When we arrived in Colombia, we expected colourful streets, good coffee and plenty of adventure.
What we didn’t expect was that it would become one of the most memorable chapters of our family’s journey through Latin America.
Over the next three months, we’d dance on a party bus through Cartagena, cool off in rivers in Minca, spend a month trying out beach life in Palomino, fall in love with Medellín and finish our Colombian adventure in Bogotá.
Along the way, we learned that the reality of travel is often very different from the Instagram version.
Some places exceeded every expectation.
Others taught us lessons we didn’t expect to learn.
This is the story of our time travelling Colombia as a family.
Don’t Forget The Boring Stuff
Whether you’re renting a car, whale watching in Uvita, exploring national parks, or travelling between destinations, things don’t always go to plan.
We’ve used SafetyWing throughout our travels because it gives us flexible coverage while travelling long-term as a family.
Quick Summary
Time in Colombia: 3 months
Destinations visited:
Cartagena
Santa Marta
Minca
Palomino
Medellín
Guatapé
Bogotá
Our favourite destination: Medellín
Most surprising destination: Bogotá
Most challenging destination: Palomino
Would we return? Without hesitation.
Cartagena: The Perfect Introduction to Colombia
Our Colombian adventure began in Cartagena.
The first thing that hit us wasn’t the colourful buildings or the historic streets.
It was the heat.
The Caribbean humidity felt like walking into a wall and within minutes we understood why locals moved at a slower pace during the middle of the day.
Despite the heat, Cartagena was exactly what we’d hoped it would be.
We wandered through the colourful streets of the old town, admired the murals and street art, explored the famous umbrella street and spent hours simply walking and taking everything in.
One of our favourite discoveries was an incredible açaí bowl café that quickly became a regular stop whenever we were nearby.
The kids loved exploring the narrow streets and spotting colourful buildings while we soaked up the atmosphere that makes Cartagena one of Colombia’s most famous destinations.
One evening we jumped on a Chiva party bus.
At first it felt like one of those activities designed purely for tourists, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our stay.
Music blasted through the bus, people danced in the aisles and somehow our children ended up joining in and having just as much fun as the adults.
It was chaotic, loud and completely unforgettable.
Cartagena wasn’t somewhere we’d want to stay for months, but it was the perfect introduction to Colombia.
Colourful, energetic and full of character.
Santa Marta: Slowing Things Down
After the energy and chaos of Cartagena, Santa Marta felt calmer.
We spent a lot of our time doing something we often enjoy most while travelling: simply living life.
One of my favourite memories was an early morning workout at the beachfront gym.
There’s something special about training as the sun rises over the Caribbean Sea, and afterwards we jumped straight into the water to cool off.
The sea was probably the biggest surprise.
For some reason, we hadn’t expected it to be quite so beautiful. The water was crystal clear, warm and perfect for swimming.
We quickly settled into a simple routine.
Beach.
Food.
Ice cream.
Repeat.
One particular favourite was Burukuka Ice Cream, which became a regular stop during our stay.
We also spent plenty of time people-watching around Parque de Los Novios and the historic centre, soaking up the atmosphere and watching local life unfold around us.
One lunch spot we kept returning to was Bio Saludable, where we found a great vegan almuerzo that quickly became one of our favourite meals in the city.
Santa Marta isn’t packed with major attractions in the same way Cartagena is.
Instead, it felt like somewhere to slow down, recharge and enjoy the simple things.
And after the intensity of Cartagena, that was exactly what we needed.
Minca: Rivers, Chocolate and Mountain Life
If Cartagena was colourful and energetic, Minca felt like a completely different world.
Nestled in the mountains above Santa Marta, it offered cooler temperatures, jungle scenery and a much slower pace of life.
It quickly became one of our favourite stops.
Some of our best memories came from the simplest moments.
One afternoon, the kids spent hours building a rock fort beside a river while we relaxed nearby. It wasn’t a famous attraction or a planned activity, but it became one of those travel memories that sticks with you long after you’ve left.
Although there is a chance we all picked up a stomach bug from swimming in the river, we’d probably still do it again.
That’s travel.
