Señorita Colombia 2026

Señorita Colombia, organized by the Concurso Nacional de la Belleza and held in the historic city of Cartagena de Indias, is one of Latin America's most beloved and culturally significant national beauty competitions. The pageant takes place during Cartagena's Independence Festival in November, transforming the city into a celebration of Colombian national identity, beauty, and regional diversity. Each of Colombia's departments sends a representative, and the competition is watched by millions of Colombians as a centrepiece of the national festival calendar. Cartagena's UNESCO World Heritage old city, with its colonial architecture, vibrant colours, and Caribbean energy, provides an incomparable backdrop that gives the competition a visual and cultural identity unlike any other national pageant in the world. The Señorita Colombia competition dates back to 1934 and carries the weight of nearly a century of national tradition. The titleholder serves as an ambassador for Colombian culture and tourism, travelling domestically and internationally to represent the country. The pageant is deeply embedded in regional pride, with departments treating their representative's selection as a major local event, often supported by regional governments and sponsors. The competition evaluates grace, intelligence, communication skills, and the ability to represent Colombia's extraordinary diversity across coast, mountains, plains, and Amazon regions. Unlike pageants that focus purely on international competition, Señorita Colombia's primary role is as a cultural institution and national celebration, though the titleholder also participates in international competitions.

Señorita Colombia candidates are selected through their home department's official selection process. Each of Colombia's 32 departments plus Bogotá selects a representative who travels to Cartagena for the national competition in November. To be considered for your department's representation, contact your regional tourism or cultural office, or follow the Concurso Nacional de la Belleza on official channels. Candidates must be Colombian nationals, female, aged 18 to 26, and representatives of their respective departments. The process typically begins mid-year with regional selections.

The Concurso Nacional de la Belleza was founded in 1934 in Cartagena and has been held every year since, making it one of the longest-running national pageants in Latin America. The competition has evolved significantly over its history but has remained anchored in Cartagena and the November independence festival. It is one of the most enduring cultural institutions in Colombian public life.