These are the eight charming Colombian towns that will represent Colombia in the UN Tourism Award.
Following a national evaluation phase for Colombia's nomination to the UN Tourism initiative "Best Tourism Villages 2025," the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism announced the eight national destinations that will represent the country in this edition.
Jericho, Antioquia. The 'Athens of the Southwest.' Photo: Courtesy.
The selected municipalities are: Murillo (Tolima), Sutatenza (Boyacá), Colón (Putumayo), Paicol (Huila), Consacá (Nariño), Jericó (Antioquia), Sesquilé (Cundinamarca) and Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands-Archipelago of San Andrés (Providencia and Santa Catalina).
According to the ministry, 28 municipalities from 13 departments applied for this edition. Each of them presented proposals that reflect the diversity, richness, and commitment of these territories to sustainable tourism.
These locations underwent a process that included reviewing qualifying requirements , technical evaluation, and qualitative assessment of each destination.
Paicol, Huila. Heritage charm among the mountains. Photo: Courtesy.
The selection was made based on the nine criteria established by UN Tourism : natural and cultural resources; cultural promotion; economic, social, and environmental sustainability; tourism value chain; governance; infrastructure; and health and safety.
Additionally, each location's commitment to sustainability , the organization of local tourism offerings, and collaboration with local communities were taken into account. Particular attention was paid to each municipality's innovative approach, understood as its ability to highlight its unique attributes and strategically project them locally and internationally.
Murillo, Tolima. Where heaven embraces earth. Photo: Courtesy.
This is the presentation of the eight selected municipalities:
- Murillo (Tolima), where the sky embraces the earth. At the foot of the majestic Nevado del Ruiz, this charming municipality dazzles with its páramo landscapes, colorful houses, and tabla pared architecture. Committed to nature tourism and conservation, Murillo offers authentic experiences in harmony with its rich biodiversity and Andean culture.
- Sutatenza (Boyacá), the birthplace of Colombian educational radio. This region preserves its historical legacy amidst mountains and farmland. Its historic architecture, the deep-rooted traditions of its inhabitants, and a tourism offering that harmonizes cultural heritage with authentic rural landscapes make it a distinctive rural destination, where identity is nourished by living memory and a strong community fabric.
- Colón (Putumayo): Andean-Amazonian flavors, knowledge, and roots. Located at the transition between the Andes and the Amazon, Colón is a destination where biodiversity, indigenous traditions, and a dynamic rural culture converge. This unique mosaic promotes a model of community-based and sustainable tourism, offering authentic experiences rooted in its natural and cultural riches.
- Paicol (Huila), a charming heritage nestled among the mountains. Known as "The Door to the Wind," Paicol is a tourist destination in western Huila that captivates with its cobblestone streets, rich cuisine, and colonial architecture. Its tourism offerings focus on natural and cultural heritage, promoting authentic and sustainable tourism, where nature and history come together to offer a unique experience.
- Consacá (Nariño), birthplace of the sun, the volcano, and history. Located on the slopes of the imposing Galeras Volcano, among golden coffee plantations and memories of liberation, Consacá weaves a tourism experience with identity. A destination where colonial history, Andean biodiversity, and cultural traditions merge, inviting you to experience experiences rooted in its land and tradition.
- Jericó (Antioquia), the "Athens of the Southwest." Nestled among the mountains of the Cordillera Occidental, Jericó is a place where spirituality blends with coffee culture and art. Its cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and colonial atmosphere create the perfect setting for an experience that awakens the senses, surrounded by landscapes that invite you to immerse yourself in its culture and traditions.
- Sesquilé (Cundinamarca), where legend lives. On the shores of the mythical Guatavita Lake, Sesquilé keeps alive the ancestral memory that gave rise to the legend of Eldorado. Nestled among the Andean mountains, the municipality has built a tourism offering that honors its roots, protects its ecosystems, and promotes a community active in sustainability and living culture.
- Providencia and Santa Catalina, Archipelago of San Andrés (Providencia and Santa Catalina), in the heart of the archipelago. These islands embody the strength of the Caribbean Raizal. Overcoming the adversity of Hurricane Iota, they emerge as a beacon of resilience, where vibrant Creole culture flourishes and an exemplary model of regenerative, purposeful tourism is established.
Sutatenza, Boyacá. The birthplace of educational radio in Colombia. Photo: Courtesy.
In previous editions, several Colombian towns have already been recognized for their beauty and sustainable and community initiatives. Jardín (Antioquia) in 2024; Filandia (Quindío) and Zapatoca (Norte de Santander) in 2023; and Choachí (Cundinamarca) in 2022 have all been recognized in the last three years.
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