Colombia Family Travel

Planning a family vacation to Colombia? Think about the activities that everyone can enjoy while experiencing a vibrant, new culture. We've put together some tips to help you plan a memorable trip, including key things to know and places your kids will love to eat in the capital. Whether you have a few days or more to explore Colombia, we have family-friendly itineraries ready for you, such as this 5-day Amazon adventure or the 14-day journey inspired by the Disney movie "Encanto."

Plan your trip to Colombia
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Planning your family trip to Colombia

Wander with the kids in Pereira's butterfly vivarium
Map of 10 Days in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Within 10 days, your family can combine three or more areas of Colombia thanks to low-cost domestic flights. Curious kids can engage in educational experiences, such as a silletera farm visit, on the Family Fun and Learning trip. Active families will appreciate outdoor adventures in Tayrona National Park and the Tatacoa Desert. A relaxed pace and engaging, kid-friendly activities, including a drumming workshop in La Boquilla, make the Coffee Zone and Caribbean Coast appealing to families with young children.

Discover Colombia and the vibrant culture of Cartagena with your family
Map of 1 Week in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With one week in Colombia on a family vacation, you can enjoy introducing children to the cultural delights of Medellín and Cartagena on a highlights tour or post up on the Caribbean coast and discover the laid-back lifestyle and beautiful surroundings of Santa Marta. Active families will love a trip to Colombia's "Coffee Zone" to try out bird-watching and horseback riding, while those looking for a relaxing trip can spend uninterrupted days at the beach on Isla Barú.

Kids can burn off energy on a gentle nature hike of Camino Real
Map of 2 Weeks in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Colombia - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Two weeks in Colombia is enough time to visit four to five destinations. Families visiting for the first time can hit the highlights on a nature and culture tour. Creative kids will enjoy a music workshop in addition to adventures in the cities, mountains, and coast, while budding archaeologists will relish a chance to visit ancient sites of modern Bogotá and ancient San Agustín. Little fans of "Encanto" can experience Colombia through the lens of the film—with a focus on the Amazon or Caño Cristales.

Families enjoy the beach at Parque Nacional Tayrona
Planning Your Family Trip To Colombia: Best Tips & Advice

Colombia offers exciting sights and activities that can be enjoyed by parents and kids alike. From fascinating museums such as the Museo de Oro in Bogotá, to parks, city tours, horse riding and snorkeling, there is always something for your little ones to enjoy. This article covers the best sights and activities for families.

Enjoy delicious food in Medellín
Where to Eat With Kids in Medellín

Medellín’s rapid transformation from a crime haven to a dynamic and safe metropolis is reflected in its newly established food scene. The seven restaurants listed here will please the entire family, from sensational multi-cultural restaurants to cheap diners and quality fast-food options.

Guards outside the Presidential Palace
Top 10 Things To Do with Kids in Bogotá

Colombia’s cosmopolitan capital is jam-packed with fun, educational, and richly rewarding things to see and do for the whole family. Plus, this nation boasts a warm culture in which children come first. Here’s are some favorite activities and venues that families with kids of all ages will love.

Top 10 Things To Do with Kids in Medellín
Top 10 Things To Do with Kids in Medellín

Medellín is a fabulous place for families with kids—from bicycling in the surrounding mountains to a tremendous zoo and botanical garden, the options are endless. And family travel is easy and safe: Colombians adore children and hotels are generally family-friendly, making it easy to plan a trip and check these fun activities off your list.

Explore Colombia's capita with the whole family
Top 10 Things To Do with Kids in Cartagena

With its colorful street life, intriguing colonial history, and tons of museums, Cartagena is fun for the whole family. The cobbled streets of the Walled City echo with the memories of conquistadores, as well as the calls of palenqueras (Afro-Caribbean women selling fruits). Here are some ideas that will guarantee a happy family holiday in Cartagena.

A family friendly hotel in Cartagena
The 7 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Cartagena

Cartagena is as legendary for its superb hotels as it is for its bougainvillea-draped buildings. There's a wealth of family-friendly lodgings from which to choose, from beachfront resorts to intimate boutique hotels in the heart of the historic quarter.

Where to Eat with Kids in Cartagena
Where to Eat With Kids in Cartagena

Cartagena is a popular Colombian travel destination, boasting one of the country's liveliest dining scenes. Here you'll find seafood restaurants aplenty, plus many fine eateries serving cuisine from around the world. There's something for every member of the family in Cartagena—here are some favorites.

