Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee. Thank you for your support!
Want to know more about Colombia? Then you have come to the right place! Whether you are planning a trip to Colombia or you just want to learn more about the country, make sure you read these 25 fascinating facts about the country first!
Colombia has it all-the beaches, the rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and more. This South American country, is the only one with both the Caribbean and a Pacific coast. It is also well-known for its rich culture and history. Colombia is also very popular as it’s easy to get around the country – buses in Colombia are a very efficient way to get around, for a good price too!
Before planning a trip to Colombia, you should learn a little about the country. After all, the more you know about a place, the better prepared you will be to enjoy your time there. Keeping that in mind, here are some fascinating facts about Colombia that will help you get the most out of your trip.
- 1. Colombia has the Largest Orchard Species in the World.
- 2. Colombia is one of the Most Biodiverse Countries in the World.
- 3. Colombia is Home to Pink Dolphins.
- 4. The Rhythm of Colombia.
- 5. Colombia Observes a Large Number of Public Holidays.
- 6. Shakira – The Voice of Colombia.
- 7. Cano Cristales – The Liquid Rainbow.
- 8. Second Biggest Country for Spanish-Speaking.
- 9. Largest Bicycle Route.
- 10. Heritage Site – A Coffee Region.
- 11. Colombia is the Land of Fruits.
- 12. Colombian Famous Food.
- 13. Colombia Experiences Only Two Seasons
- 14. La Chorrera Falls
- 15. Buying Minutes
- 16. Coffee is a Part of Colombian Children’s Life
- 17. Colombian National Anthem is Played Twice a Day
- 18. Colombians Don’t Utter the Word “No”
- 19. Tejo – Colombian National Sport
- 20. Two Largest Colombian Festivals
- 21. Colombia In A Popular Inbound Tourist Destination
- 22. Sun Sets at 6 pm
- 23. Colombia has Undergone Many Name Changes
- 24. Iberoamericana – The World’s Biggest Theatre Festival
- 25. Colombia is the Biggest Emerald Producer.
1. Colombia has the Largest Orchard Species in the World.
One of the astonishing facts about Colombia is its incredible biodiversity and its plethora of Orchids. With over 1,500 species, Colombia boasts the largest number of Orchid species in the world. These beautiful flowers can be found in every corner of the country, from the dense Amazon rainforest to the majestic Andes mountains.
In addition to their dazzling array of colors and patterns, Orchids are also well-known for their sweet fragrance. From their captivating beauty to their myriad uses, it’s no wonder that Orchids are one of Colombia’s most valuable national treasures.
2. Colombia is one of the Most Biodiverse Countries in the World.
This is another one of my favourite facts about Colombia. Colombia is home to more plant and animal species than any other country. One in every ten species on Earth can be found in Colombia. It’s the perfect breeding ground for all sorts of life, even including the countless microorganisms that call Colombia home.
But what makes Colombia so special? Yes, the geographical location. Colombia is situated closer to the equator, giving it a unique climate that supports a wide range of plant and animal life.
3. Colombia is Home to Pink Dolphins.
Colombia is home to the rarest species of dolphin in the world. According to recent estimates, only 20 pink dolphins are left in the wild. These fascinating creatures are found only in a few river systems in South America, most of which live in Colombia.
Pink dolphins are an important part of Colombian culture and are often featured in art and folklore. These dolphins are so rare that they are protected by law in Colombia. Did you know this fascinating fact about Colombia?
4. The Rhythm of Colombia.
When it comes to facts about Colombia, there’s always something new. Did you know Colombia is one of the world’s most dance-crazy countries? It’s true! Colombians love to dance, and they’re good at it too.
Colombia has given the world some of its most popular dances, like salsa and vallenato. And it’s not just traditional dances that Colombians excel at – they’re also great at adopting new dances and making them their own.
