What to do in Colombia in one day: 7 plans

There are days when all you need is to change your environment, discover a new place, or do something different from your routine. And you don't always need a long vacation to achieve that.

Colombia is full of stunning landscapes, cultural destinations, and tourist activities that you can enjoy on a day trip. From touring an underground cathedral to exploring wax palm forests, visiting theme parks, learning the history of a city, or experiencing an adrenaline-filled adventure, there are plans for all tastes and budgets.

The best part is that many of these experiences are located just a few hours from the main cities in the country. So, if you have a free weekend, a holiday bridge, or simply want to take advantage of a different day, you don't need to go too far to discover something new.

If you are looking for what to do in Colombia in one day, here you will find seven ideas to inspire you, discover incredible destinations, and find experiences that you can book through Exploreti. Additionally, we share reference prices so you can organize your next getaway.

1. Discover nature and change your scenery

Sometimes, the best plan is to get away from the noise, breathe fresh air, and enjoy a different environment. Colombia has mountains, forests, valleys, moors, and natural reserves that offer ideal settings to disconnect from the routine.

A hike through mountain landscapes, an excursion through a wax palm forest, or a guided visit to a natural ecosystem can become an excellent way to make the most of the day.

If you are in the Coffee Axis, you will find some of the most attractive experiences to enjoy nature:

Nevado del Ruiz: an excursion to discover the high mountain landscapes of the Los Nevados National Natural Park and enjoy an experience that combines nature, adventure, and hot springs. You can find the tour starting from $322,000 COP per person. Discover this experience at Exploreti and get ready to see one of the most impressive landscapes in Colombia!
Valle del Cocora, Salento, and Filandia: a tour through some of the most representative landscapes of Quindío, where you can admire the imposing wax palms, visit traditional towns, and enjoy coffee culture. Experience starting from $320,000 COP per person.
La Carbonera: discover one of the most impressive wax palm forests in Colombia, located in Tolima, near Salento. It is an alternative for those looking for less conventional natural landscapes. Tour starting from $350,000 COP per person.

Did you know that you can organize your excursion without having to search for each service separately?

With Exploreti, you can consult organized experiences, check what they include, and learn about the conditions of each operator before booking. Additionally, you will receive information and reminders so you can keep track of the details of your activity and prepare in advance.

Ideal for: nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, hikers, and travelers looking to disconnect from the daily grind.

Before you go: check the duration of the tour, weather conditions, recommendations, and physical requirements of the activity. In high mountain destinations, it is especially important to follow safety guidelines.

Don't worry about logistics and enjoy each destination! Book your excursion with Exploreti and experience an organized adventure to make the most of your journey through the Coffee Axis.

2. Experience an adventure

If you prefer plans that take you out of your comfort zone, an adventure experience can be an excellent choice.

Colombia offers multiple alternatives for those seeking different thrills: paragliding, ATV tours, boat rides, water activities, and experiences that allow you to view landscapes from another perspective.

Here are some options you can find at Exploreti:

Paragliding in San Félix, near Medellín: enjoy the Antioquian landscape from the air and experience a flight accompanied by specialized pilots. You can find flights starting from $130,000 COP per person, depending on the modality. Are you ready to fly? Check the flight details and book your next adventure at Exploreti.
Parque La Manuela, Guatapé: discover an old estate turned into a tourist space where you can take a guided tour of its facilities. Tickets starting from $45,000 COP per person.
Boat ride in Guatapé: enjoy the reservoir and its landscapes aboard a boat in the Nautical Tour La Piedra. Experience starting from $31,800 COP per person.

The key is to choose an activity that suits your level of experience and what you expect to live. Not all adventure plans require the same preparation, so it's worth reviewing the conditions before booking.

Exploreti Hack: don't hesitate to ask questions before your adventure. If you need to know more details about the requirements, what the activity includes, or recommendations for carrying it out, you can request personalized advice before completing your reservation.

Ideal for: curious travelers, groups of friends, couples, and people looking for a different experience to remember.

Before you go: check the included items, age limits, health or weight restrictions when applicable, and the established safety conditions.

3. Explore the history and culture of a destination

Traveling is also an opportunity to learn about the stories, traditions, and cultural expressions that make each place special. You can dedicate the day to touring a historic center, visiting a cultural attraction, or participating in a guided experience that allows you to discover the identity of a destination from different perspectives.

Here are three experiences you can find at Exploreti:

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: discover one of the most surprising tourist attractions in Colombia. This impressive underground complex combines architecture, history, and art in a space built inside an old salt mine. An ideal experience for those who want to know a different place and get closer to the country's mining history. Tickets starting from $75,000 COP per person.

Plan your visit in advance! Book your tickets at Exploreti and enjoy this underground wonder.

