Visiting Colombia with kids: a complete guide

If you’re looking for a family vacation destination that offers opportunities to watch wildlife in rainforests, go on mountain adventures, uncover history in vibrant cities, and spend time on blissfully beautiful beaches, say hola to Colombia! To help you make the most of your trip in a country that has a culture of adoring children, read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting Colombia with kids. 

The best times to visit Colombia with kids

Due to its location near the equator, Colombia’s temperatures are warm-to-hot around the year, with some differences related to altitude, and considerable differences in conditions between the country’s dry and rainy seasons. 

An exception is Medellín — thanks to its year-round spring conditions, this fine city is known as the City of Eternal Spring.

Here’s an overview of the best time to visit Colombia with kids, plus some words of warning about the least favorable time to visit.

December-March and July-August: best times to visit 

Colombia’s December-March and July-August dry seasons see most of the country experience warm, sunny weather, making it a top time for outdoor activities and beach vacations.

Just note that such peak conditions means these are peak seasons for tourism, so you’ll need to book flights and accommodation early, especially for December visits.

April-June and September-October: next best periods

The shoulder season periods of April-June and September-October offer a balance of smaller crowds, lower costs and decent weather. 

That is to say, while you will experience some rain, it won’t have a huge impact on your trip, and the landscapes will be lush and green.

That said, it’s worth having a few indoor cultural activities up your sleeve for vacations taken during these months. Also note that Cartagena and the Caribbean Coast at a whole remain largely sunny around the year.

October-November: least favorable time to visit

October and November see Colombia in the full throes of its rainy season, with frequent downpours, and flooding in some areas.

Some roads and hiking trails become inaccessible, especially in the Amazon and Andes, where you can also expect more mosquitoes and higher humidity.

Editor's tip: while working out your Colombia itinerary, read our guide to how to plan a trip to Colombia.

Staying safe and healthy in Colombia

Though very welcoming, and largely safe, the following tips will help you and your family stay safer and healthier during your vacation.

As a general point, you should stick to popular tourist zones (e.g. Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá, and the coffee region), and avoid going it alone in rural areas, and in certain big city neighborhoods. Ask hotel staff for advice.

Healthcare and emergency information

While Colombia has excellent private hospitals in major cities, travel insurance is highly recommended, as private healthcare is expensive.

Should you need emergency assistance, dial 123 for police, ambulance or fire department services.

Food and water safety

While tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín, it isn’t in rural areas — best to stick to bottled and filtered water.

You should also stick to busy food stalls with a high turnover — don’t run the risk of eating undercooked food, or food that’s been sat around for some time!

As a precaution, bring rehydration salts.

Preventing mosquito bites and sunburn

Heading to the jungle or coast? Use mosquito repellent (DEET or Picaridin), and wear long sleeves and pants when exploring Colombia’s Amazon and lowland areas.

Sunscreen (SPF 50+) is also a must, as is wearing hats and sunglasses.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in jungle areas, ask your doctor about yellow fever and malaria precautions.

How to get around Colombia with kids

Planning is key when it comes to getting around Colombia with kids — the country is big, roads are crazy in cities, and often very winding in rural areas!

But fear not — our overview of transport options in Colombia will stand you in good stead.

Domestic flights

Colombia is simply too large to drive between major destinations, so flying is the best option for long distances.

For example, you can get from Bogotá to Cartagena on a 1.5-hour flight rather than enduring an 18-hour bus ride.

Avianca, LATAM and Viva Air are the most reliable airlines, and you’ll want to book flights early, especially in the December-March high season.

It’s also advisable to get to the airport early — security lines in Bogotá and Medellín can be super-long.

Private shuttles

Hiring a private driver or booking a shuttle service is the best way to travel between smaller cities and rural areas.

Ask your hotel for suggestions, or contact a trusted local tour company.

Long-distance buses 

While Colombia has a well-developed bus network, and bus travel is cheap, many routes involve long travel times and winding roads, so we don’t recommend them for family travel. 

If your kids are older, and you’re on a budget, look to book “VIP” or luxury buses for bigger seats, AC and bathrooms. it;s best to avoid overnight buses — some roads are steep, winding and unsafe at night.

Rental cars 

While driving in Colombia’s big cities is chaotic and really not advised, renting a car can be useful for exploring rural areas, such as the Coffee Region (Pereira, Salento and Armenia) and the coastal roads around Santa Marta and Tayrona.

Note that you might need to bring your own car seat as they’re not always provided, and avoid driving at night. 

How to get around cities

On foot

Many Colombian cities have beautiful historic districts that are ideal for walking. 

For example, Cartagena’s stunning Old City has safe, car-free streets, colorful buildings, and lots of ice cream shops to stop off in when little legs tire and bellies need filling!

