QUICK GUIDE COLOMBIA

It is one of the most diverse countries in the world, currently ranked number 2, and perhaps this is why Colombia is so easy to fall in love with and invites you to get to know it better. It has 6 natural regions: Pacific Region, Orinoco Region, Caribbean Region, Andean Region, Amazon Region and Insular Region. In this post we have compiled a lot of valuable information for anyone who wants to know the country focusing on some of its most outstanding departments and of course its tourist attractions. Undoubtedly Colombia will surprise you and from now on you will want to get to know it!

1. Pacific Region: Chocó
   • Natural National Park Utría, Nuquí and Bahía Solano.
2. Orinoco Region: Meta
   • Serranía de La Macarena and Caño Cristales National Natural Park.
3. Caribbean Region: Bolivar, Magdalena and La Guajira.
   • Cartagena de Indias and surrounding areas
   • Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park (La Ciudad Perdida) and Tayrona National Natural Park.
   • La Guajira and its indigenous Wayúu culture.
4. Andean Region: Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Antioquia, Quindío, Caldas, Risaralda, Cauca Cundinamarca, Huila, Boyacá and Santander.
   • The best salsa is enjoyed in Cali.
   • Home to the impressive Sanctuary of Las Lajas.
   • Home to the city of eternal spring Medellin, silletera tradition and Piedra del Peñol.
   • Eje Cafetero, a wonder of Colombia.
   • Region of colonial heritage and natural environments: Bogota City, Monserrate, Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Guatavita Lagoon, Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira, Tota Lagoon and Sierra Nevada del Cocuy.
   • City of Popayan, San Agustin Archaeological Park and Tierradentro Archaeological Park.
5. Amazon Region: Leticia, Puerto Nariño and the Amazon River.
   • Amacayacu National Natural Park and Tarapoto Lake.
6. Insular Region: Archipelago of San Andres and Providencia, Rosario and San Bernardo Islands.
   • Dream islands in the middle of 2 oceans.

Chocó stands out in the Pacific Coast, one of the largest departments within the region and mistakenly one of the most forgotten, since at times it is hard to believe that Colombia is not only the Caribbean Sea but has great access to the Pacific Ocean. For those who wish to stay and be immersed in the jungle it is recommended to visit Utría National Natural Park and while there take advantage of its incredible flora and fauna and its priceless attractions. From its municipality Nuquí offers incredible experiences for its accessibility to the sea and its attractive rainforest that has not been consumed by large corporations and where you live surrounded by nature and the great joy and warmth of its inhabitants. Here you can enjoy a magnificent vacation and total disconnection from the world and live for a few days of tranquility watching the humpback whale while surfers practice their sport at sunset in Bahia Solano. If you are looking for destinations where Ecotourism is practiced in its total definition, this is one of the places to keep in mind. Here you will have access to activities such as diving, surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, hiking, paddle boarding and fishing in an incredible environment without the disturbance of crowds.

In the Orinoco Region or Eastern Plains area in the department of Meta is the famous river of the 5 colors: Caño Cristales and what gives it the different shades are some algae called Macarenia Clavigera that are green but depending on the reach of the sun they change their color to yellow, orange and red.  Its best season to visit is from June to November. The access is somewhat complicated but not impossible and you need at least 3 days to visit the Serranía de La Macarena National Natural Park because you must have the right weather conditions to admire all the beauty of the place.

The colonial walled city of Cartagena de Indias is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Colombia and is a historical jewel that also enchants its visitors with its dreamy streets, tropical climate for its Caribbean location and the turquoise sea in its crowded beaches on the surrounding islands in Corales del Rosario and Peninsula de Baru very close to the city. There is a lot to do just in its historic center as it is charming and you can let yourself go for days visiting its museums, churches, the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, Sanctuary Museum and the Pedro Claver church, take pictures with the Palenquero ladies who carry on their heads a variety of fruits happily representing their culture or shop in its iconic Bóvedas. However, attached to the walled city is the neighborhood of Getsemaní which is the trendy place where what is most striking is its simplicity and that shows the other side of the city, where color, music and graffiti predominate, which makes it have character and is the favorite place for visitors to enjoy the party nights. Bonus fact: About 40 kilometers outside the city is one of the most photographed new places in the department, the pink sea of the Salinas de Galerazamba located en route to the city of Barranquilla.

