Every summer, Medellín, Colombia becomes a celebration of joy, music, and vibrant florals. Féria de las Flores, or the Medellin Flower Festival, is an exciting, world-record-breaking cultural event in the heart of Colombia.

What Is The Medellín Flower Festival?

The Medellín Flower Festival, or Féria de las Flores, is one of the largest festivals in Latin America. The booming cultural event often lasts over a week, during which the people of Colombia gather to celebrate flowers, their culture, and Medellin’s unique history.

Origins of Féria de las Flores

Arturo Uribe organized the first Medellin Flower Festival in 1957. The purpose was to celebrate the nation’s flower industry, particularly highlighting the work of silleteros.

Silleteros are flower gardeners who blend both skillful artistry and deep botanical knowledge. Drawing on both long tradition and new ideas, the silleteros of Colombia have elevated the floral arts to new heights—putting Medellin on the map.

To honor them, Uribe held a parade. The silleteros adorned themselves with flowers and gathered up beautiful arrangements, then carried them through the streets of Medellin. This was so popular, it became the focal point of the entire festival.

The first Medellin Flower Fair was only five days long, and most of it centered on a floral expo in the Metropolital Cathedral. Yet, as the festival’s popularity grew, so did its length—and its purpose.

Today, Féria de las Flores is a bold, 10-day celebration of Colombian identity. While flowers are still central, it’s now an event filled with traditional dance, popular music, and dozens of parades, competitions, and expos. You don’t want to miss it!

Where & When Is The Medellin Flower Fair Celebrated?

The Medellin Flower Festival is held in multiple venues, including Jardín Botánico de Medellín, one of the largest botanical gardens in Colombia.

It’s usually held in the latter half of the Summer.

This year, it will be held from August 1st – August 10th, 2025. Tickets are expected to go on sale in April.

Event Highlights of Feria de las Flores

Concerts and performances by global artists are always big draws at the festival. In 2024, Marc Anthony was one of the headliners for the fest, performing at the “La Eterna” concert.

While 2025’s performers haven’t yet been announced, there are plenty of events we already know to look forward to. Annual highlights of Medellin’s Flower Festival include:

Desfile de Silleteros (Flower Growers Parade)

This iconic parade is the one that started it all. In modern iterations, the Desfile de Silleteros parade kicks off the whole event. It’s then followed throughout the week with other cultural parades—including a parade of bicycles, antique cars, birds, horses, and elaborate floral-decorated floats.

Trovadores Performance

Trovadores are poets in a traditional style. Their recitations and freestyle verses are a beloved cultural tradition among contemporary Colombians.

Canine Walk of the Flower Festival

Last year, the Canine Walk broke the Guinness World Record for most dogs walked at an event. This dog-friendly celebration is popular across cultures.

Medellín Concert Performances

There are usually at least four big concert events during the Medellin Flower Festival. Previous headliners include Ana Gabriel and Fonesca. Who will lead the 2025 concert series?

Colombian Floral Arrangement Competition

The silleteros have another place to shine during the festival: the arrangement competition. Each year, florists compete in diverse categories, including traditional, emblematic, commercial, and monumental silletas. Prizes are awarded for creativity, craftsmanship, and originality.

Fireworks

Just as flowers are a burst of color from the soil, the fireworks show dazzles with bursts of color in the sky. Sitting with family and watching the fireworks is a popular way to end the evening.

How To Attend Feria de las Flores In Medellin, Colombia

The parades and most outdoor events during the festival don’t require specific tickets. However, attendees need to purchase tickets ahead of time to attend certain concerts and special events.

Tickets are expected to go on sale in April. Stay tuned to arts and culture news in the city to learn when preorders go on sale.

Experience The Beauty of Medellin, Colombia With Caravan

At Caravan, we curate all-inclusive trips to beautiful destinations like Medellín, Colombia. Our expert guides hand-pick cultural events like Feria de las Flores, transportation, excellent lodging, and authentic meals—then book them all well ahead of time. The only thing guests need to do is enjoy!

If you’re interested in experiencing the vibrancy of Colombia, we invite you to our all-inclusive 10-Day Tour of Colombia.  If you’d like to join in, or just want more information, call us toll-free at 1-800-CARAVAN or 1-800-312-321-9800.

In Colombia, Bandeja Paisa is an iconic, delicious, and, above all, gigantic dish. Discover the secrets of this popular Colombian meal with Caravan’s expert guides.

What Is Bandeja Paisa?

The literal English translation of “Bandeja Paisa” would be “platter of Paisa.” It is, in essence, the heart of the Paisa region of Colombia on a plate. It typically includes a maize stew or pudding called “mazamorra,” a savory stuffed arepa, pinto beans, rice, a fried egg, diverse pork parts cooked several different ways, and semi-sweet, savory fruits like avocado and plantains.

