5 Amazing Villages to Visit in Colombia

Colombia is undoubtedly one of (if not the most) diverse territories in South America. From the great metropoli of Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín and such Caribbean gems as Cartagena, Palomino, and Capurganá, to the mountain retreats of San Gil and Mompós and the Amazonian villages and hamlets like Leticia and Puerto Nariño, the country has a bit of everything and here, are 5 amazing villages to visit in Colombia. If we excluded the wealth of colonial pueblos the country offers, Colombia wouldn't be nearly as rich in cultural heritage. Lucky enough for those with short itineraries, many of Colombia's villages are a day trip away from the international airports of major cities. This list of our favourite Colombian villages (pueblos) to include in your already exciting itinerary. For matters of convenience, we haven’t included outlying villages like Mompós (founded in 1537 and declared a Unesco World Heritage Site); these havens are for another conversation. [caption id="attachment_13741" align="aligncenter" width="675"] There are many beautiful villages to explore in Colombia / Image Source[/caption]

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1. SALENTO

Travellers love to escape the heat and stress of city life and head to Salento for its rolling forested hills, gentle climate, original bahareque architecture, and small-town friendliness. Not far sits the exquisite Valle de Cocora, a hummingbird paradise and one of Colombia’s most surreal landscapes. This and more make Salento a required stop in the Zona Cafetera and one of Colombia’s loveliest villages. Grab two wheels and let the wind play with your hair as you glide past unforgettable vistas of Salento and Valle de Cocora by taking a bike tour or renting a bike and exploring on your own. Also, for excellent hotel-room views, check out Hotel el Mirador del Cocora. Salento was the first settlement in Quindío province, lying 24km north from Armenia, in the middle of Colombia’s three major cities: Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. If you’re staying in the area, check out more things to do in the Coffee Triangle. [caption id="attachment_13740" align="aligncenter" width="675"] The rolling green hills of Valle de Cocora are a unique sight / Image Source[/caption]

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2. VILLA DE LEYVA

Vying for Colombia’s most beautiful pueblo is Villa de Leyva. It’s an impossibly elegant and charming stop on the keen traveller’s itinerary. For city-slickers—it’s a bucolic dream. Perhaps the most striking feature is the cobblestone roads; each natural stone hammered in one-by-one. You can visit Villa de Leyva on a Villa de Leyva day tour from Bogotá which takes you through the beautiful Andean Highlands to see the amazing sights in and around Villa de Leyva, such as the ancient Muisca archaeological site of El Infiernito, the Blue Bonds, and Ráquira. Villa de Leyva is in the province of Boyacá, about four hours north from Bogotá and forty-five minutes from Tunja. [caption id="attachment_13742" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Explore the cobblestone plazas of Villa de Leyva / Image Source[/caption]

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3. JARDIN

Jardin sits like a queen in a throne of velvety emerald hills. It’s untainted from the bulk of tourism but has enough to offer those lucky enough to experience her. There’s a gondola ride for awesome views, a famous confectionary for sweet jams at Dulces de Jardin, and a network of caves and waterfalls for explorers. For a romantic stay, try Hotel Hacienda Balandu, just outside of town. Like Medellín, Jardin is located in the Antioquia province. It’s lies 134km south from Medellín, or about a four-hour hilly car ride. If you don’t have a private car, the trip will be a bit longer and will leave from Medellín’s Southern Bus Terminal. [caption id="attachment_13737" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Colourful Jardín is set in lush green hills / Image Source[/caption]

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4. RÁQUIRA

Ráquira, the ‘City of Pots’, is perhaps South America’s most colourful and craftiest little town—where pastoral art and life dissolve together at the seams. Find scores of handicrafts for great prices, from hammocks to jewellery to hanging ornaments. Conveniently located forty minutes from Villa de Leyva, Ráquira is a perfect day trip away, so be sure to stay an extra night or two to visit. There’s enough to do in the vicinity to occupy your senses for a good few days. [caption id="attachment_13739" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Colourful Jardín is set in lush green hills / Image Source[/caption]

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5. BARICHARA

Nestled within the hills above San Gil, Colombia’s main adventure sports zone, is a town whose name rightfully means ‘place of relaxation’. After strolling the colonial streets lost in time, discover fantastic views above town—best experienced via a path leading to pueblito Guane, an indigenous road that was rebuilt by a German one hundred years ago. Located in Santander province, Barichara is less than an hour from San Gil, and is easily reached by bus from Bogotá at only 337kms away. But due to the mountainous terrain, expect the drive to take around 6h. With safe roads and beautiful views, Barichara is surely worth the journey. [caption id="attachment_13738" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Barichara village / Image Source[/caption]

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For more information, tours, and activities in Colombia, check out our website daytours4u!

By: Brannon Gerling, contributing writer for Colombia4u