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Colombia: 10 Top rated Places to Visit in Colombia

28/2/2022

#colombia #cartagena #bogota
Colombia has been ravaged by drug wars and the reign of gangsters, but you can keep those thoughts aside. It is up and coming and heading towards being a prosperous and peaceful; nation. In fact, you will be missing out on a lot if you are an ardent traveler at heart and are not planning a trip to Colombia. This nation has varied geographical features that include the high reaches of the Andean mountains, the Caribbean coastline with electrifying blue waters, the lush, dense jungles of the Amazon, and even two desert regions kissed by the sun. there are stunning places in this nation to take you away from your daily life. So, if you are convinced that a trip to Colombia is worth it, keep reading to find out all the exciting things that you have to do in Colombia as you plan a trip to this amazing country.

Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most terrific locations to visit in Colombia. It is a city with some of the most stunning beaches along the Caribbean coast and has some of the most well-preserved examples of colonial architecture. A walk through this city would feel like you have been transported in time to the colonial era. The centuries-old walled structure surrounding the city is centuries old. These buildings too, speak of a forgotten grandeur. Some of these architecturally significant buildings have even been converted to hotels and restaurants for you to enjoy the magnificence of colonial times first-hand. Every plaza has a towering Catholic church overlooking the place and so on.

While in Cartagena, you should also visit Getsemami, which is beyond the walls of the city. This place has a more laid-back atmosphere and is a great place to laze around. If you are looking to reside in some modernized quarters then you should head to Bocagrande near the seafront. This is a relatively newer part of this region and the seafront is lined with luxury hotels and such. While you visit the many beaches surrounding this coastal city, be sure to take some of the amazing boat rides to nearby islands and beaches- these are going to be amazing!

Medellin

Medellin was an infamous city in the early years of the 1990s and was dubbed as the most dangerous place in the entire world. However, this quaint city has traveled a long way since then, and now it is famed for something else- innovation and ingenuity. It is a very small city and thus easily manageable and though Bogota is the capital of Colombia, Medellin steals the show.

Medellin has everything to offer that a modern city does and much more! There are cable cars that easily connect to the mountain settlements. There is a channel of modernized metro systems running through the city in the valleys below. Libraries, community centers, and excellently kept eco-parks are some of the other attractions that you would find in this city. And all of these are available in some of the poorest neighborhoods from across the world!

If you plan to explore the city you should start in the Old Quarter situated in Botero Plaza. There are 23 amazing sculptures to see in this area which were donated by Fernando Botero, the Colombian artist. Nearby this plaza is two striking monuments that you have to visit- the Museum of Antioquia and the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture. From there onwards, you could go to Comuna 13 to take the stylish escalator that will take you into the hilly regions of the city. You could explore the streets here looking into the vibrant neighborhood interspersed with street art and murals. The day could end with you visiting El Poblado, the trendiest place in Medellin. Here you will find excellent eateries, all kinds of hotels, boutique shops, and so on!

Eje Cafetero

Colombia is the third-largest producer of coffee in the world and Eje Cafetero of the Coffee Axis is where it all happens! Eje Cafetero refers to the subtropical region among the Andean hills situated towards the western side of Bogota. It comprises three small cities- Armenia, Manizales, and Pereira. In Eje Cafetero, there has been an upsurge in coffee plantations that have opened up for tourists. Here, you could get many guided tours, coffee tastings, and lavish stays within the farms. The farmer-owner of a plantation will take you on a guided tour and explain all the steps of the coffee-making process, starting at a red "cherry" and ending in the ground coffee to make a latte!

Salento is a small resort town in this area and the prime focus among travelers for stay. This is perhaps the most attractive place in the region where you could base yourself and make all your travels from here. There are numerous guided tours nearby and a lot of activities that you could take part in. the nearby Cocora Valley is a must-visit site since it is home to the tallest palm trees in the world. Salento also offers bicycle renting services for you to go around and explore the city in any way you like. The old-fashioned Willy jeeps are plentiful in this region and serve as the de-facto taxis- you could simply hop on to one and go to your desired destination.

Leticia

When someone talks about the Amazonia rainforests, Colombia is not the first place to come to your mind. However, you will be amazed to find out that almost 1/3rd of this nation is covered by rainforests. The best place to start your Amazonian exploration would be to start at Leticia. This small frontier town is the capital of the expanding Amazon Basin and is quite the spot to base all your explorations from. There is no direct entry into Leticia and the only way in is through the air- regular flights are scheduled from Bogota. Leticia itself has a unique location in the rainforest, sitting along the banks of the Amazon River and sharing borders with Brazil and Peru.