5. Colombia Observes a Large Number of Public Holidays.
Colombia is a country full of surprises. Such as, you might not know that they celebrate 18 national holidays a year. That’s almost one holiday every month! This might be the reason that Colombia is voted the happiest place in the world. Of course, what’s not to love about a country that has so many days off?
6. Shakira – The Voice of Colombia.
Shakira – one of the biggest names in pop music – also hails from Colombia. This is just one of the many interesting facts about Colombia. She was born in Barranquilla, which is a port city located in the country’s northwestern region. So, next time when you hum Shakira’s song, remember to credit Colombia for giving us this talent.
7. Cano Cristales – The Liquid Rainbow.
Colombia is a country of many wonders, and one of the most amazing facts about Colombia is that it is home to the “Liquid Rainbow” – Cano Cristales. The most beautiful color-changing river in the world, Cano Cristales.
Every year, from June to November, the river comes alive with a spectrum of different colors, ranging from yellow to green to red. The phenomenon is caused by an abundance of plant life in the river and is truly a sight to behold.
8. Second Biggest Country for Spanish-Speaking.
Yes, you heard it right! Colombia is the second biggest country for Spanish-speaking. 99.5% of people in Colombia speak Spanish, compared to only 99% in Spain. This makes Colombia a great place to learn or practice your Spanish skills.
With so many different Spanish dialects spoken worldwide, you’re sure to hear some interesting new words and phrases in Colombia, making this one of my favourite facts about Colombia!
9. Largest Bicycle Route.
Colombia is a country that never lets you get bored. Did you know it has the most extensive biking routes worldwide?
That’s right – on Sundays, the city of Bogota closes 75 km of public roads to motorized traffic and lets cyclists, roller-bladers, and runners use it without any restrictions. This is one of the many amazing facts about Colombia that make it such a special place to visit, and the perfect way to spend one day in Bogota.
10. Heritage Site – A Coffee Region.
There are many fascinating facts about Colombia, but one of the most amazing is that it is the biggest producer of coffee beans. In recognition of this achievement, UNESCO awarded the Colombian coffee cultural landscape as a Heritage Site.
This designation not only highlights the importance of coffee to the country but also recognises the unique way it is grown and harvested. Coffee plays a significant role in the country’s economy.
11. Colombia is the Land of Fruits.
With more than 400 types of fruit, it’s no wonder that this South American country is a paradise for fruit lovers. From delicious mangos and pineapples to lesser-known fruits like lulo and feijoa, there’s something to suit every taste bud.
And if you’re looking for a healthy snack, you’ll be spoilt for choice with all the fresh fruit on offer. And as a big advocate of healthy eating, this is another of my favourite facts about Colombia!
12. Colombian Famous Food.
Your trip to Colombia is impossible without trying the country’s most famous dish, Bandeja Paisa. This hearty meal is traditionally made with beans, rice, avocado, plantain, chorizo, and carne asada, and it is sure to fill you up.
While you can find Bandeja Paisa at most restaurants in Colombia, it is especially prevalent in the city of Medellin.
13. Colombia Experiences Only Two Seasons
Did you know that Colombia experiences only two seasons? That’s because the country is located near the equator, so the temperature remains stable throughout the year.
Colombia is a tropical country with two distinct seasons: dry and wet seasons. The dry season stays from December to April, while the monsoon season runs from May to November.
14. La Chorrera Falls
The most famous landmark in Colombia is La Chorrera Falls. The tallest waterfall in the country, La Chorrera, cascades down from a height of 590 meters. Visitors can admire the waterfall from a viewing platform or dip in the pool at its base. Experience the chilling adventure or simply relax and take in the beauty of nature with La Chorrera Falls in Colombia.
15. Buying Minutes
Colombia never fails to surprise the tourists, and one of the most amazing facts about Colombia is its street sellers. For just $1, you can buy or rent a wide variety of objects, from pre-1999 mobile phones, also known as ‘Buying Minutes’, to beautiful jewelry pieces. In addition, street sellers are a great source of information about local culture and customs.
