Planning a Colombia Vacation With Kids
Colombia has it all. From its incredible Caribbean coastline to dynamic urban centers, lush coffee country to awe-inspiring national parks. You’ll also find delectable cuisine, fascinating attractions, and plenty of opportunities to soak in a new culture. Whether your family self-classifies as urban adventurers, adrenaline junkies, or cultural connoisseurs, there’s something for every age and interest.
Where to start when it comes to planning your Colombia vacation with kids? Check out these must-try activities to help you design the perfect family vacation.
What to Do in Bogotá With Kids
Bogotá, Colombia, should rank at the top of your family’s travel bucket list. This sophisticated, lively city of 11 million is connected via direct flights to New York, Houston, Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Located 8,700 feet above sea level, Bogotá is both the financial and political capital of Colombia. It contains charming neighborhoods with plenty of green spaces, trendy boutiques, and a vibrant arts scene.
There’s no better way to capture the spirit of Bogotá than by booking a family photoshoot with a professional through flytographer. Find out more about hiring a flytographer for your Colombia family vacation.
Learn to Cook Colombian Style
Breakfast will not only help you get your day started right but also provide a chance to explore the flavors of Colombia’s morning favorites. So, make sure you give authentic Colombian breakfast foods a shot, including Migas de Arepa (scrambled eggs with pieces of cornmeal cakes) and Arepa Boyacense (cheese-stuffed cornmeal pancakes). Accompanied by locally grown and roasted coffee, of course! And we also highly recommend booking a cooking class with a local chef to continue your family’s exploration of traditional Colombian cuisine into the dinner hour.
A Stroll Through La Calendaria
After a hearty breakfast, head out on an exploration of La Candelaria, the city’s historic center. There, you’ll find some of the nation’s most important museums. For example, the Gold Museum boasts roughly 34,000 pieces of gold attributed to 13 pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations. There’s also the Botero Museum, featuring some of Columbia’s greatest contemporary artists.
Lavish Boutiques and Open-Air Markets
Make sure you plan your itinerary around a Sunday or holiday in Bogotá. Why? Because the city shuts down approximately 60 miles of streets on these occasions, making them fully available to pedestrians. Consider spending this time on a bike tour of the city or head out on foot for a posh boutique window-shopping excursion in the historic Usaquén neighborhood culminating in an exploration of the open-air craft and flea market.
Visit Colombia’s Coffee-Growing Region
The heart and soul of Colombia is its coffee region. Whether a Brew buzz is necessary to start your day or you eschew caffeine, you’ll fall in love with the area’s lush landscapes featuring rolling hills, charming villages, colorful houses, and mountains teeming with coffee plantations. Besides coffee, many other crops are grown in the region, making it an incredible destination to kill two birds with one stone: learning about Colombian agriculture and savoring natural landscapes.
Enjoy a Coffee Country Tour
What’s the best way to see coffee country? Consider a private tour your whole family will love. Whether you’re after a leisurely walk or a family bike ride, you’ve got plenty of excellent kid-friendly options. Or spend a day learning about Colombia’s “coffee culture” with a local sociologist. Along the way, you’ll get the inside scoop on daily life for people living in Pijao, a rural coffee village.
Hike the Corcora Valley
On a trek of the Corcora Valley, your family can get physical while exploring breathtaking natural scenery. The valley boasts the tallest wax palm trees in the world. After getting your fill of this one-of-a-kind landscape, head to the quaint villages of Filandia and Salento. Life happens at a slower pace in these lovely cities, characterized by ornate murals detailing the coffee growing process, local cowboys on horseback, and colorful buildings.
Get the Adrenaline Flowing
If your family thrives on adrenaline, consider some additional adventure ideas. For example, head out on a horseback riding adventure along the Quindío River. Or take a leisurely float down the La Vieja river on a bamboo raft. There are also opportunities for ziplining and paragliding, affording unique perspectives of picturesque rural Colombia. For families looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, consider a dawn hot air balloon tour, offering spectacular aerial views of the region.
