AGP Executive Report

Travel Health: Colombia confirmed malaria in two travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; one died and the other is hospitalized. Health teams are tracing contacts and checking for other illnesses. River Travel: A new feature spotlights Magdalena River cruises to Mompox, a UNESCO-listed historic town gaining attention as a Caribbean coast destination. Air Links: Frontier plans nonstop service to Cartagena starting in December, while seasonal direct flights from Canada are set to return for winter 2026–27.

River Tourism: A cruise along the Magdalena River is putting Mompox in the spotlight. The UNESCO-listed town, founded in 1537, is emerging as a draw on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. More Flights to Cartagena: Frontier plans to start nonstop service to Cartagena in December, while seasonal direct flights from Canada are set to return for winter 2026–27. Trip Planning: New guides cover San Andrés, hiking in Cocora Valley and exploring the Coffee Region on a three-day trip without a car. Accessible Travel: Emirates held Colombia’s first travel rehearsal for autistic travelers, a step toward helping more people prepare for air journeys.

River Tourism: A new report from aboard a Magdalena River cruise spotlights Mompox, the UNESCO-listed colonial town, as a rising destination on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. More Flights to Cartagena: Seasonal direct service from Canada is set to return for winter 2026–27, while Frontier plans new nonstop flights to the city starting in December. Accessible Travel: Emirates held Colombia’s first travel rehearsal for autistic travelers, a step toward making air journeys more accessible. Travel Safety: Authorities have reinforced security in Cúcuta after killings and bomb attacks; travelers should keep up with local guidance, particularly near the Venezuelan border.

Travel Safety: Cúcuta has seen an army deployment after a former city official was assassinated and a bomb attack injured civilians, a reminder to check local conditions before travel near the Venezuelan border. New Flights: Frontier plans nonstop service to Cartagena from December, while seasonal direct flights from Canada are set to resume for winter 2026–27. Trip Planning: New guides cover San Andrés’ entry requirements, costs and Raizal culture, plus hiking Cocora Valley and exploring Colombia’s Coffee Region without a car. High-Altitude Routes: Colombia’s highest road reaches 4,149 metres, offering a striking option for travellers planning mountain journeys.

More Flights to Cartagena: Air Canada Rouge is restoring seasonal service from Toronto and Montreal in November, with three weekly flights through March. Frontier will add weekly nonstop flights from Orlando to Cartagena from Dec. 19, alongside new Orlando routes to Medellín and Bogotá. Medellín in 2027: UNESCO has named the city World Book Capital, with events celebrating reading and storytelling set to begin April 23—another reason to plan a cultural visit. Fragile Wilds: Researchers identified a new giant waterlily in Guainía, where just 30 to 50 plants may remain in the wild, underscoring the need to protect Colombia’s rare natural sites.

Cartagena Connections: Air Canada Rouge will resume seasonal direct flights from Toronto and Montreal in November, with three weekly services through March. Frontier plans a weekly Orlando–Cartagena route from Dec. 19, subject to approval, alongside new Orlando flights to Medellín and Bogotá. Medellín in 2027: UNESCO has named the city World Book Capital, with a year of literary events beginning April 23—another reason to plan a visit. Pacific Conservation: Authorities report illegal fishing in protected areas including Malpelo and Gorgona, while a record seizure of 4,235 shark fins in Tumaco highlights the pressures on Colombia’s marine wildlife.

Putumayo Travel: A new guide outlines what a weeklong yagé retreat in Putumayo may involve, including the region’s Indigenous traditions. Conservation: Authorities seized 4,235 shark fins in Tumaco, in Colombia’s largest such haul; investigators suspect the shipment was bound for overseas markets. Culture: Honda’s botanical garden will host “Arrastres,” an outdoor art installation made with seven tonnes of wood recovered from the Magdalena River, Nov. 1–Dec. 15. Air Links: WestJet has dropped its Montreal–San Andrés service, while Avianca has made its nonstop Cali–Miami route permanent. Travel Access: Emirates held Colombia’s first travel rehearsal for autistic travelers. Thailand is considering 15-day visa-free entry for Colombians, though the proposal is not yet approved. Trip Planning: New guides cover hiking Cocora Valley, exploring the Coffee Region without a car, and visiting San Andrés, including local requirements and Raizal culture.

Culture and Nature: Honda’s botanical garden will host “Arrastres,” an outdoor art installation made from Magdalena River driftwood, from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. Visa Update: Thailand is considering a 15-day visa waiver for Colombian travelers after processing delays; the proposal goes to a committee on Nov. 9 and is not yet approved. Island Planning: A new San Andrés guide covers entry requirements, tourist-card costs, flights and Raizal culture, with tips for exploring beyond the beaches. Bogotá Travel: Halloween motorcycle restrictions run Oct. 29 to early Nov. 3, limiting nighttime passenger rides and access on 19 major roads; check routes before heading out. Adventure Travel: Intrepid reports demand for its Lost City trek has risen 111%, as travelers increasingly seek guided, immersive hikes. Tourism Outlook: Disrupted Europe–Asia routes could steer more European visitors toward Latin America, but Colombia may miss out without stronger air links and destination marketing.

Island Travel: A new 2026 guide to San Andrés covers entry requirements, tourist-card costs, flights and ways to experience Raizal culture beyond the beaches. Adventure Tourism: Intrepid says demand for its Lost City Trek has jumped 111%, reflecting growing interest in guided, locally rooted hiking. Visitor Safety: A major security operation in Medellín reported 135 arrests and 153 searches, targeting crime including activity around Parque Lleras, a popular nightlife area for visitors. Getting Around Bogotá: Halloween motorcycle restrictions run Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, with nighttime passenger limits and closures on 19 major roads; travelers should expect traffic controls. Tourism Outlook: Disrupted Europe–Asia routes are sending more European travelers toward Latin America, but Colombia may miss out without stronger air links and promotion. What’s On: Barranquilla expects about 22,000 spectators for the Electrolife Caribbean Grand Prix, Oct. 30–Nov. 1, at the Gran Malecón.

