11 Best Wedding Destinations in Colombia

Last updated on October 12th, 2023 at 02:31 pm

Dear Reader
My name is Frank and I run a travel agency in Bogota, Colombia. Have fun while reading!

Are you looking for the perfect place to celebrate your wedding? You want it to be an unforgettable day, filled with magic and romance. Then, Colombia is the ideal destination for you.

Colombia is a country with a great diversity of landscapes, cultures, and options for all tastes and budgets. Here, you can find everything from paradise beaches to colonial towns, from snow-capped mountains to tropical jungles. Additionally, Colombia offers you excellent gastronomy, warm hospitality, and a rich history and tradition.

In this blog, we will show you 11 of the best destinations to celebrate your wedding in Colombia.

If you even need more inspiration, check out also are blog with the greatest hotels in Colombia and our city guides.

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Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Colombia. Its colonial architecture, historic walls, and Caribbean atmosphere make it a dreamlike setting for your wedding. Here, you can choose from several spectacular venues to celebrate your ceremony and reception, such as:

Casa 1537

Website: https://www.casa1537.com/
Cra. 6 #34-75

The Casa 1537 is characterized by its colonial architecture from the 16th century and has various rooms and terraces. There are 4 main halls, all of which are different in size and characterized by different aspects such as colonial balconies and modern stairs. In Cartagena, this is the perfect place for a dissolute wedding reception.

Teatro Adolfo Mejía

Website: https://es-la.facebook.com/teatroadolfomejiaoficial/
Cr 4 # De La Merced 3638 Carrera 10 Centro

Popularly known as the Heredia Theater, the theater retains 19th-century architecture. Located in the center of the walled city, it has an Italian construction with a Caribbean influence. Its horseshoe-shaped architecture makes it one of the most desirable venues for events.

Baluarte de San Francisco Javier

Website: https://baluartesfj.com/
Cl. 31, Calle San Juan de Dios, Centro Histórico

Located on the city walls, El Baluarte was built by Francisco de Murga in 1630 and is characterized by its magnificent view. Originally it served as a strategic point to detect the arrival of possible enemies. However, about 30 years ago it became the perfect place to celebrate a dream wedding.

Centro de Convenciones de Cartagena de Indias

Website: https://cccartagena.com/en/weddings/
Getsemaní, Calle 24 #8a-344

If you have big things in mind, you can also rent the Cartagena Convention Center for your wedding. It has a private dock, even for large yachts. Located in the harbor, the view and location are also perfect. The building complex has outdoor areas such as the Santa Isabel terrace, the terrace on the 3rd floor, the VIP III terrace, and the famous Claustro de las Ánimas terrace, which are perfect for a dinner, a cocktail or a beer with a view appropriate to the bay of Cartagena.

Las Islas del Rosario

The Rosario Islands are known for their dreamlike Caribbean ambiance and dream beaches with crystal clear water. All this is just 45 minutes from Cartagena. Temperatures fluctuate between 27 and 30 °C.

Cocoliso Resort

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Website: https://www.facebook.com/cocolisoresort/
Isla Grande – Islas del Rosario

At the Cocoliso-Resort you can fulfill your dream of a wedding by the sea. Here you will find enough space and an absolute Caribbean feeling.

Coralina Island

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Website: http://www.coralinaisland.com/
Islas del Rosario, a 20 km de la bahía de Cartagena de Indias

The island of Coralina is about an hour away from Cartagena and is ideal for a private wedding celebration on a small scale for up to 40 guests. There is also a large terrace there.

San Andrés

One of the most popular travel destinations for Colombians, San Andres is an island in the Caribbean off the coast of Nicaragua. It is probably also one of the most popular bathing destinations in the country. You will certainly fall in love with the sea of the 7 colors during a visit. In Colombia, you can arrive by plane from various cities.

Underwater weddings

If you love extraordinary ceremonies and adventure, I recommend an underwater wedding. You dive 10 meters underwater, where you are surrounded by fish and corals and guests can also submerge.

Cocoplum Beach Hotel

Website: https://es-la.facebook.com/cocoplumbeachhotel/

Vía a San Luis #43 – 39

The island-style building is right on the beach. Coconut trees, beautiful gardens and of course a spectacular sea view are included.

Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva is a jewel among the Colombian colonial cities. The municipality in the Boyacá department is also part of the club of the 17 most beautiful historical destinations in the country. There are few destinations that can rival Villa de Leyva for romance. The moment you arrive you feel as if you have been transported to the time of the Spanish conquest. In addition, the climate is mild all year round.

Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario

Website: https://mibellavilla.com/iglesia-nuestra-senora-del-rosario-de-villa-de-leyva/
Carrera 9 # 12- 68

This church is located in the famous Plaza Mayor of Villa de Leyva, one of the largest squares in America. It’s the perfect place for a wedding. The church has colonial architecture and you can find works of art by painters such as Gregorio Arce y Ceballos and Jerónimo Acero.

Hacienda Mi Villa de Leyva

Website: https://www.facebook.com/bodasaglaya/
Aglaya Hacienda Mi Villa de Leyva – Entrada Sáchica-Villa de Leyva, Km. 1

This hacienda is ideal for weddings. It is located in the middle of nature, has a beautiful garden, a lake, a terrace, a large hall, a chapel and a dance floor.

Hotel Casa de los Fundadores

Website: https://casadelosfundadores.com/contact-us/
Villa de Leyva: Kilómetro 1 Via Guananí

This is one of the most exclusive offers in Villa de Leyva. The hotel has a large hall, a dance floor, a terrace, a beautiful garden, and a chapel for religious ceremonies.

Hacienda Molino La Rosita

Website: https://www.facebook.com/HaciendaMolinoLaRosita/
Hacienda Molino La Rosita – Villa de Leyva

The colonial style of the hacienda is the ideal setting for a wedding. The hacienda has a large central courtyard, a ballroom with a dance floor, beautiful gardens, a bar, terraces, a catering kitchen, and a chapel for the ceremony.

Barichara

I was recently in Barichara again and it is not without good reason that this city bears the title of being the most beautiful city in Colombia. The colonial essence has been preserved and a visit is a real treat for the eyes. All year round, temperatures fluctuate between 18 and 24 °C. There is hardly a more suitable location for a wedding reception. Although we only present two possible options below, Barichara is full of suitable wedding venues.

Macedonia Hotel Barichara

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Website: https://hotelmacedoniabarichara.com/
Vía Barichara – San Gil, Km. 3

The Hotel Macedonia is located outside of Barichara and offers a large area of different rooms as well as enough hotel rooms for many guests. The whole area is surrounded by nature. There is also a swimming pool and glamping.

Granja Agroturística San Mateo

Website: https://es-la.facebook.com/Granja-Agrotur%C3%ADstica-San-Mateo-186928384730638/
Vereda EL Llano, Km 3, vía Barichara – San Gil

A slightly different wedding can be celebrated in San Mateo. It is a rustic, country-style venue, but it also has all the necessary logistical services. In addition to the gardens and terrace, there is a wishing well and a torch-lit path. Another attraction is the animal farm that guests can visit.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is also known for the Kogui weddings. I myself was a guest at a ceremony where the bride and groom received their blessings from the heads of local tribes. It was a really spectacular and extraordinary experience.

What is the Kogui indigenous marriage?

The Kogui wedding is always led by a Mamo Kogui who is responsible for uniting the couple’s love bonds. The Mamo is always the head of a local tribe and has a great deal of ancestral knowledge.

How does a Kogui wedding work?

The ceremony begins with the introduction of the Mamos, the bride and groom, and their families. Then a series of steps must be followed:

During confession one spends a moment of silence and connects individually with nature;
When cleaning, the couple gives their positive and negative thoughts to Mother Nature;
Then follows the “pagamento”, in which the couple thanks for all the good things and the Mamo teaches some of the customs with which one “pays” Mother Nature
At the end of the ceremony, the mamo hands the newlywed couple threads specially made for the wedding.

Places to celebrate an Indigenous Kogui wedding

Eco hotel Finca La Jorara

The finca is located between Tayrona Park and Palomino. Here you can celebrate a local, indigenous wedding in a peaceful setting right on the beach.

Tayronaka

This is the ideal place to celebrate your indigenous wedding in an environment full of nature and spirituality. Tayronaka is also a hotel and at the same time an open-air museum of past cultures.

Bogotá

In addition to being the capital of Colombia, Bogota has become one of the most popular destinations for events. In this great city, travelers can find a variety of places to celebrate important events such as birthdays, anniversaries, and even weddings. It is the ideal destination for important celebrations as the choice of different attractions is huge.

Bogota has a large number of hotels that can easily hold large events such as weddings with their own halls. There are also other providers who specialize in weddings and similar festivities and whose infrastructure is geared accordingly.

El Retiro de San Juan

Website: https://retirodesanjuan.com/
Autopista Norte, Calle 212, Km 13, Vía Arrayanes

El Retiro de San Juan is characterized by its three elegant, independent halls (Casona, El Retiro and Garden House), all of which are of different sizes. There is also a chapel and rooms for the bride and groom, where you can prepare before the wedding and be with the family. These rooms have large windows, wooden floors, and are surrounded by beautiful gardens and native trees. El Retiro de San Juan also has a team of event experts.

