Colombia: Bringing the Disney hit Encanto to life

When Disney released Encanto, audiences around the world fell in love with the magical Madrigal family and their vibrant Colombian world of color, music, and mountains. What many travelers don’t realize is how much of the film’s scenery, culture, and spirit draws directly from real Colombian landscapes and traditions, and experiencing them in person feels like stepping into the story.

Start in Bogotá, Colombia’s high-altitude capital, where colonial architecture meets modern cafés, street art, and markets filled with fresh tropical fruit. Families can explore the Gold Museum, take the cable car up to Monserrate, and stroll the colorful streets of La Candelaria, which echo the artistic flourishes seen in the film.

From there, travel to the Coffee Cultural Landscape, the region that most inspired the Madrigals’ fictional village. Rolling green hills, wax palm forests, hummingbirds, and flower farms create a setting so cinematic it feels animated. Stay in a traditional hacienda, visit coffee fincas, and wander the charming small towns with their balconies trimmed in the same candy-colored palettes seen on screen.

Encanto also celebrates Colombia’s rich tapestry of cultures, from Afro-Caribbean coastal rhythms to Indigenous traditions and Andean folk tales. Continue to Cartagena, a jewel-toned walled city on the Caribbean coast where music spills into the streets and families gather in plazas late into the evening. Boat trips to nearby islands offer a tropical counterpoint to the mountains and jungle.

What makes Colombia so enchanting is that it feels both magical and real. Kids get to live out a beloved film, parents get a rich cultural immersion, and everyone gains a new appreciation for a destination often misunderstood. For families seeking warmth, wonder, and connection, Colombia may just be the most “magical gift” of all, with no casita required.