Colombia is a vibrant and welcoming destination for LGBTQ travelers, offering a unique mix of stunning landscapes, rich culture, and lively cities. I recently visited and during my trip I went to both Cartagena and Medellin, along with a trip to a family-run coffee farm. As a gay traveller I felt safe and didn’t experience any issues – although to be fair, I was traveling with OUTinColombia so I was in a group and always had a local with me. Still, Colombia has come a long way over the years and is generally a pretty welcoming country now for LGBTQ visitors, especially in its main cities.
Cartagena
My adventure began in Cartagena, a city that blends historic charm with modern beach resorts. To kick off the visit I took a short and speedy boat ride from the city to Tierra Bomba Island, for a day at a luxury beach resort. The warm Caribbean sea was great to swim in – so warm and calm that I didn’t want to leave.
After soaking up the sun in the sea I went into the resort’s beautiful pool for a delicious lunch featuring some local cuisine. Then I returned to Cartagena to walk around the historic Old Town, which is surrounded by 11 kilometers of walls that date back 400 years. Inside, the vibrant buildings and colorful architecture create a pretty picturesque setting that makes for a lovely walk.
Exploring the Old Town, I encountered Colombian musicians who got us dancing and drinking Aguardiente, a local spirit known as “fiery water.” They accompanied us through the streets, leading us to a bar where we enjoyed mojitos and learned some Colombian dance moves. Keeping up with the Latin dancers was a challenge, but I felt like I did a decent job as a Canadian!
The day ended with a scenic boat ride in the harbour, offering breathtaking views as the sun set. The atmosphere was pretty magical, and the food served on board was a great end to a great day. Cartagena, with its hot weather and vibrant energy, is a pretty unforgettable destination.
Medellin
Next on the journey was Medellin, often referred to as the City of Eternal Spring due to its temperate climate. This vibrant city is rich in culture and history, and my first mission was to find some authentic Colombian coffee. Since much of the best coffee is exported I made sure to locate a good spot (near a gay shop and some gay bars) to sample this local treasure.
In the downtown area, I visited Plaza Botero, an outdoor museum featuring 23 giant bronze sculptures by the renowned artist Fernando Botero. It’s a great spot for photos and to appreciate the art. Near there I found the National Palace Mall, a unique shopping center that was originally built as the Palace of Justice in 1920. The first floor is filled with shoe stores while the upper levels host numerous art galleries.
Walking through the outdoor market area, I found an array of interesting items, perfect for souvenir shopping. I then hopped on a train – Medellin’s transit system is impressive, functioning as an outdoor art gallery with murals adorning the train routes. There’s even a gondola system that takes you to some of the city’s harder-to-reach areas, providing stunning views along the way.
One must-visit spot is the Memory House Museum, which offers a deep dive into Colombia’s complex history of wars and conflicts. Also worth visiting is the Moravia neighborhood, which was once a landfill, and is now a cultural hub. It’s inspiring to see how this area has transformed, with beautiful murals adorning the walls.
Coffee Farm
To truly experience Colombia’s coffee culture, I took a two-hour drive from Medellin to the Cafe de la Cima farm in Fredonia. This family-run coffee farm offers a five-hour tour, giving visitors an in-depth look at the coffee production process from start to finish. The scenic beauty of the region definitely added to the experience.
During the tour, I hiked through stunning landscapes, picked coffee berries, and even planted a coffee plant myself. It was pretty cool to know that someone would enjoy coffee grown from a plant I helped plant. The farm’s water draining system allowed us to wash the berries easily, leading to the next steps of removing skins and sorting the beans.
Finally, we reached the roasting process, and of course, the tour concluded with a fresh cup of coffee. The flavor was unlike anything you’d find at a regular coffee shop at home – the quality and richness of Colombian coffee right at the coffee farm is hard to beat.
Conclusion
My travels through Colombia, specifically Cartagena and Medellin, along with a day trip to a coffee farm, highlighted the diverse experiences this country offers. Whether it’s the historic charm of Cartagena or the vibrant culture of Medellin, I found both cities to be welcoming as an LGBTQ traveler. Colombia’s commitment to inclusivity makes it a standout destination in South America for those seeking adventure, culture, and genuine experiences. I hope to go back again to visit Bogota and other parts of the country!
This experience was provided by ProColombia, but they had no input on my writing.