5 Educational Experiences for a Family Trip to Colombia

May 19, 2023 | by: Kuoda Authors

One of the best ways to learn about the world is through travel. Immersive experiences are an excellent educational tool that makes it fun to study history, language, and culture in a way everyone can enjoy! If you’re looking for unique ways to add some learning opportunities to your family trip to Colombia this year, add a few of these experiences to your itinerary.

Explore the dynamic art history of Colombia, go on a wildlife tour to study the rare species of South America, mingle with local artisans, and more! Show your kids how exciting it can be to learn when encountering new communities firsthand during your Colombian vacation.

Visit Colombia’s Best Museums For Art & History

Museo del Oro in Bogotá has more than 34,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts.

From Fernando Botero’s impactful contributions to the world of contemporary art to the lesser-known works from local artists on the rise, Colombia has a passion and love for self-expression that is worthy of exploring during your trip. There are several amazing museums you can visit if you have a family of art lovers.

One of the most famous museums here is the Botero Museum in Bogotá. Curated by the artist himself, this museum features 100 of Botero’s original work as well as donations from his private art collection including pieces from Picasso, Monet, Matisse, and Klimt. If you want to see some of the most influential artists worldwide, this is a must-see during your family trip to Colombia.

For an excursion focused more on the history of the region, head to the National Museum of Colombia. Over 20,000 objects and artifacts are held here, with exhibits that range from modern art movement in Colombian to displays exploring pre-Hispanic indigenous communities. Children younger than 5 years old get in for free, so it’s a super easy stop for multigenerational families with little ones! The National Museum is also located right in the heart of downtown Bogotá, which makes it incredibly convenient if you want to spend part of your day exploring the history of the capital on a walking tour nearby.

Another incredibly popular museum that would be amazing for families is the Museo del Oro, or the Gold Museum. Discover the largest collection of pre-Hispanic golden artifacts in the world, with over 34,000 unique pieces, all providing travelers some insight into the daily use of this precious gem in ancient communities. Gold was an important part of the religious practices of the indigenous communities in Colombia. One of the most famous exhibits here is the poporo quimbaya, a device that once held limes used as part of ritual practice. The Museo del Oro is undeniably beautiful, but an equally amazing history lesson on how exactly people used the rare material many centuries ago.

Venture out on a wildlife tour in Colombia

Visit the Cocora Valley to observe a great variety of endemic bird species.

For nature lovers and curious explorers, there are few things more exciting than encountering rare and wild species face to face. Colombia is an excellent destination if you and the family want to see unique animals! The diverse geography makes this nation extra special, since you can sail along the Amazon one day, trek through jungles the next, and even explore lush coastlines.

The beauty of Colombia is vast, so depending on which creatures you’re most excited to see may impact where exactly you visit. In the Choco department of Colombia, travelers can go whale watching in the Pacific. From June – October, thousands of humpback whales arrive off the Colombian coast. You can take an eco-friendly boat tour to see these majestic beings jump up and out of the water, eager to welcome the new babies into their pods! Choco is also known for being a hatching ground for thousands of baby sea turtles. Be sure to ask a Kuoda expert about the right time 0f year to visit so we can ensure you have the best wildlife excursion in this region.

One of the best wildlife-spotting regions in Colombia is Casanare, the eastern plains that are often overlooked by tourists. There is an abundance of rare bird species that reside here, but there are also some more strange animals waiting to greet your family! From caimans to capybaras, wild pigs to pumas – Casanare is a true safari destination.

Get a taste of Colombia’s Coffee Region

The Coffee Region covers the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda recognized by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Learn about Colombia’s most important export: coffee. The Colombian coffee region is not only a beautiful destination but also a delicious one. Going on an educational tour here feels like an absolute treat as you study the production methods of coffee by the local farmers. You and your family will learn how the seed is planted, harvested, roasted, and brewed to perfection. It’s also an amazing place to visit if you want to see some unique nature!

The coffee region is also known for the Valle de Cocora, home of the world’s tallest palm trees. Spending a day hiking through this vibrant green valley feels like you’ve stepped into another world, full of untouched beauty and impressive plant life you won’t find anywhere else.

Explore the local cuisine with a market tour

Discover and taste exotic fruits of Colombia such as the ice-cream bean, soursop, borojó lulo and uchuva in Mercado del Río.

One of the best ways to learn about a new place is by sharing a meal with the locals, and there’s no better way to do that than going on a market tour in one of Colombia’s big cities. Bogotá and Medellín are both excellent places to find bustling markets full of street food vendors eager to share their culinary traditions with travelers.

Some of the most well known markets in Medellín include Mercado del Rio, El Pulguero which only happens a few times a year, Minorista, and Via Primavera. From tropical types of fruits and veggies to freshly prepared chicharron or Colombian empanadas, local markets will have a little bit of everything to give your family a holistic education on the typical foods of the region.

Wander Colombia’s best national parks for an immersive nature lesson

Visit Caño de Cristales between June and November in Serranía de la Macarena.

If you want to teach your kids about the wonders of the great outdoors, Colombia is an excellent place to do so. From strange phenomena to the simple beauty of Earth, kids and parents alike will feel inspired walking away from the family trip to Colombia after being surrounded by the scenery of these national parks.

Travelers who visit Colombia between June and November should plan to visit Serranía de la Macarena. It is a beautiful park all year long, but during this time the Caño Cristales comes to life, also known as the Liquid Rainbow. For just a few months every year, the plants growing under the surface of the river come to life underneath the spotlight of the sunshine to create hues of yellow, red, orange, pink, blue, and even some deep black shadows. The site is unlike anything else, and the chance to study this natural magic in person is an unparalleled experience.

Every family trip to Colombia should have at least a few days dedicated to relaxing in the Caribbean sun and exploring the amazing blue waters and golden sands, and few places are better for this than Old Providence McBean Lagoon. Though this is a much smaller national park in comparison, to some others, it is a truly remarkable one. Here, you will find one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Marine life thrives in this park, so it’s an amazing destination for families that want a one-of-a-kind diving experience.

Being able to travel is such an amazing privilege since it allows people of all ages to learn something new about the world, and in return learn something new about themself! Colombia is full of exciting regions, rare wildlife, unique communities, and rich cultural experiences to enjoy on your vacation! Not only will you make unforgettable memories, but you’ll also be learning some amazing things about this magical nation. Ask a Kuoda travel expert about the different educational tours you and your family can enjoy so we can help plan the ultimate getaway for you.