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Things to do in Caribbean Coast
Colombia’s coastal crown
Boasting big hitters such as Tayrona National Park and the port city of Cartagena, Colombia’s Caribbean Coast offers a wealth of things to do. Though most famous for its tropical beaches lapped by the warm and welcoming waters of the Caribbean Sea—particularly those of the Rosario and San Bernardo Islands—the coastal area will also surprise you with its mud volcanoes and delectable cuisine that showcases the best of Latin American and Caribbean flavors. Whether you’re looking to post up in a tranquil mountain town like Minca or party it up in Barranquilla, culture and nature are in no short supply.
Top 15 attractions in Caribbean Coast
Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario)
Totumo Mud Volcano (El Totumo)
Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)
San Felipe de Barajas Castle (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas)
Old Town Cartagena
Tayrona National Park (Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona)
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park
Convento de la Popa de la Galera
Las Bovedas
Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo)
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Bolivar Square (Plaza Bolivar)
National Aviary of Colombia (Aviario Nacional de Colombia)
Crystal Beach (Playa Cristal)
Cathedral of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver)
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When to visit
Rio de Janeiro isn’t the only place in South America famous for its Carnival—Barranquilla hosts one of the world’s largest Carnival celebrations every year around mid-February. Expect kaleidoscopic parades that showcase the best of the country’s costumes, dances, and folklore. For the best weather, North Colombia’s spring and summer months coincide with the Caribbean Coast’s dry season, which runs from December through February.
Getting around
Cartagena and Barranquilla both have international airports, making reaching the Caribbean Coast by domestic or international airline a breeze. Coaches and minibuses are a great way to travel between cities. For travel to Tayrona National Park, you can either take a bus from Santa Marta or ride a boat from Taganga. The Rosario Islands are only accessible by ferry or speedboat.
Traveler tips
Just a couple of hours south of Cartagena, you’ll find the hidden gem of Santiago de Tolú, a small and charming pueblo surrounded by the mangroves of the Ciénaga la Caimanera nature reserve and white-sand beaches characteristic of the Caribbean Coast. Though a favorite among Colombian locals during the peak summer season, this town is quiet throughout the year and draws far fewer foreign tourists than other parts of the coast, so you’re guaranteed a more authentic Colombian experience.