This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. We could obtain a small fee, without charge to you, in the event you make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.
Each time folks discuss journey to Colombia, they’re typically met with trepidation and concern monger resulting from its infamous historical past, however as time strikes on, increasingly more individuals are realizing that Colombia is a hotspot vacation spot to go to.
Colombia isn’t the place it as soon as was within the 80s and 90s, and though tourism has flourished within the nation, it’s nonetheless a vacation spot that usually will get neglected.
From vibrant nightlife to the world’s greatest espresso, to decadent delicacies and various landscapes and biodiversity, there are various causes to go to Colombia and make it your chosen journey vacation spot this 12 months.
On this information, we share these foremost the reason why vacationers select so as to add Colombia to their journey bucket checklist.
1. A vibrant and inventive tradition
Colombia is a tapestry of tradition that’s in contrast to another nation in Latin America. It has a ton of historical past and distinctive traditions, however most of all, Colombians have a good time artwork and has a ardour for creativity.
One factor I like about Colombian tradition is that it’s stuffed with pleasure, heat, and hope. That is most frequently represented in its avenue artwork, to which it’s broadly celebrated throughout the nation and never seen as a type of vandalism as it’s with different international locations.
Within the coronary heart of Medellín, the colourful streets of Comuna 13, come alive. This was as soon as the poorest neighborhood within the metropolis, and is now identified for its putting murals that inform tales of resilience and transformation.
One other inventive flare that you just see represented in Colombia is salsa dance. The rhythm of salsa, which has been broadly adopted throughout the nation, is a method to carry folks collectively and share in one another’s pleasure.
You’ll discover many salsa golf equipment in Armenia, the capital of salsa, in addition to in main cities like Medellin and Bogota.
2. Attractive nature spots
Colombia is a nature lover’s paradise. It has an astonishing array of landscapes and nature websites which can be as various as they’re stunning.
From the towering peaks of the Andes to the serene seashores of the Pacific Coast and Caribbean Coast, the nation’s various landscapes provide one thing for everybody.
Head to Salento, nestled within the mountains within the Espresso Triangle (Eje Cafetero), to trek in Cocora Valley, the place you can find wax palms that seemingly contact the sky.
They’re the tallest palms on the earth and have a form of cartoonish high quality as they develop as excessive as 200 toes (60 meters).
Or you may enterprise into the Amazon rainforest, an iconic pure world teeming with unique wildlife and flowers.
The gorgeous Tayrona Nationwide Park provides a serene hike via tropical jungles earlier than rewarding you with pristine seashores, and let’s not overlook the ethereal La Macarena and the Caño Cristales, typically known as the River of 5 Colours, which is called probably the most stunning river on the earth and dazzles you with its vivid hues throughout the moist season.
Colombia’s can have you amazed by the breathtaking wonders of Mom Earth.
3. Tons of out of doors actions
Colombia is an adventurer’s playground. From mountain climbing the breathtaking trails of Los Nevados Nationwide Park, traversing snow-capped peaks and gazing on glacial lakes, to whitewater rafting via the verdant jungles that line the Rio Verde.
Colombia can also be an excellent place to go paragliding, go on wildlife safaris, or canoeing and kayaking the various winding rivers.
The Caribbean coast is the place to go for world-class diving within the crystal-clear waters of Parque Nacional Pure Tayrona, identified for its vibrant coral reefs.
No matter your journey, Colombia has it.
4. A foodies paradise
Colombia’s delicacies is a sensory overload – however in one of the simplest ways! The meals is flavorful and fragrant, and various relying on the areas.
Every dish tells a narrative, reflecting the wealthy cultural heritage and native components that outline Colombian delicacies.
No journey to Colombia could be full with out making an attempt a hearty bandeja paisa, a platter of beans, rice, avocado, and succulent grilled meats.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for snacks, attempt arepas, a flexible dish manufactured from corn truffles that may be full of every little thing from cheese to greens to pulled pork.
The coastal areas provides contemporary seafood dishes with spices, similar to ceviche and fried fish served with coconut rice.
Don’t miss the prospect to discover the bustling markets, the place you may pattern contemporary produce purchased immediately from the farmers.
5. Various local weather
Colombia has a various panorama made up of each seashores and mountains, and with the high-elevation, it boasts a spread of climates, making it a year-round vacation spot to go to.
Nestled close to the equator, it has a spread of microclimates. The highlands of Bogota are temperate with cool breezes, whereas the sun-soaked metropolis of Cartagena has the nice and cozy Caribbean solar all 12 months spherical.
The most effective time to go to Colombia is from December till March, when the climate is heat and dry for a lot of the nation. October and November are a great time to go to because it’s simply earlier than the height season, and is due to this fact quieter.
The wet season is from April till June, however can generally fall into early July, which is the time to keep away from touring in Colombia resulting from flash flooding.
6. Distinctive festivals
As I discussed earlier, Colombia is a rustic steeped in tradition and artistry, so it is smart that its traditions are delivered to life in spectacular vogue, with some full of life festivals that commemorate the nation’s heritage.
The Barranquilla Carnival (Carnaval de Barranquilla), is a UNESCO-recognized occasion the place the streets are reworked right into a kaleidoscope of music, dance, and elaborate costumes, showcasing the infectious rhythms of cumbia and salsa.
