Where to See the Best Panoramic Views in Colombia

This Spanish colonial castle in Cartagena is worth visiting for its history and architecture alone, but perhaps its real selling point is the beautifully contrasting panorama it offers against both the old walled city and the new, chic skyscrapers of Bocagrande, all surrounded by the beautiful blue Caribbean waters. There’s no better view in Cartagena (though the one from La Popa Monastery is pretty special too).

The classic panorama of choice for backpackers on the Caribbean coast is from Casa Elemento, one of Colombia’s coolest hostels. Perched on the edge of a mountain in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the hostel’s giant hammock overlooks a stunning panorama of jungle-covered mountains, the Caribbean Sea and even the distant city of Santa Marta. A short hike up the hill also reveals more dramatic views over the snowcapped peaks of the Sierra, the highest in Colombia.