The essentials of Colombia
Imagine a territory nestled between the majestic Andes Cordillera and the Amazonian forest, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea... This is Colombia : a host of splendid landscapes with one of the greatest biodiversities in the world! Unknown or badly known, this country conceals unsuspected beauties. Let's get off the beaten track and set off to discover this sunny land where the welcome and joie de vivre of the inhabitants is legendary! Le Petit Futé has selected its 10 essentials for a successful trip.
Immerse yourself in the history of Cartagena de Indias
A site of major interest in Colombia, Cartagena de Indias bewitches its visitors. Founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, it was the main Colombian port at the time of the conquistadors. With its very fine examples of Hispanic colonial architecture and its pastel-coloured balconies, the city seems to have been the same for 400 years... A legendary city, here you can breathe the very essence of Colombia: its flavors, its colors and its smells of blooming bougainvillea. This is why Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a great Colombian writer, has taken up residence there.
Medellín, “City of Eternal Spring”
Long seen as a dangerous city, Medellín has succeeded in restoring its image, especially since the death of Pablo Escobar. Today, we visit it without problems and we take advantage of its friendly Metrocable, a cable car on the side of the mountains, to see the city from above. Its climate attracts many travelers and also many gringos who come to live there. And then, Medellín is also and above all the national capital of tango! In El Poblado, the center of nightlife, the nights are wild and the bars and discos very famous!
San Agust ì n, the eternal
In the department of Huila, in the heart of the Andes, is the San Agustín Archaeological Park . Discovered at the beginning of the 20th century , the sculptures and burials found there are timeless testimonies of Augustinian culture, a pre-Hispanic society in the northern Andes at its peak between the 1st and 8th centuries . The park is now classified as a historical and cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco. In addition to the San Agustín Museum and the ceremonial spring of Lavapatas, the site houses the “Statue Wood” where the lush vegetation of the region blends with important sculptures of human, amphibian and reptilian figures.
Caño Cristales, the rainbow river
Long controlled by guerrillas, the Caño Cristales is now open to everyone. To get there, go to the Macarena, a village that can be reached by air from Bogotá or Villavicencio. Once you arrive in the Serranía de la Macarena Natural Park, it is impossible not to marvel at its splendid river... From September to November, between the dry season and the wet season, the water level drops so much that the rays of the sun cause the moss of the usually submerged rocks to bloom. The result: a river of five colours, of unforgettable beauty.
Archipelago of San Andrés, in the heart of the Caribbean
Located in the Caribbean Sea, 700 km from the Colombian coast, San Andrés is nicknamed “the island with the sea of seven colors”. In these waters live remarkable species such as sea turtles, tiger fish or giant mantis. It's a diver's paradise! On the southern tip of the island, don't miss El Hoyo Soplador, a small geyser from which water from the sea gushes out 20 m high. To spend the evening, go to Johny Cay Regional Park: reggae music and tall palm trees will make you realize that you are indeed in the Caribbean!
Bogotá , a contrasting capital
As soon as you arrive in Bogotá , you will feel the difference: it is cool there since the city is located at an altitude of 2,600 m! One and a half times larger than New York, Bogotá is a city of striking contrasts. With its modern districts to the north and its very poor outskirts to the south, it offers several faces to those who know how to coax it... Don't miss the museums, in particular the Museo del Oro which houses the most important collection of pre-Hispanic goldsmiths of the world.
Discover the art of coffee
Colombia is one of the world's leading coffee exporters. El eje cafetero – the coffee axis – focuses on three cities: Manizales , Pereira and Armenia , the golden triangle. To understand the history and culture of this legendary drink, nothing better than staying in a traditional hacienda and visiting a farm in the Zona Cafetera. You can also admire the wax palm trees, trees typical of the region.
The incredible Guajira desert
La Guajira is the northernmost region of South America. To reach it, the journey is often long and demanding. However, you will be charmed as soon as you arrive... Arid and desert, the landscapes are strikingly beautiful. Puntas Gallinas is the northernmost point of the continent, its sand dunes emerging from the sea are splendid. Cabo de la Vela is also unmissable. It is said that Christopher Columbus and his crew confused this huge dune with a sail, hence its name. This small fishing village and its dream beaches are the ideal spot for kite surfing enthusiasts!
Walk to Ciudad Perdida
The ciudad perdida is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Discovered in 1972, it is believed to have been founded in 800 by the pre-Columbian Tayrona people. Today, it is a place with a mysterious history and above all a sacred site. If the ciudad perdida is unforgettable, the journey to get there is just as much... Accompanied by a guide, you cross an often hostile but always surprising nature. During these three days of walking, don't be afraid to get wet or even blush: the sun is very hot in this region!
Whale watching in the Pacific
From July to October, Pacific humpback whales come to breed near the Colombian coast, in the warmest waters. The Enseneda de Utría National Park is one of the most famous spots to admire these gigantic mammals and their offspring. But it is Bahia de Málaga, near Buenaventura, which wins the jackpot with the highest whale birth record in the world, no doubt for the great tranquility of its bay. Watching whales is the most magical experience to have in Colombia.
Source: websites