Colombia is the land of new beginnings, an exotic country that has received a lot of attention from the media due to its recent history, and a country that is now safe to visit and very happy to receive travelers and visitors from around the world. Colombians are delighted to share their culture and history with others, and as you travel around this country, you will not only feel welcomed everywhere you go, but you will also experience how you suddenly belong.
Some people know Colombia for its coffee and flowers, others for its jungles and abundant nature, others for its football players, others know it as the land of Shakira, others might connect it with a past history of mafias, others with its friendly people, and others with its music and dancing. Whatever you think of when someone mentions Colombia, it is probably true, but it is only a fraction of everything that this country has to offer!
When you come to Colombia, a diverse mosaic of experiences, people, and sights opens up and you will not want to leave by the end of your trip.
When traveling from abroad, most flights arrive in Bogota, the capital of Colombia and one of the biggest cities in Latin America. This metropolis has culture to spare, and its regional gastronomy has made it a global foodie destination with some of the best restaurants in the continent. Bogota is not only the seat of Colombia’s government but also home to many wonders, such as the famous Gold Museum, which houses an impressive collection of pre-Hispanic objects and more than 50,000 gold pieces. Close to Bogota, you will also find the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, which is one of the world’s marvels of architecture. While exploring this Andean capital, you will experience the city’s juxtaposition of history and modernity, and appreciate how the local merges with the cosmopolitan.
From Bogota you can continue your trip to the Coffee Region, our favorite place in Colombia! This region is not only blessed with perfect weather conditions to grow the best quality coffee, but also with a great variety of options to visit and to stay at. It has some of most unique accommodations in the country, with beautiful high-end boutique hotels located within traditional Colombian farms. Amidst exceptional views, you will get to learn why Colombian coffee is so special and unique as you visit some of the best authentic coffee farms throughout the region. This is also the best place to go horseback riding, go on a river cruise, take part in a cooking class, and discover the tallest palm trees in the world within the astonishing Cocora Valley. You can also visit a superb butterfly sanctuary and join a birdwatching activity where you can see some of the most beautiful birds on earth. If we had to stay in one place in Colombia, we would choose the Coffee Region, where time remains still and every day is a new adventure.
From Medellin, you can also visit El Peñol and Guatape, and witness one of the best views in the world. And if you want to explore nature whilst in Medellin, go biking in the beautiful Parque Arvi natural park, or visit one of the many traditional Colombian flower farms. Throughout your stay, you will realise why this city has become a favorite of many expats who fall in love with it and choose to settle down.
Traveling further north, you can reach the mystical Tayrona region, where the Sierra Nevada Mountains roll right on down to the shore before disappearing into the Caribbean Sea. This singular landscape makes Tayrona home to some of South America’s loveliest coastline. Here you can visit native indigenous communities, go river tubing, bathe in natural waterfalls, and go birdwatching. Finally, you can explore Tayrona National Park, one of the most popular destinations on any trip to Colombia, rich in culture, wildlife, tropical rainforests, and some of the most exotic beaches in the world.
Before leaving the country, we also encourage you to visit the Amazon, where you will be surrounded by surreal nature, and Caño Cristales, home of the breathtaking river of many colors. You can also go to the small island of Providencia for some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world, and relax in the slow-paced and beautiful colonial towns of Villa de Leyva and Barichara.
As Colombia has been closed to international tourism for a long time, and only in recent years has it started to receive travelers from around the world, the country has maintained a rare and precious level of authenticity, with an array of unique cultures and beautiful destinations wonderfully conserved.
Visit Colombia and fall in love with this magical country, where people smile to the rhythm of music and beauty is all around!
Written By: Margoth Rico and Felipe Rico