Travel Access: Thailand’s tourism ministry plans to seek a 15-day visa-free entry for visitors from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan. The proposal goes to a committee on Nov. 9, so it is not yet in effect. Bogotá Halloween: From Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, night-time motorcycle passenger restrictions and limits on 19 major roads aim to curb dangerous riding and traffic disruption. Travelers should check local rules before heading out. Tourism Outlook: Disrupted Gulf flight routes are steering more European travelers toward Latin America, but Colombia may miss out unless it strengthens air connections and promotion. Barranquilla Events: The Electrolife Caribbean Grand Prix runs Oct. 30–Nov. 1 at the Gran Malecón, with 154 drivers from six countries and organizers expecting about 22,000 spectators. Outdoor Escapes: Cocora Valley near Salento offers short walks among wax palms as well as longer hikes through cloud forest; shared Willys jeeps are the common way to reach the trail area.

Thailand Visa Proposal: Thailand is considering 15-day visa-free entry for visitors from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan to ease processing delays and attract more travelers. Coffee Country Trails: New guides highlight ways to hike Cocora Valley and explore Salento, Filandia and coffee farms over three days without renting a car. Accessible Air Travel: Emirates held Colombia’s first airport travel rehearsal for autistic travelers at Bogotá’s El Dorado, walking participants through key steps before a flight. Highland Routes: The Murillo–Manizales road draws visitors through páramo landscapes near Los Nevados National Park, though sources disagree on its exact elevation. Holiday Demand: Flight searches from Spain to Bogotá for Christmas and New Year are up 36% year over year, according to KAYAK.

Holiday Travel: Flight searches from Spain for Bogotá over Christmas and New Year are up 36% year over year, KAYAK reports. Accessible Airports: Emirates and El Dorado held Colombia’s first travel rehearsal for autistic passengers, letting participants practise airport steps before flying. River Cruises: AmaWaterways is backing local benefits along the Magdalena River, including enrichment programs at a school in Santa Bárbara de Pinto. Tourism and Hotels: Medellín has drawn 1.2 million foreign visitors and is promoting destinations beyond its best-known neighborhoods; 11 Colombian hotels also earned Michelin Keys in the 2026 guide. Air Links: Avianca has made its nonstop Cali–Miami route permanent.

Bogotá Food Tourism: The city’s market kitchens are being recognized as living heritage, where traditional dishes and rural food networks give visitors a deeper taste of local culture. More Cali Flights: Avianca is making its nonstop Cali–Miami route permanent, while JetBlue is adding a Cali service, expanding connections to the U.S. Tourism Recognition: Eleven Colombian hotels earned Michelin Keys in the 2026 guide, and Colombia also took top honors at the 2026 World Travel Awards. Medellín Visitor Growth: The city welcomed 1.2 million foreign tourists and is working to draw visitors beyond its best-known neighborhoods. Caribbean Getaway: Wingo’s mystery-trip brought hundreds of travelers from Bogotá and Medellín to St. Maarten for a four-day escape, showcasing demand for surprise international trips.

Caribbean Getaway: Wingo’s mystery trip brought hundreds of travelers from Bogotá and Medellín to St. Maarten for a four-day visit, introducing Colombian passengers to the island’s Dutch and French sides. Bogotá Food Culture: The city’s market kitchens are emerging as a major draw for tourists, while keeping regional dishes and culinary traditions alive. Tourism Honors: Colombia earned top honors at the 2026 World Travel Awards, and 11 Colombian hotels received Michelin Keys. Medellín is also drawing more foreign visitors, with tourism extending beyond its best-known neighborhoods. Flight Links: Avianca has made its Cali–Miami nonstop route permanent, while JetSMART is promoting low fares from Colombia.

Nature Discovery: A newly identified giant water lily, Victoria colombiana, may survive only in Colombia’s Inírida wetland, where Indigenous communities helped researchers find it. Conservation plans include seed-growing work at Bogotá’s botanical garden. Caribbean Connections: Wingo flew about 400 travelers from Bogotá and Medellín to St. Maarten for its surprise-destination trip, promoting the island to Colombian visitors. Air Links: Avianca has made its Cali–Miami nonstop route permanent, while JetSMART is promoting Colombia fares from COP47,500. Tourism Growth: Medellín has welcomed 1.2 million foreign tourists and is working to draw visitors beyond its best-known neighborhoods. Hotels and Destinations: Eleven Colombian hotels earned Michelin Keys, and Colombia took top honors at the 2026 World Travel Awards. Short-Term Rentals: An Irish court declined to order Airbnb to restore a Medellín rental company’s account, leaving in place its suspension over sex-tourism concerns.

Nature & Discovery: Researchers have formally described Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily found in Guainía’s Inírida wetlands. Its survival may depend on a small protected area and Indigenous communities who helped locate it. Colombian Travelers: Wingo’s surprise-destination trip brought about 400 visitors from Bogotá and Medellín to St. Maarten for a four-day stay. Medellín Tourism: The city drew 1.2 million foreign tourists and is promoting attractions beyond its best-known neighborhoods. Accommodation: An Irish court declined to order Airbnb to restore a Medellín rental company’s account after the platform cited its ban on sex-tourism listings. Air Links & Hotels: Avianca has made its nonstop Cali–Miami route permanent, JetBlue is adding Cali service, and 11 Colombian hotels earned Michelin Keys. Colombia also took top honors at the 2026 World Travel Awards.