What To See In Colombia

Since it is no longer a destination for the daring ones and country has left behind decades of civil war, Colombia has been reborn as one of the "hottest" destinations in South America. What to see in Colombia? Well, the country offers majestic high mountains, the coast and the jungle, that's without mentioning the impressive archeological sites and vibrant culture. Ten years ago Colombia was famous only thanks to the drug traffickers and the guerrilla groups and paramilitary organizations. Now, however, when these groups go through their weakest period, this country can enjoy a renaissance of tourism. 

What has been preserved along periods of violence was calm and splendid scenery, which has a lot to offer, from the Amazon basin, large lakes surrounded by mountains and the Caribbean Coast, and manmade archaeological wonders - archaeological digging unearthed the rich histories, colonial houses that decorate the city and Guajira peninsula, which houses over 100,000 nomadic Indians.

The urban center of the country is the city of Bogota, in which 20% of the inhabitants of Colombia live. This pre-Columbian ancient city, the capital of the Chibcha Indians, kept mixing new and old colonial buildings and traders with skyscrapers. Another big attraction is the colonial port of Cartagena, with its spectacular walls, palaces, monasteries and impressive balconies. Colombia is still a treasure waiting to be discovered by modern travelers.

What To See In Colombia: 

Bogota

• Go to the heights of Bogota, 2,600 meters high. Historical attractions include the Capitol (the Congress) and the Cathedral (Capilla del Sangrario) on the main square, Plaza Bolivar.

• Get carried away by the El Dorado dream - visit the gold Museum in Bogota, which houses an extraordinary wealth of pre-Columbian treasures. Take the cable car up and atop the mountain to see the city from the East.

• Visit the Museo Botero, where you can see the voluptuous carvings made by Colombian artist Fernando Botero, as well as his paintings.

• Travel to Zipaquira and enter the Salt Cathedral, an underground church built in a salt mine in a mountain. Stalactites and salt crystals are crowded with crosses and chapels.

• Join the Carnival Barranquilla parties, during which the industrial port is transformed by the colorful costumes, energetic dances and lively music. Parades are exceeded in greatness only by Rio.

• Visit Tayrona National Park, 35 km south of Santa Marta, to see one of the most popular parks in the country. The main attractions are the deep bays, shaded by Palm trees, beautiful beaches and volcanic mud.

San Andres

• Climb the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta covered by jungle, to see the archaeological ruins of Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), discovered in 1976.

• Fly out to tropical islands San Andres and Providencia, off the coast of Colombia. Here was once the seat of the English pirate Captain Henry Morgan.

• See the over 500 mysterious pre-Columbian stones and burials in one of the most fascinating archaeological sites, San Augustine. It is the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures on the continent.

• Stay at one of more than 300 coffee farms that offer accommodation for tourists and provide hiking through fields of coffee, as well as horse riding, fishing, mountain biking and excursions to local villages.