Colombia is a glorious mix of Latin American and Caribbean cultures. Explore its beautiful people, diverse jungle, magnificent mountains and sun soaked coastal utopias. There are so many trips available, perfect if you would like to take a gap year, go backpacking, live, work or study in Colombia.
Paid Work, Volunteer Programs & Backpacking Trips in Colombia
Amazon Shelter Volunteer
• 4-12 weeks
• Price from £1,845
TEFL Certification Course in Bogotà
• 4 weeks
• Price from $1,490
Colombia Uncovered Tour
• 12 days
• Price from £1,186
Colombia Express Tour
• 9 days
• Price from £1,399
Travel and Backpacking in Colombia
Colombia is country with world famous travel destinations but it is still underrated with people taking gap years. There are lots of beautiful places to visit and amazing things to do in Colombia, including tours, volunteering programs, teaching jobs and Spanish language courses.
Colombia is fast becoming a hot-spot for travellers looking for a new part of South America to explore. Although some people have a common misconception that Colombia is really dangerous and unsafe, the reality is far from this.
Netflix may be responsible for a peak of interest in Colombia’s shadier past, but there’s so much more that makes this colourful and biodiverse country contender for South America’s most up-and-coming tourist destination.
Must-dos when backpacking in Colombia include:
• La Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) needs to be on your bucket list. Colombia’s answer to Machu Picchu, but withalot lesstourists, the Lost City is the destination of the four or five-day trek into the steamy Sierra Nevada jungle.
• If trekking ain’t your thing, the port city of Cartagena surely will be. Think cobblestoned streets, colonial history, cocktail bars, rich culture and colour everywhere… This is a traveller’s paradise.
• Tayrona National Park is your typical slice of Caribbean paradise. There’s amazing marine life, rainforests and plenty of palm-shaded beaches to get stuck on, Pina Colada in hand.
• Bogota itself is a brilliant cultural hub but if you can, head north to the beaches of Cartagena and the coffee region of Manizales.
View more gap year opportunities in South America.
Colombia Tours
If you are worried about safety and crime, but still keen to travel to Colombia then consider small group tours. You will have an experienced guide and travel with other people taking in the main highlights. This can be one of the easiest and stress free ways to travel, there are also lots of different trips available for all budgets.
Volunteer in Colombia
Whether you decide to take a week out to help animals, spend a couple of months teaching English or work with underprivileged communities, there is a world of opportunity to volunteer and give something back in Colombia.
Not only are the rewards massive for you (a real sense of achievement, a chance to interact with the local culture, language learning opportunities, a great boost to a CV…we could go on!) you have a chance to make an impact that will last long after.
Work in Colombia
If you like the idea of living in Colombia then you could apply for jobs throughout the country. Although options for paid jobs are limited for foreigners, popular options include getting TEFL certified and teaching English. If you are lacking experience or keen to improve your career prospects, or inter some local companies offer internships for English speakers in the main cities.
Study in Colombia
What will strike you most about Colombia, is how welcoming the people are. English isn’t that widely spoken still, so brush up on your Español and ask the Colombians what they love most about their home. You could book Spanish classes in most major cities and tourism locations. Courses are great value for money and most language schools offer fun sightseeing and social activities too. Classes can be booked all year round.
