A land of breath-taking Andean peaks, lush Amazon jungle, stunning Caribbean beaches, and fascinating archaeological sites, Colombia is a unique and diverse destination brimming with nature and colour and boasting six beautiful, untapped regions to discover.  

Head to The Greater Colombian Caribbean and Colombian Pacific and immerse yourself in a tropical paradise of white sands and crystal-clear water or drive to the Western and Eastern Colombian Andes for majestic green landscapes and towering mountain ranges. Enjoy The Colombian Massif’s high-altitude ecosystem and escape to the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco region for an abundance of wildlife and lush vegetation.

Now, with over 1,000 direct weekly international flights, including flights from 44 cities, Colombia is more accessible than ever before. So, read on as we take you on a ride through Colombia’s best destinations…

Bogotá

Starting with Colombia’s bustling capital, which sits an impressive 2,600 metres above sea level, Bogotá is a bustling metropolis offering a unique blend of history, culture, business and entertainment with a growing reputation as one of the top destinations in Latin America.

A city that’s slowly taken the lead in tech, finance and research, Bogotá is certainly no stranger to the events sector and has welcomed many conferences in the past with its 3 major convention centres each able to host between 3,500 and 4,000 people. Around this district you’ll find an array of different sized conference rooms as well as luxurious hotels such as The Hilton Corferias and the Grand Hyatt Bogota, well placed to accommodate business-class events and high-value functions. And for those looking for more unconventional venues, the award-winning restaurants, museums, and haciendas of Bogotá offer an interesting alternative.

But Bogotá isn't just a hub for business travellers. Visitors of all types can enjoy the city's diverse and vibrant identity. Head to the city’s cultural centre – La Candelaria – and visit the much-loved Gold Museum with its impressive 34,000-piece gold collection or dip your toes into the neighbourhood’s urban landscape with art murals, street performers, and flea markets. Treat your clients to a Cable Car ride up Monserrate Hill and enjoy a panoramic view of the city or visit the sanctuary before enjoying lunch at the Isidro restaurant. Otherwise, why not take a graffiti tour from the local street artists themselves and see the city through a new lens as they guide you through the best and most interesting works in the city and provide insight into the stories behind them.

Filled with fiery flavours and seasonal specialties, Bogotá's gastronomical offer is one of the best in the region, offering a wide variety of cuisines that reflect the city's diverse identity. From traditional Colombian dishes to international gourmet cuisine. The city's affluent areas such as La Zona Rosa, La Zona G or the 93 Park offer a great nightlife and restaurant scene that screams elegance, making them an obvious choice for exclusive after-work venues or private dining experiences. Otherwise, for foodies looking for a more immersive experience, there's the popular Paloquemao food market, where you can find a huge variety of fresh products and exotic fruits and sample all sorts of seasonal delights. If you want to truly immerse yourself, make sure to opt for one of the tours offering cooking challenges – it makes for the perfect team-building activity.

Medellín: 

The city of “Eternal Springs”, beautiful climates and artistic flair, Medellín – Colombia’s second largest city - is another favourite among event planners and for good reason. Boasting an all-year round climate of 20-25ºC and stunning views of the Andes mountains, it’s an ideal place to visit any time of year and thanks to its recent urban transformation is buzzing with newfound energy, art and modern infrastructure.

Head to Medellín and indulge in their incredible range of cultural offerings from their numerous museums, parks and libraries to their large, open public spaces – each offering a unique glimpse into the rich history and diverse culture of the region. The Antioquia Museum, for example, features the largest collection of paintings and sculptures by Colombian artist Fernando Botero, while the Museum of Modern Art showcases the work of emerging contemporary artists from around the world.

 Medellín is an ideal destination for business travellers, with a range of world-class convention centres and event venues available to hire. Choose from six of the city’s major convention centres (each catering for up to 6,000 people) and you have yourself a large-scale conferences or trade show that’s guaranteed to impress. Otherwise, leave the hustle and bustle behind and encourage your clients to connect with nature with one of Medellín’s beautifully distinct natural surroundings. From parks and nature reserves to botanical gardens, it’s the perfect spot for a high-end product launch, incentive or group alike.

