Colombia has shortlisted eight villages to participate in the 2024 UN Best Tourism Villages 2024 awards. The aim of these awards is for the United Nations to identify the top villages worldwide to promote rural tourism. Selected by the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism these eight villages were chosen for their significant cultural and natural assets.
Colombia is renowned for being one of the most biodiverse countries globally, with an impressive array of species and ecosystems due to its varied geography, which includes mountains, jungles, and deserts. However, Colombia also boasts rich rural areas that offer many tourism experiences.
How were these Colombian villages nominated?
In March 2024, a call for entries encouraged municipalities across the country to nominate their rural destinations, resulting in a total of 117 nominations from 19 regions. These submissions were evaluated by the technical committee of the Tourism Vice Minister, which selected the final nominees.
The chosen villages each have less than 15,000 residents and are engaged in traditional activities such as agriculture, forestry, or livestock farming. They use tourism as a means to showcase their community’s values and lifestyle.
Puerto Nariño, Amazonas.
This village, also called ‘the Amazonian paradise of Colombia,’ stands out for its commitment to the environment and the conservation of local ecosystems. The municipality is home to various indigenous communities, such as the Ticuna, Yagua, and Cocama, who share their rich culture and traditions with visitors.
Jardin, Antioquia
Jardin (garden) is known for its outstanding natural beauty and colonial architecture. Its deep-rooted and vibrant coffee culture is also one of its main attractions, another being the village’s colorful downtown. Its stone streets are surrounded by wooden balconies covered with flowers.
El Cocuy, Boyacá
El Cocuy is situated in a natural park which covers a large area and includes parts of the Arauca and Casanare regions. Its main attractions are the majestic mountain chain that surrounds it. It also has glaciers, glacial lagoons, and paramo ecosystems which are unique in the world
Orocue, Casanare
This village is close to the Meta River, which offers spectacular scenery, navigation and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning plains sunsets, which are particularly impressive in this region.
Sesquilé, Cundinamarca
What makes Sesquile one of the most charming villages in Colombia? Its main attraction is without a doubt Laguna de Guatavita: This lake is associated with the legend of El Dorado and was considered a sacred site by the Muisca indigenous people.
Paicol, Huila
The main attraction of this village is Rio Paez. The Paez River provides opportunities for water sports such as rafting. From a historical and cultural perspective, Paicol has witnessed important events during Colombia’s independence era and preserves a valuable architectural heritage in its historic center.
Murillo, Tolima
Murillo is known for its proximity to the Nevado del Ruiz. This snow-capped volcano makes Murillo an attractive destination for ecotourism enthusiasts. The municipality also preserves traditional Andean architecture, with houses and buildings that reflect the mountain lifestyle.
El Cairo, Valle del Cauca
This Colombian village is surrounded by Cloud forests and is located in an area that is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic and endangered. This makes it a perfect destination for activities such as birdwatching, ecological hiking, and nature tourism in general.
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