The capital Bogotá is where most trips begin - a cosmopolitan city with many cozy cafes and interesting museums. Don't miss the chocolaterias lining the beautiful colonial streets of La Candelaria, the Gold Museum and the fine views from the top of Mount Monserrate.
Bogotá is the hub of many trips into the country. To the south you will find the beautiful colonial town of Popayan, nicknamed the White City for its beautiful white-washed houses. it is a relaxed town with a large student population, many cafes, museums and galleries and a great Tuesday market. Nearby Parque Puracé offers many waterfalls, lakes, trails and colourful sulfurous pools, as well as a variety of flora and fauna, including the Andean condor.
Cali is Colombia's liveliest city and known as the salsa capital of Colombia. So put on your dance shoes, or, if you are after something a little quieter, enjoy the old Bohemian neighbourhood of San Antonio.
West of Bogotá lies Manizales, a friendly town in the midst of Colombia's coffee growing region. Enjoy some great outdoor activities, including trekking through the wonderful landscapes. Of course you can stop anytime and sample some of the world's finest coffee, including fair-trade brews.
To the east of Bogotá is the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira, carved out of solid salt, which can house over 8000 people. Get there via a set of twisting tunnels, en-route passing chapels which each depict a scene from the last days of the life of Jesus.
Villa de Leyva, in the Andean foothills to the east of the capital, is a wonderfully well-preserved colonial town of white-washed houses and cobblestone streets. Wood-framed windows and balconies loaded with flowers are a true joy to behold. Don't forget a visit to the traditional farmer's market which offer some great local food.
Turning northwest from Bogotá we reach the delightful town of Guatapé, in a gorgeous setting on a lake amidst beautiful rolling hills. On weekends, the waterfront boardwalk gets busy with local vendors selling art, food and souvenirs. Nearby El Peñón de Guatapé is reminiscent of Rio's Sugarloaf mountain and offers amazing views from the top.
From its drug-tortured past, Medellin has gone through an amazing revival and now boasts some of Colombia's finest parks, museums and architecture. Nearby Santa Fe de Antioquia is the oldest town in the area with many narrow streets, colonial houses and a great daily market.
Reaching the Caribbean, you come to one of the finest colonial cities of Latin America, Cartagena. A UNESCO heritage site, it is surrounded by thick walls and houses many old churches, monasteries, plazas and mansions.
From Cartagena you can visit the Rosario Islands for a day and enjoy the lovely beaches and some fine snorkelling, along with beautiful views of the blue waters of the Caribbean. Alternatively, visit the town of San Jacinto or the Totumo Volcano, which, instead of lava, is filled with mud.
Far to the east of Cartagena, and not too far from the Venezuelan border, you can engage in a challenging 5-day trek through crystal-clear rivers, deep jungle and beautiful valleys, finally arriving at Ciudad Perdida, the 'Lost City'. Rediscovered in 1975, it was built between the 11th and 14th centuries. The only way to get there is on foot and its isolation and overgrown state affords it an air of mystery.
As a wonderful finale to your tour of Colombia, travel to the place where the mountains drop to the sea and visit Tayrona National Park, with its wild and unspoiled beaches, reached only by jungle trails. A haven for wildlife and birds, this is the ultimate Caribbean get-away!
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| Villa de Leyva, Colombia |
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