We don’t talk about Bruno… but we enjoy his Christmas lights!

Medellín is a very traditional city when it comes to Christmas. Music, food, party, games, spiritual traditions, and lots of lights, especially along the Medellín river, where hundreds of families spend their nights walking, sightseeing, and enjoying themselves. Every year, the town hall chooses a theme for the lights to welcome everyone. This year is special: we can find the Encanto movie characters and even a real size representation of Casita, the house where The Madrigal family lived, partied, and found the magical gifts they used to help the people from their town. As we walk by the Medellín river we can take pictures of the lights, enjoy the wonderful Medellín weather and share quality time with our friends and family, being part of a tradition that has been with us for more than sixty years.

Walking by the Medellin river is not the only thing we can do: Avenida La Playa, located downtown, is another long trail we can tour together where we can see the lights, enjoy the food and let the Christmas spirit shine with us, just like the candle of the Abuela Madrigal. The next step could be visiting the nearby towns like Envigado, Sabaneta, or Itagüí, where this Christmas lights tradition is as important as it is in the rest of the towns of Antioquia. It’s not only about seeing Christmas lights; it’s about living this Colombian tradition that had stopped for two years because of the pandemic and it’s beginning again this December ready to receive people from around the world.

Not all families are like The Madrigal, but some of them look alike

The Disney movie begins with a family running away from the armed conflict, leaving everything behind to start over again. That family is the one that, in the head of a caring and resilient grandmother, starts again without a husband, ready to build a new house full of people, traditions, and memories.

This year some of the designers of the lights assembly are single mothers that used their inner light to create something magical for the people who walk by the Medellín river to see the result of their effort.

These designs make 1.8 kilometers of a road full of color, light, and charm that begins on the Guayaquil bridge and allows us to follow the story of Mirabel and her family, their magical gifts, and the miracles they experienced every day.

This is the perfect time to reunite again with friends and family to enjoy the charm of being together. Come with us and get to know the Madrigal family from the eyes of the Medellín people. We’re waiting for you!

10 years with local tourism experience

The enjoyment of our clients’ experience is our passion. In 10 years, we have had a company that could tend to 500-600 clients a month (about 25,000 visitors in total). All was going well until…

Covid-19 arrives to Colombia: March 6 confirm the first case

Yes, you probably know what comes next. The COVID-19 arrived to Colombia, and because of these dark times, we’ve had to take shelter in our homes, not go out, and live with uncertainty. But this has already happened to us before.

Colombia, especially Medellín, were victims of the drug war during the ’80s and ’90s, which forced us to stay at home and protect ourselves. We came out on top back then with a lot of patience, positive thinking, and support for each other.

What´s next: how to keep the business

Today, with this new challenge ahead of us, we have to apply the same strategies that have worked for us in the past: Protecting one another! As we know, uncertainty surrounds us and we will have to face unknown challenges. However, as on other occasions, we have opportunities.

The position that Colombia has achieved as an emerging tourist destination is a good reason to keep hope alive. We have prepared ourselves and are working on obtaining support from people who have traveled with us to post comments, reviews, or simply include us in their social networks.

We want to become the brand that people recognize as resilient and that we came through, thanks to everyone’s solidarity. Because of that, this post is dedicated to the hope that we can continue to travel to a country that has hundreds of attractions. But certainly, the most important are the people who live and work in Colombia to create a better country.

Support our business, keep talking about trips

Our request to you, if you are reading this article, is to share this information, invite your friends, or simply tell us on our social networks how you imagine your trip to Colombia. When this challenging time is over, we will be waiting for you with personal, custom-designed experiences for your trip to one of the most beautiful countries on Earth.

We hope to see you soon, but for now, I share with you a few pictures of people who have been with us.

Hugs,

Julio and Maty.

Throughout this article we’ll try to tell you all those great places to visit in Colombia and why. The truth is we don’t have enough space because the list is pretty long, and you’ll have to see all those places for yourself, because, when it comes to our country, it doesn’t matter if we make a list of the cool things you can do; everything is so awesome, there are no words to describe the colombian experience.

