Colombia is setting its sights skyward with a bold new initiative aimed at establishing the country as Latin America’s next great astrotourism destination. While destinations like Chile and Australia have long been recognized for their stargazing appeal, Colombia is now emerging as a serious contender. The Andean nation offers diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and some of the clearest skies in South America.
Astrotourism, Colombia’s new bet to drive international tourism
In a move that blends science, sustainability, and rural development, the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) has launched a national call to identify and promote the country’s best stargazing locations.
The program, titled “Colombia: Astro-tourism Destinations,” seeks to identify up to 50 sites with dark skies, minimal light pollution, and high tourism potential. From these, ten standout destinations will be selected to receive technical support, scientific assessment, and marketing assistance to position them on the global scale.
As stated by MinCIT “Colombia has a privileged geographic location that allows observation of both northern and southern hemisphere constellations. We want to turn that natural advantage into sustainable economic opportunity.”
Where to stargaze in Colombia: Top night sky destinations
The Tatacoa Desert in Huila, a department in southern Colombia, is one of Colombia’s darkest skies with almost no light pollution and is already a certified “Starlight Reserve.” Here observatories such as Astrosur (a private astronomical observatory located in the Tatacoa Desert) and OATA offer guided night tours, telescope experiences, and even astrophotography workshops. The area hosts the popular Tatacoa Astronomy festival, drawing skywatchers and scientists from across the region.
Another notable location is Villa de Leyva, a colonial gem in the department of Boyacá. Known for its annual astronomy festival, the town provides open-sky planetarium experiences and stargazing camps. Villa de Leyva also holds a Starlight Certification.
Other promising regions in Colombia for the so called astro-tourism include La Guajira (a department on the Caribbean Sea bordering Venezuela), Caquetá (located in the Amazonas region) and Nariño (westside of the country, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean), where community leaders and tourism operators are eager to join the national effort.
Economic opportunity meets scientific curiosity
Without a doubt, Colombia’s push into astrotourism comes at a time when the country’s tourism sector is experiencing strong growth. According to official data, between January and March 2025, Colombia brought in US$2.865 billion in tourism-relates revenue–a 12.9% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024, and 62.8% higher than pre-pandemic levels. According to data presented by the Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (Anato), 85% of this revenue came directly from tourist travel to the country, while the remaining 15% was generated from passenger air transportation.
On the matter, Paula Cortes Calle, Executive President of Anato, emphasized: “this marks a milestone for our country’s economy. Colombia has been steadily gaining ground as one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America, leveraging its natural, culinary, and cultural richness. With the support of travel agencies, these assets have been incorporated into tourism packages, helping position the country as a more visible hub for unique and unforgettable experiences,” she stated.
The initiative also comes at a critical time for Colombia, as the country looks to diversify its tourism economy post-pandemic. And, unlike other forms of tourism, astrotourism thrives in rural and underdeveloped areas, precisely the regions that often struggle with infrastructure and economic opportunity. By investing in dark-sky destinations, the Colombian government hopes to generate income for local communities while also promoting environmental conservation and scientific literacy.
“People are increasingly looking for meaningful travel experiences,” said Maria Fernanda Moreno, an eco-tourism consultant based in Bogota. She added that “astro-tourism is not just about looking at the stars. It’s about reconnecting with nature, learning about the universe, and supporting remote communities.”
Experts in the field agree that Colombia’s privileged geographic location, the diversity of its landscapes and the potential of its night skies position the country as an increasingly attractive destination for astro-tourism. It remains to be seen how the government will manage to leverage these resources to its advantage and ensure that its bet on astro-tourism turns out to be a success.