16. Coffee is a Part of Colombian Children’s Life
It is estimated that up to 96% of Colombian households drink coffee daily. This means that coffee plays a big role in the everyday lives of Colombian children too. Colombian children start drinking coffee at a very young age. Some of them even have their first cup of coffee before they start school.
17. Colombian National Anthem is Played Twice a Day
One of the most surprising facts about Colombia is its national anthem broadcasts twice daily. This tradition started in the early 1800s. Later, the practice was declared official through Law 33 in October 1920, and it plays every day at sunrise and sunset. For Colombians, this is a cherished tradition that helps to instill a sense of pride and patriotism.
18. Colombians Don’t Utter the Word “No”
Did you know that in Colombia, saying no is considered rude? Instead, they use the phrase “maybe” to soften the blow. While this may seem like a slight cultural difference, it’s one of the most amazing facts about Colombia. Colombians can create a more welcoming and hospitable society by teaching their citizens to be more tactful.
19. Tejo – Colombian National Sport
One of the things that makes Colombia unique is its national sport, which is called Tejo. The sport is similar to bowling, but there are some key differences. Here, the goal is not to knock down all the pins but to hit a specific target.
The targets are metal discs placed at the end of a long playing field. The game is traditionally played with teams of two, but it can also be played individually.
20. Two Largest Colombian Festivals
Colombia hosts the world’s largest salsa festival and the world’s largest flower festival. The Feria de Cali, which takes place every year in December, attracts over a million visitors from all over the world. The five-day event features non-stop music and dancing, making it the perfect place to let loose and have fun.
Meanwhile, the Botanical Garden of Medellin plays host to the annual International Flower Festival. This colorful event celebrates the beauty of nature, with stunning displays of flowers and plants from all corners of the globe.
21. Colombia In A Popular Inbound Tourist Destination
With some historical and breathtaking tourist destinations, Colombia is a popular inbound tourism destination. Visitors can explore the colonial city of Cartagena, the coffee region of Armenia, or the mountains of Santa Marta.
And with its tropical climate and varied landscapes, Colombia is a nature lover’s paradise, with more than 60 national parks and reserves that are home to an incredible variety of plant and animal life.
22. Sun Sets at 6 pm
Colombia is located in the northern hemisphere. Its proximity to the equator results in very little variation in the length of days throughout the year. The sun sets at 6 pm all year round!
23. Colombia has Undergone Many Name Changes
Did you know that the country’s official name has changed several times over the years? Originally, the region was known as ‘New Granada,’ but this was changed to ‘Republic of Colombia’ in 1886. The name is derived from Christopher Columbus, who visited the area in 1498.
24. Iberoamericana – The World’s Biggest Theatre Festival
Another fascinating fact about Colombia is The Iberoamericana – the world’s largest theatre festival. It is held every other year in Bogota, Colombia. The festival features over 100 plays from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, making it the biggest edition yet.
25. Colombia is the Biggest Emerald Producer.
Colombia is best known for its coffee and its stunning landscape. But did you know it is also the world’s largest producer of emeralds? Colombia has been producing emeralds for centuries, and today it supplies around 90% of the world’s emeralds. Emeralds from Colombia are prized for their deep green colour and used in various jewellery and other decorative items.
Facts About Colombia- Final Thoughts
And that’s a wrap! With the fascinating facts about Colombia, you have a snapshot of all the amazing things this country offers.
You can’t afford to miss the snow-capped peaks of the Andes and the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean. This country is not only rich in natural beauty, but its welcoming citizens will make you fall in love with Colombia.
If that doesn’t have you packing your bags for Colombia, we don’t know what will! With more than 1,500 orchard species, the largest theater, and the biggest biking route in the country, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this diverse land. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Colombian adventure today!
Did you enjoy this article outlining the best facts about Colombia? Then I am sure you will enjoy these too-