Last updated on January 23rd, 2021 at 01:46 pm

Dear readers

My name is Frank and I run a travel agency in Bogota, Colombia. I have put together helicopter tours in Colombia for demanding customers. All services can also be customized.

Helicopter Tours in Colombia

With its size, Colombia is actually an ideal destination for offering helicopter tours. However, the country is still very young in terms of tourism and there are not yet so many quality and luxury offers.

However, Colombia is also extremely rich in raw materials and as a result various air transport companies have developed in the past decades, which are now also working out more and more tourist offers. Regionally, these tours are therefore not limited to the country’s tourist destinations. Below I therefore provide a non-exhaustive overview of helicopter tours in Colombia.

A not insignificant detail is the topography and its meaning. In Colombia, we have mountains up to 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) above sea level. Helicopters lose capacity with increasing altitude. In Bogota, for example, which is located at over 2,700 meters (8,900 feet) above sea level, helicopters can only use around half of the capacity. This means that a helicopter for 10 people can only transport 5 people at this height. This is also directly related to the costs to be calculated.

In consultation with us, tailor-made tours can of course also be offered at any time. We have also summarized the most attractive Colombian travel destinations in our Colombia travel guide.

Helicopter Tours in Bogota

In Bogota you can find different suppliers and also with regard to the machines offered, there is a larger selection. From “Augusta Westland 139” for 15 passengers to various Bell models, you can find a wide variety of helicopters. Depending on the provider, the helicopters are based at El Dorado International Airport or at Guaymaral Airport.

The airspace over Bogota is partially blocked, so overflights over the city are only possible on special routes.

A possible destination for helicopter flights is e.g. Villa de Leyva in northern Bogota. This beautiful colonial city is a popular destination for Bogotanos and visitors from all over the world. The imposing central square was previously used for military exercises and parades. The journey from Bogota usually takes 3-4 hours. A short flight is definitely worth it, as it can be combined with a flight over the lagoon of Guatavita and a visit to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira.

From Villa de Leyva, you can ideally travel by helicopter to the nearby department of Santander. But more on that below.

In the south you can fly into the Tatacoa desert. These routes are extremely worthwhile by helicopter, since terrestrial transportation is very slow and tedious. The Tatacoa desert is actually not a desert, but a dry forest. However, due to the landscape and the temperature, it feels like a desert. This destination is known for its clear nights and an observatory that promises interesting observations. In the Hotel Betel one also can enjoy enough comfort staying overnight.

Of course, other destinations can be flown to around Bogota. However, due to the weather in Bogota, flights may have to be postponed or canceled. You can find more information about Bogota in our Bogota travel guide.

Santander Helicopter Tours

Santander is a natural paradise and offers a variety of spectacular destinations. From the airport in Bucaramanga, for example, you can take a helicopter directly to the nearby Ruitoque golf course. You land on the roof of the hotel where the home base is located.

You can e.g. also fly to Barichara, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Colombia. It was founded in 1705 and has developed into a popular destination for national and international tourists over the past few years. There are some very good hotels and the gastronomic offer is now good and wide.

The Chicamocha Canyon is also a popular destination. It is around 227 kilometers long and 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) deep at its lowest point. This gorge is truly impressive and does not need to shy away from the comparison to the Grand Canyon in the USA.

Helicopter expeditions in Santander are already specialized in tourist offers. Therefore, among other things, sunset picnics at selected places and other special highlights are on offer.

Helicopter Tours in Medellin

From Medellin you can also fly to various nearby destinations by helicopter. An absolute highlight is definitely the flight to Guatape where the rock (El Penol) protrudes from the landscape like a giant tooth. This can then be combined with a visit to Guatape and the ascent of the Penol. Another option is to land on one of the countless islands of the local reservoir and stay overnight in a hotel.

A city tour over Medellin is also possible, because Medellin is located in a valley and therefore has an interesting urban characteristic.

Other destinations for a helicopter flight are the Hacienda Napole or towns such as Jerico, Jardin and the Finca el Diamante. This is definitely worth it, as the journey on the road takes a long time.

You can find more information about the tourist offers in Medellin in our Medellin travel guide.

Helicopter Tours in Cartagena

In Cartagena, helicopters are based at Rafael Núñez Airport.

Various helicopter tours are also available from Cartagena. For example, you can fly to the Hotel Las Islas on Baru, which has its own heliport. There you can experience a true picture-perfect Caribbean for a few days and relax with the sun and the beach. It is not far to the Rosario Islands, where you can also land.

Of course you can also enjoy a scenic flight over Cartagena at any time. Colombia’s most famous tourist destination with its large fortifications and walls is very impressive from the air and up close.

Another option is to fly from Cartagena to Santa Marta or the Sierra Nevada and combine the different destinations.

You can find information about Cartagena in our Cartagena travel guide.

Helicopter Tours in Santa Marta

Santa Marta itself is not necessarily worth flying over by helicopter, but the surrounding area is all the more interesting for that. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest coastal mountain range in the world. With a height of more than 5,775 meters (18,947 feet) above sea level, the Pico Cristóbal Colón is the highest mountain in Colombia. However, most of the Sierra Nevada is owned by indigenous people and access is restricted.

One of the most famous destinations in the region is the Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City), which can be reached on foot in 4-6 days. However, the local infrastructure is very modest. However, there is the possibility to fly over the Ciudad Perdida by helicopter. However, landing is not possible there. This flight can then be combined with a visit to the local indigenous people. Certainly an unforgettable experience.

Another option is to fly to Tayrona Park. With the helicopter you land directly on the beach, with the opportunity to cool off in the Don Diego River or bathe in the warm Caribbean Sea.

Of course, a further trip to La Guajira is also possible. However, since Alta Guajira is populated by indigenous people, the possible destinations are limited.

You can find more information about activities in and around Santa Marta in our Santa Marta travel guide.

Helicopter Tours in Casanare

Casanare is the wild west of Colombia. Livestock breeding is one of the department’s largest economic sectors. Casanare is part of the Llanos, which are known for their species-rich wildlife. You can find Orinoco crocodiles (which grow to over 6 meters long), capybaras, jaguars, puma, giant otters, giant anteaters, monkeys, a variety of birds and much more. More information can be found in our Llanos travel guide.

There is a dry and a rainy season in the Llanos. In addition, the distances are huge and the roads are partly unpaved, in poor condition or cannot be used during the rainy season.

It is therefore possible to plan an onward journey to the wide plains from the airport in Yopal, the capital of Casanare, by charter plane or helicopter. In connection with a stay in the region, a planned safari and of course a cowboy experience, surely a successful trip.

Other Destinations

As already mentioned, Colombia is a very resource-rich country. Corresponding air services can therefore be found throughout the country. Air transport can be organized anywhere in regions such as the Coffee Zone, Amazon, Pacific or in the south of the country.

If you have any special requests, please contact us directly and we will organize one or more helicopter flights or a multi-day tour. We are a travel agency in Bogota specializing in tailor-made and luxury travel.

Colombia Travel Guides

There is much more to see in Colombia, you can find everything in my travel guides.

• Colombia Travel Guide
• Bogotá Travel Guide
• Medellin Travel Guide
• Santa Marta Travel Guide
• Cartagena Travel Guide
• La Guajira Travel Guide
• Llanos Travel Guide
• Providencia Travel Guide
• Coffee Triangle Travel Guide

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