Why This Beautiful South American Country Is Exploding In Popularity Right Now

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Colombia's always been a familiar name for Americans, but maybe for all the wrong reasons.

It wasn't until recently, however, that the travel community began to recognize Colombia as a world-class destination.

Societal problems aside, the country's been on a rapid upward trend in visitor numbers since the Covid era, and even though 2026's barely started, it looks set to surpass last year's figures… again.

The question is: why? Why are tourists suddenly drawn to a country that, until a minute ago, was widely considered a no-go zone, including by U.S. authorities themselves?

How Many Tourists Will Be Flying To Colombia This Year?

Between December 2025 and May 2026, 646,770 international bookings were registered in Colombia, already a 6.4% growth over the same period in the preceding calendar year.

It officially outperforms more established destinations in the Global South, such as Costa Rica, which has long been considered the lower-risk alternative, the relatively safe Chile, and the trendy Peru.

Perhaps most surprisingly, even is the fact that it's U.S. citizens leading the surge: together with Spaniards and Brazilians, they will account for over 42% of the expected international arrivals until May. So what is the appeal, you may ask?

Well, surely, affordability plays a key role here:

Colombia Is Still Dirt Cheap

Whether as a tropical destination, a vibrant city break, or a nature getaway, Colombia remains, by far and away, the most budget-friendly country in South America.

Especially compared to places like Rio de Janeiro, or even Buenos Aires at this point, where mid 3-star hotels can set you back by hundreds of dollars-a-night in the peak season, not to mention the infamous ‘gringo rate' in restaurants and other points of service.

Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia are typically grouped as the top 3 destinations in South America, so let's see how they fare in terms of expenses.

2026 Price Comparison For Brazil, Argentina, And Colombia

Category	Brazil	Argentina	Colombia
Street food / take-out	$4–$8	$2–$6	$2–$4
Sit-down meal (inexpensive restaurant)	$8–$15	$8–$15	$6–$12
3-course meal (fine dining)	$30–$50	$30–$60	$50+
Hostel / budget hotel (per night)	$12–$30 (dorm bed)	$15–$35 (dorm bed or private budget rooms)	$8–$15 (common hostel room)
3-star hotel (per night)	$30–$60	$50–$80	$25–$40
5-star hotel (per night)	$160–$300+ (premium coastal hotels)	$200–$500+	$120–$200+
Taxi fare (per mile)	$1.50–$2.50 (short urban rides)	$1.00–$2.00 (typical Buenos Aires fare)	$2.00–$3.00

*Data sourced from websites like Numbeo, Budget Your Trip, Nomadic Matt, Expedia, travel guides, and other reputable sources. It's important to note rates can vary drastically between cities in each of the 3 countries. In Argentina, prices are also more volatile due to the hyperinflation.

As you can see, Colombia is the cheapest pick in 6 out of 7 categories, but that doesn't give us the full picture yet.

Let's look at the individual destinations gaining the most traction:

Which Colombian Destinations Are Rising The Fastest In Popularity?

There are 3 main Colombian cities leading bookings in 2026:

• Bogotá, the lively capital, oftentimes dubbed ‘Athens of South America'
• Medellín, Colombia's edgiest metropolis
• Cartagena, a cultural behemoth on the Caribbean

They account for roughly 91% of bookings this year so far, and we can't say we're surprised: together, they're clearly the best representation of Colombia's diverse offer as a country.

Bogotá

The national capital, Bogotá is a sprawling conurbation at the foot of the landmark Monserrate Hill, home to a postcard-ready Historic Center, the colonial-era La Candelaria, and a plethora of world-class museums and elegant Neoclassical government buildings.

No wonder it’s called the Athens of South America, but it’s not Greek culture you’ll find here. Instead, picture bohemian zones that are yet to be gentrified and still retain their quirkiness, lush urban parks that offer a short but very welcome respite from the urban chaos, and an underrated food scene.

Medellín

Bogotá’s number one rival, Medellín is the crazy, riotous younger sibling that doesn’t play by the rules, and will have you wondering what just happened by the end of your all-nighter in the bar-packed Provenza.

Think gritty, thought-provoking graffiti, flavorful street food that tastes like the real deal, authentic barrios that have successfully shed their dark past as drug hubs and reinvented themselves as colorful, lively neighborhoods: Medellín is the wilder side of Colombia that refuses to tone itself down…

For better or for worse. In any case, keep your wits about you, and your valuables in a safebox.

Been to Medellin lately? Help other travelers by voting below on your safety experience.

Cartagena

The laid-back charmer of the trio, Cartagena revolves around the UNESCO-listed Ciudad Amurallada, a Spanish-built citadel on the shores of the Caribbean that looks like it's been copied and pasted from Iberian Europe:

Cobbled streets, monumental Baroque churches, richly-decorated with gilded altars and paintings, and colorful façades with wrought-iron balconies. On top of that, it's a short boat ride away from a number of pristine Caribbean retreats—check out a peaceful, turquoise-water-fringed Baru nearby.

The Safety Issue

Look, there's no way to put it mildly: as much as Colombia has opened up for tourism since the 90s, and it's got progressively more tourist-friendly with each passing decade, it's not exactly the Switzerland of the Tropics, ifyouknowhatimsayin'.

El Salvador got there first.

Anyways, back to Colombia, when visiting large urban centers, especially cities like Medellín or Cali, you better tone down on the gringo energy, and keep your wits about you, or you could be in some serious trouble.

As locals put it brilliantly themselves, no dar papaya is your best survival guide to Colombia as a white-skinned American.

How To Avoid Problems In Colombia

When withdrawing money from ATMs, make sure you do so in a secure location, preferably inside a well-secured bank. Avoid walking around downtown zones with flashy watches or jewelry, and under no circumstances deviate from the tourist-frequented neighborhoods without a guide or trusted local.

Cities like Medellín are not somewhere you want to get caught alone, in a vulnerable position. Oh, and on that note, if you absolutely have to have your phone out when out and about, either walk into a store to do it, or don't be completely oblivious to what's going on around you.

Yeah, Manhattan and Chicago have crime too, but let's not play the clueless cultural relativist and equate the two.

Colombia has a serious violent crime issue, and engaging in the same kinds of behavior you do in America will make you easy prey for criminals.

That said, most Americans report minimal issues traveling around the country: they usually complain of hiked taxi fares, scams when dealing with tour companies, and petty theft, but the risk is real, and in certain provinces and cities, it's higher than others.

Please refer to our official Travel Advisory Checker, powered by the U.S. Department of State's own guidelines, when planning a visit to Colombia soon.