Treat your delegates to a starry night banquet surrounded by Colombia’s lush landscapes at Joaquin Antonio Uribe’s Botanical Garden (fit for 4,000 people) or head to Botero Square and surround your guests with the world’s largest collection of works by Fernando Botero (250-500 people max). For more intimate gatherings, set up your event in the picturesque surroundings of Explora Park Aquarium and wow your guests with the largest number of freshwater species in Colombia. Finally, why not head to El Poblado for a trendy, upscale few days of high-end shopping and fine dining.

Cartagena: 

Head to Colombia’s Caribbean coast and discover Cartagena de Indias – a city rich in history, colonial architecture, lively music and delicious Caribbean cuisine. Visit the old town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and catch a glimpse of Colombia’s past from its 500-year-old San Felipe Fortress to its historic Casas before getting lost in the narrow, winding streets and colourful houses that border them. Head to the other side of Cartagena and you’ll find yourself surrounded with beautiful, pristine beaches which offer crystal-clear waters and soft, white sand. From the popular Bocagrande to the more secluded Playa Blanca, there are plenty of options for sunbathing and swimming as well as soaking up the warm Caribbean sun.

Much like Colombia’s other regions, Cartagena has a range of convention centres which can accommodate up to 3,500 people from the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center to Las Américas Convention Centre. But for a truly compelling event, that celebrates Colombian heritage and goes beyond the boardroom, choose from one of Cartagena’s dazzling outdoor venues. For groups of up to 2,500 people, head to Plaza de la Aduana – the largest and oldest square in the city and a dazzling spot for an outdoor banquet. For a more intimate affair, event planners can choose from Baluarte Santa Clara – a 17th-century fortification or Adolfo Mejia Theatre – a concert hall in the historic district. Otherwise, why not head to Plaza de Bolívar or San Felipe de Barajas for a historic outdoor setting that’s sure to turn heads.

Aside from the traditional activities, Cartagena also offers unique experiences such as a “chiva” tour around the modern city and its neighbourhoods, accompanied by a vallenato group, or a luxury catamaran tour to enjoy a unique night view of Cartagena Bay while sipping cocktails and eating hors d’oeuvres.

Cartagena is a culinary paradise, with a wide range of delicious dishes that combine Caribbean, African, and Spanish influences so take your tastebuds on a tour through Colombia and delve into Cartagena’s food scene with a trip to the city’s local restaurants, sampling regional favourites such as arepas, ceviche, and empanadas.

Colombia’s Cultural Coffee Landscape

Finally, for those interested in experiencing South America's rich and renowned coffee culture, head to The Coffee Cultural Landscape – a region in the heart of Colombia that’s long been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its cultural and natural significance. Covering areas of Antioquia, Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda, it’s the perfect way to break away from the meeting rooms and really get under the skin of Colombian culture – appreciating the local cuisine and connecting with Colombia’s agricultural heritage.

Arrive at the coffee estates and plantations and roll up your sleeves as you delve into the foundations that make up Colombia’s rural communities, learning about the different stages of coffee production from the locals around you and tasting some of the finest coffee in the world! Ideal for business meetings, corporate events, and incentive trips, there are plenty of team-building activities available from coffee plantation tours to cultural immersions and outdoor adventures. The region also contains a number of hot springs, such as the El Otoño hot springs in Manizales, offering a relaxing environment for attendees to unwind after a busy day of meetings and activities.

For those looking to source an event venue, there are a number of options to choose between – from colonial farms and haciendas to modern conference centres and eco-lodges, all surrounded by natural landscapes and offering a capacity of up to 1,200 people. In Antioquia, Hacienda La Extremadura offers a colonial farm with seven meeting rooms, an auditorium, gym, spa, jacuzzi, and swimming pool. Otherwise, head to El Carmen de Viboral for a rather different take on coffee farming, with its own production of artisanal ‘coffee beer’ and flexible open-air spaces perfect for warm summer evenings. Either way, you’re sure of a versatile venue boasting views clients could only dream of.

This content is sponsored by Pro Colombia. To find out more about exploring this country in all its vast natural beauty, get in touch with the Pro Colombia team or visit https://colombia.travel/en