Top 10 Books About Colombia: A Literary Journey for Travelers
- Luis Felipe Ramirez
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Introduction: A Country Told Through Its Pages
Colombia is a land of contrasts: mountains and jungles, cities full of energy, and a history as complex as it is fascinating. For travelers, understanding the country goes beyond sightseeing—it’s about connecting with its stories, voices, and identity. One of the best ways to do that is through books. From Nobel Prize-winning authors to contemporary voices, literature offers a window into Colombia’s heart and soul.
Why Books Matter for Travelers
Reading books about Colombia before or during your trip adds depth to every experience. A walk through Bogota’s streets feels different when you know Gabriel García Márquez once lived nearby, or when you’ve read about the historical struggles that shaped neighborhoods. Literature is not just background; it becomes part of your journey. Travelers from the US and Canada often find that books help bridge cultural gaps and create a richer connection with Colombia’s people.
Top 10 Books About Colombia: A Guide for Readers
Here’s a curated selection of 10 must-read books about Colombia, blending fiction, non-fiction, and memoirs. These works provide cultural, political, and social perspectives that shape the country today. Many are recommended by international media such as The Guardian and Lonely Planet.
Liveforever – Andrés Caicedo (Music is the book’s obsessive focus, as the story follows a young woman’s infatuation with salsa and rock)
Love in the Time of Cholera – Gabriel García Márquez (A timeless love story on Colombia’s Caribbean coast)
Fiebre Tropical – Juli Delgado Lopera (A teenage girl transplanted from the cold mountains of Bogota to the strange sweaty world of Miami)
The Bitch – Pilar Quintana (A woman raising a dog in an isolated community on the Pacific coast)
Fruit of the Drunken Tree – Ingrid Rojas Contreras (Childhood during the era of violence)
The Book of Emma Reyes – Emma Reyes (Abandoned by her mother and raised in a convent, Reyes’ life has to be read to be believed)
Fish Soup – Margarita García Robayo (Explores the lives of young women on the Caribbean coast, with amusingly bleak humour)
The Armies – Evelio Rosero (Acclaimed novel about rural conflict)
Ornamental – Juan Cárdenas (Strange, dystopian tale about medical trials)
Magdalena: River of Dreams – Wade Davis (A Canadian anthropologist’s journey through Colombia’s great river)
Bonus: Books that Illuminate Bogota
Beyond Colombia as a whole, Bogota has inspired many authors. Laura Restrepo’s 'Delirium' captures the complexity of life in the capital, while Tom Feiling’s 'Short Walks from Bogota' takes readers through the city’s transformation. These books reveal the rhythms of daily life, politics, and art in Colombia’s bustling capital.
Integrating Literature with Travel in Bogota
For book lovers, Bogota offers more than libraries and bookshops. The city is a UNESCO City of Literature, home to the world-famous International Book Fair (FILBO). Travelers can visit Librería Lerner, one of the most iconic bookstores, or enjoy a coffee while reading at a specialty café. By combining literature with travel, visitors discover layers of history, art, and culture.
Read, Walk, Live Bogota
Reading books about Colombia is just the beginning. To truly feel the city’s spirit, walk its streets with a local guide. At Bogota Driver Guide Service, we combine cultural insights with personalized tours. Consider joining our BOGOTA OFFBEAT, THE INSIDER EXPERIENCE TOUR to discover hidden corners of the city, or our PRIVATE DRIVER SERVICE IN BOGOTA for comfort and safety while enjoying literary landmarks and cultural highlights. Books give you the stories, but walking Bogota brings them to life.