Graffitour of Comuna 13, Medellín: learn about one of the most representative social and cultural transformation processes in Medellín through its murals, artistic expressions, and urban manifestations. This guided tour will allow you to discover the stories behind its streets and understand how art became a tool for identity and transformation. Experience starting from $87,000 COP per person.

Cali Salsa Tour: immerse yourself in Cali's salsa culture and discover why this city is recognized as the world capital of salsa. During this experience, you will learn about the history of this musical genre, learn basic dance steps, explore its rhythms, and get closer to one of the most representative cultural expressions of Cali's identity. Experience starting from $150,000 COP per person.

Ideal for: couples, families with children of compatible ages for the activity, and travelers interested in history, art, music, and Colombian traditions.

Before you go: check the schedules, current rates, the duration of each tour, and the entry conditions. Remember to validate if transportation is included in the price.

4. Get to know a city from a different perspective

You don't always have to leave a city to have a tourist experience. Sometimes it is enough to stop exploring it as usual and start discovering it with new eyes.

A city tour is an excellent alternative to get to know the main attractions of a destination, discover its stories, and get closer to its customs without having to organize each stop on your own. Additionally, you can find tours that combine tourism, culture, and entertainment.

If you want to discover some of the most interesting cities in Colombia, here are three experiences you can find at Exploreti:

City Tour in Cali: discover the capital of Valle del Cauca through a tour of its main tourist attractions. Visit emblematic places, enjoy its urban landscapes, and get closer to the history and culture of a city known for its joy and salsa tradition.

Get ready to discover Cali with new eyes! Check the details and book your City Tour in Cali at Exploreti.

City Tour in Medellín: explore the capital of Antioquia and get to know some of its most representative places. An ideal experience to discover the transformation of the city, cultural spaces, and its main tourist attractions while learning more about its history and identity.

Are you eager to know Medellín? Organize your tour and book this experience at Exploreti.

Chiva Rumbera in Cartagena: If you are looking for a different experience to enjoy the city, this plan combines music, entertainment, and a festive atmosphere aboard a traditional Colombian chiva. An opportunity to explore Cartagena in a fun way and share a night full of rhythm and joy.

Ideal for: travelers who want to get to know a city for the first time, people with limited time, couples, and groups of friends looking to combine tourism and entertainment.

Exploreti Hack: take advantage of your visit to discover more activities in the same destination. If you book a city tour in Medellín, for example, you can complement your itinerary with adventure experiences or cultural tours. In Cali, you can combine the urban tour with a salsa experience. Explore the available alternatives and make the most of your trip!

Before you go: confirm the meeting point, duration, included transfers, and schedules. In nighttime experiences like the Chiva Rumbera, also check the participation conditions and included services.

5. Enjoy a family plan

Sharing an experience can be a good way to create memories as a family without the need to organize a multi-day trip.

Parks, attractions, and recreational activities offer alternatives to spend time together, learn something new, and change the weekend routine.

If you are looking for options in the Coffee Axis, you can consider two experiences:

Bioparque Ukumarí, Pereira: It is an alternative to enjoy a day surrounded by nature and learn about different ecosystems and animal species.

The park has two large thematic regions: Andean Forests and African Savanna. Its tour allows you to get closer to biodiversity and learn more about wildlife conservation.

You can find tickets starting from $40,000 COP per person.

Parque Los Arrieros, Quindío: Located between Montenegro and Quimbaya, this theme park offers an experience to discover the arriera and mountain culture of the region.

During the visit, you can enjoy artistic shows, traditional music, interactive activities, thematic trails, and recreational spaces. It is an alternative to learn about the region's traditions in an entertaining way.

You can find tickets starting from $48,000 COP per person.

The best part is that by purchasing your tickets in advance at Exploreti, you can receive a digital ticket and expedite the entry process at the attractions.

Ideal for: families who want to share quality time and organize a plan that both adults and children enjoy.

Before you go: check the age rates, entry conditions, available services, and recommendations for the visit.

6. Organize a plan to share with a partner or friends

Not all plans need to be filled with adrenaline. A getaway can also be an opportunity to disconnect from the routine, discover a new place, enjoy different landscapes, and share quality time with the people you love.

Whether you prefer a beach day, an experience aboard a yacht, or a tour to discover the flavors and traditions of a region, Colombia offers alternatives to turn any free day into a special memory.

If you are looking for inspiration, here are three experiences you can enjoy with a partner or friends:

Day trip to Isla del Sol, Cartagena: escape to the Caribbean waters and enjoy a day of sun, beach, and relaxation at Isla del Sol, an ideal space to disconnect from the city's rhythm. An experience to share, enjoy the natural surroundings, and take advantage of the paradisiacal environment of the Rosario Islands.
Yacht Party Bahia, San Andrés: experience something different sailing through the waters of San Andrés aboard a yacht, while enjoying music, entertainment, and an atmosphere designed for sharing. An ideal alternative for those who want to combine Caribbean landscapes with fun and good times in company.

