Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries in Latin America, not only for the warmth of its people but also for the diversity of landscapes and species that inhabit this territory.

There are so many reasons to visit and get to know Colombia that, here are some of them for you to do so:

For its Caribbean beaches where the blue of the sky and the sea are intertwined as one.

2. For its green mountains and tropical jungles.

3. For its biodiversity of species, since it has 54,871 registered species.

3. For its tropical climate.

4. For the joy, the flavor of its people and customs.

There is no doubt that talking about Colombia implies thinking about its cultural manifestations, customs, dialects, ways of life and landscapes. Colombia is a country with a unique wealth!

Find out which are the all inclusive hotels in Colombia so that you can plan your vacations very well.

Get ready to get to know the best beaches in Colombia. Here we are going to tell you only about some of them, but there are many more, since the country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

1. San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina Archipelago

It is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea belonging to Colombia. It has maritime borders with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Its main economic activities are fishing and tourism. With a centuries-old mix of cultures, the official language in San Andres is Spanish, but Caribbean English and English-based Creole are also spoken.

The island of San Andres is one of the most chosen and popular destinations in Colombia, as this archipelago is home to 91% of the country’s coral reefs and its waters are nicknamed “the sea of seven colors”.

What is the reason why San Andres is known as “the sea of seven colors”?

This name is given for the following reasons:

• The shallow areas have turquoise blue tones.
• The parts with algae growth: greenish blue.
• Areas with rocks: dark blue.
• The deepest places give king blue tonalities.
• The coral zones give lilac tones.
• And the areas close to the coast are almost transparent or translucent aquamarine, due to the white sands and limestone sediments.

The San Andres reef is located within the Seaflower Reserve declared as such by UNESCO in 2000, as the coral reefs near the island of San Andres maintain the ecosystem and is home to more than 2,300 species of marine fauna and flora.

The activities you can do in San Andres are:

• Visit the island of Johnny Cay and sunbathe on beautiful white sand beaches.
• If you like snorkeling, head to the center of the island and explore the seabed from the rocks of Piscinita or Cove Bay. These have crystalline waters for this activity.
• Visit Rocky Cay, a calm, quiet and remote beach. This site has few waves and shallow depths, which allows swimmers to walk to a rock formation just in front of the island, from where you can see one of the many sunken ships that the archipelago has.
• And enjoy the nightlife of San Andres, where reggae and cocktails go hand in hand.

2. Tayrona National Natural Park

Tayrona Park is located 34 km from Santa Marta in the department of Magdalena and is one of the most important natural parks in Colombia.

Tayrona National Park is considered one of the most significant ecological reserves in South America, as it possesses a large amount of flora and fauna. It contains virgin beaches, reefs, a splendid and crystalline sea. As if that were not enough, there is the spectacular Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

In addition, it is a temple of nature that holds archaeological remains, waterfalls, streams and much more. For years, this place was home to the Tayrona Indians and, from this tribe, other tribes that are still preserved, such as the indigenous communities of the Koguis and the Arhuacos. For this reason, the park is considered an ancestral and sacred territory that must be protected and respected as part of humanity’s cultural heritage.

What beaches can I visit in Tayrona Park?

Tayrona National Park has 14 beaches:

• Nudist beach.
• Brava Beach.
• Palmarito Beach.
• Guachakyta Beach.
• Castillete Beach.
• Canaveral Beach.
• Arrecifes Beach.
• Arenilla Beach.
• La Piscina Beach.
• Cabo San Juan Beach.
• Cinto Bay.
• Seven waves beach.
• Neguanje Beach.
• Gayraca Bay.
• Chengue Bay.
• Concha Bay.

All these beaches are beautiful and unique, but without a doubt, the most requested beach by tourists who come to visit Tayrona Park is Cabo de San Juan. Its popularity is due to the fact that it is surrounded by a lot of vegetation and is characterized by its sea that perfectly combines the intense blue of the sky and the green that reflects the surrounding vegetation. The sand of this beach is thick and golden, which makes it not very adherent to the human body.

