Colombia Educational Tours & Trips

Why Colombia is ideal for an educational trip

A stunning array of wildlife. An eclectic mix of Indigenous cultures. Arguably the friendliest people on the planet. And, a chance to make meaningful and sustainable connections with local communities. It’s no surprise that Colombia is on the rise as an educational and adventure travel destination.

Declared one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, Colombia offers trips and adventures to snowy peaks, sprawling rainforests, deserts, and Caribbean islands. Meanwhile, students can experience the transformation of communities in Bogotá and Medellín, whose streets bristle with color, flair, and music.

High School & K–12 School Trips

Custom, curriculum-aligned school trips backed by 24/7 on-the-ground support, 1 free chaperone per 10 students, bilingual local guides, and full risk management documentation.

University & Higher Education Study Abroad

Partner with Kagumu Adventures to design faculty-led or study abroad programs in Colombia. Programs are tailored to undergraduate and graduate curricula and aligned to the highest international safety standards.

Academic Disciplines & Syllabus Alignment

STEM & Environmental Studies: Explore some of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems, and learn from field scientists and Indigenous communities protecting irreplaceable environments.
Sport Leadership: Discover how sport is used for social change in many towns and cities in Colombia. Visit grassroots projects focusing on soccer, baseball, cycling, karate, and many more while also experiencing elite sport and high-performance athletics.
Spanish: Develop Spanish language skills with unique and often life-changing experiences with ultra-friendly locals, farmers, artists, community leaders, et al.

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Essential Information for Educators

Quick details about Colombia

Official Currency: Colombian Peso (COP). Credit/debit cards widely accepted in urban hubs.

Electricity: Standard110V / 60Hz (Uses standard US Type A and B plugs. No adapters needed for US groups).

Entry & Visas: 90-day tourist entry stamp granted upon arrival for US, UK, Canadian, and EU passport holders (valid passport required).

Primary Entry Hubs: El Dorado International Airport (BOG – Bogotá) and José María Córdova (MDE – Medellín), with non-stop direct flights from major US/EU hubs.

In-Country Transport: Private, pre-vetted group buses for transfers.

Safety & Support: 24/7 dedicated local Kagumu field guides, vetted accommodations, 1 free chaperone per 10 students, and comprehensive risk assessments.

Popular areas of study for an educational tour

Social Urbanism & Public Infrastructure

Analyze how public transit investments, library parks, and community art programs transformed Medellín from a city of conflict into an international center of innovation.

Mega-Biodiversity & Environmental Science

Study species-rich habitats (from cloud forests to Caribbean swamplands) focusing on endemic bird monitoring, orchid conservation, and tropical river basin management.

Sport Leadership & Social Integration

Examine how grassroots sports initiatives (football, cycling, martial arts) serve as catalysts for youth empowerment,violence prevention, and community building across Colombian municipalities.

Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion

Engage in practical conversational Spanish with local social entrepreneurs, coffee growers, artists, and educators across diverse regional accents and cultural contexts.

Colombia travel - good books

Fancy an entertaining read about Colombia travel and epic journeys? Check out these fantastic books.

– Tom Feiling – Short Walks from Bogotá

– Hector Abad – Oblivion

– Charles Nicholl – The Fruit Palace

– Gabriel Garcia Marquez – 100 Years of Solitude, Love in the Time of Cholera, News of a Kidnapping, or any of his novels or short stories.

National holidays in Colombia to be aware of

Colombia is one of the countries with the most national holidays in the world – 18 in total. Even locals aren’t always sure of the origins of some of them, but they never miss the chance to enjoy free time with family and friends. However, there’s no confusion about the importance of the July 20 holiday – Independence Day. In 1810, Colombia declared independence from Spanish rule and became the Republic of Colombia. What better excuse for a party and some dancing? The celebrations include parades, marches, and, of course, late-night boogying across the country.

Sustainable hotels in Colombia for ethical tours

Colombia has a range of options for responsible travelers. In Bogota, BioHotel Organic Suites is a good option and is located near Parque 93. A similar hotel whose ethos is to reduce its carbon footprint is TerraBio Hotel in Medellin. One of the most sustainable accommodations in Latin America lies in Colombia’s coffee zone, in the village of Salento. Kasaguadua is a series of domes made out of recycled material that are designed to eliminate impact on the surrounding environment. As an example of their sustainability policies, they don’t use shampoos that contain microplastics, and they source all food locally. You can check out this fantastic sustainable venture with a live Kagumu webinar. If you are a school, check out educational trips with a social impact.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Colombia on a high school trip?