There are many activities that you partake in from Leticia. Regular wildlife safaris are organized from here into the Amazons. You might even go on hiking expeditions into the Amazons to engage in some fun and adventurous activity. You could learn about the indigenous tribal people who have always resided in the jungles of the Amazon. In short, this is the best place to be if you want a first-hand experience of the wild side of nature.

Tayrona National Natural Park

Some of the most spectacular beaches that Colombia has to offer are nestled in the stunning Tayrona National Natural Park. The crystal-clear lagoons in the area and the palm-shaped coves on the beaches make this a popular and interesting place to visit. The nearby Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria mountains make way for an even more dramatic setting, giving this place an alluring appeal and also adding to the list of activities that you could partake in this area. Hiking through the rainforest-covered hills in the mountainous region could be a brilliant way to spice up your beach vacation- think of all the mesmerizing views of the beaches and waters that you will get as you climb higher up.

The la Piscina beach and Cabo San Juan have protected places within Tayrona where you have amazing opportunities at snorkeling. The best time to visit these "secluded" beaches would be the down season between February to November. You see, though these are secluded beaches, they are not a secret anymore and these beaches bring in a horde of tourists and travelers every year.

Ciudad Perdida

The lost city of Ciudad Perdida is one of the most intriguing places to visit while on a trip to Colombia. Reaching the lost city is not an easy task since you'd have to hike and trek through the mountainous Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta for 4 days and 44 km. however, this is one of the most popular and attractive treks that the nation has to offer. The lost city was rediscovered in the 1970s and has brought hordes of curious travelers and explorers since then. Ciudad Perdida is also referred to as one of the biggest of the pre-Columbian settlements found in the Americas. It was a city inhabited and even built by Tayrona Indians somewhere between the 8th and 14th centuries.

Most of this lost city is still lost under a mesh of jungles. The modern indigenous residents of the area have had excavations in the region banned and thus newer parts of the old city cannot be rediscovered. However, the few glimpses of the city that you will find through the outstanding stone terraces and the stairways do speak of a brilliant lifestyle among the Tayrona Indians.

This region is highly revered and highly protected and thus you cannot go for individual treks. You have to check in with a tour operator, get permits and are only allowed to embar upon the hike if you have a tour guide. The journey is going to be difficult and adventurous since you would be braving sultry heat, sudden rainstorms, sticky mud, and all kinds of insects. The trail isn't flat either. However, as you move up to the city you will be treated numerous times by excellent views and freshwater rivers and ponds where you can enjoy a relaxing dip. The best time to explore this amazing slice of history is around January and February when there are the least chances of rain.

Bogotá

Bogotá is the heart of the Colombian nation and also happens to be the capital city- in all probability, you will be starting your Colombian journey in Bogotá. It is also the largest city in Colombia. The city showcases an exciting and unique amalgamation of old and new having a colonial charm coupled together with the sophistication of urban lifestyle. The city might not be the ideal vacation for a lot of people as they complain about uncomfortable weather and terrible traffic, but if you give the city enough time, it will grow on you.

The best place to start your sightseeing adventures in the city would be La Candelaria. Here, along the Plaza de bolivar, you will find impressive buildings lined along with spectacular cultural attractions such as the startling Museum of Gold. In North Bogotá, you could stop for delectable meals prepared by excellent chefs. You could also shop for souvenirs in the many boutique shops of the region.

Providencia Island

Providencia Island is unique and has many traits that keep travelers perplexed. The island is closer to Nicaragua than Columbia, the spoken language is English Creole instead of Spanish, and so on! However, despite the many idiosyncrasies of the place, you'll find yourself sunbathing in some of the most stunning beaches that Colombia has to offer. The best thing about Providencia Island is that it has a plethora of marine biodiversity waiting for you to explore. It is regarded as the crown jewel of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve which is protected by UNESCO.

Caño Cristales

There was a time when Caño Cristales was the stronghold of guerrilla fighters and thus was off-limits for any kind of touring or exploration. However, that is the past and the place is out there welcoming everybody. Caño Cristales is a natural delight and most visitors are drawn towards the chance of hiking between the waterfalls or enjoying refreshing dips in the naturally occurring swimming holes in the region. The canyon is most charismatic around July to November though you can visit the place at almost any time of the year. La Macarena is the base from which you will conduct your exploration of Caño Cristales and it is only reachable through the air from Bogotá or Villavicencio.

La Guajira Peninsula

The northernmost point of the South American continent houses the La Guajira Peninsula making it one of the most unique features in the nation as well as the continent. It is very different from the rest of the country where you'd find sweeping dunes, mangrove swamps inhabited by all kinds of birds, and expanding stretches of land with no habitation whatsoever wherein the La Guajira desert meets the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. This island is home to the indigenous Wayuu people who were always away from the Spanish colonization and thus gives you an excellent slice of ancient American lifestyles and cultures.