Sports and leisure activities Colombia

Budget & Tips

Colombians are great sportsmen and women. In the city, from early morning onwards, we like to take care of our bodies: running, fitness gyms (most open at 6am), yoga, etc. In public parks, too, there is often free access to exercise equipment. In public parks, too, there's often free access to exercise equipment, and in the nicer areas of the big cities, young people from well-to-do families come to work up a sweat under the guidance of their personal trainer. Given the reasonable cost of activities, a trip to Colombia can be the perfect opportunity to try your hand at paragliding (around San Gil, Medellín, Armenia...), kayaking and rafting (San Gil, Medellín, San Agustín...), scuba diving (in Medellín, San Agustín...)..), diving (off Taganga, Cartagena, Capurgana and on the Pacific coast), kitesurfing (Cabo de la Vela, Santa Veronica, Lago Calima) and even a gentle massage in the shade of the palm trees!

What's very local

There's no shortage of billiard clubs in Colombia, with their masculine atmosphere and smoky retro decor, from small villages to large metropolises. But tejo is even more popular. This traditional Colombian game has been considered the national sport since 2000! It consists of throwing the tejo (Spanish for "puck") into the bocín, a metal circle set in a clay-filled block a few metres from the thrower. When the disc hits its target, it explodes the mechas (plastic pieces with powder) in the bocín. Very common in the countryside to accompany a round of beer oraguardiente, this game is coming back into fashion in the city, and has even become an entertaining tourist attraction to be played in groups. Its variant, the Rana (frog) game, involves throwing the pucks into the open mouths of (fake) frogs!

Your documents please

As everywhere else, if you want to go diving, you'll need to show your diving center a certified diver's card issued by an accredited organization. You should also check that the center has all the recognized certifications, such as PADI.

To be booked

It's rarely necessary to book an excursion or outdoor activity more than a day in advance, except perhaps in the most popular tourist destinations during bank holidays and Christmas or Holy Week celebrations.

Main events

In Colombia, soccer is practically a religion! Attending an international match at Barranquilla's Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez (60,000 spectators), or a Superclásico between Atlético Nacional (Medellín) and Millonarios (Bogotá), two clubs with a fierce rivalry, is a unique experience! Beware, however, of the violence of some fans(hinchas) both inside and outside the stadiums. If you want to attend a soccer match, it's best to buy tickets online, at www.tuboleta.com (tickets arrive by e-mail or SMS), or directly at the stadium a few days before the match.

Another not-to-be-missed event if you're in Colombia in early August is the Vuelta a Colombia, the Tour de Colombia, a stage race across the country to see the country's cycling stars up close, which you'll no doubt see again at the Tour de France, incredibly popular in Colombia.

Tourist traps

On Cartagena's Bocagrande beach, if you accept a massage or braiding, be sure to ask the price beforehand, otherwise you may be in for a few surprises. Similarly, don't accept an oyster that a street vendor "offers" you to taste. You risk paying an exorbitant price for a dozen, even if you've been promised otherwise with a big smile...