Colombia Travel Guide

Colombia OVERVIEW

While a grim reputation of a drug dealing hub is consistently adding to the rather negative socioeconomic image, underneath the headlines of kidnappings and homicide rates in urban areas is a vibrant community of life-loving peoples with fiesta running through their veins. And as the Colombians are trying to maximize their country's ecotourism potential, there stands a chance in front of the world to explore the stunning natural attributes of this South American spot in length and breadth, from surfing the swells of the sparkling Pacific coast, diving offshore of delightfully tranquil Providencia Island that has yet to see mass tourism, or playing hide-and-seek in the lush coffee plantations of Quindío Department to feeding your eyes with the glacial vistas of Parque Nacional El Cocuy, exploring the steamy Amazon by dilapidated dugout canoe and venturing to the jungle's most spine-tingling nooks and crannies.

There's no end to enumerating the natural riches but the list expands to include splendid man-made heritage such as the ruined fortifications of the old city of Cartagena and the cleaned-up colonial architecture of serene Mompós. Give yourself to the rhythmical swinging of a hammock in Morroa, where devotion to the noble art of weaving only equals the inhabitants' love for music and dancing. Learn about the story of Las Lajas Cathedral's creation and try to figure out how on earth it was built! If you're a lone wolf, you're place is in Tayrona National Natural Park. If you're the life and soul of the party, you'll feel at home in sky-scraping Bogotá, where various festivals and nightclubs spoil for choice. Intrepid adventurers may embark on a trek Indiana Jones style and roam Sierra Nevada in search of the Lost City. Actually, go wherever your feet take you, do whatever your heart desires, and you'll always come across something of note. Quality time and first-class adventure guaranteed.