The Best Alternative Walking Tours to Take in Colombia

Bogota Graffiti Tour
Bogota Graffiti Tour | © Chris Bell
Chris Bell

There are hundreds of different walking tours you can take in Colombia, from standard historical walking tours in big cities to slightly more focused and niche tours. With walking tours focusing on such interesting and diverse topics as coffee, graffiti, architecture, and Colombia’s history of violence, here are some of the best alternative walking tours to take in Colombia.

Bogota Graffiti Tour

Colombia’s most popular and enduring alternative walking tour has been packing in the visitors and receiving rave reviews for years now, thanks to its excellent mix of art, culture, history, and politics, all relayed by knowledgeable and fun guides. The tour takes in street-art throughout the La Candelaria neighbourhood in Bogota, and you won’t just learn about graffiti but how the murals and tags you will see relate to Colombian culture and the modern political situation.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Street-art in Bogota

Specialty Coffee Shop Tour

The best city coffee tour in Colombia, the Specialty Coffee Shop Tour by Flavors of Bogota operates in Bogota, Medellin, and now Cartagena, but it’s the Bogota version that remains the biggest and best, thanks mainly to the incredible diversity of unique independent cafes in the city. The tour usually takes in around three different cafes, where the baristas and coffee experts will explain everything that goes into making the perfect cup of Colombian coffee. This is definitely the tour to take if you have a passion for coffee and you’re visiting Colombia.

Comuna 13 Walking Tour

Another alternative tour which has picked up more than its fair share of good reviews over the past few years, the Comuna 13 walking tour in Medellin takes in a neighbourhood that was once not only one of the most dangerous in Medellin, but perhaps in the world. The neighbourhood has been transformed thanks to Medellin’s social urbanism public policies, and tours of Comuna 13 focus on the pioneering architectural and transport infrastructure that so transformed much of the city.

Medellín street art

The Heroes Tour

Billed as “the anti-cliches” walking tour, the Heroes Tour makes a concerted effort to move away from the sad tendency to glamourise figures like Pablo Escobar at the expense of real Colombian heroes who have fought for social justice and peace. Featuring detailed explanations of the sad realities of the Escobar years, as well as the origins of the FARC and the Colombian conflict, this is definitely the tour for anyone with an appetite for learning more about Colombia’s turbulent history.

Bazurto Market Tour

A walking tour through Cartagena’s busiest and craziest food market, where thousands of local merchants come each day to ply their wares, a Bazurto Market Tour can be an overwhelming experience, but one that is worth having in Cartagena in order to experience the realities of the city and get an authentic experience away from the Old City bubble. Sample some of the freshest seafood you will ever have and meet local people going about their day-to-day lives in a tour that is about as alternative as it gets in Cartagena.

Delicious fresh seafood at Bazurto Market

Bogota Foodie

Known as “The Bogota Foodie” for his passion for local Colombian cuisine, Loon Lio is an expat in Colombia who offers great walking tours around Paloquemao food market, where he introduces his clients to an overwhelming world of flavours, sights, sounds and smells, and, above all, great food! If you have a passion for good food but aren’t too sure about navigating your way around the labyrinth that is Paloquemao, then check out this tour.

Bogota Chirriada

An up-and-coming tour operator with a focus on offering an alternative vision of Bogota than the standard walking tours, Bogota Chirriada offer a diverse portfolio of walking tours including, but not limited to, tours of food markets, visits to tejo bars, and off-the-beaten-track, rarely visited neighbourhoods.

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