Visit Popayán

One of the biggest cobbled squares in the Americas, whitewashed and unchanged since the 1570s.

Colonial city of churches and murals.

Visit Medellín, Colombia's second-largest city. Ride the Metrocable (gondola system offering panoramic views of the Aburrá Valley), explore Comuna 13 (a transformed neighborhood with vibrant street art and outdoor escalators), visit the Museo de Antioquia (home to works by Fernando Botero), and stroll through the Jardín Botánico (botanical garden with orchid collections and butterfly house).

Visit Cartagena, a historic port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Explore the walled Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets), see the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (a 17th-century fortress with tunnels and panoramic views), stroll along the Getsemaní neighborhood (vibrant street art and lively plazas), and relax at Playa Blanca (white-sand beach with clear turquoise waters).

Visit Barranquilla, a vibrant city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Experience the world-famous Carnaval de Barranquilla (a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event with parades, music, and traditional dances), explore the Museo del Caribe (showcasing the region's history and culture), stroll along the Malecón del Río (a scenic riverfront promenade), and try local dishes like sancocho de guandú (a hearty stew) and arepas de huevo (fried corn cakes with egg).

Visit Cali, Colombia's third-largest city and salsa capital. Dance at the Feria de Cali (annual festival with parades and salsa competitions), explore the historic San Antonio neighborhood (colorful colonial houses and hilltop church with city views), and see the Cristo Rey statue (26-meter tall monument overlooking the valley).

The oldest city in Colombia, the beaches of Tayrona park and the trek to the Lost City.

Coffee farms and the wax palms of the Cocora valley in a bright-painted Quindio town.