Looking for summer? Cartagena is your place

Take a deep breath and imagine a place where you can go to the beach in the morning, visit a castle in the afternoon, go shopping in a beautiful antique place, and have dinner at night in and old town… all that before having the best party of your life in a colonial town.

What city comes to your mind? Maybe you think that city doesn’t exist, but let us tell you: all those things we just mentioned are the top things to do in Cartagena. Yes, Cartagena, Colombia! The city where you can have great food, great parties, and also get to know a big part of our colombian history.

Falling in love with Cartagena is not hard. Its beautiful streets remind you of a nice colonial town; you’ll even feel as a part of a romantic movie! It’s not a surprise: Cartagena has been the setting of famous movies and TV shows thanks to its antique looking, the amazing San Felipe castle and its small and beautiful islands, where you can see the whitest sand and the clearest water reaching them in boats.

Colombia has different weather depending on where you travel. Have you been to Bogota?

There are different types of change: the ones that make you feel scared, and the other ones, those that make you feel excited. All the good places to visit in Colombia give you the feeling of excitement you need in your life: that’s the kind of excitement and happiness you need right now!

If you come to Colombia you have to know you’ll be able to easily feel how the weather changes while you travel. Did you know the top cities to visit in Colombia are completely different from one to another? We don’t have seasons in Colombia, but even though you can find different climates and weather patterns; you just have to move from where you are and live it, and it’s not expensive!

You can travel from one city to another and see mountains, beaches, rivers, animals and share your time with great people! Are you wondering which cities to visit in Colombia during summer? Make a list and choose, because you can visit them whenever you want. Really, anytime!

If you want to change the pleasure of travel through caribbean coasts and prefer cold weather, and still go out and have fun, Bogotá, the capital, is definitely your place. Visiting the botanic garden or La Candelaria, its most famous neighbourhood, you’ll see beautiful streets, with antique and beautiful houses, near to the Gold Museum (also known in spanish as Museo del Oro), getting to know one of the most famous historical places to visit in bogotá, Colombia, and an easy way to get transportation that takes you to Villa de Leyva in Boyacá, a town you’d like because of its weather, its people and its nice traditions.

Colombia’s history is full of interesting and colorful details

The party of Cartagena, the colorful waters of Caño Cristales, the paradise feeling of our caribbean islands… You can pass all that to enjoy our history. We know you’ve read about it in different places; there are even TV series that show you our reality from different perspectives. But, believe us: it’s pretty different when you let colombian people tell you what really happened, what brought them here.

To start talking about the historical places to visit in Colombia, you need to come to Medellin. As you know, Medellin is one of the most popular cities to visit in Colombia, and if you’re coming, you’ll see that one of the best things to do in Medellin is to visit its museums. There are lots of them! Going to Museo de Antioquia, also known as the Botero Museum will show not only Fernando Botero’s famous paintings; you can also find other colombian artists that have their paintings and sculptures there, as a way of telling others what has happened in Colombia, expressing it with their artwork. Just outside Museo de Antioquia you’ll find Plaza Botero, where you can take pictures next to Botero’s big sculptures, and have the whole experience to tell others.

We know Medellin is a famous city because of Pablo Escobar, the drug dealer who lived and is also buried in Medellin. Although, to know all sides of the story, you should visit Comuna 13, finding that Medellin is even more than Escobar, because, thanks to the color, the people and the mass transportation, Medellin has been well known as the most innovative city in the world. Come to Parque Arvi and see what we’re talking about!

Medellin is that colorful, that you can find art everywhere! Even in the middle of the parties of Parque Lleras.

What mood are you in today? Let’s have a cup of the best coffee in the world!

As you know, Colombia is famous because of its coffee. We brag about it because it’s delicious and we want to share it with the world! That’s why, despite all the energy that coffee gives you, we recommend you to stop, take a deep breath and feel it. It’s a complete experience!

It is also a must if you come to Colombia: take your time to relax and look for silence and tranquility in our mountains. Our colombian coffee region will give you that peace you’re looking for: going to Salento is visiting one of the most beautiful towns in our country. Close to the Cocora Valley, Salento has color and tranquility, the pleasure of a perfect landscape full of mountains and the taste of the first cup of coffee in the morning. Delightful!

Looking for fun places to visit in Colombia? The fun place is Colombia itself!