The town itself had a lovely atmosphere. The central square became a regular hangout, with the kids making friends and finding other children to play with while we enjoyed a slower pace of life.
One of the highlights was a chocolate-making tour we did here, this one has 22 5 star reviews
The kids learned how chocolate is made from bean to bar, and it was one of those rare activities that managed to be both educational and genuinely fun.
In the evenings we’d often head back to Casa Loma.
Watching the sunset over the mountains while live music played in the background felt like one of those moments that perfectly captures why people travel.
And then there was the pizza.
After weeks of travelling, we somehow found ourselves eating one of the biggest and best pizzas of the entire trip at a restaurant opposite the park.
Not exactly a traditional Colombian experience, but a memorable one all the same.
Looking back, Minca gave us something that many destinations don’t.
Space.
Space to slow down, spend time together and enjoy the journey rather than constantly rushing to the next attraction.
Palomino: The Dream Versus Reality of Beach Life
When we arrived in Palomino, we thought we’d found paradise. A small beach town on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, surrounded by jungle and mountains, with long stretches of sand and a reputation for slow living. It sounded perfect, so we rented an Airbnb for a month and settled in.
One of the first surprises came when we met our host, who lived in an outbuilding on the same land. It wasn’t something we’d expected when booking, but he turned out to be incredibly friendly and welcoming.
Our first few days felt exactly how we’d imagined. We spent our time walking on the beach, eating fresh food, enjoying the warm weather and embracing a slower pace of life.
But as the weeks passed, we started to see another side of Palomino. The heat was relentless, mosquitoes were everywhere, power cuts became part of daily life and heavy rain occasionally caused flooding. We quickly realised that living somewhere for a month is very different from visiting for a few days.
That doesn’t mean we didn’t enjoy it. Far from it.
Some of our favourite memories from Colombia happened in Palomino. We spent time with other travellers and expats around Plaza Numen, where there was always somebody to chat to and something happening. The town itself had a relaxed atmosphere, with cool shops, cafés and restaurants scattered throughout the main streets.
One thing we noticed was that there seemed to be two different versions of Palomino. There was the traveller and expat bubble, and then there was local life. Sometimes those worlds mixed, but often they felt surprisingly separate.
The beach was one of the highlights of our stay. Most visitors stick close to the main access points, but if you’re willing to walk a little further, Palomino becomes something special.
Heading left eventually takes you towards the river and tubing area, which makes for a fantastic half-day adventure. We spent an afternoon floating down the river on inflatable tubes before returning to town.
Walking in the opposite direction was even better. The further we went, the quieter it became. Passing boutique hotels and increasingly empty stretches of sand, it eventually felt like we’d stumbled across our own private tropical island. On one occasion we reached a section of beach where it felt like we had the entire Caribbean coastline to ourselves.
Those moments were magical, but Palomino also taught us something important.
We’d spent months dreaming about beach life, yet after living it for a month we realised it wasn’t necessarily what we wanted long term. The constant heat, humidity and slower infrastructure create practical challenges that don’t become obvious during a short holiday. What feels idyllic for a week can feel very different after thirty days.
Palomino didn’t disappoint us; if anything, it educated us. It showed us the difference between a holiday destination and a place you’d actually want to live, and that lesson ended up being one of the most valuable things we took away from our time there.
We also did this river tubing tour where we chilled going down the river in tubes as a family…it was so good.
Medellín: The City We Didn't Want to Leave
After a month in Palomino, Medellín felt like exactly what we needed. The weather was the first thing we noticed. After weeks of sweating through Caribbean humidity, Medellín’s famous “eternal spring” climate immediately made everyday life easier. Not too hot, not too cold, just comfortable.
We based ourselves in El Poblado and quickly understood why so many travellers, digital nomads and expats love the city. It felt modern, clean and easy to navigate, with great cafés, parks, restaurants and plenty of places to simply wander around and enjoy the atmosphere.
One of our favourite experiences was taking part in Ciclovía. Every Sunday, major roads across the city are closed to traffic and handed over to cyclists, runners, walkers and families. The atmosphere was incredible. Thousands of people were out exercising, socialising and enjoying the city together, and it felt more like a giant community celebration than a road closure.