8 Family Friendly Hotels in Medellín
The 8 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Medellín

Medellín's variety of hotels caters to everyone. There are super chic options for well-heeled revelers as well as more conservative family-friendly lodgings. Below we've selected eight properties that specifically cater to kids or that are otherwise ideally suited to families.

Sample the local flavors of Bogota
Where to Eat With Kids in Bogotá

In Bogotá, a new generation of talented chefs have blessed the city with an array of dining options. Here you'll find both simple local fare and sophisticated restaurants melding global influences with traditional Colombian ingredients. Here are eight top choices that reflect the city's offerings and are great choices for families.

Colombia family-friendly itineraries

Enjoy a family adventure in Cartagena
Map of Cartagena Family Adventure - 5 Days
Cartagena Family Adventure - 5 Days

Kids love Cartagena. And why wouldn’t they? As a former playground for pirates, the city has plenty to offer for active families that love to explore around. Here’s an idea for the perfect family break in Cartagena for you and your little ones.

Kids will be amazed by the colors of Caño Cristales
Map of Family "Encanto" Tour of Colombia: The Caño Cristales Route - 14 Days
Family "Encanto" Tour of Colombia: The Caño Cristales Route - 14 Days

Fans of the Disney movie "Encanto" will love visiting the real land where it was set. Encanto means "charm," and Colombia has this in abundance, from its colorful casitas to its pristine beaches, wildlife-filled jungles, and rainbow-hued rivers. This 14-day tour is inspired by the film and will introduce you to the sights, scenes, and experiences onscreen. Set out from Bogotá to visit small towns, rivers, mountains, and coast as you spend quality family time together on this unforgettably charming trip.

Luxury Family Adventure in Colombia - 10 Days
Map of Luxury Family Adventure in Colombia - 10 Days
Luxury Family Adventure in Colombia - 10 Days

There are few countries in Latin America that offer a more well-rounded, culturally immersive travel experience than Colombia. A great benefit is that nearly all of this nation's highlights—be it the beaches, cities, islands, and mountains—make perfect outings for the entire family. The best way to enjoy them is by abdicating all the stress that often accompanies planning a family vacation and giving yourself over to a luxury itinerary like this one. From private beaches to comprehensive city tours, and sampling gourmet chocolates, this itinerary is all about perfecting the details of what makes a family vacation truly unforgettable.

Enjoy family-friendly natural activities, like bird-watching
Map of Colombia's Coffee Zone with Kids: Bogotá & Pereira - 7 Days
Colombia's Coffee Zone with Kids: Bogotá & Pereira - 7 Days

Despite its name, Colombia's "Coffee Zone" is a fantastic destination for families—a natural paradise with outdoor activities for all ages. This week-long tour starts in the capital of Bogotá before heading west to Pereira, a city in the mountainous Zona Cafetera. Here you can soak in the Santa Rosa hot springs, watch hummingbirds in the Río Blanco Reserve, go horseback riding at a Colombian ranch, and, of course, learn more about local coffee (with some cacao thrown in for the kids!)

See colorful birds like parrots in the Amazon
Colombian Amazon Family Adventure - 5 Days

Discover the magic of the Colombian Amazon on this immersive 5-day family adventure. Starting from the historic capital of Bogotá, you'll fly south to spend three nights at a rustic eco-lodge deep in the jungle. In this haven for nature lovers and curious minds, the whole family will embark on a series of unforgettable activities. Sculpt pottery from the Amazon mud, learn how to listen to the forest on jungle treks, and make new friends on a visit to a nearby indigenous community.

Cartagena at sunset
Family-Friendly Colombia: Medellín & Cartagena - 8 Days

With a blend of cities, nature, and beaches, this Colombia itinerary features fun for the whole family. The adventure starts in Medellín, where you'll soar over the city by cable car and discover exotic sea creatures in the Explora Aquarium. After day trips into the surrounding countryside to visit mountain lakes and colorful villages, fly to magical Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Here you'll embark on a treasure hunt through its historic center and swim in the crystal clear seas of the nearby Rosario Islands.

Take a horseback ride on the beach in Colombia
Map of Family Time in Colombia: Medellín & Cartagena - 7 Days
Family Time in Colombia: Medellín & Cartagena - 7 Days

This seven-day Colombia itinerary introduces the whole family to Medellín and Cartagena. The adventure starts in Medellín, where you'll soar over the city by cable car and discover exotic sea creatures in the Explora Aquarium. After a day trip to colorful Guatapé, fly to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Here you'll learn about the city's past on a treasure hunt through its historic center, ride horses on the beach, and bathe in volcanic mud.