A few kilometers from the city of Santa Marta you have access to the Tayrona National Natural Park, another jewel of the country and a delight for lovers of wide beaches of turquoise water in perfect contrast with its deep green jungle. Being a Natural Reserve, the activities that take place in it are mainly natural such as:

• Cabo San Juan, a beautiful crystalline beach and one of the busiest and most photographed in the park.
• Playa Cristal (also known as Playa del Muerto) a much more relaxed beach, which is reached by boarding a boat. It is very beautiful, with crystal clear turquoise water, the fish come very close and it is advisable to snorkel to appreciate them.
• El Mirador 7 Olas, is another place of interest from where you can appreciate a beautiful view of the bay, swimming is not allowed on the beach because it has a very strong swell, but it is well known and visited precisely for having that representative swell.
• Cinto Bay, one of the most beautiful, with golden sand that looks more golden thanks to the contrast with its green vegetation and its emerald-turquoise tone of its waters. It is a little far from everything, however, this makes it more unique and ideal to hang a hammock and relax before returning to the city or to the lodging area within the park.

It should be noted that since it is a protected area, there are several months of recess in which entry is not allowed, so be aware of this.

En el Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta se encuentra inmersa en su parte selva, La Ciudad Perdida, uno de los treks más buscados en toda Colombia ya que guarda en lo más profundo vestigios de la Cultura Tayrona que datan del siglo VII y VIII y es considerado un sitio arqueológico sagrado por su comunidades indígenas Koguis, Wiwas y Arhuaco que aún habitan dentro del Parque Nacional. La caminata es exigida y se necesitan más o menos 4 días para poder hacer todo el recorrido acampando en albergues básicos ya establecidos en la ruta. Dado que su acceso es permitido gracias a sus comunidades, este parque tiene un mes de receso para que sus habitantes hagan sus ceremonias en total alejamiento de los extranjeros de acuerdo a sus costumbres.

In the northeast of Colombia you reach the Peninsula of La Guajira, a simply magical place. It is one of those destinations to which you arrive and its total environment catches you at first sight. Here do not expect luxury since it is a very humble destination, however, expect to be thrilled and surprised at every step you take.  Its main tourist center or the one you reach first is Cabo de la Vela. In addition to its breathtaking ocean views, it is a place of respect and very sacred for the Wayúu Culture as it is believed to be where their ancestors and the deceased rest. The Alto Guajira is one of the most desert-like areas in all of Colombia and it is here where the Taroa Desert is located. With its kilometer long stretches of sand that never seems to never end, it meets the sea and the most wonderful thing is that since it is not a destination exploited by tourism, one can almost enjoy it alone. Going further into this area we arrive at Punta Gallinas and Bahía Hondita, spectacular places thanks to its rock formations and mangroves, it is an important place for migratory birds as well as reptiles since we must remember that they are located in the northernmost part of the continent. Here you will also find the Macuira National Natural Park, the green lung of the Alta Guajira as it is a cloud forest where it is very surprising to find a sandy center between mountains and forests called the Aleewolu Dunes. It is a spectacle, an incredible place in the middle of the mountains and the sea.

In the peninsula of La Guajira on the Caribbean Sea is the territory of the largest indigenous people in Colombia, the Wayúu. The Wayúu Indians were originally hunters from the Orinoco jungle who found their home in this area. They were never conquered by another colony and still maintain their deeply rooted customs. Women are the ones who predominate in this ethnic group and are responsible for keeping alive one of the most beautiful icons of their culture, the Wayúu Chinchorro. These beautifully hand-woven hammocks take between two and three months to make, as they are made entirely by crochet. It is very important to keep in mind that their main source of income is now due to tourism, mostly in lodging and in the sale of their handicrafts and together with their incredible landscapes I think it is not difficult to be convinced to visit them and contribute to their cause.

