Colombia with kids
Colombia With Kids: How to Plan a Family Trip to Colombia
Colombia is the South American trip that surprises families in the best way. Cartagena for the color, the beaches, and the old walled city. Bogota for the museums, the street art, and the food scene. Coffee country for the landscapes. A week gives you one region done well. Two weeks and you can combine two or three.
Colombia is the trip families keep putting off because they are not sure about it, and then they go and wonder why they waited. The country has changed enormously. Cartagena is one of the most photogenic cities in the Americas. Bogota has world class museums and a food scene that rivals anywhere in South America. The coffee region feels like a different planet, all green hills and haciendas and hummingbirds.
What makes it work for families is the flight time. From Miami it is about three hours. From New York, under six. That is closer than most of Europe and a lot of the Caribbean. The time zones are close too, so jet lag is not a factor. You step off the plane and you are on vacation.
The food is the part that gets families talking. Arepas at every meal. Fresh tropical fruit you have never seen before. Bandeja paisa, which is a plate piled with rice, beans, plantain, avocado, chorizo, and a fried egg. Empanadas from street vendors for less than a dollar. Even the pickiest kids tend to find something, and fresh juice is everywhere.
When to go
Colombia on a US school calendar
- 1December through March
Dry season and the best family window
The driest months across most of the country. Cartagena is hot and sunny, Bogota is mild and clear, and the coffee region is at its best. This lines up with US winter break and spring break. Book Cartagena early, it fills up fast over the holidays.
- 2June through August
Summer break option
A mini dry season in many regions, though rain is possible. Cartagena stays hot year round. Bogota can be cloudy and rainy in the afternoons. Fewer crowds than the December to March window and lower prices. A solid option if you can handle an afternoon shower.
- 3April through May and September through November
Rainy season
Heavier rain, especially in the afternoons. Not a dealbreaker for Cartagena, which stays warm and dries out quickly. Bogota gets gray and wet. The coffee region can be lush but muddy. Lower prices and fewer tourists. If you are flexible, the shoulder months (April, November) can still work well.
Where to go
Cartagena, Bogota, and the coffee country
Most families start with Cartagena (four to five days for the city and a beach day or island trip), then add Bogota (three to four days) or the coffee region (three to four days). A two week trip can cover all three comfortably with internal flights.
Bogota
The capital sits at 8,600 feet, so bring layers. The Gold Museum is one of the best museums in the Americas. Monserrate gives you views of the entire city. La Candelaria has street art on every block. The food scene has exploded in the last few years. Three to four days.
Cartagena
The old walled city is one of the most beautiful in the Americas. Walk the walls, explore the plazas, take a boat to the Rosario Islands for a beach day. The food ranges from street empanadas to some of the best restaurants in South America. Four to five days including a beach or island excursion.
Where to sleep
Rooms for a family of 4 or 5
Colombia has excellent boutique hotels, especially in Cartagena’s old city and Bogota’s Zona G and Chapinero neighborhoods. Vacation rentals are widely available and often the better option for families who want space and a kitchen.