What to Do in Medellín With Kids
If you’re looking for a metric that best records Colombia’s incredible transformation over the past 20 years, no geographic location does it better than Medellín. The city has been declared one of the most innovative destinations globally. Coupled with a temperate climate and stunning coastal scenery (it’s not the “City of Eternal Spring” for nothing!), you’ll fall in love with this South American gem.
Explore Comuna 13
Once considered the most dangerous neighborhood in Medellin, Comuna 13 has transformed over the past two decades. Innovative projects have helped this, including a new escalator system, street art projects, and much more. On a tour of this incredible area, visit the art collective of Casa Kolacho, an organization that has played a vital role in Comuna 13’s recent evolution.
Discover Downtown Medellín
No family vacation would be complete without time spent strolling downtown Medellín. Visit the Antioquia Museum, where you can savor the artwork of Fernando Botero, a native of Medellín. There’s also the Medellín Museum of Modern Art, where you can take in an incredible collection of abstract art. And no trip to the city would be complete without time spent at the Casa de la Memoria, a fascinating museum that’ll quickly get your family up to speed with Medellin’s recent past.
Fun Activities Near Medellín
Besides time spent exploring urban Colombia, consider nearby adventures such as a half-day hike along the Rio La Miel culminating in a gorgeous waterfall. What are some other great nearby activities? Consider a full-day trip to El Peñol boulder followed by time in the village of Guatapé, the most colorful town in Colombia. The incomparable views from El Peñol provide an overview of the region and will leave you with incredible panoramic photos. Then, in Guatapé, marvel at the vibrant hues and intricate patterns of the city’s traditional buildings. Don’t forget about a visit to the Plaza de Zocalos, a gorgeous square where you’ll find coffee, souvenirs, and friendly locals.
What to Do in Cartagena With Kids
Rich in culture and walker-friendly, Cartagena invites exploration. On a pedestrian tour of the city, head to the walled civic center where you can see Cartagena’s past and present come to life through its remarkable landmarks, including the monument to Cartagena’s founder, the 16th-century Don Pedro de Heredia, and the Clock Tower. Other notable buildings are the San Pedro Claver Convent and Church and the Palace of the Inquisition, one of the city’s most beautiful buildings (despite its grisly history).
See Another Side of the City
There are so many incredible ways to see Cartagena. They include window shopping at the top designers’ shops, featuring both national and international designers. If you’re after more literary pursuits, consider a tour of the city with a local expert to find out more about the life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Or book a beachside horseback riding experience on beautiful Columbian Paso horses.
Savor the Flavors of Colombia on a Culinary Tour
Whether you’re after a sit-down meal at a high-end restaurant, a tour of the traditional Bazurto market, or a Caribbean-inspired cooking class, satisfaction awaits in Cartagena. The city is renowned for its incredible restaurants and mouthwatering diversity of cuisine, incorporating the flavors of Spain, indigenous cultures, the Caribbean, Africa, the Andes, and more.
Island Hopping in the Caribbean
An hour from Cartagena by boat, you’ll find the Rosario Islands, a national park protecting one of the most important coral reefs on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The 27 islands include diverse plants and animals, and you’ll fall in love with local landscapes, stunning beaches, and crystal-clear coastal waters.
A Colombia Vacation With Kids
What to do in Colombia? Enjoy fantastic explorations while discovering the best that the “gateway to South America” has to offer. From horseback riding to zip-lining, island hopping to Caribbean cooking classes, get ready for an exciting Colombia family vacation like none other. Along the way, relish opportunities to hike to waterfalls, explore colorful neighborhoods, and appreciate the lush beauty of coffee country.
Can’t wait to start planning your Colombia vacation with kids? Let’s chat! From Colombian Coastal Escapes to Charming Cartagena and Medellin Reborn, we can help your family find a tour that meets your interests and needs. Or we can customize an itinerary that fits your family’s unique travel style and goals.
