What animals live in Colombia?

Colombia is one of the most wildlife-packed places on earth! You can find jaguars prowling through rainforests, pink river dolphins swimming in the Amazon, poison dart frogs no bigger than your thumbnail, and hundreds of species of colorful birds — including the Andean condor, which can spread its wings wider than a grown man is tall. God packed an enormous variety of creatures into this one country. Colombia actually has more kinds of birds than any other country in the world — over 1,900 species. That includes the brilliant scarlet macaw and the tiny, jewel-like hummingbird. In the grasslands called the Llanos, you might spot capybaras, which look like giant guinea pigs, wading near the water. All of these creatures are a reminder of how creative and generous God is as the Designer of life.

What do kids eat in Colombia?

Kids in Colombia often start their day with a warm bowl of changua — that's a milk soup made with eggs and green onions, sometimes with pieces of bread dropped right in. For lunch, which is the biggest meal of the day, many families enjoy bandeja paisa, a hearty plate piled with beans, rice, ground meat, a fried egg, and a slice of fried plantain. Plantains show up at almost every meal in Colombia — fried crispy as patacones or baked soft and sweet. A favorite snack is an arepa, which is a round flatbread made from corn that you can stuff with cheese or eat plain right off the griddle. Street vendors sell fresh tropical fruits like guanábana, lulo, and maracuyá, and kids love drinking those fruits blended into cold juice. Food in Colombia is hearty, colorful, and shared together — meals are a big part of how families stay close.

How do people say hello in Colombia?

In Colombia, the most common greeting is '¡Hola!' which simply means 'Hello!' — just like in most Spanish-speaking countries. But Colombians also love to say '¿Cómo estás?' which means 'How are you?' It is a warm and friendly way to start a conversation. In many parts of Colombia, especially among friends and family, people greet each other with a kiss on the cheek or a big handshake. You might also hear '¡Buenos días!' in the morning, '¡Buenas tardes!' in the afternoon, and '¡Buenas noches!' at night. Missionaries learning these phrases find that speaking even a little Spanish opens doors to share the gospel with Colombian neighbors.

What sports or games do kids play in Colombia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Colombia go absolutely wild for fútbol — that's soccer — and you'll find pickup games happening on streets, fields, and even rocky hillsides all across the country. It's the sport that brings neighborhoods together like nothing else. Rusty wants to add that Colombian kids also love a street game called 'golosa,' which is a lot like hopscotch — you draw a grid on the ground and hop your way through it. Tejo is a traditional game where players throw a heavy metal disc at a target, and it's been played in Colombia for hundreds of years. Kids there grow up with a real mix of modern sports and games that go all the way back to their ancestors.

What's the weather like in Colombia?

Colombia sits right on the equator, so instead of four seasons like winter and summer, the weather changes based on how high up you are. Down in the lowland jungles it is hot and humid almost every single day, while high up in the Andes mountains it can feel quite chilly, even near the equator. The city of Bogotá, Colombia's capital, sits so high in the mountains that the temperature stays around 55–65°F most of the year — you would want a jacket! Meanwhile, a few hours away in a valley town like Cali, it feels much warmer. Colombian farmers actually grow coffee on the mountain slopes because the cool mist and steady temperatures are just right for those plants. God packed a lot of variety into one country!

Tell me a fun fact about Colombia.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Colombia is one of the only countries in the world that has a coastline on both the Pacific Ocean AND the Caribbean Sea. That means Colombians can catch two very different kinds of ocean fish and hear two very different kinds of waves! Rusty wants to add this: Colombia is home to the wax palm, the tallest palm tree on earth. Some of these trees grow taller than a 20-story building, and they live for over 100 years up in the misty Andes mountains. God packed a lot of variety into this one country — from steamy rainforests to snowy mountain peaks to two coastlines.

What is school like for kids in Colombia?

In Colombia, most kids go to school six days a week, Monday through Saturday! The school day is often shorter than in some countries — maybe just a few hours in the morning or afternoon — because schools sometimes run two shifts so more students can share the same building. Spanish is the language of instruction, and students study subjects like math, science, and history, just like many kids around the world. In rural areas and deep in the jungle or mountains, getting to school can be a real adventure — some children walk long distances or travel by boat along rivers just to reach their classroom. There are also many indigenous communities in Colombia where children grow up speaking languages other than Spanish, which can make school harder for them. Missionaries and local Christians have worked hard to bring education — and the Bible — to some of these faraway places, so that kids can learn to read and also hear about Jesus in their own heart language.

