If you only read the headlines about Colombia, you would see descriptions of a country struggling to rebuild after decades of civil war and political turmoil. What you would miss, is the vibrant culture, plentiful biodiversity, and the unparalleled hospitality of locals who want to showcase their beloved country. That “version” of Colombia, is exactly what Madeleine found when she traveled there last spring with my Environment 425 class at the University of Michigan. Sam also has been lucky enough to enjoy the outdoor beauty of there, as his brother is stationed in Boyaca and Sam’s been to visit him!
If you did not know, Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Boasting incredible ecosystems ranging from high altitude páramos in the Andes Mountains to the lowland Amazon rainforest and interesting cities. And they want you to visit! In 2024, Colombia launched the “Humanimal” tourism campaign encouraging eco-based travel in a way that “transforms biodiversity into a global narrative that inspires pride and conservation.” With so many unique sights across Colombia, we created this top five guide to showcase some of our favorite vantage points we visited.
1. Mirador Belen De Los Andaquies
In the southern department of Caquetá, lives a quaint town nestled between the foothills of the Andes Mountains and the Amazon basin: Belen de los Andaquies. When I arrived in Belen with my class, the first thing locals recommended we do was visit Mirador.
So we embarked on a somewhat strenuous hike along a winding rainforest trail where spider monkeys gracefully swung from tree to tree and peculiar birds like hoatzins perched on Acai trees. By sunset, we arrived at the top of the cliff and took in the panoramic views as we indulged in the bocadillo de guayaba we brought from a local bakery. While sunset is beautiful, if you want the best chance of spotting wildlife, stop by closer to sunrise.
2. Monserrate
If you want to see the BEST view of Colombia’s capital city Bogota, be sure to check out Monserrate, a place that “blends spirituality, history, and nature to create a truly unique experience.” The Catholic sanctuary boasts excellent dining options, well-maintained walking trails, and pristine gardens.
To avoid the crowds, try going early in the morning or on a weekday. We visited on a rainy Thursday, and there was virtually no line to board the cable cars that carry you up the steep mountainside. If you get the chance, I highly recommend taking the teleferico instead of the cable cars so you can watch the colorful city shrink below on the way up.
3. Parque Ecológico Materredonda
On my last full day in Colombia, I took a bus from Bogotá to Parque Ecológico Matarredonda to visit an ecosystem that looked straight out of a sci-fi film called a páramo. A Páramo is, “high altitude grassland that secures clean water for millions” by absorbing rainfall and delivering it to lower biomes.
It costs about $8,000 Colombian pesos (which is about $2.25 USD) to enter the park, but once there, you will be greeted with stunning views of sacred lagoons and bizarre-looking frailejones. Cutting through the park is the Camino Real (Royal Road), an ancient trade path historically used by the indigenous Muisca people. Our guide said it was tradition to walk the trail barefoot, so I ditched my hiking boots and carefully traversed the path.
4. Vista Corona Calle 93
The Vista Corona is an “urban paradise” located in the center of Bogota. It is a rooftop restaurant with views of the dense, colorful city and mountains surrounding it. It offers great Latin American food (like elote and birria tacos) made even better with the view, and offers every variation of a Corona-based alcoholic drink you can think of. While I begged my family to go here because the food looked great, we stayed for around two hours staring out at what felt like an infinite city.
5. Laguna Calderona
The Laguna Calderona is a lagoon located in the central region of Colombia. It sits at 9,390 ft in elevation and is surrounded by small hills packed with trees. There are numerous hiking trails around the lagoon which is often shrouded in fog. In the summer, “the water level drops, revealing some white sand beaches”. While I was not lucky enough to see any beaches when I went, the view of the blue lagoon covered in fog was beautiful. My family and I really did feel the elevation, so make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks.
That’s just the beginning…
In a country as biodiverse as Colombia, there’s an infinite amount of beautiful scenery. If you make your way there, you’ll find your camera storage filling rapidly day-by-day. This list is not exhaustive, and there are so many hidden gems all over the country. If you find yourself admiring the rolling hills in the countryside of central Colombia, or the beauty in the dense maze of the largest cities, you’ll realize the real beauty of Colombia: everything is a view.
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