Where to Stay in Colombia With Kids (Top 3 Family Bases)
Updated September 2025 • We haven’t stayed in Colombia yet — this is the shortlist we’d book today based on location, family amenities, and consistent parent reviews. We’ll update after our Colombia leg in Oct 2025.
We’re a slightly overwhelmed family of four who care about two things: long walks, exploring new places and early bedtimes (For the kids). Colombia, Ecuador has been popping up on more family travel radars, colourful cities, Caribbean beaches, and mountain views. But it can feel intimidating when you’re trying to figure out where to base yourselves with kids.
Here’s the good news: most family trips to Colombia can be built around three key bases:
Cartagena → colourful walled city + Caribbean coast.
Medellín → mountain city, cable cars, and spring-like weather.
Bogotá → capital with museums, parks, and cultural highlights.
Each has its own family rhythm, and we’ve narrowed down the hotel hunt to three easy picks per city: a budget-friendly base, a mid-range balance, and a splurge sanity saver.
1. Cartagena (Caribbean Coast & Colonial Charm)
Cartagena is the postcard city of Colombia — colorful colonial walls, plazas, and Caribbean beaches nearby. Families usually stay in the Centro Histórico (inside the walls, stroller-friendly plazas), Getsemaní (street art and cafés, but livelier at night), or Bocagrande (modern hotels with big pools and beach access).
👉 Full guide: Where to Stay in Cartagena With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
2. Medellín (City of Eternal Spring)
Set in a mountain valley, Medellín surprises most visitors: clean, modern, and with a year-round mild climate. The cable cars are a family highlight, and neighbourhoods like El Poblado (safe, walkable, restaurants) and Laureles (quieter, residential) make good bases. Add in parks, playgrounds, and day trips, and Medellín works well for families who want a mix of city and green.
👉 Full guide: Where to Stay in Medellín With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
3. Bogotá (High-Altitude Capital)
Bogotá sits at 2,600m and can feel chilly compared to the coast, but it’s full of family-friendly sights: the Gold Museum, Monserrate hill (cable car), and sprawling parks. Families tend to base in La Candelaria (historic and walkable, though busy) or Chapinero/Zona G (modern, safer, and with bigger apartments).
👉 Full guide: Where to Stay in Bogotá With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
How to Plan Your Bases (Without Chaos)
Caribbean color + beach time: 3–4 nights in Cartagena.
Mountain city vibes: 3 nights in Medellín.
Capital culture: 2–3 nights in Bogotá.
That’s 8–10 nights for a first trip. If you’ve got longer, you can add Santa Marta/Tayrona for more beach, or the Coffee Region for farm stays.
Safety & Practical Tips for Families in Colombia
Safety: Stick to tourist-friendly neighborhoods (Centro in Cartagena, El Poblado in Medellín, Chapinero in Bogotá). Use ride apps (Uber, InDriver).
Transport: Domestic flights are affordable and much easier with kids than overnight buses.
Food: Colombian food is hearty and kid-friendly, think rice, chicken, arepas, fresh fruit juices.
Climate: Cartagena = hot/humid, Medellín = mild/spring-like, Bogotá = cool at altitude. Pack layers.
FAQ (for parents, by parents)
Is Colombia safe with kids?
Yes, if you stick to well-reviewed areas and use ride apps. It’s much safer than headlines suggest, especially in tourist zones.
Do we need Spanish?
Helpful, but not essential. Hotels in tourist areas usually have English-speaking staff. Basic phrases and Google Translate go a long way.
How many days in Colombia with kids?
10–14 days is a good balance. Enough to see the highlights without burning out.
Which city is best with younger kids?
Cartagena, flat, colorful, and stroller-friendly inside the walls. Medellín also works well for its parks and mild weather.
Wrap-Up
Colombia with kids is doable, colourful, and rewarding. Anchor your trip around Cartagena, Medellín, and Bogotá, and you’ll cover coast, mountains, and culture without overloading your itinerary. Each of our guides breaks down three easy stays per city, no endless lists, just the shortlists we’d actually book ourselves.
