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8 Best Places to Visit in Colombia

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Colombia is an ideal travel destination, offering culturally rich cities such as Bogota and Medellin as well as breathtaking landscapes in the Andes.

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For an exciting adventure, San Gil, Colombia’s premier outdoor destination, offers plenty of activities. Here you can go white water rafting, paragliding or even bungee jumping for some thrills!

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Cartagena

Cartagena is a renowned tourist destination boasting stunning beaches and an iconic walled city that exudes romance. It’s the ideal location to take a relaxing Caribbean holiday and get acquainted with Colombian culture.

Cartagena’s Old Town provides an unforgettable backdrop to its bustling street life. Take a leisurely walk along its top, warmed by ocean breezes, to take in breathtaking views and listen to waves crashing nearby.

If you’re not interested in the hustle and bustle of Cartagena’s old town, head out to Playa Blanca on the fringes for some white-sand beaches. Although not directly accessible from center city, it can easily be reached by bus or boat from Muelle de la Bodeguita marina.

Though many foreigners mistakenly assume Colombia is unsafe due to drug cartel activity, it’s actually quite safe for travel and living there. The local government has made significant efforts to guarantee both tourists and citizens remain secure.

Zona Cafetera

Colombia is renowned for its coffee, and the Zona Cafetera (coffee region) offers stunning scenery and vibrant culture. This region was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011, drawing thousands of visitors ever since.

Spend your days exploring historic, brightly painted haciendas, hiking or horseback riding through traditional coffee plantations, and discovering vibrant colonial towns. Or head to Cocora Valley–a lush green valley home to some of the tallest wax palms in the world.”

Valle de Cocora’s coffee harvests take place from April to June and October to December, but there is plenty to see all year long. Furthermore, its hot springs offer an unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

When looking for hotels in this region, Fincas or Campestre are the ideal choices. These traditional “farm houses” offer rooms and stunning views at a fraction of the cost of hotels – you’ll get to experience Colombian coffee-growing life up close and personal!

Medellin

Medellin is a vibrant city where people come for sports and cultural events alike. If you’re visiting Colombia for any length of time, Medellin makes for a great stopover.

One of the best ways to get acquainted with a city is by taking a leisurely walk around it. Parque San Antonio and Plaza Botero are great spots for this purpose, as are their impressive Rubenesque sculptures.

Another excellent way to experience Medelln is by riding the Teleferico electric gondola from Line K Santo Domingo station up into hillside barrio Santo Domingo, where you’ll have some of the most stunning mountain and city views in Colombia.

For some cultural activities, visit Museo Casa de la Memoria for an insightful look into Colombia’s painful conflict and subsequent rebirth. Afterward, head to Botanical Gardens for a tranquil escape from city life.

San Agustin

San Agustin, Colombia is home to the iconic San Agustin Archaeological Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you’ll discover an impressive array of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures carved into its surrounding emerald-green mountains.

The main attraction in the park are its majestic pre-Columbian statues, some rising up to seven meters high and weighing an incredible seven tons! Carved out of volcanic rock, they depict various animals, mythical creatures and gods in various poses.

These statues are encircled by burial mounds and terraces that conceal tombs lined with intricate stone corridors, pillars and columns. It is believed that these monuments were used in ancient funerary rituals.

While other archaeological sites exist nearby, San Agustin park should not be missed during your Colombia trip. Here you’ll find the largest concentration of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures on the continent – ideal for spending two or three days exploring this picturesque park and its emerald-green hills.

Bogota

Colombia’s capital city offers plenty to keep you engaged and entertained. It boasts a vibrant cultural landscape, an intriguing history, and numerous museums for visitors to explore.

Bogota offers a range of parks and green areas where you can relax, go for a stroll, or take in the scenery. Popular parks include Monserrate Park, Guadalupe Park, 93rd Street Park, Simon Bolivar Park and many others.

Another great way to explore the city is by bicycle. Every Sunday since 1970, cyclists have been invited to take part in Ciclovia – an annual event where 120 kilometers of streets are closed off to traffic from 7am-2pm.

The city is organized through a system of social stratification, or estratos, that divides neighborhoods according to cost of living. Estratos range from 1 to 6, with higher values indicating more expensive housing costs.

Providencia Island

Providencia Island boasts a distinct culture (more Creole than Colombian), one of the largest coral reefs in the Caribbean and an unassuming beach experience that draws travelers from around the world. Access is provided via small hydroplane ferries; up to two turboprops per day arriving on its short runway from neighboring San Andres Island; or small cruise ships carrying Zodiacs for convenient disembarkation.

Providencia Island boasts endless sea colors, lush mangrove forests and one of the largest coral reefs in all of the Caribbean – making it a tropical haven that deserves to be visited for all its worth. Plus it’s home to some stunning wildlife too – perfect if you love diving or snorkeling!

After a recent hurricane devastated its eco-systems, the island is doing their best to preserve and restock its treasures. Unlike so many other islands around the world which have become overdeveloped in recent years, this one has managed to retain its secluded charms and natural splendor.

Mompox

Mompox, a sleepy colonial town situated on an island in the Magdalena River, has been declared a World Heritage Site since 1995 and should not be missed during any Colombia tour!

Discover Mompox’s charms on foot or, if you’re feeling energetic, rent bikes. Navigating Mompox is a breeze and the locals are incredibly welcoming.

Take a leisurely walk along the Malecon, explore its picturesque colonial buildings and visit one of its numerous churches. Don’t forget to sample some of the local cuisine – including fresh fish dishes and delectable desserts!

Visit one of the gold filigree workshops to gain more knowledge about this traditional craft. Its quality is well-renowned worldwide, so don’t miss out on your chance to witness it firsthand!

Take a boat trip down the Magdalena River to Pijino swamp for some great wildlife viewing opportunities, though be aware that rainy season may interfere with your travel plans.

Popayan

Popayan, Colombia’s picturesque white colonial city situated nearly 2,000 meters high on the ridges of Colombia’s Cordillera Occidental range, shimmers and shines under the Andean sun with picturesque churches and government buildings left over from Spanish rule.

Bogota attracts thousands of day-trippers annually who come to enjoy its sun-splashed plaza in the center of town, dine in international eateries along 16th century streets, and explore some fascinating museums such as the Museum of Paleontology or Museo del Carmen.

For those wanting to venture further afield, Purace Volcano and Silvia’s vibrant market village are within easy reach, as well as some invigorating thermal springs and Tierradento’s remarkable Pre-Colombian burial site. Combining 5 nights in Popayan with 2 nights in Tierradento makes for an idyllic one week itinerary in this breathtaking part of Colombia’s South.

For those seeking something truly wild and beautiful, Silvia National Park offers plenty of hiking trails. Climb the summit of Purace volcano or enjoy one of many other hikes available. Guambiano Indians often roam this area as well. Parque Arvi boasts an outstanding pre-Hispanic trail that should not be missed for anyone wanting to experience this area’s wild side.

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