cartagena from New York’s JFK airport, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Where to stay: Hotel Boutique Casa Del Arzobispado is a gorgeous colonial building, located within Cartagena’s walled old town. The property offers free use of bicycles.
5. Just a three-hour drive down the coast from Cartagena, Barranquilla may not be as popular as its touristy big sister, but the tropical sun shines just as bright on its nearby beaches. The industrial port city is best known for being the birthplace of Sofia Vergara and Shakira, but also for hosting Latin America’s second-largest Carnival celebration after Rio de Janeiro. “Carnaval is the best expression of joy and happiness that you can witness,” says Santoro, who also hails from Barranquilla. Three million visitors found their way to the city for the 2022 Carnaval de Barranquilla, a four-day spectacle that takes place in February or March each year. At other times of the year, you can visit the Museo del Carnaval, an explosion of colorful artifacts and stories behind the dances, costumes and the Queens..
How to get there: American Airlines and Avianca flies direct to Barranquilla from Miami, while Spirit Airlines flies direct from Fort Lauderdale.
Where to stay: Hotel El Prado is a beautiful hotel with a large pool, located in Barranquilla’s El Prado neighborhood, close to the Modern Art Museum.
6. When you need an injection of Colombian coffee at the source, then head to the country’s Eje Cafetero, also known as the Coffee Triangle, which is shaped by the cities of Manizales, Armenia and Pereira. Within this relatively compact area, there are many stand-out places to visit in addition to the many coffee farms. Highlights include natural hot springs, adventure sports and trekking within Los Nevados National Natural Park, one of the few places in Colombia where you’ll find glacier-covered peaks, plus the world’s tallest palm trees. The most popular base for exploring is the quaint colonial town of Salento, where the white-wash buildings are punctuated with colorful window frames, doors, and balconies. Be sure to get a delicious cup of joe at the Café Jesús Martín, one of the best spots for locally grown coffee expertly brewed by professional baristas.
How to get there: American Airlines flies direct to Pereira from Miami.
Where to stay: Sazagua Hotel Boutique is a spacious property with extensive gardens, and rooms decorated with regional décor.
7. If you ask someone from Cali what they’re city is like, they may say, “Cali es Cali, lo demás es loma” (Cali is Cali, and the rest is hills), which basically means Cali is the best place in the world. Caleños are proud of where they come from for many reasons, from the year-round summer weather to the hot, steamy nights in its many salsa clubs. This rhythmic genre of music and dance pulsates through the impeccably clean city streets and flows through the veins of its joyous and friendly people. Salsa may not have originated here, but over time Cali has developed its own unique style, where the beats are quicker and the dance steps are faster. With more than 100 salsa schools, you can easily pick up some of the basic skills you’ll need to hit the dance floor at the more than 1,500 registered bars and nightclubs, such as La Topa Tolondra or Tin Tin Deo. When you’re not dancing the night away, be sure to visit the Cristo Rey statue on the Cerro de los Cristales for a panoramic view of the city, visit Hernando Tejada’s sculpture El Gato del Río and get a peak at the neoclassical Iglesia Ermita.
How to get there: American Airlines and Avianca flies direct to Barranquilla from New York and Miami, while Spirit Airlines flies direct from Fort Lauderdale. Seasonal service is offered from Orlando on Avianca.
Where to stay: Alka Hotel Casa Nispero gets high marks for its service and its location.
Where will you go in Colombia?
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