Yes. Colombia welcomes millions of international travelers annually, and the regions where Kagumu operates (including Bogotá, Medellín, the Coffee Region, and Cartagena) are well-established for student travel. All group movements utilize private motorcoaches, vetted hotels, and 24/7 accompaniment by local Kagumu field directors.

Do my students need a visa to visit Colombia?

The majority of visitors do not need a visa to enter Colombia and will receive a stamp for 90 days as a tourist when they arrive. You do not need to apply for the visa, you’ll only have to show your passport at immigration. If you wish to stay longer, you can extend your stay by 90 days. There are some exceptions to the visa rule and the residents of the countries that are not permitted to enter or that need to apply can be found here: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visa/requirements.

How does Kagumu support chaperones and school trip leaders?

We offer 1 free chaperone position for every 10 paying students, full risk management and liability documentation for school board approval, and 24/7 emergency response protocols.

Is Colombia a cheap place to visit?

Due to a regular decline in the strength of the Colombian peso against many other currencies, most notably the US dollar, it is deemed cheap to visit Colombia. As of November 2024, the Colombian peso stood at 4,415 against 1 USD. To put this into perspective, you can buy a set lunch in most cities for around 3-4 US dollars. Transport such as buses, trains, trams, and taxis are relatively cheap and if you visit towns outside of the big cities you will find your money going even further.

Are there good beaches?

Colombia has a range of fantastic beaches along its Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The best places to visit along the Pacific are Bahia Solano, El Valle, and Capurgana. The Caribbean has great beaches in Parque Tayrona near Santa Marta and lots of hidden gems like Rincon Del Mar. Cartagena is a very popular city but the best beaches are on nearby islands that can be easily reached by boat. For those who like island life, San Andres and Providencia boast unblemished white sands and waters shimmering with multiple colors.

Can my students drink the water in Colombia?

You can drink tap water in most of the main cities, including Medellín and Bogotá. In rural areas, coastal areas, and small towns and villages, it is better to drink bottled water or use a filter, and 100% of our trips include portable water for students throughout.

Do US students need electrical adapters or currency converters?

No adapters are needed. Colombia uses standard US 110V plugs. While the currency is the Colombian Peso (COP), US debit and credit cards are widely accepted, and cash exchange is straightforward at airports and authorized centers.

Can Kagumu connect our faculty with local researchers, government officials, or NGO leaders?

Yes. We organize academic guest lectures, roundtable discussions, and site visits with university professors, urban planners, peacebuilding NGOs, and agricultural cooperatives aligned directly with your syllabus. Here is how we connected one faculty member and his students to projects in Colombia during his Sports Study Abroad Program.

What program length works best for a faculty-led program in Colombia?

A standard 8- to 14-day program allows university groups to cover two complementary regions, such as urban innovation in Medellín paired with environmental research in the Coffee Region or historical/political studies in Bogotá. Of course, we can run programs much longer, up to a semester long.

What documentation do you supply university study abroad risk offices?

Kagumu provides complete risk assessment portfolios, emergency response trees, vendor insurance verification, health and safety guidelines, and 24/7 ground contact support to satisfy university risk compliance standards.

What vaccines do my students need?

Currently, no vaccines are required to enter Colombia. However, if you wish to visit tourist sites such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, Tayrona National Park, or the different Amazon reserves, Colombian authorities will recommend that you are properly vaccinated against yellow fever. Remember that this vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to traveling to these destinations. Check out this website for more information.

When is the best time to visit Colombia with my students?

Colombia is great all year round as the rainy and dry seasons occur in different regions at different times of the year. Generally, the best time to visit is between January and March as many parts of the country are less crowded and enjoy drier weather.

Check each destination before going as some places close at certain times of the year, such as the Lost City, which closes for the majority of September. If you are planning on witnessing natural events such as the humpback whale migration along the Pacific coast, June to December is the time to go. We would advise against traveling during Semana Santa (Easter) as this is the most popular (and usually the most expensive) time for locals to travel.