We also found a great apartment and quickly settled into a routine. After months of constantly moving around, it was nice to have somewhere that felt comfortable and easy to live in. The kids loved exploring different parks and neighbourhoods, while we appreciated having access to everything we needed without the chaos of a larger capital city.
Comuna 13 was another highlight. The colourful street art, music, performers and energy made it one of the most memorable days of our time in Colombia. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s touristy for a reason. The atmosphere was unlike anywhere else we visited during our travels.
We also spent more time than expected wandering around Medellín’s enormous shopping centres. Not because we were shopping particularly hard, but because they were great places to escape the occasional rain shower, grab lunch and let the kids enjoy a change of scenery.
And then there was the breakfast.
The V Grand Hotel served one of the best breakfasts of our entire Latin America trip. By the end of our stay, we were almost looking forward to breakfast as much as the day’s activities.
Looking back, Medellín felt different from every other destination we visited in Colombia. Cartagena was exciting, Minca was relaxing and Palomino was eye-opening, but Medellín felt genuinely livable. It was the first place in Colombia where we found ourselves asking, “What if we stayed longer?”
If we returned to Colombia tomorrow, Medellín would almost certainly be our first stop.
Guatapé: The Perfect Day Trip
If Medellín was our favourite base in Colombia, then Guatapé was our favourite day trip.
We did this amazing Guatape day tour and visited Piedra del Peñol, we highly recommend doing this if you have the time. We went witht his ien because of the 7000+ 5 star reviews
Located around two hours from the city, it’s one of those places that immediately feels different from anywhere else you’ve visited.
The first thing you’ll notice is the colour.
Almost every building is painted in bright colours and decorated with unique designs known as zócalos, giving the town a playful and cheerful atmosphere.
It felt like walking through a postcard.
Of course, the main attraction is Piedra del Peñol.
This enormous rock rises dramatically above the surrounding lakes and is visible long before you arrive.
The climb to the top isn’t exactly easy.
There are over 700 steps, and by the end you’ll definitely feel it in your legs.
But the view is worth every step.
Standing at the top and looking out across the maze of islands, lakes and green hills was one of the most impressive views we experienced anywhere in Colombia.
It’s the kind of place where photos don’t really do it justice.
Back in town, we spent the rest of the day wandering through the colourful streets, grabbing food and simply enjoying the atmosphere.
The kids loved exploring and spotting all the different designs on the buildings, while we appreciated how relaxed and easy-going the town felt.
What we liked most about Guatapé was that it managed to be touristy without feeling overwhelming.
Yes, it’s popular.
Yes, there are plenty of visitors.
But it still felt authentic and enjoyable.
Not every famous attraction lives up to the hype.
Guatapé absolutely did.
If you’re visiting Medellín, we’d consider it an essential day trip.
In fact, if someone gave us just one day to experience Colombia’s natural beauty, this might be the place we’d choose.
Bogotá: A Better Goodbye Than We Expected
Bogotá was our final stop in Colombia, and if we’re honest, we weren’t expecting much. Before arriving, we’d heard mixed opinions. Some travellers loved it, while others told us to skip it altogether and spend more time elsewhere.
As it turned out, Bogotá surprised us.
The first surprise was the weather. Compared to the Caribbean coast, it felt refreshingly cool, but it wasn’t nearly as cold as we’d imagined. After months of tropical heat, we found the climate comfortable and easy to enjoy.
One of our favourite discoveries was Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar. The park is enormous, and the kids loved the open space, playgrounds and simply having room to run around. We appreciated the greenery and the chance to slow down after several months on the road. It quickly became one of our favourite places in the city.
We also spent a lot of time exploring Chapinero, which ended up being our favourite area of Bogotá. It felt safe, relaxed and full of good cafés, restaurants and green spaces. If we were recommending somewhere to stay, we’d suggest looking around Chapinero, Parque Virrey or slightly further north. For families, it struck us as one of the most pleasant parts of the city.
What we liked most about Bogotá was that it felt real.
Unlike Cartagena, which can sometimes feel built around tourism, Bogotá felt like a city where people actually live, work and go about their daily lives. It gave us a different perspective on Colombia. Not the beaches, mountain towns or famous attractions, but everyday Colombian life. And that was interesting in its own way.