Colombian people are never in a bad mood. They’re willing to help you, tell you stories and even show you around. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for cities to visit in Colombia during winter or if you want to choose a specific month of the year to travel; your only task is choosing a date and catch a flight!

We haven’t finished our list. There are definitely more cities and places to visit, and we’re pretty sure you’ll fall in love easily with our country. Delete from your mindset everything you’ve heard about our country, and get ready to let us blow your mind.

If you’re running away from that season you like the least in your country, you don’t have to worry about the time… when it comes to Colombia, it’s all about the places! Did you know you can find every season in Colombia? Yes, that’s right. From the cold of our mountains and the snow in some of them, to the sun and warm beaches, the beauty of our andean regions and even the nice weather in our city of the eternal spring. Don’t worry: for us, every season is the best season.

If you’re one of those who keep asking themselves the same question (“What is the rainy season in Colombia?”), you probably need to know we don’t have such thing as a ‘rainy season’, but generally, in some cities, october is the coldest month of the year, with days of rain you can enjoy. However, if you like cold, you need to know it’s not gonna be as cold as you’re used to, because the cold average temperature it’s almost never under 6ºC. On the other hand, if you’re asking yourself what is the cheapest month to fly to Colombia, we would say March, without meaning there’s nothing to do that month, because it wouldn’t be true… We have plans all over the year!

What is the best month to visit Colombia?

You can feel happiness all over the country! It is not a secret we are proud of our culture and we can party about it, non-stop, from January to December, starting in Pasto, with our Blacks and Whites’ Carnival, following Riosucio’s Carnival and the wonderful Classical Music Festival of Cartagena, where you can, besides enjoying culture and music from all over the world, getting to know the caribbean coast and walk through one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia.

Manizales Fair, Hay Festival in Cartagena -again-, and Storyland in Santa Marta… and, so far, we have just mentioned things that happen in January. The rest of the year you can enjoy other different things throughout the country, like Barranquilla Carnival, Cali Fair, Festival of the Flowers in Medellin, or make the decision of spending Christmas in the city of your choice, because we like to celebrate and we take it seriously.

Yes, we know… that’s a lot of information to process. Let’s go step by step, first things first. Coffee?

It’s time to book a 1-Week Coffee Roaster tour

Has someone told you what’s our main product? Yes, you guessed right, it’s coffee! We’re proud to call ourselves great providers of one of the most delicious coffee in the world, not only because we love it, but because we have the ideal environment to harvest and process it so you can taste it and make it part of your routine.

That magical beverage that can make you feel alive and awake grows in different parts of Colombia. We even have a Coffee Region just outside Medellin, and if you visit it, you’ll learn about the whole process that happens to your coffee before you taste it in a cup. We can offer you a whole week living a wonderful coffee experience, discovering its origins and learning how to roast it, while you enjoy the magical landscapes only our mountains can give you, with a wide temperature’s range that gives you more options to relax and have fun.

Jerico, Cocora Valley, Filandia, Salento… Book a week with us and let yourself enjoy not only a good coffee, but an unforgettable experience.

Set seven days. Ready? Let’s go!

Some people say Colombia has a very rich culture, and they’re right. It is incredible how weather and people’s accents change as you go by. Bogota, Zipaquira, Villa de Leyva, Medellin… Does it sound exciting? Wait till you explore it!

We know seven days are not enough to get to know Colombia, but with a well-made 7 Days Tour you’d get to see for yourself what we could call the first chapter of this awesome adventure! You’ll get to know a lot of things you didn’t know about Colombia, its people, its culture and its history; and we’re sure, after that, you’ll want to know even more.

So… don’t stop; let the adventure keep going!

Do you have time right now? Let’s make it unforgettable

We know a couple of weeks are not enough for you to get to know Colombia, but we’ll make sure those days are are worth it, and we know for sure you’ll want to come back.

In Colombia you’ll find not only incredible landscapes, but nice food, different kinds of weather and kind people that will also let you in to a part of their lives, only for you to know and live closely a colombian experience.

Get ready to walk through different cities and live as a local; submerge into the colombian culture and explore it. Choose between spending an awesome week in Caño Cristales, one of the most beautiful rivers you’ll see in your life; or going to Medellin, a city that has won many awards for its culture, innovation and resilience.

