Beautiful Small Town Travel Destinations in Colombia, South America

Colombia is a beautiful country in South America with a vibrant culture, lush mountains, coffee farms, and tropical beaches to explore. Last year, we visited Medellín and we can’t wait to return to see more of the country. If you’re wondering where are the best places to go in Colombia, here are some recommendations from our fellow intentional travelers, Troy and Dorene of Travel Life Experiences:

Our Favorite Small Towns in Colombia

For any traveler, a trip to Colombia usually means a visit to Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, and Salento (like in this 16 day itinerary). Colombia is blessed with so much more than just the big cities, the Pacific and Caribbean beaches, and coffee regions. There are numerous historical colonial towns to visit that are often overlooked during a short vacation to the country. In fact, there are 17 designated historical towns that are welcoming visitors all over the country and waiting for you.

Here are some of our top picks:  

Barichara

Located in the north central part of the department (province) of Santander, Barichara is rated as the most beautiful town in Colombia. The name also means “place of rest”, which is precisely what you can do there.

It’s the perfect place to saunter through the quiet streets that are filled with clay-tiled, whitewashed buildings. A magnificent signature church stands in the town square.  You can spend days visiting the artisanal workshops of ceramics and pottery, hiking to Guane, the nearest town on the old El Camino trek, or enjoying some international fare or the plate of the day in one of the many excellent restaurants in town.

Barichara is 3 hours by bus or 2 hours by car from the city of Bucaramanga. You can find out more about Barichara, what to do, and where to eat and stay here.

Jardín

Located in the southwest region of Colombia in the department of Antioquia, Jardín (or Garden) is the perfect mountain getaway from the big city of Medellín.

Jardín is a hub for the coffee region in the area. The town is surrounded by coffee farms and lush green mountains, where you can enjoy some fantastic hikes, waterfall treks and panoramic views of the town from above. Jardín is one of the best places for the up and coming coffee culture of Colombia. (Colombia’s coffee culture is moving from exporter to connoisseur.) New cafes are opening every day, and you will be sure to experience fresh, single farm varieties from the farmers that you see in town.  

You can get to Jardin in about 3 hours by bus from Medellín. Jardín has so much to offer – find out what to do, where to eat and stay here.

Villa de Leyva

Located northeast of Bogotá in the department of Boyacá, Villa de Leyva is a beautiful cobble-stoned, whitewashed building-laden colonial town. It was founded in 1572, making it one of the oldest historic towns in the country.  It’s over 2000m in elevation, so mornings and evenings have slightly chilly temperatures. 

This is another town to saunter through the lovely streets, looking for artisanal goods, and traditional Colombian plates. There are also some archeological sites and the Pozo Azules, which are the lakes around the area that take on an intense blue color from the minerals in the soil.

Villa de Leyva is 3 hours north by bus from Bogotá.  You can find out more about Villa de Leyva here.

Jericó

There is another lovely town located in Antioquia. Jericó has some similarities to Jardin, but it is an unapologetically low-key traditional pueblo, even though it is one of the more religious towns in the country. This is because it is home to 17 churches, and the birthplace of Colombia’s first saint and sister, Saint Laura Montoya.

Jericó also maintains the roots of Paisa people from Antioquia, and you can find many of the traditional products made here (like the Carriel – the men’s handbag) along with plenty of farms and plantations of oranges, avocados, coffee, and cardamom spice. Jericó is also a great place to walk with its colorful streets (it’s the law to paint your home with at least 4 colors), and relaxed hiking trails that take you through coffee farms and great views of waterfalls and relaxing river spots.

Jericó is about 4 hours from Medellin by bus. Learn more about Jericó here.

Santa Fe de Antioquia

This is a perfectly manicured colonial town, and the popular weekend “cottage” escape for Colombians with second homes. It has lovely whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets and intense heat if you are looking for dry, hot temperatures.  

Santa Fe de Antioquia is brimming with history, with several museums to wander through, which explains its history as the capital city of Antioquia before Medellin. Visit the interesting Puente de Occidente Bridge built by the same designer as the Brooklyn Bridge. Our best tip is to find some friends and book a Finca (high-end farmhouse) to enjoy your days poolside.  

This town is just one hour north of Medellín. 

Monguí

Located in central Colombia in the eastern range of the Andes in the department of Boyacá, you will find one of the most quaint, adorable and high altitude towns. Mongui is the starting point of the incredibly high-altitude hike to see the Paramo de Oceta, one of the most unique and vital ecosystems in the world.

This small historical town is attractive in itself, with its cobblestone roads, churches, buildings and picturesque river flowing through the village below the old Adobe Bridge. The primary industry here is the production of balones de fútbol (soccer balls), which you can learn more about it at the futbol museum located in the town square.

Mongui is about 4 to 4.5 hours from Bogota by bus. It requires a stop in the Boyaca capital of Tunja, then onto Sogomoso for a short ride up the hill to the town of Monguí. Find out more here about Monguí and its recent sustainable tourism status.

Guatapé

Be prepared to witness the most colorful town in Colombia.  Located in eastern Antioquia, bordering the village of El Peñol and San Raphael, Guatape is a playground for adventure and fun.

Visit for a day or stay overnight to hike the Big Rock (El Peñon), a peculiar giant rock with 700 steps to the top, and see one of the most spectacular views of the mountainous region, the surrounding villages, and the reservoir that winds through the valley. Spend your day zip lining, paddle boarding, boating or just wandering the streets with ice cream while admiring the colorfully themed placards (called zocalos) decorating the homes and buildings.

Guatapé is only 1.5 hours from Medellin, and several daily buses can take you there. Find out more about what to do and see in Guatapé here.

Minca

Although Minca is not a colonial town, it is definitely one of the coolest towns to visit. Located near the Caribbean coast near Santa Marta, Minca is a town that can be reached by winding up the hills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  

This town was once closed off from anyone except locals and controlled by guerillas. Since the ceasefire and peace treaty, this destination has now been discovered and is becoming one of the ideal spots to chill out in this area. You can enjoy bird watching, hiking the Los Pinos trail that provides outstanding views of Santa Marta and the Caribbean coast above, visiting a traditional coffee farm, dipping into the Pozo Azul swimming holes, or relaxing in one of the many excellent restaurants and guesthouses.

Minca is just a 20-minute taxi or a drive from Santa Marta or 1 hour by bus.  Find out more about Minca and where to stay, eat and what to do here.

This is just a taste of the many enjoyable, historical and relaxing towns in Colombia, and there are many more to discover. What town interests you the most? Let us know.

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