Hacienda Sol Andalucía

Website: https://www.haciendasoldeandalucia.com/
Calle 234 #70-50 Interior 12

The Hacienda Sol Andalucía is located in the north of the capital on the Via Guaymaral road, where you can celebrate your dream wedding with family and friends. The hacienda has a large hall, a dance floor, a garden, a chapel, a room for the bride and groom with a private bathroom, and a kiosk for Christian, civil, or symbolic weddings.

Zipaquirá

Zipaquira is a commune in the department of Cundinamarca, about an hour from Bogotá, and is also a tourist destination thanks to its colonial architecture. There you will find the Plaza de los Comuneros, which is surrounded by historical buildings. Another major attraction is the Salt Cathedral.

La Catedral de Sal

Website: https://www.catedraldesal.gov.co/Servicios/Paginas/Eventos.aspx
Carrera 6 Calle 1 Parque Villaveces

The Salt Cathedral is one of the 7 wonders of the world in Colombia. You can celebrate your wedding there 180 meters underground. There are three large rooms, the Nave del Nacimiento, Nave de la Vida and Nave de la Muerte y Resurrección. The rooms are each of different sizes and depths. The Salt Cathedral has an excellent infrastructure and experienced staff.

Catedral Diocesana de Zipaquirá

Website: https://www.diocesisdezipaquira.org/
Cl. 5 #7-51

This Catholic church is located in the historic center of Zipaquirá, on the Plaza de los Comuneros. It is considered a good option for a wedding, as the church is characterized by its classically romantic architecture, originally designed by Spanish architect Fray Domingo de Petrés in 1805 and later completed by Archbishop Bernardo Herrera Restrepo in 1916. In addition, this church has a special colonial charm.

Ecoparque Nukasa

Website: https://www.ecoparquenukasa.com/

Vía Pacho – Zipaquirá, entrada Nukasa Zipaquirá

The Nukasa Ecopark is located about three kilometers from the center of Zipaquirá. It is the ideal place to celebrate a wedding in nature. There is also a large hall with a dance floor, a parking lot, a terrace, a garden, and a gastronomic offer with typical and international dishes.

Hacienda La Primavera

Website: https://haciendalaprimavera.com/
Kilómetro 6 vía Zipaquirá – Ubaté

Hacienda La Primavera is a rural venue that offers quality services. The hacienda has a large hall and a dance floor. It also has a team of experts who take care of the decoration, music, photos, and the banquet.

Pereira

Pereira, the capital of the Risaralda department, is one of the most populous cities in the coffee region. The climate is spring-like between 17 °C and 26 °C.

Visus Hotel Boutique & Spa

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Website: https://www.hotelvisus.com/
Vía Pereira – Cerritos Km 6 Entrada 6 Hacienda Malabar Pereira

Hotel Visus offers a wonderful view and high-quality services. The hotel has a large hall and a dance floor and also has an experienced team for events.

Hacienda San José

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Website: http://www.haciendahotelsanjose.com/
Km 4, Vía Pereira Cerritos

The Hacienda San José is an exclusive venue for large occasions. The historical buildings are located between huge trees and a picturesque natural landscape. There is a swimming pool surrounded by a lilac garden. The hacienda also has open and closed rooms for ceremonies and celebrations.

Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge

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Website: https://www.facebook.com/casasancarlos.co/
Km 6 vía Marsella, Pereira

This hotel has an impressive wooden structure and offers a large hall for a possible wedding ceremony, a garden, and a dance floor.

Paipa

Paipa is a charming town in the Boyacá department, about 40 minutes from the capital, Tunja, and is characterized by its beautiful landscapes and thermal waters. It is also an important place in the history of Colombia, as the Battle of Pantano de Vargas took place here on July 25, 1816, which was crucial for the country’s independence.

Corinto Camino Histórico

Website: https://grupocorinto.com/bodas/
Carrera 19 #40 – 05

This historic house from 1929 has been remodeled but kept the old style. There are two large halls, the Pantano de Vargas and the Puente de Boyacá. The sizes and capacities are different. There is also a chapel, which impresses with its ancient architecture, a fireplace, gardens, and other green areas. You can also include a boat trip on Lake Sochagota in a celebration.

Hotel Hacienda del Salitre

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Website: http://hotelhaciendaelsalitre.com/
Km. 3 Vía Paipa

The Hotel Hacienda del Salitre was declared an Asset of National Interest in 1976 for its architectural beauty. This hotel used to be the headquarters of the liberation campaign that Simón Bolívar welcomed. In addition to the beautiful 17th-century chapel for the ceremony, there is a large hall, dance floor, terraces, and colonial courtyards.

