The Caribe Region offers some of the best so called ‘Highlights’ from Colombia. Actually, with Cartagena and National Park Tayrona, we have probably the two main attractions in the country. When organizing your Colombia trip, for sure you will look into the well know travel guides, and plan your trip around some of these ‘must sees’ in Colombia. Whether your interest is nature, culture, luxury, birdwatching, or any other focus, you will always find a destination in the Caribe Region you definitely should include in your itinerary. Besides Cartagena and Tayrona, you can also think of the City of Santa Marta, the Rosario Islands, or the colonial town of Mompox. Here we have pointed out 5 of the main attractions in the Caribe Region, each of them considered as highlight during your Colombia stay. You can try to visit them all, or combine with other, more ‘of the beaten trek’ options.
Tayrona National Park is undoubtedly one of the most important natural reserves in Colombia. Its small, pristine, clear blue beaches in the Caribbean Sea, lined with palm trees and rocks that resemble huge bird eggs, are impressive. Plus, at sunset, you can hear the sounds of howler monkeys from the nearby rain forest.
The Islas del Rosario archipelago is located 35 kilometers southwest of Cartagena and is made up of 27 small coral islands and some islets. The archipelago is surrounded by coral reefs, where the color of the sea is a combination of turquoise and cerulean colors. This entire area has been named Parque Nacional Natural Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo.
The coastal village of Palomino is a perfect starting point to visit the beaches of Tayrona Park. The mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are also just around the corner. This carefree, little village on the road between Santa Marta and Riohacha was discovered by hippies and backpackers and has, in recent years, become one of Colombia's most popular holiday destinations.
The island of San Andrés is one of the most exotic places in Colombia. The green island is surrounded by an emerald green and turquoise Caribbean sea with plenty of small coral islands that have beautiful pearly white beaches. Add to that the quirky people of the island and a culture that is a mixture of Caribbean and Anglo-Saxon influences, and you have the perfect ingredients for a Caribbean beach holiday. In the streets you will hear English, Spanish and Creole and there will always be some reggae music playing. The island is located at about 750 kilometers from the Colombian mainland, near Nicaragua.
One of the most special destinations in Colombia is the coastal town of Cabo de la Vela, in the middle of the desert of the northern province of La Guajira. Think of remote sandy beaches with craggy rocks in a calm blue Caribbean sea and a background of the red and dusty desert, populated by the Wayuu indigenous people. In Cabo de la Vela, originally a fishing village, you will find little comfort. There is no running water, but if there is electricity, it is produced by a generator and the accommodation is very basic.