| Option | Sleeps | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cartagena old city hotel | 4 to 5 | Boutique hotels in converted colonial mansions are the experience here. Many have rooftop pools and courtyards. The old city is walkable but can be loud at night. Getsemani is the more local, artsy neighborhood next door |
| Cartagena rental | 4 to 8 | Apartments and houses in the old city or Bocagrande give families more space. A kitchen is useful for breakfast and snacks. Some come with rooftop terraces and plunge pools. Book well ahead for December and January |
| Bogota hotel | 4 to 5 | Stay in the Zona G, Chapinero, or Usaquen neighborhoods for walkability and restaurants. The historic center (La Candelaria) has character but is better as a day visit than a base with kids. The altitude can make the first day tiring |
| Coffee region finca | 4 to 8 | Converted coffee farms (fincas) near Salento, Filandia, or Manizales are the way to do coffee country. Many include tours of the farm, breakfast, and stunning views. Roads can be winding and steep. A driver or private transfer is worth it |
Getting around
Flights, taxis, and what to know
- Direct flights from Miami (3 hours), Fort Lauderdale, New York (5 to 6 hours), Houston, and Atlanta to Bogota and Cartagena on Avianca, LATAM, JetBlue, Spirit, and American
- Internal flights between Bogota, Cartagena, and the coffee region (Pereira or Armenia airports) are short and affordable. Avianca and LATAM run frequent service. Book internal flights early for the best prices
- Taxis and ride apps (Uber works in Bogota, InDriver and Uber in Cartagena) are the easiest way around cities. Agree on a price before getting in a taxi if it does not have a meter. In Cartagena, the old city is walkable
- Colombia uses the peso. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in major cities. Street vendors, small restaurants, and markets are often cash only. ATMs are everywhere but use ones inside banks or malls
- US citizens need a valid passport. No visa required for stays under 90 days
- Bogota sits at 8,600 feet. The altitude can cause headaches and fatigue for the first day or two. Stay hydrated, take it easy the first afternoon, and avoid heavy meals. Kids adjust faster than adults usually
- Tap water is safe to drink in Bogota and Medellin. In Cartagena, stick to bottled or filtered water
Before you go
The boring stuff, sorted
“Colombia is one of those countries where the reality is so much better than the reputation. Families who go come back completely won over. Cartagena alone is worth the trip, but when you add Bogota’s museums and the coffee region’s landscapes, you have a trip that gives kids history, nature, food, and adventure all in one. The flight from the East Coast is shorter than most Caribbean islands, and the value is outstanding.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Plan your trip with meThinking about Colombia?
Tell me who is coming and roughly when, and I will put together the route that fits your family, coast and coffee country included.
Start planningQuick answers
Is Colombia safe to visit with kids?
The main tourist areas (Cartagena’s old city, Bogota’s northern neighborhoods, the coffee region) are well traveled and safe for families. Use the same common sense you would in any major city. Stay in recommended neighborhoods, use registered taxis or ride apps, and keep valuables out of sight. The country has changed enormously in the last 15 years.
How many days do you need in Colombia with kids?
A week works for one region done well, usually Cartagena plus a beach day. Two weeks lets you combine Cartagena and Bogota, or Cartagena and the coffee region. Internal flights are short, so you are not losing days to travel between cities.
Is Colombia expensive?
Very affordable compared to the US and most Caribbean destinations. A family dinner at a good restaurant runs 30 to 60 dollars. Hotels range from budget to boutique luxury. Taxis and ride shares are cheap. Street food is excellent and costs almost nothing. The exchange rate has been favorable for US visitors.
What is the best age to take kids to Colombia?
Any age works, but kids six and up tend to get the most out of it. They can handle the walking in Cartagena’s old city, appreciate the museums in Bogota, and enjoy a coffee farm tour. Younger kids do fine in Cartagena, which is stroller friendly in the main areas and has easy beach access.
Do you need to speak Spanish in Colombia?
It helps but it is not required. English is spoken in most hotels, many restaurants in tourist areas, and by tour guides. Cartagena is the most English friendly. Bogota less so outside of upscale neighborhoods. A few basic phrases in Spanish go a long way and people appreciate the effort.
Should we go to Cartagena or Bogota first?
Most families start in Cartagena because it is the easier entry point, especially with younger kids. The beach, the walkable old city, and the warm weather make it a comfortable start. Bogota is higher energy and higher altitude, so it works well as a second stop when you have your bearings.
What about the coffee region with kids?
The coffee region (Eje Cafetero) is beautiful and slower paced. Stay at a finca, tour a working coffee farm, hike in the Cocora Valley with the tall wax palms, and explore the colorful town of Salento. Kids enjoy the farm tours and the scenery. Roads are winding, so plan for car sickness if your kids are prone to it.
Keep planning: Bogota guide, Cartagena guide, international travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices, fees and rules last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
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