Wherever you go you’ll find nice coffee, beautiful women, great food and warm people. Yes, everything you’ve heard it’s true, but it is only a small part of the story… Are you ready to tell your own? Come to Colombia and discover it yourself!

Stop asking yourself what’s the best time of the year to go to Colombia… As you could see, there are multiple answers to that question.

So, what’s the best time to travel to Colombia? It doesn’t matter when; coming to Colombia is always a good idea.  Pack your bags, we’re waiting for you!

Gallery of the best places to visit Colombia

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for adventure or silence: Colombia is the place in the world where you can find all those things without having to go very far, by drinking the best coffee in Quindio or learning about Colombian culture in Museo de Botero in Medellin or Museo del Oro in Bogota.

Step by step: Step by step: here’s what you need to know about the Colombia

Exciting and diverse, Colombia is the place where you’ll have fun, getting to know beautiful and kind people, and, of course, falling in love with a rich culture that amazes you every day more and more.

Have you tried Colombian coffee before? That should be your first step! After recharging all that energy, you must continue your path following your instincts, and if you’re feeling it isn’t sure enough, we can help you, of course. You sure have heard a lot of things about Colombia! Places full of magic like Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá, Villa de Leyva, Salento or even Guatape…Those places, located all over the country, are full of nice and warm people that can tell you lots of stories while they show you how awesome and beautiful Colombia is.

Where to continue this trip?

Traveling to Colombia you’ll find different kinds of weather, from the cold in Cerro de Monserrate to the warm air in the Tatacoa Desert; diverse locations and accents, like the traditional ‘paisa’ in Medellin, Jerico, Santa Elena and Eje Cafetero, and the soft intonation that people from Villa de Leyva have. Beaches, mountains, rivers, valleys and oceans… We can tell you, of course, some of those stories to make you want to come as soon as possible; but, as we know how great they are, we’re also aware it is so much better if you experience it for yourself.

The top 5 of things you most do in Colombia

1. Visit the Salt Cathedral
2. Drink aguardiente at any bar in Medellin
3. Eat fresh sea food in Cartagena
4. Dance Salsa in Cali
5. Drink coffee in all the smalls coffee shops

What are you waiting to start your trip? We can help you make your bucket list and cross, one by one, all of the places you write down. Are you ready to start your 2-Week Colombian Experience Trip? Pack right away, because we’re waiting for you!

Things to do in colombia

It doesn’t matter what time of the year you choose to visit Medellin, also known as the city of flowers, and you will  fall in love with it. But if you come in August, you’ll be extra lucky: you’ll have the opportunity to experience the most colorful moment thanks to our Medellin Flower Festival. The city of Medellin is known thanks to our flowers and annual Flower Festival. Did you know that’s one of the reasons we’re called ‘the city of eternal Spring’?

It all started in 1957, when the Tourism Office decided to make a five days’ celebration to enjoy the magic of flowers. It had an amazing flower exhibition in Catedral Metropolitana, the main church in Medellín, some other private parties, and a full flower parade that included silleteros, peasants from Santa Elena who cultivate a huge variety of flowers and are capable of making flower sculptures with them. Nowadays, Medellín still has this celebration that includes not only flowers, but music, dancing, typical food and a must see destination, Santa Elena, the place where most of those flowers grow during the year.

Are you coming to Medellin for our Flower Festival in August? These are the events you can’t miss.

Silleteros Parade: the main event in Medellin, the city of flowers

As you already know, peasants from Santa Elena grow flowers during the year. Thanks to the weather, a variety of flowers are cultivated to create silletas, awesome flower sculptures to show in a parade that include different categories where silleteros, the peasants, have a contest to win.

Classic and Antique Cars Parade

More than 200 classic cars are shown throughout the city in a parade where you will be able to see different brands and car models. The owners of each car wear clothes according to the year model of their vehicle and drive in a parade where people appreciate the beauty and majesty of different types of cars. It’s like traveling in time; what a moment to be alive!