A family stroll in Cartagena
Map of Family Trip to Caribbean Colombia: Cartagena & Santa Marta - 7 Days
Family Trip to Caribbean Colombia: Cartagena & Santa Marta - 7 Days

Families are sure to love the mix of culture and coastlines on this seven-day tour of Caribbean Colombia. Discover colorful colonial architecture and learn about the swashbuckling history of Cartagena, then get hands-on with a drums workshop and chocolate-tasting experience. Venture deep into the untouched paradise of Tayrona National Park to swim and snorkel off unspoiled beaches, and head inland to discover the lush mountains and coffee farms around Minca.

Kayak around the walled city of Cartagena with your kids!
Map of Nature & Family Time in Colombia: Medellín, Tayrona National Park & Cartagena - 10 Days
Nature & Family Time in Colombia: Medellín, Tayrona National Park & Cartagena - 10 Days

Treat the whole family to a taste of Colombia on this fun-filled 10-day itinerary. Enjoy a mix of city and nature as you make your way from vibrant Medellín to Cartagena and the Caribbean coast, taking your time and exploring at a leisurely pace perfect for kids. While there's plenty of adventure to be had on kayaking trips, drumming workshops, and street food tours, you'll also have ample downtime for quieter pursuits like gentle river tubing and wildlife spotting in Tayrona National Park.

Kids explore the colorful streets of Cartagena
Family Holiday in Colombia: Bogotá, Zona Cafetera & Cartegena - 9 Days

Create lifelong memories on this 9-day family-friendly tour around Colombia. Starting in Bogotá, discover the city by bike and ride the cable car to Monserrate, then, fly to the Zona Cafetera to hike the Cocora Valley and discover the region's quaint villages. End on the Caribbean coast, where you'll tour the colorful streets of Cartagena, learn to fish with the locals, and relax on the white sand beaches of Barú Island. 

The golden sands of Tayrona National Park
Colombia Family Adventure: Cartagena & the Caribbean Coast - 9 Days

Colombia's magical Caribbean coast is the star attraction on this 9-day family-friendly adventure. Immerse yourselves in the swashbuckling history of Cartagena, then venture deep into the untouched paradise of Tayrona National Park. After heading inland to discover the lush mountains and coffee farms around Minca, return to the coast to end your trip swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise waters of the San Bernardo Islands.

See some of the animals and birds, like these toucans, that featured in Disney's "Encanto"
Map of Family "Encanto" Tour of Colombia: The Amazon Rainforest Route - 14 Days
Family "Encanto" Tour of Colombia: The Amazon Rainforest Route - 14 Days

Love Disney's "Encanto"? It was based on real Colombian towns and scenery, and this fun-filled 14-day tour introduces your family to the sights and experiences that make up the colorful movie. Taste foods that feature in the film, see the traditional villages that inspired its magical world, and encounter real wildlife too fantastical to be true! Whether you've seen "Encanto" once or one hundred times, your whole family will be charmed by Colombia as you travel from the Amazon to the Caribbean coast.

Enjoy quality family time on Colombia's Isla Barú
Map of Family Beach & Culture Vacation in Caribbean Colombia - 7 Days
Family Beach & Culture Vacation in Caribbean Colombia - 7 Days

You don't need to choose between cultural activities and beach time on this week-long family vacation in Colombia. You'll start on the Caribbean coast in Cartagena, which oozes history and culture. Kids will love the colors and warmth of the city as they explore by bicycle and enjoy a chocolate-making workshop. Then head to the nearby Isla Barú, a white-sand paradise where parents can relax and kids can play in the sand and sea. Everyone will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after this chilled-out vacation.

Kids will have fun on a trip to Colombia
Map of Colorful Colombia with Kids: Bogotá, Pereira & Cartagena- 10 Days
Colorful Colombia with Kids: Bogotá, Pereira & Cartagena- 10 Days

Colombia is a diverse and exciting country for families, and this 10-day tour showcases three of its highlights: the capital Bogotá, the coffee-producing region around Pereira, and the Caribbean coasts of Cartagena. Make happy family memories as you soak in the hot springs at Santa Rosa, learn about coffee and cacao production in the Zona Cafetera, go bamboo rafting and horseback riding in Andean cloud forests, and satisfy sweet tooths with a chocolate workshop in Cartagena.