In Medellín, the Flowers Competition (Feria de las Flores) is the place you will note breathtaking floral shows and full of life parades, whereas the The Vallenato Legend Competition (Competition de la Leyenda Vallenata) in Valledupar is a music pageant that pays homage to the normal vallenato music, drawing artists and fans from throughout.
From the religious occasion of Semana Santa in Popayán to the joyous celebrations of the Competition of the Black and White in Pasto, every pageant in Colombia showcases the center and soul of Colombian tradition.
7. Tons of wildlife
Colombia is a wildlife fanatic’s dream. As probably the most biodiverse international locations in on the planet, it provides the prospect to come across distinctive species of their pure habitats, from the plush Amazon rainforest to the rugged Andes mountains.
Think about crusing down the Amazon River, the place you would possibly spot playful pink river dolphins within the water or colourful macaws hovering overhead.
Within the cloud forests, the elusive spectacled bear roams among the many misty treetops,and within the coastal areas, it’s not unusual to witness majestic Humpback whales breaching off the Pacific Coast throughout their annual migration.
Colombia is the place eco-tourism thrives, permitting you to see wildlife in its pure habitat with out disturbing them.
8. An all-round journey vacation spot
Colombia is a vacation spot that gives all kinds of choices. From metropolis breaks to mountain retreats, to beachy holidays to adventurous off-the-beaten-path experiences, you may have all of it in Colombia.
From the bustling streets of Bogotá, the place modernity meets historical past, to the gorgeous colonial structure of Cartagena, with its colourful facades and Caribbean air, Colombia is a rustic of contrasts.
A few of my favourite locations in Colombia are:
Previous City Cartagena and Getsemani
The most well-liked vacationer locations in Cartagena are the previous city space and the Getsemani neighborhood.
Previous-town Cartagena is the world inside the previous metropolis partitions adorned with bougainvillea and it’s gorgeous to stroll round. There are lots of vacationers on this space and it will probably get very crowded.
As you stroll via the cobblestone streets of Previous City, the full of life plazas are alive with the echos of laughter from the locals and the melodies of avenue musicians.
Only a quick stroll away, Getsemaní has a youthful power, the place murals adorn each nook and the air is full of the tantalizing aromas of avenue meals distributors.
This neighborhood was as soon as a bohemian enclave and is now a blossoming cultural hub, brimming with artwork galleries, full of life bars, and welcoming hostels.
La Candelaria
La Candelaria in Bogotá is a fascinating neighborhood identified for its colonial structure with intricate balconies and avenue artwork murals.
The realm is residence to a few of Colombia’s most vital cultural landmarks, together with the gorgeous Gold Museum and the spectacular Botero Museum, showcasing the whimsical works of famend artist Fernando Botero.
The colourful plazas, similar to Plaza de Bolívar, invite you to take a seat and soak within the ambiance with a sizzling cup of Colombian espresso which the Catedral Primada takes you on a journey via Bogotá’s religious historical past.
9. Pleasant locals
Colombians are a few of the friendliest folks on the earth. Though English isn’t broadly spoken (you had higher brush up in your Spanish earlier than visiting), they’re nonetheless keen to attempt to talk and assist vacationers the place doable.
A terrific facet about touring solo is that you’re extra approachable to folks. It’s good to make a private reference to somebody, particularly an area.
The folks of Colombia love vacationers, for the reason that nation isn’t closely touristed in lots of areas, so individuals are very interested in vacationers and need to say hi there.
10. Nonetheless a hidden gem
Colombia is commonly overshadowed by different international locations in South America, with many vacationers favoring visits to Peru to see Machu Picchu or Brazil to discover the Amazon, however that’s precisely why you must go to Colombia whereas it’s nonetheless a hidden gem.
Now could be the time to expertise its breathtaking landscapes, pure wonders, vibrant cities, revolutionary spirit, music, artwork, and culinary delights earlier than they grow to be overrun.
Colombia is not only a vacation spot; it’s an expertise. If you happen to’re an intrepid traveler who prefers to journey away from the throngs of individuals, that is your vacation spot.
Ultimate Ideas
Visiting Colombia was probably the most wonderful journeys I’ve ever taken. Touring to a creating nation will not be for everybody, however I nonetheless look again at my photos and pinch myself considering how fortunate I’m that I went.
And the way grateful I’m that I didn’t determine to go some other place as a result of considerations my family and friends expressed.
That’s not to say that you just don’t should be cautious once you go to Colombia. It doesn’t imply that dangerous issues don’t generally occur, and there are necessary issues to know earlier than visiting Colombia.
However, in case you are sensible about the place you go and the way you do it, this is likely one of the nice international locations to go to in South America.
Colombia is a spot you need to take the time to actually get to know.
It’s necessary to be educated of the nation’s historical past however to not let is cease you from falling in love with the place it’s right this moment.
I hope this information provided some helpful insights into Colombia in addition to given you some necessary journey security ideas so you may make your Colombia trip as stress free and memorable as doable.
What do you assume? Do you assume Colombia is value visiting? Tell us within the feedback.