Orchids, Flowers and Handicrafts

Our Medellin Flower Festival wouldn’t be the same without this event. The Orchids, Flowers and Handicrafts is an exhibition that takes place in the Botanical Garden where the orchid, our traditional flower, is the main character of the place. It’s been 26 years since the first event started, where beauty and nature became one. Do you want to know the theme flower for this august? It’s the orchid, of course!

Trova’s National Festival

This Carnival of Flowers 2019 also has an inside Festival: The Trova’s National Festival. The trova is a traditional way of singing that includes guitars, great lyrics and talent. Every year, trovadores, people who sing trova, participate in a contest where they test their abilities to improvise, create new lyrics and entertain their public.

Those are not the only events you can enjoy during this Medellin Flower Festival 2019; our annual flowers festival includes concerts, parties, sports and even canine walking’s! You can find a specific kind of event for any mood and enjoy it with your family, your friends, and your special one.

Medellin is waiting for you! Did you book your vacations? Come to our Carnival of Flowers 2019!

Image gallery City of Flowers:

Flower Fair 2019 – From August 2 to 11

Santa Elena Silleteritos Parade

July 21
Estadero El Silletero – Main park
Small town of Santa Elena

Sancocho Festival

July 28
Santa Elena Church

61* Category A Equine Expo International

Flowers Festival
August 1 to 4
Mayor Plaza

Flowers Festival Opening

August 2
Stadium Sector Cra. 74

Trova’s National Festival Medellin City

August 2, 3 & 9
Los Deseos Park – Gardel Plaza

Flowers Plaza (North Zone)

August 2 to 6
Norte Park

Artists’ Street

August 2 to 10
Streets and city parks

La Floresta Silleteritos Parade

August 3
La Floresta Park

The Fair & Bicycle Rhythm

August 3
City Tour (needs to be defined)

Artistic and Cultural Events

August 3 & 4
San Antonio de Prado – San Cristobal-Altavista –
Santa Elena – San Sebastian de Palmitas

Canine Walk

August 4
Carrera 70 – San Juan – Palace – Sede Tierrago

Cultural Park (Afro Night- Son y Bolero Night –
Colombian Night – World Music – Tropical Night)

August 4 to 8
Gardel Plaza

Plaza of Flowers (West Zone)

August 4 to 9
Juan Pablo ll Park ( 1 parking lot & cycle lane)

Open Concerts and Musicals

August 5 to 8
Carrera 70 between 2nd and 4th street (Monday August 5)
Livestock Fair (Tuesday August 6)
La Floresta (Wednesday August 7)
Aeroparque Carrera 70 (Thursday August 8)

XXVI Orchids, Flowers and Handicrafts

August 6 to 10
Botanical garden

Flowers and Chivas Parade

August 7
City tour (needs to be defined)

Folklore Night “Folkloric Ballet of Mexico)

August 7 & 8
MAMMStaircases

World of Trova

August 10
Platform of Medellin River and/or Stadium Sector
Cra. 74

Classic and Antique Cars Parade

August 10
City tour (needs to be defined)

Zone that Sounds

August 10 & 11
North Park

Silleteros Parade

August 11
Del Rio Avenue.

Silletas Exhibition

August 11
Mayor Plaza – South Transportation Terminal

In order to get a better understanding of Comuna 13 neighborhood, it is important to learn their historical background. During the Social Innovation tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Memory House Museum where you will learn the dark period of Colombian history. There are many stories from Comuna 13 in Medellin and the heartbreaking cases of violence and conflict. One of the most significant events of Comuna 13 was in 2002, when the Colombian military executed Operation Orion, as a result, multiple people were killed and many were wounded. They struggled to get medical attention for those people in need, therefore the community decided to take over the streets in solidarity. By doing this, the attacks received both from the gangs and military came to an end. In the last few years, Comuna 13 has been transformed into a place of hope becoming a growing Comuna in Medellin.

Live the Transformation and Innovation of Comuna 13 in Medellin

After this incident, street and graffiti art became a great form of expression for Comuna 13 residents. During the social innovation tour also known as the Comuna 13 graffiti tour, you will have the opportunity to take the Metro via to get to San Javier or Comuna 13, as the neighborhood is tucked away in Medellin’s mountains. Once arrived, you will have the chance to wander in the streets, admire the street art, appreciate the hip hop performances from residents and enjoy the views from the city of Medellin. In Comuna 13, Medellin hip hop music is a sign of resistance. In addition to that, graffiti and street art are bringing Comuna 13 neighborhood closer together. Graffiti nor Comuna 13 tour will not disappoint you but, rather, it will fulfill you with knowledge and positive experiences.