By this point, we’d spent months travelling through the country. We’d experienced the Caribbean coast, mountain villages, beach towns and modern cities, so Bogotá arrived at exactly the right time. It wasn’t necessarily our favourite destination in Colombia, but it was a fitting place to end our journey and gave us time to reflect on everything we’d experienced before moving on to the next chapter of our travels.
As our flight home approached, we realised something.
Colombia had exceeded our expectations. Not because every destination was perfect, but because each place offered something different. Together they created one of the most memorable chapters of our family’s journey through Latin America.
What Colombia Taught Us
Looking back, Colombia taught us a few lessons that we’ll take into future travels:
Living somewhere is very different from visiting. Our month in Palomino showed us that the dream of tropical beach life comes with mosquitoes, humidity, power cuts and the realities of daily life.
Slow travel changes your perspective. Staying longer allowed us to build routines, discover favourite cafés, make friends and experience places beyond the main tourist attractions.
The best memories are often the unplanned ones. Floating down a river in Minca, watching sunsets from Casa Loma, beach walks in Palomino and simple afternoons in local parks often stand out more than the famous sights.
Family travel doesn’t need to be perfect. Some days were amazing, others were messy, exhausting or frustrating. That’s simply part of travelling long term with children.
The places you expect to love aren’t always your favourites. Before arriving, we assumed the Caribbean coast would be the highlight of Colombia. Instead, Medellín ended up becoming our favourite destination in the country.
Those lessons ended up being just as valuable as the places we visited, and they’re a big part of why Colombia remains one of our favourite countries in Latin America.
Our Favourite Memories From Colombia
When we think back to our time in Colombia, it’s not one destination that stands out. It’s a collection of moments, places and experiences that made the trip memorable.
Best family day: River tubing in Palomino. Floating through the jungle before drifting back towards the Caribbean coast was one of our favourite family adventures.
Best view: Piedra del Peñol. The climb was worth it for the incredible views across the lakes and islands surrounding Guatapé.
Best sunset: Casa Loma, Minca. Watching the sun disappear behind the mountains while live music played in the background is a moment we’ll remember for a long time.
Best food memory: Sharing a giant pizza in Minca after a day of exploring. Not the most Colombian meal of the trip, but definitely one of the most memorable.
Biggest surprise: Bogotá. We arrived with fairly low expectations and left wondering why so many travellers skip it.
Best ice cream: Santa Marta. Ice cream quickly became part of our daily routine while exploring the city and beachfront.
Best beach: The quieter stretch of coastline beyond Palomino. The further we walked, the fewer people we saw until it felt like we had the beach entirely to ourselves.
Best city: Medellín. The climate, parks, neighbourhoods, food and overall atmosphere made it our favourite city in Colombia.
Best kid moment: Watching the kids build a rock fort beside the river in Minca and make friends in the town square. A reminder that children don’t need elaborate attractions to have a great time.
Best unexpected experience: Dancing on a Chiva party bus through Cartagena. It wasn’t planned, but it became one of the funniest nights of the trip.
The memory we’ll probably talk about most: Our month in Palomino. Not because it was perfect, but because it taught us the most. It challenged our assumptions about beach life, introduced us to new people and gave us experiences we’d never have had if we’d only stayed for a few days.
Would We Travel Colombia as a Family Again?
Without hesitation.
Before arriving, Colombia was one of the countries we knew the least about. We had expectations, assumptions and a rough plan, but we had no idea how much it would end up shaping our journey through Latin America.
Over three months, we experienced colourful Caribbean cities, mountain towns, jungle rivers, beach life, modern urban living and everything in between.
Not every destination was perfect.
Not every day went to plan.
But that’s exactly why we loved it.
Colombia felt real.
It challenged us at times, surprised us often and rewarded us far more than we expected.
If you’re considering Colombia as a family destination, our advice is simple:
Go.
Take your time.
Stay longer than you think you need to.
Talk to locals.
Explore beyond the obvious highlights.
And allow the country to surprise you.
Because that’s what it did to us.
Years from now, when we look back on our family’s journey through Latin America, Colombia won’t just be another country we visited.
It will be one of the chapters we remember most.
