The 3 best places to visit in Colombia
Are you looking for your next travel destination and stuck for what to choose? How about the beautiful country that is Columbia in South America? With a rich history and even richer biodiversity, there will be plenty of things for you to see and do. So where do you start? Here are some of the best places to visit in Columbia.
Bogota
Bogota is the capital city of Columbia and arguably one of the most beautiful in the world. Against a mountainous backdrop the city center is filled with a mix of modern skyscrapers and architecture that dates back to colonial times. The Bogota region is home to some ancient history as well; El Abra is an extensive archaeological site that dates back to 12,500 BP, so if you want to peek at some real pre-history complete with cave paintings, this is where you should head. The Museo Santa Clara is a historic church that will demand your full attention. The Catedra Primada is a cathedral of such beauty that it can compete with any of the fine cathedrals you might have seen elsewhere in the world. There are walking, food, and city tours, more cafes and restaurants from which you can people-watch than you’ll know what to do with, and a thriving nightlife that, if you want, can arrange to pick you up from and drop you off at your hotel. The question is how many days are you booking your trip for, so you can see as much as possible!
Photo via Needpix
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Medellin
Medellin was once the epicenter of the Medellin Cartel. These days, Medellin, as the second largest city in Columbia after Bogota, has transformed itself into something of an artsy university town. Public art displays here are on every corner so if you can’t make your mind up on what to do with your days, just walking through the city will keep you occupied. You could take a coffee tour, or a street art tour, or any other type of tour to see what is around you. If you want to learn more about that Medellin Cartel and Pablo Escobar, for example, well there are even tours for that. You are spoilt for choice for parks and places to shop if you want to indulge a little, and for nature lovers you can visit the Lagune de Guatape, the Rio Claro Valley, or the Las Tangaras Bird Reserve. In short, whatever your heart desires you can find a way to see or do in Medellin. What are you waiting for?
Photo via Pixabay
Cartenega
Cartenega is sometimes referred to as the Caribbean colonial gem. It is a major port that was founded in 1533, located between the Magdalena and Sinú rivers. The coastline is dotted with old stuccoed homes coral-stone forts, a walk through which will make you feel like you are taking a step back in history. But if history is your thing, don’t stop there! The Old Town is a labyrinth of alleys, Baroque mansions, and Spanish churches for you to explore, whether you choose to go alone or join one of the Cartenega city tours. Outside of the city you can visit the mud volcano, or visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. And for sightseeing you can’t go wrong with the Plaza de La Trinidad, the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver, the Centro Historico, or the Barrio Getsamani. Cartenega is a beautiful place to explore whether you want to wander through the various neighborhoods or book every tour you can get your hands on!
Columbia is a fascinating country with a range of climates depending on the topography, giving you everything from tropical rainforests to a mountain climate. The country is well connected through an extensive road network plus its various domestic airports, meaning wherever you want to see in the country your travel plans should be straightforward. Your only difficulty is cramming in everything you want to see and do in your time available!
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