Colombia is located on the north of South America, with coasts bathed to the north by the Caribbean and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The coast in the Caribbean Sea offer some of the best beaches in the world and here we have make a selection of them

Its physical geography is divided into: the east part, which is a great plain irrigated by the tributaries of the Orinoco and the Amazon rivers, and the central and western parts, where the Andes, 4,000 meters high, branch out into three parts separated by deep valleys, and there's also a big part that's mainly occupied by the Amazon jungle. Its capital city is Bogota.

The hottest spots are: Cartagena de Indias, which is one of the most fantastic old cities, declared Patrimony of Humanity, and it has the boardwalk to the Rosario Islands, where you can view the Archipelago Nuestra Señora del Rosario, with more than 20 islands, islets and keys. Another worth mentioning beaches are Santa Marta, with its fabulous white sands and modern hotels, San Andres, Providencia, the San Bernaro Archipelago and the Mangle Islands.

Top of the agenda for many people who visit Colombia are it's beaches, and rightly so. Colombia undisputedly has some of the best beaches in South America. Colombia's best beaches are found on it's extensive Caribbean coastline and islands. You could easily spend a month travelling in Colombia and just visiting the beaches.

Below is a run down of the best beach destinations in Colombia. Pros and Cons of visiting each destination are offered.

Cartagena
Pros: excellent cultural activities in addition to beaches; excellent luxury hotels; great nightlife & restaurants.
Cons: unattractive beaches; hectic beaches; sea is often murky coloured and dirty.

Providencia Island
Pros: wonderful scenery; very high quality uncrowded beaches; great for relaxing; crystal clear, calm waters; great snorkelling and scuba diving; plenty of non-beach activities; English speaking local population.
Cons: Expensive to get to; no nightlife.

La Guajira
Pros: very peaceful and uncrowded beaches (usually); fascinating desert and coastal scenery; experience and interact with indigenous cultures.
Cons: complicated to get to; only basic accommodation; need to book an organized tour to fully appreciate the area.

Park Tayrona
Pros: wonderful scenery; very high quality uncrowded beaches; easy to get to.
Cons: extremely dangerous for swimming; very limited accommodation (it's either luxury or in a hammock/camping - no mid range choices here); no nightlife.

San Andres Island
Pros: high quality beaches; crystal clear, calm waters; good nightlife.
Cons: beaches can be busy; have to catch flight from the mainland.

Santa Marta
Pros: Easy to get to; lots of tourist amenities; beaches are good (though not spectacular); great nightlife; wide range of accommodation options.
Cons: beaches are very busy; highly developed nature of the city won't suit all.

Rosario Islands
Pros: easy to get to (if you're in Cartagena); crystal clear sea; very relaxing place to visit; lovely small hotels to choose from.
Cons: very few actual beaches; very little to do.

So where is best for what?

Best for beaches: Providencia Island
Best for beaches + nightlife: San Andres or Santa Marta
Best for beaches + cultural activities: Cartagena combined with Rosario Islands
Best for that satisfied feeling: Park Tayrona
Best for honeymoons: Providencia Island
Best for scuba diving: Providencia Island
Best for surfing & chilling: Nuqui
Best for totally relaxing: Providencia Island

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