Who are the unreached people in Colombia?

Great question! Colombia has millions of people who follow Catholic traditions or mix Christianity with old spirit worship — but many have never heard the true gospel of Jesus. Some of the least-reached groups are indigenous tribes living deep in the Amazon rainforest and along remote rivers, like the Nukak people. They speak their own languages and often have no Bible translated into their tongue yet. There are also Afro-Colombian communities along the Pacific coast, and groups influenced by folk religion who blend Catholic rituals with beliefs in spirits and magic — which means they may know the name of Jesus but have never understood that He alone can save them. Missionaries and Colombian Christians are working to bring the real gospel to these groups, but there is still much to do. Pray that God opens doors and that more workers go!

How can I pray for the people of Colombia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Colombia is a country with millions of people who have heard the name of Jesus, but many still don't know Him as their real Savior and Lord. You can pray that the gospel — the good news that Jesus died and rose again to forgive sins — reaches every village, city, and jungle community across Colombia. Rusty wants to add a few more things to pray for! Some Christians in Colombia face real danger for following Jesus, so ask God to protect them and keep their faith strong. Pray also for Colombian pastors and church leaders to grow wise and bold, and for children and families in Colombia to come to know Jesus for themselves. God hears every one of those prayers — and He loves the people of Colombia deeply.

What is a holiday or celebration in Colombia?

One of Colombia's most colorful celebrations is the Carnival of Barranquilla, held every year before Lent begins. It lasts four days and fills the streets with music, dancing, and elaborate costumes. It is actually one of the largest carnivals in the world, and Colombia is very proud of it. Colombia also celebrates many Catholic feast days, like the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in December, when towns light candles and set off fireworks. Most Colombians grow up knowing the name of Jesus, which is a real gift — but knowing His name and truly trusting Him as Savior are two different things. That is why missionaries still work hard in Colombia, helping people understand who Jesus really is and what He did for them.

What language do people speak in Colombia?

Spanish is the main language of Colombia — nearly everyone there speaks it! It came from Spain hundreds of years ago when Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in South America. Today Colombia has one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the whole world. But here is something worth knowing: Colombia also has more than 60 indigenous languages spoken by native groups living in the rainforests, mountains, and plains. Some of these languages have never been written down, which means many people still do not have the Bible in their own tongue. Missionaries and Bible translators are working hard so that every person in Colombia can hear about Jesus in the language of their heart.

What's a famous place to visit in Colombia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Colombia is the walled city of Cartagena, right on the Caribbean coast. It has thick stone walls that Spanish settlers built hundreds of years ago to protect the city, and colorful buildings line the narrow streets inside. Rusty loves pointing out that Colombia also has the Coffee Region, called the 'Eje Cafetero,' where steep green hillsides are covered in coffee plants as far as you can see. Farmers there have been growing coffee for generations, and many of those same families have heard the gospel and have churches right in their villages — which is something worth knowing as you explore this wonderful country.

Colombia — Kids Missions Explorer

Andean Condor

The Andean condor has a wingspan stretching nearly ten feet, making it one of the largest flying birds on Earth, and it soars on wind currents high above Colombia's mountain ranges.

Poison Dart Frog

Colombia's tiny poison dart frogs wear brilliant colors of red, blue, and gold as a warning to predators, and indigenous peoples once used their skin secretions to tip hunting darts.

Pink River Dolphin

The Amazon river dolphin, found in Colombia's jungle rivers, is born gray and slowly turns pink as it ages, navigating murky waters using echolocation instead of eyesight.

Bandeja Paisa

This hearty platter piles red beans, white rice, ground beef, a fried egg, chicharrón, plantain, and avocado all onto one plate, and it is considered the proudest dish of the Antioquia region.

Arepas

Arepas are round, flat cakes made from ground corn that Colombian families eat at almost any meal, grilled or toasted and sometimes stuffed with cheese or eggs.

Aguapanela

Made by dissolving a block of raw cane sugar into hot water, aguapanela is a warm, sweet drink that Colombian children and adults alike sip on cool mountain mornings.

Colombia

Things you should know about Colombia

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Colombia

Missions in Colombia

Pray for Colombia