As the dish’s popularity spread from Paisa nationwide, it became adopted and adapted in a wide variety of Colombian regions.

What Is The Paisa Region In Colombia?

Paisa is a northwestern part of Colombia among the Andes mountains. It encompasses six departments (formal regions): Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío in full, and portions of Tolima and Valle del Cauca. Medellín, Pereira, Manizales and Armenia are popular cities in the Paisa region.

The region was first the home of the Indigenous Caribes and Chibchas, who mingled with Andalusian, Basque, and Extremaduran immigrants, some (but not all) of whom were colonizers sponsored by the Spanish crown in the 1500s – 1600s.

The semi-isolation imposed by the mountains, and the unusual blend of cultures of origin, led the Paisa region to develop an extraordinary, unique culture. Over the centuries, Paisa’s culture birthed a regional dialect of Spanish called “español antioqueño” (Antioquian Spanish), the musical genres Pasillo and Paisa Trivia, and, of course, iconic Colombian cuisine.

Bandeja Paisa History: Origins Of An Iconic Dish

Culinary historians believe Bandeja Paisa evolved over generations and centuries, drawing on widely diverse influences. Cooks in the Paisa region used locally available resources, including pork, while influenced by culinary techniques of indigenous, Andalusian, Basque, Spanish, African, and French cultural groups.

Spanish settlers brought domesticated pigs to Colombia in 1525, solely for lard production. But, everyday folks in Paisa used all parts of the pig for food.

Paisa’s cooks cultivated the art of chicharrón (fried pork belly and pork rinds), chorizo (pork sausage), morcillo (pork blood pudding or blood sausage), ground pork meat, and pinto beans boiled and tenderized with ham hock (pork knuckle). As Spanish pigs began to breed with local pigs, new feral pigs like the zungo became common, and so too did the act of hunting and trapping them in the Colombian mountains.

As a result, varieties of pork became staple ingredients in Bandeja Paisa. Today, pork is a staple crop in Colombia.

Records of Bandeja Paisa In 1950

Over the years, the dish was adapted by many cooks. But, it wasn’t until 1950 that bandeja paisa became officially named and standardized in recipes and gastronomical studies. Naming and standardizing an “official” version of bandeja paisa gave it cultural weight internationally—and sparked significant debate among Colombia’s chefs.

Colombia’s (Unofficial) National Dish

In 2005, the Colombian government wanted to make the dramatic platter of bandeja paisa the official, national dish of Colombia. This started a big debate. Does Bandeja Paisa truly represent all of Colombia, or only the Paisa region? What exactly does official Bandeja Paisa include?                                                                                                                                                                                                          Is it truly the most representative dish if most Colombians don’t eat it, or only eat it on special occasions?

Ultimately, the government put away the idea of an official national dish. But, many chefs and restaurants chose to celebrate the heritage of Colombian cuisine independently, proclaiming bandeja paisa Colombia’s (unofficial) national dish anyway.

Ingredients & Prep

There are two crucial elements of bandeja paisa:

  • The beans, rice, and mazamorra must be cooked overnight, to let the flavors truly deepen
  • The dish must be served on a huge tray (no diet-size plates allowed!)

Beyond that, it’s up to the individual chef the best way to prepare and plate the variety of porks, arepas, and fruit on the dish.

Popular Bandeja Paisa Varieties

Varieties of bandeja paisa can be found in almost every region and restaurant in Colombia. Popular versions of Bandeja Paisa include:

  • Bandeja de Arriero, a version popularized by Colombian mule transporters
    • This version sometimes included beef as well as (or instead of) pork
  • Bandeja Montañera, the “mountain tray” version of the dish, incorporates more vegetables.
    • This version often includes garlic, onions, tomatoes, and peeled carrots alongside the green plantain.
  • Bandeja Antioqueña is a less-pork-focused version of the dish, often including steak and liver.
    • In Tolima, Bandeja Antioqueña swaps out fried plantain for french fries.
  • Seven Meats Platter,” an adaptation in higher-end Colombian restaurants, elevates the dish from its “peasant” origins.
  •  This version adds a wider variety of meats, and it requires serving the dish on an ostentatious tray even larger than the traditional platter.

Try Bandeja Paisa On Caravan’s Colombia Tour—In Medellín And Beyond!

Caravan has been offering elegant, all-inclusive travel experiences since 1952. For over seven decades, our safe, pre-planned tours have brought travelers to the world’s most extraordinary destinations—at one, affordable rate.