And finally we come to the region with more contrasts in the country and what better to start it in Valle del Cauca. It is here where we are sure you will have a great time, if you enjoy salsa and good salsa, there is no better place in the world where you can live and enjoy it more than in Cali. As the song ‘Cali Pachanguero’ by the world renowned Grupo Niche says ¨that everyone sings to you, everyone pampers you¨, it is definitely a unique place where you constantly live a good energy, cheerful and vibrant expressed by its people while enjoying one of the best types of salsa in the world. Whether it is day or night, it is highly recommended to visit its bars and dance schools even if you are not much of a dancer, since music and dance are part of its charming culture and this will be the most natural way to get to know it. Also, while in the city it is recommended to visit the neo-gothic style Ermita church, the Cerro de las 3 Cruces and the Cristo Rey (Christ the King).

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Las Lajas is a basilica for Christian worship located in the department of Nariño. It has received a lot of recognition in social networks in recent times due to its impressive location, in the middle of a canyon, however, it is an important center of pilgrimage within the Catholic religion. Its access is by cable car in a 15 to 20 minute trip through the Guáitara canyon from where you have an enviable view of Ipiales, Nariño.

Another very nice plan is to visit the famous farms or silletera houses in Santa Elena. A tradition of the peasants that has been passed from generation to generation for more than a century. This tradition has its origin in the practice of making chair-like structures that are carried on the back showing the different types of flowers that exist in the region in a very colorful way. Nowadays, every August a very famous contest called Feria de las Flores (Flower Fair) takes place.  A parade with a total display of colors and millions of flowers beautifully arranged by each of its participants. This parade is not only an intense experience of a competition but also a very emotional experience for the participants and its passionate public, who feel and give the well-deserved recognition to such a beautiful Colombian tradition.

On the outskirts of the city you can enjoy a visit to Santa Fe de Antioquia, a municipality that dates back to the sixteenth century and was once the capital of the department, here you can see its colonial side but also the modern era in El Puente de Occidente, built in the nineteenth century by local engineer José María Villa in wood and steel. Another important place to visit is the Piedra del Peñol from where you can see from the top the dam in Guatapé, a city that is submerged under water.

In order to get to know the most representative aspects of the Coffee Axis it is necessary to visit its three departments (Quindío, Caldas and Risaralda) to learn about the production, tradition and above all to taste one of the best coffees in the world: Arabica 100%. While there it is recommended to stay in its colonial haciendas, touring its farms in its traditional Jeep Willy’s and to be part of the activities for a few days amidst the aroma of the coffee plantations and that intense green color that energizes as much as its good coffee.

At the same time, you can take the opportunity to visit the surrounding towns such as Salento, Filandia and Marbella, all with their characteristic charm full of colors and traditions that will brighten up your days in this beautiful region.

It is also very important to visit the Cocora Valley located specifically in Quindio where the national tree of the country is present, the Wax Palm that reaches 40 meters high, making it the tallest palm tree in the world. In the middle of this wonderful cloud forest you can make several walks to admire all the beauty from its various viewpoints and you should also visit the Hummingbird Reserve that peek and flutter very close to its visitors.

In Cundinamarca we find Bogota, the capital of the country located on the Eastern Cordillera which makes this city very privileged for tourism as it offers a variety of activities in its historic center such as its famous neighborhood La Candelaria, Gold Museum, Museum of Emeralds, we must remember that it is in Colombia where the purest ones are found, Botero Museum and Monserrate Hill which is where the beautiful city can be better appreciated.

On the outskirts of Bogota you can also visit the Guatavita Lagoon known for the legend of El Dorado and where many gold artifacts were found and are now exhibited in the Gold Museum. A few minutes from the city is Zipaquirá where the famous Salt Cathedral is located, it is an enclosure built inside the salt mines and is considered a wonder in Colombia. For flora lovers, the Orchid Park is an excellent alternative very close to the city to appreciate the national flower and its varied species but especially the Cattleya Trianae, native of Colombia.

In Boyacá, an obligatory stop is made en route to other nearby attractions in Villa de Leyva, a town that has preserved its colonial legacy excellently making it one of the most beautiful in the country.

