Montería, the livestock capital of Colombia, has witnessed remarkable growth as a tourist destination over the past year. According to the latest report from ProColombia's Tourism Coordination, the search interest in Montería surged by 81.8% between January 2024 and January 2025. This impressive increase highlights Montería's rising appeal as one of the country's most promising locations for visitors.
During January 2025 alone, Montería recorded 15,688 tourism-related searches, nearly double the 8,628 searches noted during the same month in 2024. This increase reflects the growing curiosity and interest among travelers eager to explore the vibrant offerings of this Colombian city, known for its natural beauty and cultural richness. Over the entire year of 2024, it was noted by ProColombia, 86,920 individuals expressed interest in visiting Montería.
Despite the surge, Montería continues to trail behind traditional tourist hotspots like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena, which dominate the volume of searches. According to the ProColombia report, these major cities account for 93% of international reservations for the upcoming months of February to July 2025. U.S. travelers lead the way, making up 43% of all reservations to Cartagena, followed by other key markets such as Chile, Canada, Peru, and Mexico.
Many visitors interested in the richness of Montería often kick off their journeys from the more accessible air travel hubs of Cartagena or Medellín before heading to Montería via national flights or by road. The connectivity challenge continues to present limitations to Montería's tourism potential, particularly as direct international access remains limited.
The growth statistics certainly paint a promising picture for Montería's future among the ranks of must-visit destinations. Those drawn to its cultural events, festivals, and scenery can expect increasing support for the local tourism industry. With its burgeoning interest, Montería has the opportunity to boost its infrastructure and services needed to accommodate newcomers.
Building on this positive momentum, stakeholders aim to develop and promote the area as a top-tier destination for travelers. The opportunity to capitalize on tourism shows potential benefits, not only for the hospitality market but also for the broader economic development of the region.
On the national stage, Cartagena remains the undisputed leader of Colombia's tourism industry, commanding significant international interest. Alongside Bogotá and Medellín, it effectively corners most of the international reservation market. The U.S., overly influential, continues to be the leading source for tourism through reservations made to Cartagena, which secures its standing as the country’s main entry point for international visitors.
While tourism to Montería is evidently on the rise, the continued development of its facilities and services will be integral to propelling Montería to a similar competitive stature enjoyed by other Colombian cities. Strategic investments, enhanced connectivity, and promotional campaigns will be key factors in ensuring Montería’s emergence as not only a cultural and natural haven but also as one of the leading tourist destinations within Colombia.
This dynamism indicates significant opportunities for strengthening tourism infrastructure and resources to solidify Montería’s status as a requisite stop for tourists traversing Colombia. The potential symmetry between Montería's rising tourist interest and infrastructure upgrade could transform the capital city of Córdoba, making it indispensable for visitors seeking authenticity and cultural immersion.
With travelers expressing growing curiosity about its landscapes and cultural heritage, Montería is strategically set to embrace the future of its tourism engagement, signaling promising prospects for years to come. The upward trend reflected by the 81.8% growth signals Montería as ‘the place to be,’ ensuring it attracts increasing numbers of both domestic and international visitors who are eager to connect with Colombia’s diverse heritage.