Colombians are travelling more than ever. Between January and July 2026, roughly 3.6 million residents of Colombia went abroad — a 12% jump on the same months last year, according to figures from Migracion Colombia, DANE and ANATO. So where is everyone going?

The United States remains in a league of its own, drawing just over one million Colombian travellers (1,005,186) — nearly 28% of the total in the ranking. Miami keeps its pull thanks to close cultural and commercial links with Latin America, Orlando dominates family and theme-park trips, and New York covers the museums, shows and shopping crowd.

Spain is second with 498,380 travellers, far ahead of any other European country. Shared language, strong air links and the appeal of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada and Málaga — plus the tapas-and-paella factor — keep it firmly on the itinerary.

Panama comes third at 420,577 visitors, helped by sheer convenience: it is close, well connected, and packs the Panama Canal, Casco Antiguo, shopping and beaches on both Caribbean and Pacific coasts into a short hop. Mexico (291,665) offers the opposite of a quick getaway — Cancun and the Riviera Maya on one end, Mexico City's museums, markets and food scene on the other.

The Dominican Republic rounds out the top five with 260,133 travellers, and it is the one to watch. ANATO data showed Colombian arrivals up 32% in January and February alone, part of a broader Caribbean boom: Curaçao grew 89% in the same early-2026 window, while Guatemala and El Salvador each jumped 50%. Punta Cana remains the anchor for resort-and-beach holidays.

South America holds its own further down the list. Ecuador welcomed 127,442 Colombians, Peru 121,195, Chile 114,617 and Brazil 114,590 — all reachable without long-haul flights. Peru pairs Lima's celebrated restaurant scene with Cusco and Machu Picchu; Chile spans Santiago, the Atacama Desert and Patagonia; Brazil grew 49.8% in 2025, one of the fastest rates of any major market. Canada completes the top ten with 72,317 travellers, splitting the difference between city breaks in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal and outdoor trips in the national parks.

What does this mean if you're planning a trip from Colombia? Two things. First, the classics — Miami, Madrid, Punta Cana — are busier than ever, so book early in peak season. Second, the fastest growth is happening in less obvious places: Curaçao, Central America and Brazil are where the momentum is, which often means better value and fewer crowds. Migracion Colombia notes tourism and leisure are the main reasons people travel, and with direct flights now linking Colombia to 30 countries and 54 cities abroad, the options keep widening.

Credit: Colombia One