Kind Compass

Colombia was everything I didn’t expect — vibrant, soulful, and overflowing with life. I spent a month travelling from the high mountains of Bogotá to the cobbled streets of Barichara, through the coffee region, the Caribbean coast, and finally to the remote islands of San Andrés and Providencia. It was a journey of rhythm and rain, colour and calm. The kind of trip that stays with you.

✨ Bogotá – The City Above the Clouds

My journey began in Bogotá, a city perched high in the Andes where rain and sunshine constantly chase each other through the sky. I wandered through La Candelaria, its streets alive with art, colour, and energy.

One night, I found myself in the main square surrounded by music and dancing. I tried chicha, a homemade fermented corn spirit from a little street bar — cloudy, sweet, and strong. Everyone was laughing and swaying, the air thick with joy.

I rode the cable car up Monserrate, where graffiti bursts across the city walls and the view from the top stretches endlessly — Bogotá glittering beneath the clouds. Despite the chaos, I always felt safe, even as a solo white female traveller. Bogotá had grit, heart, and warmth in equal measure.

🏞️ Villa de Leyva, Barichara & Chicamocha Canyon – Timeless Colombia

From Bogotá, I travelled north to Villa de Leyva, a town that feels frozen in time. Whitewashed walls, cobblestones, and a calm that seeps into your bones. Then on to Barichara, one of the most beautiful villages in Colombia — terracotta rooftops, steep streets, and views that look painted.

Nearby, the Chicamocha Canyon was vast and wild — a reminder of how small we are against nature’s scale.

🌄 Guatapé & Medellín – From Shadows to Colour

In Guatapé, I climbed the huge rock of El Peñón de Guatapé — 740 steps winding skyward, each one rewarded with a view of turquoise lakes shimmering below. My legs burned, my heart raced, but it was worth every step.

Then came Medellín, once known as the most dangerous city in the world, now transformed into a hub of creativity and hope. I spent hours wandering through Comuna 13, its steep streets alive with street art and music. The graffiti here isn’t just decoration — it’s storytelling. Layers of struggle, resilience, and rebirth splashed in colour across the walls.

Medellín taught me what transformation really looks like.

☕ Salento & Cocora Valley – In the Heart of the Coffee Region

Salento felt like stepping into a postcard — bright houses, rolling hills, and the smell of roasted coffee drifting through the air. I walked through the Cocora Valley, surrounded by wax palms reaching impossibly high into the mist. Hummingbirds zipped through the air in flashes of green and gold, and the botanical gardens nearby were alive with butterflies.

The pace of life slowed here. Coffee, conversation, and clouds.

🌿 Tayrona National Park – Wild Beauty and a Lesson in Kindness

Tayrona was pure jungle magic — tangled roots, tropical rain, and trails that led to secret beaches. The air buzzed with life: frogs, birds, insects, and the hum of the forest. Every so often, a flash of colour — a hummingbird or a butterfly passing close enough to touch.

The paths were slick with mud, and halfway along, something happened I’ll never forget. A horse carrying a tourist slipped and fell right beside us. My friend and I ran to help; the poor thing was trembling and terrified. I knelt beside it, cradling its head until it calmed enough to stand. It was heartbreaking — a reminder of how easily animals can suffer for our convenience. I cried for a long time afterward, and it changed how I see responsible travel.

Later, the forest opened up to golden sand and turquoise water. We found a little beach café serving fresh fruit, rice, and plantains — the perfect meal after the long hike. Colombia was surprisingly easy for vegans, and the food everywhere was colourful, fresh, and full of life.

🌇 Cartagena – Salsa Nights & Caribbean Heat

Cartagena was pure magic. Colourful streets, colonial balconies dripping with bougainvillea, and the sound of salsa everywhere. We drank cocktails, danced with waitresses, and laughed under the warm Caribbean night.

The city pulsed with energy, yet it felt easy — a place where everyone moves to the same rhythm of joy.

🏝️ San Andrés & Providencia – Island Contrast

When my group trip ended, I set off alone for the Caribbean islands of San Andrés and Providencia — tiny dots on the map, each with their own rhythm.

San Andrés was lively and colourful — reggae playing from every corner, locals smiling, the sea shimmering in shades of blue you can’t quite believe are real.

Providencia was the opposite — quiet, wild, and deeply local. I had imagined slow island days and sunset walks, but travelling solo there was more challenging than I expected. I was followed and hit on by men often, which left me feeling uncomfortable and choosing to keep to myself. One evening I watched the sun set at the nearest beach — warm light spilling over the water — before heading straight back to my guesthouse to feel safe.

I visited Roland Roots Beach Bar once — a laid-back spot with driftwood tables, reggae music, and that easy Caribbean rhythm. The island itself was stunning — coral reefs, jungle-covered hills, and a feeling of remoteness that’s hard to find anywhere else. Vegan food was scarce — I mostly lived on rice, fruit, and coconut bread — but the simplicity suited the island’s raw beauty.

Travel tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the plane when flying back from Providencia — the views of the reefs and islands are unreal.

Reflections

Colombia gave me everything — laughter, rain, music, beauty, and lessons I didn’t expect. From Bogotá’s rooftops to the Caribbean sands, from chicha in the square to the hum of the jungle, it felt like being fully alive again. I went to explore — and left deeply in love.