Activities you can do in Tayrona Park:

Although the park is a nature reserve, you will be able to enjoy many activities, among them:

• Visit the Chairama Archaeological Museum, located in the area known as Cañaveral, near the mouth of the Piedras River. It has a permanent archeological exhibit.
• Walk along the Sendero los Naranjos trail.
• Visit the Pueblito Chairama, where there are archaeological ruins of Tayrona settlers who occupied it more than 500 years ago.
• Reef sector. Here you will be able to enjoy the services of lodging, bathrooms and restaurant.
• Lost City. You can go trekking and discover some ruins hidden among the vegetation.

3. Nuquí and Bahía Solano (Chocó)

Nuquí and Bahía Solano are located in the department of Chocó (Colombian Pacific). They are characterized by a tropical rainforest ecosystem, high levels of biodiversity, variety of animals and vegetation.

The beaches and attractions of Nuquí are outside the town center, between 35 and 50 minutes by boat from the main dock.

Nuquí has become Colombia’s lost treasure, since every year between July and October humpback whales arrive to mate and give birth to their calves.

If you want to visit Nuquí, the best time to do so is between August 22 and September 22, since during this month the Migration Festival is celebrated in the Utría National Park. This is a cultural, ecological and touristic event where the arrival of multiple creatures to the Colombian Pacific (birds, sea turtles, humpback whales, among others) can be appreciated.

The landscape of Bahia Solano presents many riches and cultural assets, such as freshwater waterfalls at the edge of the sea, extensive beaches, tropical rainforest and humpback whales in the warm seas.

Its beaches are a natural paradise and you will have the opportunity to dive, do sport and artisanal fishing. You can also hike along the beach, surf and admire the beauty of the coral reefs and whale watching.

4. Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands are located in Cartagena de Indias which is the capital of the department of Bolivar, more precisely in the north of Colombia. It offers you relaxation and fun thanks to its magnificent beaches bathed by the Caribbean Sea.

If your purpose is to visit beaches that are in more natural environments and farther away from the tourist areas, you can go to Islas del Rosario, a small and charming archipelago consisting of about 27 islands, which must be reached by boat.

In Islas del Rosario you will find many white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, where you can also explore the wonderful marine life. You will have the chance to see amazing fish and corals of all colors as you dive into the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

What are the most recognized islands of Islas del Rosario?

• Isla Grande.
• Pelican Island.
• Pirate Island.
• San Martin Island.
• Isla del Encanto.

Activities you can do in the Rosario Islands:

You can venture out to practice all kinds of water sports, such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, surfing and flyboarding.

Also, if you wish to enjoy the charms of the “Walled City” (Cartagena), you can enjoy a day at one of the beaches of the Rosario Islands and return at night. You will find many tours that offer this service.

Cartagena is considered one of the most beautiful and best preserved cities, so you should get to know its architectural and cultural heritage by touring its historic center, which is surrounded by ancient walls that make up the “Corralito de Piedra”.

5. Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallina

Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallina are located in the department of La Guajira, in northwestern Colombia. The climate of Guajira is arid, dry and with high temperatures, modified by the sea breezes, so you can feel a little bit in the Middle East.

Cabo de la vela is considered one of the most tranquil, virgin and paradisiacal beaches. It is recognized as an important destination for Wayuu mythology. In this place, there are sacred sites such as Cerro Kamaichi or Jepirra.

In Punta Gallinas you can see rock formations and cliffs, mangrove landscapes and sand dunes such as those of Taroa that lead to the pristine beaches of the Caribbean. A true spectacle for all who visit the Guajira.

Activities you can do in Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallina:

• Water sports such as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing at El Cabo beach.
• Buy local handicrafts such as Wayúu bags or backpacks, a sample of Colombia’s handmade weavings.
• Visit Pilón de Azúcar and its beach. It is a beautiful place of golden sand and perfect waves.
• Discover Playa Ojo del Agua, a place full of Wayuu mysticism, where you can swim and walk to the top of Cerro Tortuga to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
• Watch the sunset from El Faro.
• Visit Bahía Portete, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita, three small bays that are part of the Guajira peninsula. They are characterized by their desert-like flora, composed mainly of seagrasses, mangroves, cacti and thorny shrubs.
• Sighting of pink flamingos.

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