And rightly so: this exquisite South American nation is blessed with natural beauty-- think high Andean peaks, Caribbean beaches, pristine Amazon jungle-- not to mention mysterious archaeological sites, colonial treasures and thriving cities. Elsewhere, Colombia's colonial towns have been lovingly preserved, most notably the UNESCO-listed city of Cartagena. Garcia Marquez's land of magic realism is alive with festivals and music; the high-energy city of Cali is recognized as the salsa capital of Colombia, while bustling Barranquilla hosts a dazzling carnival to rival Rio's.
The more you travel around Colombia, the more you marvel at its diversity. While the Caribbean and Pacific shores boast beautiful beaches, islands and coral reefs, the lofty Andes offer high-altitude plains, limpid lakes and snow-capped mountains. There are the eastern lowlands with their grassy wetlands and bountiful birdlife, not to mention the virgin forests of the Amazon.
Since emerging from decades of civil unrest, Colombia has established itself as one of the world's top destinations. And rightly so: this exquisite South American nation is blessed with natural beauty-- think high Andean peaks, Caribbean beaches, pristine Amazon jungle-- not to mention mysterious archaeological sites, colonial treasures and thriving cities. It's a joy to travel around.
Elsewhere, Colombia's colonial towns have been lovingly preserved, most notably the UNESCO-listed city of Cartagena. The mysterious "lost city" of Ciudad Perdida is also worthy of a detour, but you may leave with more questions than you arrived with.
Once synonymous with drug cartels and gangs, the city has recast itself as one of South America's trendiest destinations; a place of hip bars and street art, vibrant markets and colourful architecture. Sprawled across the Andean plateau, Bogota offers a fabulous mix of new and old; the cobbled streets of La Candelaria offer a stark contrast to the urban chic of Zona Rosa.
Garcia Marquez's land of magic realism is alive with festivals and music; the high-energy city of Cali is recognized as the salsa capital of Colombia, while bustling Barranquilla hosts a dazzling carnival to rival Rio's. To cap it all off, visitors can expect a warm welcome from the country's friendly inhabitants, who, after years in the wilderness, can finally show their true colours.