Discover the Caribbean region of Colombia

A place full of historic cities, paradisiacal beaches, and great culinary diversity.

The Caribbean is one of the most colorful, joyful regions of Colombia. Its beaches, flavors, festivals, music—its people and their stories—make this place one of the most noteworthy tourist destinations in all of Colombia.

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Some of the country’s most important cities are found in the Caribbean region: Barranquilla, affectionately dubbed “Curramba La Bella,” where the world-famous Carnival of Baranquilla is celebrated; Santa Marta, known for its cultural and ethnic diversity and the ecological wealth evident in such places as the Tayrona National Natural Park and the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta; and Cartagena, recognized as Colombia’s most romantic getaway thanks to the beauty of its colonial streets, its gorgeous beaches in places like Barú and the Rosario Islands, its historic center, and the iconic Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (a castle whose construction dates back to the 1500s), declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Another of this region’s many attractions is the wide variety of beaches it offers, unique for their crystal-clear water, white sands, and stunning landscapes. When you visit the Colombian coast, don’t forget to visit places like Playa Grande, Bahía Concha, Palomino beach, and Neguanje beach, where you can enjoy the sun, ocean breeze, and warm weather.

The region also offers insight into the culture that made Colombian folk music artists like Rafael Escalona and Carlos Vives truly great. Caribbean cuisine is another key element of the region’s rich cultural diversity; a delicious blend of native Caribbean ingredients and traditional Colombian culinary practices.

Some of the Caribbean region’s most popular local dishes include arroz con coco (coconut rice), ceviche de camarón (shrimp ceviche), sancocho de pescado (fish soup), arepas de huevo (cornmeal dough stuffed with eggs and fried), carimañola (yucca fritters), queso costeño (a type of soft, white, salty cheese), posta cartagenera (a type of braised beef), cayeye (a dish using plantains), and many others.

Come visit the Caribbean region of Colombia. Take time to enjoy the area’s many impressive cultural and natural attractions and embrace the rhythm of a captivating destination full of history.