Hotel Estelar Paipa

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Website: https://www.estelarpaipa.com/
Orillas del Lago Sochagota Hotel Estelar Paipa

The hotel and congress center Estelar Paipa offers the most modern infrastructure. There are 7 different halls with capacities from 50 to 1,000 people. There is also a terrace with a wonderful view of the mountains.

D’acosta Hotel Sochagota

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Website: https://hotelsochagota.com/
Km 2, Vía Las Piscinas Paipa

The rural hotel is located on the shores of Lake Sochagota. The hotel has various halls for events as well as enough rooms to accommodate a large number of guests.

Cali

Cali is one of the most populous cities in Colombia and is located in the department of Valle del Cauca. The climate is warm all year round with an average temperature of 27 ° Celsius. This lively city is also known internationally as the capital of salsa thanks to its unique salsa dance style, salsa bands, and great variety of dance halls. In Cali, you can find both churches in the spectacular colonial style and modern buildings.

Casa Campestre Villa Mariana

Website: https://www.facebook.com/villamarianacali
Via Cristo Rey, 395 Cali

Casa Campestre Villa Mariana specializes in weddings and offers the best views of the city. Here you will find large green areas, which provide the ideal setting for the ceremony and for photos. There is a large garden, a large hall with a dance floor, a terrace, and a team of professionals who take care of organizing a wedding.

Casa Hacienda El Limonar

Website: https://casahaciendaellimonar.com/
Cra 66 # 13a-80, el Limonar

The Casa Hacienda El Limonar should definitely be considered for a wedding. The hacienda is an absolute gem from 1948. The facilities are elegant and beautiful and they have been declared part of the cultural and architectural heritage of the city of Cali.

Hacienda del Bosque

Website: https://www.haciendadelbosque.com.co/
Carrera 2 Oeste # 14 – 250

This hacienda impresses with its outdoor facilities as well as its interior design. This consists of a combination of colonial style and elegance. The building dates back to the 19th century but has been restored by the Cali Zoo Foundation without destroying the unique architecture. When getting there, you are greeted by the beautiful old water fountain.

What you should know about getting married in Colombia

Civil marriages take place before a notary or state civil judge, while religious marriages create a bond between a woman and a man according to their religious principles or beliefs.

Another form of marriage permitted in Colombia is same-sex marriage, in which two people of the same sex join together and which can be concluded in any notary’s office. In Colombia, symbolic marriages are also concluded that do not follow any ritual, but rather represent the union of two people in body, mind and soul. You also should check what languages are spoken in Colombia.

Religious marriage in Colombia

If you prefer a church wedding, you must present the following documents:

Photocopy of your nationality card or passport.
Baptismal certificate issued no more than 90 days before the wedding date.
Confirmation certificate. Remember that if it is in a language other than Spanish, it must be translated by a person certified and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Birth certificate with a maximum validity of 30 days for Colombians and 90 days for foreigners.
Certificate of the marriage preparation course approved by an institution or body specializing in the subject.
If either person was previously married and separated, the divorce certificate must be presented.
If either person does not belong to the Catholic religion, they must provide a certificate from their own church.

Civil marriage in Colombia

For a civil marriage, you have to present the following documents:

Photocopy of your nationality card or passport.
Birth certificate with a maximum validity of 30 days for Colombians and 90 days for foreigners.
Certificate of no objection or certificate of singleness.
Application for civil marriage completed and certified.
If the documents are in a language other than Spanish, they must be officially translated into Spanish.
If either person was previously married, the certificate of divorce must be presented.

When it comes to orchestrating a dream wedding in Colombia, consulting with travel specialists is absolutely paramount. Colombia’s enchanting landscapes and rich cultural tapestry offer an unparalleled backdrop for matrimonial celebrations. These experts possess an intimate knowledge of Colombia’s most idyllic wedding venues, whether it’s exchanging vows on the sun-kissed beaches of Cartagena or amidst the verdant serenity of the Coffee Triangle. They adeptly navigate logistical intricacies, ensuring that couples and their guests experience seamless, stress-free journeys across diverse terrains and bustling cities. What’s more, these experts can connect you with trusted local vendors and unveil hidden gems that infuse your wedding with the essence of Colombia’s heritage and natural splendor. So make sure to have Travel Experts advise you on your Colombia wedding planning.

Accommodations in Colombia

Do you want to visit Colombia but don’t know where to stay? Don’t worry, we make recommendations in all our travel guides or you can also read the following blogs!

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