COLOMBIA TRAVEL GUIDE: WHERE TO GO

After decades of wars and being infamous for crude violence between drug cartels, guerrillas and paramilitary forces, Colombia is reborn. It is now in the loop of every travel connoisseur and it’s written about as an international travelers hotspot.

Since I’m Colombian and share a lot of my country on my social media; people who are interested in visiting, often ask me what are the best places to go.

To that I say that Colombia is quite diverse. It has a vibe for all types of travelers. So, here are my top picks of places to visit based on your preferred experience.

If you follow my social media you know I LOVE being there. It is “the” must-visit city of Colombia. Whether you are looking for an adventure, nature, culture or a romantic getaway, it is ideal. Cartagena is for everyone and I’d bet you’ll fall in love with it. 

Located in Colombia’s Caribbean, it’s one of the oldest and best-preserved Latin American cities. You can feel it’s soul within the four hundred years old world heritage-listed walls, its colorful colonial houses and balconies, and winding cobble stone streets. 

But Cartagena is also a multi-face city. Beyond the wall are the Wildlings, so don’t go there! Kidding; beyond the walls are fantastic places to experience. Areas like Bocagrande are swarmed with trending seafront hotels, modern bars and restaurants all placating to the beachier crowd. Less than a mile off the coast lies the Rosario Islands, an archipelago of natural landscapes, water sports and shimmering clear water.

I have never been there, nor has anybody I know personally.  Colombia’s Pacific coast isn’t a common travel destination yet it hosts some of the most breathtaking natural forest and is listed as one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. The pacific is a wonderful deal for environmental travelers who want to explore unadulterated nature far away from tourist crowds. 

Eco hiking, bird watching, scuba diving and surfing are a big attraction. If you’re lucky you might just catch sight of whales and dolphins playing.

When it comes to city scenarios, Medellín is first on my list. Please don’t say Pablo. Medellín is much more than its drug cartel history. Despite its past, Medellín is today a hotspot destination in South America. Spend some time in Medellín and you won’t believe that twenty-five years ago it was considered the most dangerous city in the world. 

The 2013 “most innovative city of the World,” Medellín, is booming. Art, science and sustainability are the main themes of the city. There are plenty of museums to visit, and world renown art to see for free at Plaza Botero. A Zen experience within the city waits for you at Barefoot Park; and a taste of the traditional small towns of the region at the scale-size Pueblito Paisa. As for the cuisine and nightlife, Medellín is the place to be at. Delicious and exciting.

You know me, I’m a nature junky, and so this is my second favorite place in Colombia after Cartagena. 

Tayrona is perfect for reconnecting with nature and vanishing for a few days… yep the phone reception is pretty miserable over there.

It’s located at the skirt of The Sierra Nevada mountain range, once the home of powerful native civilizations. Its area is protected in an effort to preserve its Fauna, Flora, and archeological treasures. Mostly untouched, meaning no hotels within most of the Park, there are a few Ecohabs at a considerable walking distance from the must-see beaches. Besides that, one can rent or bring a hammock or tent and camp just off the beach. 

The nights there are precious, if you can put up with the bloody mosquitoes feasting on you. It’s beautiful to hear the waves crashing on the coast, the leaves rustling with the breeze or to look up and find a thousand stars shining down on you. It’s something you should never forget, like bug repellent.

There’s only one restaurant I know of, It’s at the Cabo San Juan beach. They sell a few groceries, drinks and serve decent food at fair prices. They do not take cards, so bring cash. Other than that, you’ll have to bring what you need.

If you have extra time, visit the ancient ruins of Pueblito, It’s a long walk but worthwhile. 

Whatever you do, please be especially mindful of your waste. I’ll stress that, TAKE ALL YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE. Do the planet this kindness. 

Deep in the Serranía de la Macarena lays Caño Cristales, the five colors river or the liquid rainbow, one of Colombia’s most spectacular hidden gems. It will reveal its splendor only from July to November, when it blossoms in a vibrant explosion of colors caused by the dramatic combination of red macarenia clavigera growing in the river bed along with green algae, blue water, yellow sand and the dark shades of its waterfalls, pools and caverns. I know!!! it sounds so whimsical, but how else can I describe such a marvelous place?

Getting there is a bit of a journey since it’s out of the way from the main cities. However, for me, for those who love nature and according to National Geographic, it’s well worth the effort, and it’s affordable. 

The San Andrés Archipelago is an invitation to chill and lay back. It is famous for its coral reef. Due to the multi-shade blue water, it’s also known for its “seven color sea”.  The main Islands are San Andrés and Providencia.

I Recently visited San Andrés, for the first time in ten years. It’s a beautiful island. Its sea host amazing coral, sea life, cool underwater sculptures and shipwrecks. It’s fun to rent a mule and circle the whole Island. 

But I have to be honest, it saddened me. The touristic exploitation of the Island has gone out of control and it’s gravely affecting the ecosystem. The island is overcrowded and overbuilt. In ten years the decay is apparent. I lost great interest in San Andrés and instead now turn my eyes to Providencia.

Providencia is the second Island of the archipelago. It’s a pain to get there, and not cheap at all. That sounds bad, but it is actually a blessing. An almost traditionally intact, remote Caribbean island with breathtaking landscapes, some of the best coral reefs in the world, multi-blue water and sandy beaches for those brave travelers who make it there. It’s paradise and I hope it remains this way.

El Eje Cafetero is the place where most of that tasty Colombian coffee comes from. It encompasses the states of Quindío, Caldas and Risaralda, whose capitals are the largest cities in the region. It takes a great logistical pilot to get around; but keep in mind that the small towns hold the real beauty of it. 

The coffee country is vast and there are many cities and small towns to visit. When not on a tight budget, renting a car is the best idea (in Colombia this can be ridiculously expensive). One can also move by bus or join a tour agency.  

Whatever transport you choose, consider visiting Salento, Pijao, Filandia, Santa Rosa del Cabal and Valle Cocora. Cocora is home of the iconic wax palm tree, the tallest palm tree species in the world. Those are something to behold, but hurry, they are endangered!