Caravan has honed the art of crafting all-in-one travel packages, each guided by experts. Every affordable trip includes meals, transportation, and rooms—no surprises!

Caravan’s all-inclusive tour of Colombia is ten days of extraordinary experiences. Whether that’s dining in Medellín, experiencing the art and culture of Guatape, or exploring Cartagena’s beaches.

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Did you know spending time at a beach can decrease mental health risks by up to 40%?

Why not give yourself the gift of well-being, and spend some time at the many beautiful beaches of Cartagena, Colombia? In this guide, discover what makes Cartagena’s ten best beaches so great.

Does Cartagena Have Beaches?

Yes. Cartagena is a port city, built on the shores of the Caribbean Sea in Colombia.

The city encompasses a peninsula, Isla de Barú, and several islands–including those comprising Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park.

What Is The Typical Sea Temperature At Cartagena’s Beaches Each Season?

The temperature of the sea at Cartagena’s shores is relatively stable. The warm waters’ heat levels rarely shift. Instead, they stay within an under-five-degree range.

In February, the beaches’ coldest month, the sea ranges from 79.6°F to 81.7°F on average. In the average October, the sea’s warmest month, the water temperature doesn’t drop below 84.4°F, and it reaches highs of 86.3°F.

What Are The Best Months For Enjoying Beaches In Cartagena?

Like most places in the Caribbean, Cartagena Colombia has two seasons: a wet season and a dry season.

The dry season is better for visitors, as it’s far less likely any activities will be rained out. Cartagena’s dry season runs from December through April.

Within that range, February is an ideal month to visit, as tourist traffic drops off and, often, travelers can take advantage of “off-season” discounts.

Top 10 Beaches In Cartagena, Colombia: Best Beaches At A Glance

1. Playa de Bocagrande

Playa de Bocagrande is the nearest beach to Old Town Cartagena, the walled city.

It’s known for beautiful sunset views and a party-like atmosphere. It’s one of the most popular, bustling beaches in Colombia.

2. Beaches of Barú Island (Isla de Barú)

The Isla de Barú is surrounded by Cartagena Bay, a canal, and the Caribbean Sea. The water is pristine, clear as crystal, and multicolored schools of fish flit near the shore. Relax on the picturesque pink and white sand, or enjoy the isle’s top-rated recreation.

3. Playa Blanca

Among Barú Island’s beaches, Playa Blanca is a jewel. The perennially popular spot is the site of seaside breakfast, family amenities, and cozy bungalows for rent.

4. Manzanillo Del Mar

This expansive, white-sand beach is perfect for a day of swimming. Yet, the spot’s highlight is truly cinematic: it’s the only Cartagena-area beach where visitors can ride horseback along the shore.

5. Playa Laguito

Near Bolivar Park and the Cartagena coast, Playa Laguito is a beach of golden sands and plenty to do. Snorkel, paddle board, or simply enjoy tropical beachside food and drink at this memorable shore.

6. Palmetto Beach Cartagena

Visitors often describe Palmetto Beach as one of Cartagena’s hidden gems. It’s affordable, full of family-friendly activities, clean and safe. Palmetto Beach also offers exquisite views of the cityscape at sunset.

7. Playa Libre Cartagena

The remote Playa Libre Beach can only be reached by boat. Quiet and serene, it’s a peaceful spot away from the busier, more commercial sides of the islands.

8. Playa Castillo Grande

Playa Castillo Grande is an underrated beach on the Cartagena shore. Plenty of affordable cabanas are available to rent, and the sand is kept sparking clean. Most intriguing is the sea. At Castillo, few waves meet the shore, and the ocean itself acts almost lake-like. The calm is restorative.

9. Fisherman’s Beach

This peaceful beach in the La Boquilla fishing village, in Greater Cartagena, is one of the most tranquil locales.

10. Tierra Bomba

The beaches of Tierra Bomba are known for their extraordinary wildlife and natural beauty. Travelers can experience guided tours of the island’s unique flora and fauna. From the island’s Punta Arena beach, visitors can even explore by kayak.

As they do, they may reach the Castle of San Luis de Bocachica; Tierra Bomba’s island harbor is one of the few ports to the centuries-old fort.

On Your Next Trip, Relax. Caravan’s All-Inclusive Tour Has It Covered.

Caravan’s travel experts began offering guided, All-In-One tours in 1952, and over half a century later our reputation has only grown. Our Colombia Tour hasn’t been outdone yet!

For more information about our 10-Day Colombia Tour, or to make reservations, please contact our office!

Call toll-free at 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) to book a tour, or contact one of our agents at 1 (312) 321-9800 for more details.