Boutique hotels in Colombia

Colombia has become one of Latin America's most exciting places to stay, with small hotels in colonial mansions, coffee haciendas and beach lodges that match its diverse landscapes. Cartagena's walled city leads the way, but the coffee region, Caribbean coast, Pacific shore and Andean towns each add their own character.

The cities

Cartagena has the most boutique hotels, in restored courtyard houses within its UNESCO-listed old town. Bogotá, the high-altitude capital, has design hotels in Chapinero and La Candelaria, and Medellín, in its green valley, has stylish hotels in El Poblado. Cali is the salsa capital.

Coffee, colonial towns and mountains

Salento and the coffee region have fincas and haciendas set among plantations, while Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Mompox and Jardín are colonial towns with whitewashed streets and small guesthouses. Guatapé is known for its colored houses and the Piedra del Peñol rock.

Caribbean and Pacific

Santa Marta, Tayrona and Palomino are on the Caribbean coast with jungle beaches, and Minca climbs into the Sierra Nevada. The Rosario Islands, San Andrés and Providencia offer reefs and turquoise water, and Nuquí and Capurganá have remote beaches reached by boat or small plane. Leticia is the gateway to the Amazon.

When to go

The Andean region is mild all year, with drier months from December to March and from July to August. The Caribbean coast is driest from December to April. Humpback whales visit the Pacific coast from July to October.