Let the party be part of your trip too! Book your experience at Yacht Party Bahia through Exploreti.

Coffee Tour in Medellín: discover the world of Colombian coffee through an experience that brings you closer to its culture, aromas, and traditions. Learn more about the process behind one of the country's most representative beverages and enjoy a different activity to share with friends or a partner.

Exploreti Hack: turn a simple plan into a complete experience. Before booking, check what other activities you can do in the surroundings of your destination. For example, if you plan to visit Cartagena or San Andrés, you can discover other water experiences, tourist tours, and activities to complement your itinerary in the Colombian Caribbean. This way, you make the most of your trip and find more ways to enjoy each destination.

Ideal for: couples, groups of friends, and people who want to turn a free day or a vacation getaway into a special occasion.

Before you go: check what services are included, the schedules, meeting points, and the conditions of the activity. In day trips and nautical experiences, especially verify transfers, meals, and recommendations.

7. Discover a destination you haven't explored yet

One of the best ways to find a different plan is to give a chance to a destination you haven't explored yet. Colombia is full of surprising places that, beyond traditional tourist destinations, offer landscapes, natural attractions, and experiences worth discovering.

Instead of always repeating the same outing, you can take advantage of a free day to get to know a new corner of the country, explore natural settings, or participate in activities that bring you closer to the culture and diversity of each region.

If you are looking for inspiration for your next getaway, here are three experiences you can discover at Exploreti:

Pandora Forest, Bucaramanga: discover a different natural space and be surprised by its settings, corners, and attractions. An alternative for those looking to change their environment, enjoy a nature-surrounded setting, and find new places to explore near Bucaramanga.

Are you ready to discover a different place? Get to know Pandora Forest and check the details of this experience at Exploreti.

Flamingo Sanctuary, La Guajira: discover one of the most representative natural settings of the Colombian Caribbean and admire the beauty of pink flamingos in their natural habitat. This experience will allow you to get closer to the biodiversity of La Guajira and learn about a unique ecosystem, ideal for nature and photography lovers.
Guatapé Adventure Tour, Antioquia: discover one of the most emblematic destinations of Antioquia through an experience that combines landscapes, adventure, and activities to enjoy a different perspective of Guatapé. An opportunity to explore the reservoir, learn about the attractions of the region, and enjoy a day outside the routine.

Ideal for: curious travelers, nature lovers, and people who enjoy discovering different places and finding new alternatives for their free days.

Before you go: Remember that some natural destinations require additional travel or specific conditions to carry out the visit.

How to choose the best experience for your next free day?

With so many possibilities, choosing can be easier if you start with your needs and not just the destination.

Keep these five aspects in mind:

1. The available time. Define how much time you have for the activity and travel. Some experiences require a full day, while others can be done in a few hours.

2. The budget. Review the rates and what is included. Also consider transportation, meals, and other expenses that may arise.

3. The people accompanying you. A family plan may have different requirements than an adventure excursion or a couple's outing.

4. Your interests. Think about whether you prefer nature, culture, adventure, relaxation, or entertainment. Being clear about what you want to experience makes the choice easier.

5. The booking conditions. Before paying, confirm the date, schedules, availability, meeting point, and applicable cancellation policies.

Find your next plan with Exploreti

You don't need to wait for several vacation days to discover something new. A well-chosen experience can turn a free day into an opportunity to explore, learn, share, and break the routine.

At Exploreti, you can discover tickets, tours, and activities in different destinations in Colombia, compare alternatives, and consult the information for each experience before booking.

Explore the available options, find one that suits your interests, and start organizing your next outing.

Your next plan may be closer than you think.

Discover experiences at Exploreti and find a new way to enjoy Colombia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities can be done in Colombia in one day?

You can choose from cultural tours, visits to parks and tourist attractions, nature excursions, adventure experiences, and guided tours of different cities. The best option will depend on your location, available time, and interests.

How can I find an experience near my city?

Start by checking the available destinations at Exploreti and review the published activities for each one. Check travel times and booking conditions before choosing.

Is it necessary to book experiences in advance?

It depends on the activity. Some experiences may have availability for nearby dates and even for the same day, while others require prior booking. Always verify the availability corresponding to the date you want.

What should I check before booking a tourist activity?

Consult the rates, schedules, inclusions, age requirements, meeting point, and cancellation policies. If you have doubts, resolve them before completing the payment.

Can I organize an experience for several people?

Yes, many activities allow bookings for couples, families, or groups. However, capacity, rates, and conditions may vary, so it is important to verify the details of each experience.