Colombia has something that will please most travelers, from sandy beaches of the Caribbean and turquoise Pacific coasts, to the snow-capped Andes peaks, two sun-kissed deserts and the tropical Amazon jungles. Its heritage reflects the culture of its indigenous peoples as well as the Spanish who began settling here in the early 15th century.
TOP 8 PLACES TO SEE
1.CARTAGENA
It is one of the best-preserved colonial destinations in the Americas and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984 for historical importance as a port city as well as for its impressive fortification. With its colourful streets this colonial city offers you architecture, historical sites, sounds, aromas and atmosphere.
2.BOGOTA
As the largest city in Colombia with its unique combination of colonial charm and urban sophistication, gridlock streets and dreary weather it often divides visitors opinion. Either way the city tends to grow on people who give it enough time. At the historic center La Candelaria you'll find the impressive buildings lining Plaza de Bolívar such as the blindingly bright Museum of Gold.
3.MOMPOX
It was once a prosperous cog in the trading route between the Caribbean coast and the Andes. Today it is a town that time forgot in the colonial relic along the muddy shores of the Magdalena River. Visitors can stroll through the cobbled streets; soaking in the ambiance of the colonial architecture; or taking boat trips through the Pijiño Swamp, a popular attraction for birders.
4.THE SALT CATHEDRAL OF ZIPAQUIRA
Famous for its salt mines and the Salt Cathedral built inside the network of monumental chambers and tunnels that were left behind when commercial mining operations ceased. The cathedral opened in 1995 and represents an eclectic mix of religion and architecture to maximise protection from the ever-present risks of working in a mine. Visitors will be impressed by the incredible engineering work and sculptures and also by the religious meaning and importance of this place for the miners.
5.BARICHARA
The town has been deemed "the prettiest in Colombia," and offers a unique charming, colonial, and romantic atmosphere. When visiting this picturesque little town, make sure you check out the local artisan shops, visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate, and climb to the Church of Santa Barbara, located at the top of a hill overlooking the town.
6.VILLA DE LEYVO
Frozen in time the village will make you feel like you have been transported back to the colonial times. The town has various historic sites, which are also museums such as La Casa Museo Antonio Nariño, the Museo del Carmen, a religious museum exhibiting valuable paintings and religious objects from the 16th century onwards, the Paleontological Museum, which has a collection of fossils dating from the Cretaceous and Mesozoic period when this area was covered by the sea. You can also visit the Archeological Park and the Fossil Museum with large marine reptile that inhabited this region 120 million years ago.
7.THE COFFEE REGION
Colombia's coffee region is also called the Coffee Triangle. Located in the heart of the Andes where the majority of the famous Colombian coffee is produced. Visitors can visit the coffee farms to learn about the coffee production process, hiking in natural parks or visiting traditional Paisa towns.
8.HACIENDA NAPOLES
The sprawling complex fell into disrepair when the owner billionaire drug trafficker Pable Escobar died in 1993. The local municipality took control of the property in the mid 2000’s and turned it into an ever-growing amusement park with an eclectic mix of themed zones, hotels, a water park, and safari-style zoo.On display is Pable Escabar’s antique car collection next to the ruins of his former mansion, one of the Cessna planes perched atop the entry gate, a small museum that grapples with his legacy, a Jurassic zone filled with the life-size dinosaur replics and a wild hippo.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Leticia
- Tayrona National Natural Park
- Cabo de la Vela in La Guajira
- Camo Cristales
- La Guarjira Peninsula
- Providencia Island
- The Lost City
- Eje Cafetero
- Medellin
- Gold Museum, Bogota
- Monserrate
- Rosario Island
- Museo Botero
- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
- Parque Explora
- Museum of Antioguia
- Lake Guatavita
- Bogota Botanical Garden
- Las Lajas Sanctuary
- San Andres
- El Penon de Guatape
- 93 Park
- Las Bovedas
- Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The best way to get around Colombia is by motorcycle, bus, tricycle moto-taxi, taxi and metro.
The Amazon climate is uniformly wet the entire year. When thinking about the best time to visit Colombia, it's worth bearing in mind that the most intense tourist seasons, with the highest prices, are from December to February and Easter.
