Meet Laura, our Colombia specialist partner
Interview / portrait. Laura lives in Medellín and designs Colombia autotours with a local driver—because, in her words, that’s what makes the journey smoother on the ground. In this conversation, she explains why she chose Colombia, what her routes look like (from Bogotá to the Coffee Region and the Caribbean), and what she wants Planet Riders to feel when travelling through a country that can change mood—and culture—within a few hours.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
Laura: I’m Laura, Planet Ride’s specialist partner for Colombia autotours. I’ve been living in Colombia for two years and I’m currently based in Medellín.
Why did you choose to move to Colombia?
Laura: Before Colombia, I spent two years in Australia and shared a place with Colombian roommates. They made me curious about their country. Later, I travelled two months in South America, and many long-term travellers I met told me Colombia was their true favourite—beautiful, intense, and surprisingly diverse. That was the spark. I arrived two years ago, and it quickly felt like a place I could build a life, not just pass through.
What kind of trips do you design for Planet Riders?
Laura: My itineraries are a little different from Planet Ride’s usual formats. They’re done by car or 4x4 with a driver. For now, Colombia isn’t always the easiest country for travellers to self-drive in the way most riders expect—between dense city traffic, road conditions that can change fast, and the practicality of having someone local at the wheel. We also adapt the vehicle size depending on how many people are travelling.
Tell us about the routes you offer
“A Unique Journey in the Land of El Dorado”
Laura: This first Colombia trip covers the essentials for a first-time journey. We start in Bogotá, the capital. You’ll have a full day to explore museums and walk La Candelaria, the colourful historic centre.
Then we head into the Andes north of Bogotá, stopping in Villa de Leyva—a colonial village known for its huge main square (the largest in Colombia, and one of the most beautiful). White houses, cobblestone streets: it’s a simple place, but it lands.
Next comes the Coffee Region, a must in Colombia. Everything turns green there. One highlight is the Cocora Valley, famous for its wax palms—the tallest palms in the world. The landscape is very particular: what used to be forest is now mostly palms, and it’s striking.
We also visit Salento, a typical Coffee Region village with brightly painted houses and wooden façades. And you can visit a coffee finca to follow the process from cultivation to tasting—concrete, hands-on, and far from a “museum visit.”
From there, we go to Tayrona National Park, the country’s largest national park: jungle meeting the Caribbean Sea, with wildlife like monkeys. Finally, we end in Cartagena, often considered the most beautiful colonial city in South America, with an exceptionally well-preserved historic centre. We also include a day on the Rosario Archipelago—small islands in the Caribbean, ideal to slow the rhythm down before the return.
“Colombia’s Authentic Treasures”
Laura: This route avoids Salento. Instead, we head toward Salamina through more off-the-beaten-track roads into the Coffee Region. You can still see wax palms, but in a more authentic atmosphere with fewer visitors. We also go through Medellín and then towards the spectacular Guajira Desert—raw, wide-open, and completely different from the Andes.
“An Unseen Journey into the Heart of Colombia”
Laura: This last itinerary is a bigger Andes loop. It includes Barichara, often cited as one of Colombia’s most beautiful villages, perched in the Andean region. We also go to Mompox, a town that’s still very little visited—where you truly feel like time has stopped.
How would you describe Colombian culture?
Laura: It’s a tricky question because there isn’t just one. It depends on the region—so much that when you change area, it can feel like changing countries. From Medellín, you can fly to the Pacific Coast and 45 minutes later the atmosphere is totally different. Even the energy of the cities varies a lot: rhythms, music, food, how people use public space. Colombia is plural by nature.
What’s the one unmissable place for you?
Laura: For me, the unmissable thing on a trip to Colombia is the Coffee Region. It’s incredibly lush—there’s more rain than in most of the country. I’ve never seen so many shades of green in one place. The region is also perfect for easy hikes, longer walks, or even horseback rides. And you can eat very well there: there are genuinely good restaurants, not just “tourist menus.”
What are Colombia’s culinary specialities?
Laura: The everyday classic you’ll find at lunch is usually rice, plantain, a piece of meat, and frijoles (red beans). On the coast, flavours shift: more coconut rice, more fish—fried fish, shrimp ceviche, that kind of freshness.
In Medellín, the signature dish is bandeja paisa: rice, avocado, an egg, beans, ground meat, fried pork belly, and chorizo. Each region has its own identity, and travellers can access very good food at a reasonable price during a Colombia circuit.
What do you love about your job?
Laura: I like talking about holidays every day—about Colombia, a country I genuinely love. And I like helping riders make a trip happen when it’s been a long-time dream. The work is varied: each itinerary has its own balance to find between places, pacing, and what people want to feel.
A word for future Planet Riders?
Laura: Come and experience a Colombia autotour. It’s a country with many faces, and it can match almost any travel desire depending on the regions and activities you choose.
À savoir aujourd’hui
The spirit of Laura’s Colombia routes is still the same: a country of strong contrasts, where the Coffee Region, Caribbean coast, and the Andes can be combined into a coherent journey. What you should verify before leaving are the practicalities that evolve fastest: access rules for protected areas, road conditions on less-travelled sections, and the best seasonal window for the regions you want to include.