If you enjoy trekking, the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is a very sought after trek in this department, a demanding but enchanting hike with its spectacular scenery of snow-capped peaks, glaciers and lagoons, the tour lasts 7 days and is done camping and in lodges. It is in Boyacá that you will also find the largest lake in Colombia, Lago de Tota.

Barichara, in the department of Santander there is a town that is a jewel of colonial art where the predominant colored stone carved ocher and where people live in a quiet way as it was done in the past and that is why it is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Colombia.

The archaeological capital of Colombia is located in Huila where there are 500 megalithic statues or representations of guardians of the San Agustin culture in four Mesitas A, B, C and D within its Archaeological Park. It is here where one of the first civilizations of the region dating from more than 3,000 years ago is evidenced and is a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Being in the department you should visit one of the largest deserts in the country, the Tatacoa Desert, with enigmatic landscapes and a clear sky that makes it an indisputable stop for anyone visiting Huila.

The department of Cauca, has one of the colonial cities in Colombia, is called Popayan, a white city with amazing architecture that makes you transport you back in time. All that charm is experienced while visiting its historic center, the Caldas Park is the main square dating from the sixteenth century and where you can walk around visiting other attractions such as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption of Popayan next to the Archbishop’s Palace and the Clock Tower. It is also the religious capital of Colombia and a must visit during Holy Week due to its colorful parades and religious processions.

Six hours away from Popayán is the Tierradentro Archaeological Park, a sacred place with deep tombs beautifully decorated with geometric figures painted in three colors: white, red and black. Here survive the descendants of the Paeces Indians. It is undoubtedly a very mystical place where you can learn about the funeral rites and religious ceremonies of a pre-Hispanic culture and for this reason it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for providing such an invaluable treasure to the pre-Columbian culture.

In the department of Amazonas from its capital Leticia you can access several routes of tourist attractions concentrated in its Amazonian Trapeze formed by its municipalities in Leticia, Puerto Nariño, Tarapacá that are on the banks of the Amazon and Putumayo rivers very close to the borders of Peru and Brazil. If you are interested in knowing and being alone in the Colombian Amazon River and not in its tributaries that are in several departments, you should focus your trip in the Amacayacu National Natural Park from Leticia and Tarapoto Lake from Puerto Nariño.

Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in the Caribbean Sea more than 800 km off the coast of Colombia, lies an island that has been influenced by the English, Dutch and Spanish culture and is catalogued as the ‘Sea of 7 colors’ and is another of the paradises that the country has. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in the year 2000 thanks to its biological richness for its extensive coral reefs and diverse species of marine fauna. The San Luis sector is ideal for lovers of adventure sports, especially nautical sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, jet skiing and fishing. For those who are more interested in nature, you can take a walk through its quiet mangroves. Other places of interest are Cove Bay, Hoyo Soplador, Johnny Cay, El Acuario, Old Point National Park, West View, La Piscinita, Iglesia Bautista and Cocoplum Bay.

Providencia Island is located 90 km from San Andres and is another recommended destination to visit because it has another kind of charm and is visited mainly by ecotourism lovers. Thanks to its transparent waters you can enjoy snorkeling and diving and not being a very visited island one gets to enjoy it very much. United by the Puente de los Enamorados (Bridge of Lovers) you can reach Santa Catalina Island from where you can enjoy the most beautiful Caribbean sunsets and is home to the famous myth of the pirate Henry John Morgan and where you can find the most iconic place of the whole island, Morgan’s head.

It was declared a National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo in order to safeguard the great marine life and coral reefs, considered the most impressive ecosystems in the entire Caribbean. As the Rosario Islands are very close to the Bay of Cartagena in the department of Bolivar, many visitors to the city decide to spend a couple of days in its paradisiacal islands such as Isla Grande and Peninsula de Baru. The archipelago of San Bernardo between the departments of Sucre and Bolivar are 10 coastal islands, perfect places to have contact with nature and practice activities such as snorkeling, diving and swimming. One of the most beautiful are Isla Tintipán and Isla Múcura. Other places of interest are Santa Cruz Islet, Rincón del Mar beach and Casa en el Agua.