Kids will love discovering the Colombian Amazon and its wildlife
Map of Colombian Nature & Culture for Families: Bogotá, the Amazon, Medellín & Cartagena - 14 Days
Colombian Nature & Culture for Families: Bogotá, the Amazon, Medellín & Cartagena - 14 Days

Adventurous families will love the variety of this two-week tour of Colombia. You'll spend time in the metropolises of Bogotá and Medellín, as well as the vibrant coastal city of Cartagena. But the most exciting part of this family-friendly tour is several days in the Colombian Amazon, at a remote ecolodge reached only by boat. Kids will learn about the importance of environmentalism and sustainable lifestyles firsthand as they raft down rivers, spot monkeys in treetops, and search for pink dolphins.

Kids will love Colombia's colorful cities
Map of Family-Friendly Colombia Taster: Bogotá & Cartagena - 7 Days
Family-Friendly Colombia Taster: Bogotá & Cartagena - 7 Days

Your family can experience Colombia's best on an exciting week-long tour that's based in two very different cities: Bogotá and Cartagena. Kids and parents alike will enjoy exploring Colombian cuisine, history, and culture in the capital, Bogotá, and taking a day trip out to some impressive underground salt mines. Then, take the pace down a few notches in Caribbean Cartagena, a colorful city where you can cycle, go fishing with the locals, and express your creativity in drumming or crafting workshops.

Join in on a coffee farm in Colombia
Map of Family Fun & Learning in Colombia: Medellín, Zona Cafetera & Cartagena - 10 Days
Family Fun & Learning in Colombia: Medellín, Zona Cafetera & Cartagena - 10 Days

This 10-day tour of Colombia is ideal for curious families who want to learn more about the places they visit and the people who live there. Every opportunity will be taken to teach your kids about Colombian life, culture, history, and cuisine—all while everyone is having a great time. Learn the history behind Medellín's enormous flower displays, hop on themed rides at a coffee theme park in the Zona Cafetera, enjoy an immersive pirate-themed treasure hunt in Cartagena and much more.

Explore boardwalks through the jungles of Tayrona
Map of Ultimate Colombia Family Adventure: Archaeology, Deserts, Beaches & Jungles - 10 Days
Ultimate Colombia Family Adventure: Archaeology, Deserts, Beaches & Jungles - 10 Days

Perfect for adventurous kids and aspiring explorers, this 10-day expedition showcases Colombia's incredible diversity—with lots of fun and fascinating excursion along the way. Get active with hiking and tubing adventures, chill out away from the crowds on Caribbean coast beaches, go horseback riding and stargazing in the desert, tour impressive archaeological parks to learn more about Colombia's ancient history, and much more.

Pick coffee and cacao in Colombia's Coffee Zone
Map of Colombia's Coffee Zone & Caribbean Coast for Families - 10 Days
Colombia's Coffee Zone & Caribbean Coast for Families - 10 Days

You don't need to choose between Colombia's mountains and coasts on this chilled-out 10-day family vacation. Start in the famous Zona Cafetera to see how coffee and cacao are grown and produced, hike through the glorious Valle de Cocora among sky-high wax palms, and experience rural Colombian life. Continue to the Caribbean coast, where you'll enjoy the cultural and culinary riches of Cartagena before ending with some quality family time on the white-sand beaches of Isla Barú.

Kids will enjoy the beaches of Colombia
Map of Colombia's Cities, Mountains & Coast for Families - 14 Days
Colombia's Cities, Mountains & Coast for Families - 14 Days

Colombia offers vibrant cities, coffee-covered mountains, and warm Caribbean seas that families will love. Get a taste for all three on this two-week tour, starting with the big-city attractions of Bogotá. Next, fly to the UNESCO-listed Zona Cafetera, where you can discover how coffee and cacao are grown. Continue to the Caribbean coast to chill out on beautiful beaches around Santa Marta and Isla Barú, do some gentle hiking in Tayrona National Park, and experience the vibrant culture of Cartagena.

Kids will love exploring Colombia's forests, cities, and archaeological sites
Map of Colombia Family Adventure: Modern Cities & Ancient Archaeology - 14 Days
Colombia Family Adventure: Modern Cities & Ancient Archaeology - 14 Days

Two weeks in Colombia is enough time for families to experience several of the country's most diverse experiences. On this kid-friendly tour, you'll start in the capital of Bogotá, where you'll visit impressive museums and viewpoints above the city and beyond. Next, venture into the Tatacoa Desert for stargazing and horseback riding before visiting some of southern Colombia's most expansive archaeological parks. End in vibrant Medellín, but not before hiking adventures in nearby nature reserves.