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This South American country is an unparalleled gem in tourism because of its rich culture, beautiful nature and wonderful people. More than three million tourists visit the country every year.
Ideally located on the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Colombia has a coastline of more than 1,800 kilometers with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Suggested: Is it safe to travel to Colombia?
Best beaches in Colombia MAP
To help you navigate, we have put together a list of the 10 best beaches in Colombia:
Playa Blanca or White Beach
Playa Blanca, also known as White Beach, is one of the most famous beaches in Cartagena and Colombia. It is located in the Magdalena Medio region, close to La Guajira and El Quindio, in the northern part of Colombia, about two hours’ drive from Cartagena.
This beach has a wonderful collection of shops, restaurants, cafes and a large car park for those who come by car. Several hotels there also provide comfortable accommodation to tourists.
Playa Blanca is also one of the most popular destinations in Colombia for surfers because of the waves that rise from the sea and provide good surfing conditions.
Las Islas del Rosario
The Rosario Islands are an archipelago off the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Beach days, snorkeling excursions and cocktail sunsets are all part of the things you can enjoy here. All this is just a 45-minute boat ride from Cartagena. For most travelers, that is enough reason to visit.
The Rosario Islands are one of 46 national natural parks in Colombia and were created in 1988 to protect one of the most important coral reefs on the Colombian coast.
Locals and tourists flock to the Rosario Islands to enjoy this open-sea aquarium and oceanarium. For sports enthusiasts, there are also activities available, such as snorkeling and fishing.
Playas de Providencia
Playas de Providencia is an archipelago consisting of the islands of North, South and West Providencia. On the north side there is an island known as Mucura, on the east side there is another island called Quitasueno, and on the south side there is a small island called Santa Catalina.
These three islands are part of Colombia’s San Andres Archipelago and are known for their variety of beaches. They have the recognition of the best beaches in Colombia.
The archipelago consists of beautiful white sandy beaches with clear turquoise water and swaying palm trees. It features beautiful stone resorts, picturesque beaches, nice restaurants and charming coves. For those who prefer more modernity, several resorts have been built since the mid-1990s.
Johnny Cay
Johnny Cay is one of the most famous and acclaimed cays in San Andres.
It is located about a mile before El Centro and is also called Islote Sucre, the sugar island, because of its white sandy beaches. Relaxing and picnicking are the main activities on this fantastic beach.
Johnny Cay also offers fishing and snorkeling opportunities and a pristine beach. There are several restaurants on the island where you can enjoy delicious seafood.
Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Parque Nacional Naturally Tayrona is located in the Colombian Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. These mountains are the highest peaks in Colombia and consist mainly of Andesite formations.
In addition to the beaches, there are also several beautiful natural sights to discover in the area, including numerous lakes, beautiful rivers, waterfalls, mountainous forests and much more.
Costeño Beach
The beautiful Costeño Beach is home to some natural attractions and is also a popular destination for visitors. The water here is calm and shallow, making it ideal for swimming and enjoying water sports such as boating, kayaking, snorkeling and fishing.
Costeño Beach is also known for its abundance of beautiful and colorful birds. The hummingbirds can be seen here during the day and at night.
This beach is off the beaten track, so it’s an ideal spot if you want to get away from the crowds!
Guachalito (Pacific side)
Perfectly located on the Pacific Ocean, this is one of those places where the jungle meets the ocean perfectly, creating an ecosystem you wouldn’t find in any other country.
Guachalito is a beautiful stretch of coastline. It is located away from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers some of the best surfing conditions on the coast. You can enjoy your day at the beach in peace, because Guachalito is a quiet, private area.
Guachalito has been named the world’s best surfing spot by television network X Games and you will find many photos of surfers surfing this beautiful spot.
Punta Gallinas
Are you an adventurer? Punta Gallinas has you covered. The northernmost point of South America is on many travelers’ bucket lists and it’s not hard to say why.
This secluded spot features miles of sand with beautiful ocean views. Walk through the dunes, dive in the sea or kitesurf. A visit to Punta Gallina is also a great opportunity to get to know the local indigenous culture – the Wayuu.
If you decide to stay overnight, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking sunset and starry sky. You might also get the chance to sleep in the traditional Wayuu ranchería and try some of their dishes such as friche or stewed fish.
The best way to reach Punta Gallinas is through a travel agency. It is much safer than going alone and they will take care of your food, transportation and accommodation.
Playas de Palomino
Playas de Palomino is one of the best beaches in Colombia. It is another beach that is part of the San Andres Archipelago on the northern coast of Colombia.
It has been a popular holiday destination for years. The entire island chain consists of clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches and palm-covered hills.
The islands are spread around the Caribbean Sea and are part of the province of Darién. The largest island here is Palomino, surrounded by smaller islands and private cays.
The islands are not very developed and there is less traffic on the coast. And so the best way to reach these beaches is by private boat or ferry.
Bahia Solano (Pacific side)
Although Bahia Solano does not often appear on the list of most visited destinations in Colombia, but is growing in popularity as more and more tourists are attracted to its unique features.
First and foremost, the jungle straddling Choco and Antioquia makes it only accessible by plane or water. As a first choice, take a plane or charter flight from Bogotá, Cali, Medellin or Quibdo.
On the Pacific coast you can surf, snorkel, dive and view dolphins, turtles, a variety of flora and fauna and the internationally famous humpback whales.
From July to October, beachgoers can also watch whale migration and ‘whale dancing’ from the beach.