Meanwhile, older kids, in particular, will love Medellín’s cool Comuna 13 district — think graffiti murals, street performances and trendy cafés that welcome kids.

A couple of tips — consider using a baby carrier instead of a stroller as sidewalks can be uneven, and hold hands with younger kids in busy areas.

Also note that Bogotá and Medellín are at high altitudes, which means you might need to take more breaks.

Metro and cable cars (Medellín)

Medellín has the safest, most modern metro in Colombia, plus cable cars connecting its hilly areas. 

For example, take the Metrocable to Parque Arví to enjoy a scenic ride above the forest.

Taxis 

Uber is available in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and safer than using street taxis (which are best avoided). Other local taxi apps include Cabify and InDriver.

If you don’t use an app, ask hotels to call a taxi for you, check the taxi’s license plate before getting in, and agree the price before setting off.

Public buses – not recommended

While Bogotá’s TransMilenio is fast, it’s very overcrowded, and really not ideal for young kids.

In addition, city buses are confusing and can be unsafe for tourists. Stick to tourist shuttle buses for sightseeing, and otherwise use taxis

10 tips for traveling to Colombia with kids 

In addition to following the health and safety advice shared above, here are our top ten tips for traveling to Colombia with kids.

1. Focus on top family-friendly destinations 

To save you time as your plan your visit to Colombia with kids, here’s a run-down of the best places to visit in Colombia that offer the most family-oriented conditions and experiences. 

• Cartagena: think colorful streets of colonial buildings, Caribbean beaches and child-pleasing pirate history!
• Medellín: the City of Eternal Spring boasts mild weather, cable cars, and cool interactive science attractions.
• Coffee Region: offering fun farm stays, hot springs, and scenic towns, Colombia’s coffee region invites cultural exploration in family-friendly natural surroundings. 
• Tayrona National Park: head here for easy hikes and beautiful beaches.

As incredible as it is, our tip is to avoid the Amazon area with young children — it’s too remote and humid for toddlers. Best wait until your kids are older.

2. Take time to find family-friendly accommodation

Don’t assume all Colombia accommodation will have everything you expect, or are used to, in hotels and guest houses.

For example, check whether hotels and lodges have the likes of cribs and kids' menus before booking.

3. Take time to plan and book transfers and trips

Don’t leave getting around to chance. You should research and book transfers, flights and tours ahead of your trip, using domestic flights to cover longer distances, consider shuttle tours for day trips, and taking taxis in cities.

4. Give Colombian culture and history a fun edge

Good news if you’re into culture and history — Colombia has plenty of cultural attractions and experiences that’ll keep you and your kids happy, with many museums offering interactive exhibits, and many top attractions having appeal for all ages. 

For example, kids will have a ball exploring the secret tunnels of Cartagena’s San Felipe Castle.

Meanwhile, Bogotás brilliant Gold Museum is stacked with shiny treasures and thrilling ancient myths.

5. Pack wisely to cover all conditions

Ahead of your trip, be sure to plan to pack for the weather in the destination/s you’ll visit in Colombia.

If you’re traveling around, that becomes all the more important, with Bogotá and the coffee region being much cooler at night (so you’ll need layers), and Medellín also being on the cooler side.

6. Be beach and water safe

In general, beaches on Colombia’s Caribbean coast (including Cartagena and the idyllic Rosario Islands) are calmer than the country’s Pacific beaches.

Wherever you are, only swim at lifeguard-patrolled beaches, as some have strong currents, and look out for jellyfish warnings.

7. Explore Colombia’s great outdoors

As beautiful as Colombian’s beaches are, don't pass up the chance to explore some of the country’s most accessible nature sights during your vacation, while being mindful of wearing the right clothes i.e. cover up — and spray up — in jungles.

For example, consider visiting Tayrona National Park for safe beaches and easy jungle hikes, while Los Nevados National Park in Tierra Paisa offers a sublime blend of snow-capped peaks and thermal baths.

8. Get kids into fresh local food 

While it’s worth bringing some of your kids’ favorite snacks from home — especially if very picky eaters are among your party! — look out for child-pleasing dishes on menus.

For a few examples, encourage kids to try arepas (corn cakes with cheese or meat), bandeja paisa (a shareable dish of rice, beans, egg and plantains), empanadas (stuffed pastries) and sancocho (mild chicken soup).

For example, write your phone number on a bracelet or card for younger children, and have a designated meet-up point if you let teenagers explore on their own.

Things to do in Colombia with kids 

Following on from our advice to put family-friendly activities at the heart of your itinerary, here are some of the best things to do in Colombia with kids, from castle and coastal adventuring, to jungle hikes.

