If you’ve ever side-eyed the idea of travelling solo in Colombia, meet Amy Phung. Londoner. Asian woman. Backpacker. “There’s so much noise about Colombia,” she told me. “But I wanted to see it with my own eyes, not through someone else’s lens.”
As the winner of Hostelworld’s yearly staff travel competition, Amy spent several weeks travelling across Colombia, hopping from hostel to hostel, and discovering a country that surprised her at every turn.
First impressions
Mural of a Colombian revolutionary Policarpa Salavarrieta at Botanico Hostel, Bogota
Landing in Bogotá, Amy braced for the kind of hyper-awareness solo female travellers are taught to have. Instead, she got warmth. “Colombians have this way of making you feel like you belong, even when you clearly don’t,” she laughed.
“I didn’t speak Spanish, and at first that made me nervous. But I learned to communicate with gestures, smiles, and patience. It taught me that connection doesn’t always need words.”
In the capital, in rural villages, even in places where tourists were rare, locals treated her like a neighbour. “Someone ran after me to tell me my bag was open. People went out of their way to make sure I felt safe.”
Tip: Talk to the hostel staff. “They’re the real experts and can give you all the best tips on the area and safety tips, such as which areas to avoid at night or when to grab an Uber.”
From big cities to quieter corners
Amy’s route zigzagged between famous cities and quieter corners: Bogotá – Santa Marta – San Agustín – Salento – Medellín.
Getting around? “Fly Avianca between cities. For buses, Coomotor was amazing with their reclining thrones, bag tags, and . For short trips, Uber or hostel-booked moto taxis.” Although the buses left on time, they rarely arrived on time. Remember to factor in traffic delays as Colombia’s road infrastructure tends to develop.
Tip: Don’t skip the unknown places. “I like going where there’s not much online,” she says. “San Agustín’s archaeological park blew my mind! Statues thousands of years old, with guides who’ve dedicated their lives to preserving them.”
Whether in the capital or tucked-away villages, the hostels she stayed at were hubs of connection, advice, and community:
Costeño Beach Hostel – Santa Marta
Once a coconut farm, now a jungle-beach escape near Tayrona National Park, Costeño Beach Hostel was where Amy first felt the magic of hostel life in Colombia. “We were chatting by the hammocks when someone overheard us talking about Salento and jumped into the convo. You’re never really alone.”
Karaoke night sealed the deal. “We sang Destiny’s Child, people cheered, and suddenly we were swapping travel tips and Instagram handles.”
Tip: Join hostel events like karaoke or welcome drinks, they’re designed to help you meet people. “Even if you’re shy, just show up. You’ll leave with new friends.”
Amy’s recommendations:
- Hike in Tayrona National Park
- Learn to surf with Costeno Social Fundacion
- Don’t miss karaoke night at Costeno Beach Hostel – it’s a rite of passage
Botánico Hostel – Bogotá
Getting to know Bogotá with BePelican tours
In Bogotá’s La Candelaria, Botánico Hostel felt like an urban oasis. “Oscar, the owner, told me the building used to be a hideout for Policarpa Salavarrieta, a 22-year-old female revolutionary. That blew my mind. Everyone talks about Pablo, but there are so many other stories worth telling.”
With leafy courtyards and quiet corners just steps from museums and street art, it was the perfect base for exploring Colombia’s capital—and its hidden histories.
She also participated in a tour led by an ex-gang member who turned his life around and shows people the richness of his community. This included the preservation of cultural traditions such as the brewing of chicha. We each tried a shot of the fermented corn drink hearing stories of how it was banned.
Tip: Ask hostel staff about local history. You’ll hear stories that never make it into guidebooks.
Amy’s recommendations:
- City tour from BePelican tours
- Wander la Candelaria
- Soak up the panoramic view from Monserrate
Los Patios Hostel – Medellín
In Medellín, Amy stayed at Los Patios Hostel, crowned Best Large Hostel Worldwide 2020 at the HOSCARs. “It’s Medellín in full bloom,” she said. Two buildings packed with rooftop bars, salsa classes, co-working spaces, and community-led projects.
“In Medellín, I did a fruit tour and tried four or five different types of passion fruit I didn’t even know existed. Colombia’s fruit game is wild—sweet, sour, juicy, and totally unfamiliar. It made me realise how much of the world’s flavour I haven’t tasted yet.”