Comuna 13 has undergone a physical transformation in the last couple of years. There have been many innovative projects initiated by the city of Medellin. Comuna 13 neighborhood is located upon such steep hills which used to be accessible only by stairs. New infrastructure, including a metro cable and six outdoor escalators, has improved the way of living for Comuna 13 residents with ease of access to the rest of the city. The metrocable is easily accessed from the San Javier metro station and you will be treated to some spectacular views of Medellin. Another important innovative project for Comuna 13 neighborhood is the viaducto which helped Comuna 13 residents to access the city more efficiently and quickly.

Colombia is considered a country of resilience, and no other neighborhood represents that characteristic fully like Comuna 13. Many people view Comuna 13 in Medellin as a symbol

of innovation and transformation. Rather than focusing on the violent past of Comuna 13, the Social Innovation tour shows visitors the results of hope and transformation. The graffiti art and music are essential for this tour, but it is the people and transformation of Comuna 13 that leave a good impression. The Social Innovation tour or Comuna 13 graffiti tour is definitely worth your consideration. If you would like to join us on our Social Innovation tour, make sure to check out our tour page to get more details of the trip.

Images of the visit to Comuna 13 Medellin Colombia

Between mountains, colors and music, Medellin allows you traveling in time

Among warm-humid weather, when visiting Medellin, you must wear comfortable shoes. While moving through the city, people can use different transportation methods such as the Metro System and its connections with Ayacucho’s tram, the cableway and its routes, which take people close to famous places such as the Plaza Botero, the Comuna 13’s outdoor escalators and a great variety of museums and streets worth of knowing.
Through video clips, documentaries and series, people learn every day about Medellin’s existence. It’s not a secret that Medellin had difficult decades: during

the 80s, 90s, and part of 2000s decades, Pablo Escobar caused enormous havoc for being a drug dealer, leaving a trace not only in the city, but in the country, that won’t be forgotten. For example, Netflix’s series Narcos, explains Pablo Escobar’s story: a drug dealer that, even today, keeps causing curiosity for Medellin’s tourists and a badly named fascination.

Today is possible to know some parts of the dark side of this mafia drug dealer by doing a narco tour, visiting the places Escobar stepped on during his life; places that show important facts of the biggest drug dealer in the world.

Monaco Building (soon to be: Inflection Park)

Starting the Pablo Escobar tour in Medellin, Monaco Building is, most of the times, the first place to visit. The building was recently demolished, which is near the Club Campestre in Medellin, it used to have eight stories, a basketball field, a tennis field and a parking lot with 40 vehicles capacity. As the years went by, tourists started to take pictures in the place that served as Pablo Escobar’s home and that today, after its demolition, is an empty space that will become a park after several years of being abandoned.

Pablo Escobar’s grave

Jardines Montesacro is the place where Pablo Escobar’s dead body is. Every December 2nd, during his death anniversary, many people place flowers and messages on his grave believing in its powers as if he was a saint. This place, touristic for many people, is a must when going to the Do not say that name tour in Medellin.

Comuna 13

When talking about Pablo Escobar in Medellin, Comuna 13 is an important location. The place that was one of the most dangerous one in Medellin presents today art, music and culture. In Comuna 13, at Medellin’s west side, visitors can go to the Graffiti Tour, a route that includes the outdoor escalators in San Javier neighborhood, innovative urban projects and street art that tells among colors the violence history lived years ago. Their history continues building a bright future for those that live it every day.

The Hacienda Napoles of Escobar

The places mentioned before are not the only ones included in the Do not say that name tour. Outside Medellin, in Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia, people can find Hacienda Napoles, and the thematic park that used to be Pablo Escobar recreational property but works today as a family destination to travel and relax. This shows that it is possible to move on between places and memories to continue creating a different history, full of learning and peace.

Images of the visit to Medellin Colombia