Best kid-friendly culture experiences

• Walled City of Cartagena: while the city’s San Felipe Castle invites kids to explore secret tunnels while learning all about Spanish soldiers, Plaza Santo Domingo serves fun street performances (and sensational coconut lemonade), with horse-drawn carriage rides available for sightseeing tours.
• Be dazzled by Bogotá’s Gold Museum: here kids can be wowed by gleaming gold artifacts from indigenous cultures, with interactive exhibits explaining how gold was used in ancient rituals.
• See cool street art and shows in Comuna 13: known for colorful graffiti murals that tell the city’s history, this district of Medellín is often also alive with street hip-hop performances, with cool escalators offering access to the hills.

Best wildlife and nature experiences

• Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Santa Marta: this treasure will have you and your loved ones hiking through wildlife-rich jungles to calm Caribbean beaches. If your kids are young and tire easily, consider booking a horse-riding excursion, or pick the shortest trails. 
• Hacienda Nápoles Safari Park: located near Medellín, Pablo Escobar’s Former Estate is now a safari-style wildlife park with elephants, zebras and hippos, plus water slides and pools.

Best beaches and island experiences

• Playa Blanca: with soft white sand and shallow turquoise waters, this popular spot means you can mix Cartagena’s city culture with all the fun of a beach break.
• Rosario Islands: easily visited by boat on a day trip from Cartagena, or else an idyllic base, the Rosario Islands are loaded with white-sand beaches and crystal-clear calm waters teeming with turtles and tropical fish.
• San Andrés Island: the ideal base for a divine family beach vacation, this place invites relaxation mixed with boat trips to beautiful cays. Just avoid the October–November rainy season.

Colombia itinerary with kids

Offering a blend of beaches, history and adventures in nature across Cartagena, Medellín, and the Coffee Region, here’s a suggested 7-day Colombia itinerary to kickstart your family vacation ideas. 

Day 1: Arrive in Cartagena, explore the Old City

After arriving in Cartagena, check-in to your family-friendly hotel — the Old City and Bocagrande districts come recommended — and rest up (if you need to) before spending the afternoon in the Walled City.

Either explore the colorful streets and plazas on foot, or else soak up the sights from a horse-drawn carriage ride.

However you choose to explore, stop at Plaza Santo Domingo or Plaza de la Aduana to enjoy a snack and see street performers do their thing.

Day 2: Board a boat to the beautiful Rosario Islands

On the morning of day two, take an early speedboat (45 minutes) to the Rosario Islands for a full day trip of swimming, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach.

While here, you could visit Acuario de Rosario to see turtles, sharks and stacks of colorful tropical fish.

Head back to Cartagena in the late-afternoon to enjoy dinner while seeing the sun set over the Caribbean Sea.

Day 3: Uncover castles and culture in Cartagena

The morning of day three is devoted to discovering Cartagena’s historic attractions, including San Felipe Castle, where kids can make like a pirate around the old battlements and tunnels. 

Come the afternoon, head to Las Bóvedas Market for handmade crafts and souvenirs, and stroll the gorgeous Getsemaní neighbourhood to see colorful street art and enjoy ice cream treats.

Day 4: Fly to Medellín for cable car adventures!

Day four involves taking a morning flight to Medellín (1 hr 15 min), allowing time to ride the scenic Medellín Cable Car to Parque Arví.

With easy hiking trails, and pretty places to soak up the scenery, pack snacks or a picnic to enjoy in the mild weather, and take it easy — Medellín is at a higher altitude, so you might need to take it slower.

Day 5: Uncover Comuna 13 and Parque Explora Science Museum

On day five, spend time in Medellín’s Comuna 13 district — book a guided tour to make the most of seeing its street art and hip-hop performances before riding its outdoor escalators up the hillside.

Come the afternoon, head to Parque Explora, where kids can enjoy interactive science exhibits, a planetarium and aquarium under one roof. Featuring dinosaur skeletons and hands-on experiments, this is the perfect place for curious-minded kids.

Day 6: Chomp on chocolate in the Coffee Region

Fresh scenery — and fresher flavours — are in store on day six. 

Take a 45-minute flight to Pereira (45 min), followed by a road transfer to Salento, where you can check into a traditional hacienda, preferably one that offers an on-site coffee farm tour.

Such tours give you the chance to pick coffee beans and taste super-fresh chocolate.

Day 7: Visit Valle de Cocora before departing

Rise early on the morning of day seven, so you have time to see some of the Valle de Cocora (it’s home to the tallest palm trees in the world) on a horseback riding trip, or hike.

That afternoon, fly back to Bogotá or Cartagena to connect to your international flight home. 

Just be sure to leave plenty of time between connecting flights — regional flights tend to have delays.