The hostel connected her to a tour of Comuna 13 led by Laura, a local who grew up in the barrio. “She was honest about the past, the politics, the impact of tourism. No gloss, no glorification. That’s the kind of guide you want: someone telling their own story.”
Tip: When booking tours, ask who’s running it and if they’re from the area. “If they dodge questions about where the money goes, that’s a red flag.”
Amy’s recommendations:
- Explore Comuna 13
- Snack your way through the fruit market tour
- Get loud on the party bus
Hacienda Venecia – Manizales
Set in Colombia’s coffee region, Hacienda Venecia is a working farm with a laid-back hostel at its heart. “A 16-year-old barista named Karol ran our coffee workshop. She’s competing nationally now because the hostel invested in training her. That’s the kind of community support I want to see.”
Amy also became a birdwatching convert in Manizales. “I wish I had more time in Manizales, it was incredible! I did a coffee tour and cooking lessons as well as a birdwatching tour. They gave us binoculars and an app to recognise bird calls. Now I’m listening our for bird calls back in England.”
Tip: Hacienda Venecia is a sustainability success story. “They compost, recycle, and grow much of their own food. You can literally taste the difference in the yogurt and coffee. It’s a great example of how tourism can support local ecosystems.”
Coffee Tree Hostel – Salento
At an altitude of 1 900 meters in the midst of rainforest, Amy spent a few days in the mountain village of Salento. It’s the perfect base to visit the famous wax palm valley and it’s located in the coffee region of the country. There’s plenty of coffee farms to choose from.
Tip: Bring good shoes. Colombia sits across 3 mountain ranges and you’ll find yourself climbing steep hills frequently.
Amy’s recommendations:
- Hike the iconic Cocora Valley with 5to Elemento Tours
- Tour a local coffee farm
- Unwind at Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs
Finca El Maco – San Agustín
Her base in San Agustín was Finca El Maco, a fully sustainable eco-lodge. “They grow their own food, heat water with solar panels, and even build roofs from dried sugarcane leaves.”
The hostel hooked her up with an amazing guide, Martha Gil, to explore the UNESCO-listed archaeological park. “She wanted people to see Colombia’s history, not just Pablo Escobar.” Contact her to arrange your tour at [email protected] or (57) 310-216-4462.
Tip: Stay at places that encourage reflection. “Finca El Maco helped me reset. It’s not just eco, it’s soulful.”
Amy’s recommendations:
- Check out the Andes mountains
- Use the Hostelworld app to find people to share rides with
- So many hostels have filtered drinking water available for free
El Rio Hostel Buritaca – Volunteering that meant something
One of the most transformative parts of Amy’s trip was volunteering at El Rio Hostel in Buritaca, a post-conflict zone where the hostel doubles as a community centre. The hostel is a joint initiative with a foundation, supporting 600 local kids.
She taught English and sports to local kids, many of whom don’t have access to physical education. “One girl hugged me the moment I arrived. We didn’t speak the same language, but we connected through games and laughter.”
Even if you’re not volunteering, you can still contribute. “Buy a rum and Coke on Foundation Wednesdays, and you fund 45 minutes of education. On average they sell over 200 every week!” Amy says. The place proves you can have an epic party and make an impact at the same time.
Tip: Volunteering here is as much about giving as learning. “They train you, involve you in workshops, and make sure you understand the community’s needs. It’s not performative, it’s a real partnership fuelled by a full team of experienced staff and long-term volunteers.”
The bigger picture
Amy’s trip was about understanding Colombia. “Travel has an impact, no doubt. But if you do your research, ask questions, and support local initiatives, it can be a force for good.”
Talk to locals, she urges. Not just guides or hostel staff, but anyone willing to share. “Some of my most meaningful moments came from spontaneous conversations. A man once stopped me just to warn my bag was open. Another spent an hour talking about birdwatching even though I wasn’t booking a tour. That kind of generosity and pride in their country changed how I travel.”
Her time at El Rio has inspired her own volunteering work with local communities in London. “It reminded me that community starts at home.”
Her final advice? “Get off the fence and book your flight. Colombia has something for everyone: beaches, biodiversity, history, food, nightlife. But most of all, it has people who want you to know their country. And once you do, you’ll never see it the same way again.”
The post Sustainability Stories: “It changed the way I travel” – going solo through Colombia appeared first on Hostelworld Travel Blog.