8 Must-Do Adventure Activities in Colombia

Too often overlooked in favor of Colombia’s more celebrated Caribbean coastline, the Pacific region is just as beautiful as its Caribbean counterpart. What’s more, in the impressively biodiverse Chocó region, you can observe the epic sights of humpback whales playing in the ocean as they migrate north in search of warmer waters to give birth to their young. Enjoy this unique spectacle between the months of June and October.

Insider tip: Adventurous surfers can also tackle the Pacific’s crashing waves while there.

The majestic Andes mountains run from Colombia down through all of South America, forming the spine of the continent. They’re spectacular to look at from just about any location, but real thrillseekers can take to the skies to view these exquisite landscapes from above. It’s best to book a tour with an experienced provider so you know you’ll be gliding with a seasoned professional. Ideal spots to start your flight include San Felix near Medellín in Antioquia, or the Santander department, where you can fly over the impressive Chicamocha Canyon.

Not for the faint of heart, the trek to Colombia’s picturesque and historic Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) takes a minimum of four days and three nights and must be booked through a tour operator. Intrepid hikers will be rewarded for their efforts with magical, panoramic views over the Sierra Nevada, the world’s highest coastal mountain range. The trek also includes fascinating explanations about the Indigenous culture, language, and customs of the four communities who live in the Sierra Nevada: the Wiwas, the Arhuacos, the Kogis, and the Kankuamos.

What better way to explore the adventurous side of a country than to tackle some of its rushing rapids on a rafting expedition? The Suárez Canyon in Colombia’s scenic Santander department offers one of the best river adventures in South America. With class IV and V rapids, the 7 mile (12 kilometer) route is sure to have you enjoying the adventure while you soak up the impressive views of the surrounding rock formations.

Páramos are special Andean ecosystems found at specific high altitudes. The most intriguing and eye-catching aspect of these ecosystems are plants called frailejones (espeletia), which have sprouting heads that look like miniature, furry palm trees. Not just a pretty sight, they’re also crucial for water conservation and balancing the entire ecosystem. In Chingaza National Natural Park, not far from Bogotá, you can enjoy incredible hikes through páramos to see the frailejones that help process the capital city’s water supply.

A 4-hour drive from Bogotá, the historic town of Villa de Leyva is full of cobblestoned streets, whitewashed buildings, and panoramic mountain views. The surrounding landscape deserves further exploration, and what better way than to go where regular cars can’t? Book an exciting ATV excursion to whiz through diverse terrain, visit the unique Terracotta House made entirely from mud, admire pools of azure waters, and examine dinosaur fossils at Gondova Park.

Colombia loves a bicycle of any kind. Home to the first Latin American to win the Tour de France (Egan Bernal), the country boasts seemingly endless mountainsides for 2-wheel adventures. For an exciting day trip, take a bike tour of the spectacular Antioquia department in the heart of the country. Whether you opt for a regular mountain bike or get a little help with an electric one, there’s no better way to take in the area’s coffee plantations, waterfalls, and tropical birds.

La Guajira in northern Colombia is home to the Wayuu Indigenous communities as well as awe-inspiring landscapes of arid desert and towering sand dunes that roll into the Caribbean Sea. Tour this unique region via sturdy, desert-proof Jeep to visit Cabo de la Vela, one of the world’s best windsurfing spots, and head up to Punta Gallinas, the northernmost point in all of South America. You’ll learn about Wayuu culture along the way on an adventure that truly feels out of this world.