The Most Unique Things to See and Do in Colombia

The Amazon rainforest is an extraordinary place to visit, and around 10 per cent of its total area is in Colombia (in the southeast part of the country). Leticia is the main city and serves as a useful base to explore the tropical wilderness, while the Chiribiquete National Park features table-top mountains and one of the world’s largest collections of prehistoric rock art. It rains all year round in the Amazon, but July to December is generally slightly drier and a therefore a good time to visit.

A festival and competition that’s held in the Valle del Cauca every May (or June), Festival de Musica Andina Mono Núnez has been a platform for up-and-coming Columbian artists since 1975 and is a great way to get a feel for traditional Latin American music.

The Wayuu festival has been held every year for over 30 years in Uribia in La Guajira (close to the border with Venezuela), and strives to raise awareness of the tribe and celebrate its culture. It takes place every year – usually in May – and is filled with music, dance, theatrical productions, art exhibitions and many other cultural activities which offer unique insights into the Wayuu way of life.

The Ibague festival is held yearly in June and July in the city of Ibague. First established in 1974, the event showcases traditional music by local solo artists and groups, and holds competitions and other cultural events. The most popular types of music at the festival are pasillo, sanjuanero and bambuca, which are all played at free concerts in the town’s streets and squares – accompanied, of course, by plenty of energetic dancing.

Colombian Independence Day is celebrated on July 20 every year, with events taking place all around the country. The day is a national holiday and each community has its own way of rejoicing: many have parades, festivals, and concerts to mark the occasion.

Feria de los Flores de Medellín is a flower festival held every summer in Medellín. The event draws people to the city from all over the world to experience the vibrant flower parades and jolly atmosphere.

Colombiamoda is an annual fashion event held in the Plaza Mayor in Medellín every July. This popular event, inaugurated in 1990, has grown dramatically in recent years to become one of the highest profile fashion events in Latin America. As well as allowing designers to showcase their work, Colombiamoda also has a large trade exhibition and several conferences for international designers to collaborate and share new ideas.

Barichara is a colonial town in the Santander region in the north of Colombia. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time to another era as you stroll the cobbled streets, lined with beautifully preserved, whitewashed buildings. The nearby town of San Gil, meanwhile, is often referred to as the adventure sports capital of Colombia. There are a large number of activities available here, including paragliding, bungee jumping, abseiling, climbing, whitewater rafting, rappelling down waterfalls and zip lining. May to August is a good time to visit these towns as this is when the river water levels tend to be highest.

Bandola de Sevilla Festival is held in Sevilla, close to Cali, in August. The festival is an explosion of culture, and features traditional and contemporary Colombian music. Since 1996 it has been used as a cultural exchange and information session where individuals can learn new things and discover incredible music.

The XXI Festival de Música del Pacifico Petronio Alvarez is a large open-air music festival that holds events all over the country (including in Bogota, Guapi, Tumaco, Buenaventura, Quibdo and Cali) simultaneously. The event promotes peace, joy, happiness, coexistence, inclusion and unity within the nation. In addition to fantastic music, workshops and lectures are offered, where people can learn about music and culture.