What places do foreigners visit in Colombia? The most popular destinations in 2025 and the most sought-after features

Between January and May 2025, Colombia saw a 6.6 percent increase in the number of visitors arriving in the country, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. This, compared to the same period last year, demonstrates the country's consolidation as an attractive tourist destination for people from other nations.

However, during the same period, non-resident Colombian visitors fell by 0.3% compared to the January-May 2024 period. According to Paula Cortés Calle, executive president of the Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (ANATO), this is an indicator that encourages strengthening the country's promotional strategies to the world in order to continue the positive trend in visitors from abroad.

In Colombia, the biodiversity and thousands of ecosystems that can be found invite tourists to explore the different destinations on offer. Being the only South American country with coastlines on both oceans, as well as being crossed by three mountain ranges, makes it an ideal setting for any type of travel plan . For this reason, foreigners seek out the country for vacations.

According to the executive, Colombia offers all kinds of experiences for domestic and international travelers. However, the destinations they seek out vary depending on the tourist's origin. That is, Europeans seek out different destinations than North Americans or Asians.

According to Cortés Calle, there are in-person and online travel agencies in Colombia that receive thousands of requests to help foreigners get the best experience in the country. "In Colombia, between 40% and 50% of airline tickets sold are marketed by travel agencies," he notes. He also asserts that profiles vary depending on the region of the world they come from, and some "patterns" of preference have been established.

European travelers, he notes, prefer activities that involve direct involvement with communities without considering the convenience offered. Europeans "seek out nature activities, enjoy the country's biodiversity, visit archaeological sites," and interact with the native people of those territories.

They also want to try the local cuisine and visit towns. Among the destinations they mention are:

On the other hand, according to the official, North Americans have a similar profile to Europeans who come to the country in search of adventure. However, they do prioritize the comfort and quality of the experiences they choose to visit in the country.

"They're interested in everything from culture to fine dining, immersive community experiences, and authenticity," says Cortés Calle.

Among the most sought-after destinations for U.S. citizens in Colombia , the executive mentions that they are interested in places with history and transformations, but also offering comfortable hotel facilities and the nightlife of the cities they visit. Among them are:

Finally, the official named people from Asia as a third type of traveler. According to her, "they love traveling to UNESCO-declared heritage sites" and destinations steeped in history; they prioritize heritage, knowledge, and immersive experiences in the activities of the locals.

In this case, he points out that this type of tourist seeks to learn and experience, preferring places like:

Regarding Colombian tourists, the executive points out that nationals often prefer to use a travel agency for more convenience when planning their vacations.

"For them, it's more convenient and functional to hire an expert who gives them peace of mind and confidence, knowing they have their back from the beginning to the end of their trip," he concluded.

According to her, national and international tourism offerings are tailored to the client's needs and, consequently, their budgets. "We no longer deal with standardized products; we focus on advising them according to each client's tastes," she asserts.

In Colombia, Colombians who visit travel agencies look for the most advertised beaches or cities with the most tourist attractions. These include:

The professional asserts that efforts must be made to train local entrepreneurs in promising but often unknown tourist destinations in order to promote them and ensure that Colombia continues to see growth in this area in the coming years.

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