What to do in the country of Vallenato
From the mountain ranges to the desert, from the Caribbean Sea to the Amazon, Colombia is an exciting destination that offers something for everyone. In Colombia and there are so many things to do and see that unfortunately many can not be done in a single trip to Colombia.
In this list, you will see most of the things that any tourist tour in Colombia should include in its itinerary; such as treks in the Amazon jungle, visiting Medellín and Bogotá, and spending beautiful days on the Caribbean coast, Tayrona Park and the Rosario Islands.
Read on to learn 10 things to do and see in Colombia that you should not miss!
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1. Cartagena de Indias
The most colorful city in Colombia, its inescapable jewel: only Cartagena deserves a trip to the country. A typically colonial city, it will give you the impression that you have entered directly into a postcard. Our advice is to start your visit from Plaza de Los Coches and through El Portal de los Dulces to Plaza de la Aduana.
From here you reach the Church of San Pedro Claver and let your instincts guide you through the alleys. Don’t miss the Getsemaní district, ideal for an aperitif. Finally, enjoy a salsa show at Café Havana. Don’t leave Cartagena without having an aperitif at sunset at Café del Mar.
2. The Carnival of Barranquilla
The Barranquilla Carnival is the second most important carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro, since 2003 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and every year it moves millions of Colombians to attend it. The extraordinary thing about this carnival is that it serves as a meeting point for all the cultural varieties of Colombia: the European that is the basis of the festival, the African recognizable in its colorful costumes and elaborate masks, the Indian that serves as a unifying element.
The festivities begin on Carnival Saturday and end on Tuesday. Thousands of people parade to the beat of the music during the grand parade on Sunday and Monday. The main characters are Rey Momo, the spirit of the joke, and his partner, the queen. A must see on a trip to Colombia!
3. Bogota city
Bogotá is, without a doubt, one of the fastest growing cities in Latin America today. Its main attraction is the old town, La Candelaria, a succession of Spanish colonial houses with carved doors and red tiles on the roofs. The Museum dedicated to the sculptor Bótero and the cultural center dedicated to Gabriel García Márquez are definitely worth a visit, and not counting its tourist attractions in the surroundings of the Sabana cundiboyacence such as the Zipaquira Cathedral, Guatavita lagoon, Jaime Duque Park and many more. ..
4. Medellin City
City of Eternal Spring, Medellín is divided into sixteen municipalities which, thanks to an integrated system of metro, cable car and escalator, can be reached in a few minutes. Do not miss the view from the Santo Domingo neighborhood over the entire city and its street art walks.
Another very interesting point is the Cerro Nutibara neighborhood, where you can admire the fabulous sculpture park. The center of Medellín is central, chaotic but very colorful, and has its alter ego at night in the pink zone, the center of nightlife. Botero lovers will feel in paradise in the park of the same name, which contains many of his sculptures.
5. Archipelago of San Andrés
Located less than five hundred kilometers from the mainland in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, the Archipelago of San Andrés is still in many ways an archipelago unspoiled enough to be seen during your trip to Colombia. An ideal place to relax between kitesurfing, the sea and sunbathing, deep sea fishing and horse riding, it is a paradise for snorkelling.
6. Leticia and the Colombian Amazon
Gateway to the Colombian Amazon, Leticia offers a small center where you can visit the Zoological Garden that houses local animals and the typical Amazonian Victoria. But the real gem is the Amacayacu National Park, where you can follow itineraries accompanied by local guides.
7. Santa Marta
Santa Marta is in Tayrona Park like Leticia in the Amazon. Many travelers, in fact, stop in Santa Marta before heading to the Park. Santa Marta is the second oldest city in all of South America and has a very characteristic old town, where you can lose yourself among the colonial buildings and sit in one of the many outdoor cafes and bars.
8. Tayrona Park
Tayrona Park is a true spectacle of nature that can be seen in Colombia, offering jungle, exotic animals and dream beaches. Some indigenous peoples still live in the park area, protecting the area and helping to preserve its splendor. Do not miss the areas of Cañaveral, Arrecife, La Piscina and El Cabo.
9. Tatacoa Desert
Colombia also has its own little desert: the Tatacoa desert. Nestled between the Western and Central Cordillera, full of breathtaking views, it enchants travelers both day and night. The Tatacoa desert extends over an area of 56,576 hectares and at an altitude between 386 and 900 meters above sea level, so in reality the name of the desert is wrong … but the open night sky is a canvas to see the stars in its clear sky
But it certainly gives an idea of the heat and drought that characterize it. Tatacoa can be visited in three different ways: by bicycle, on horseback, by motorcycle or by truck. Not to be missed are the Labyrinths of Cusco, wonderful rock formations that turn red at sunset, and the Ventanas viewpoint where the view extends to the reliefs of the Western Cordillera.
10. Walk in Lost City
If you are looking for an experience in close contact with nature and if your physical condition allows it, include the Lost City trek in your itinerary in Colombia. This hike is one of the most beautiful in all of South America, but few people do it because most tourists who come to Colombia prefer to stay on the coast.
Surely it is not an easy trip, check the weather conditions before leaving and make sure you choose a good guide paying attention to the agency where you decide to buy the tour. You can organize the tour from Santa Marta.
These are just some of the best things to do and see in Colombia. If you’ve tried some more, leave it in the comments so other travelers can read them! or leave your opinion on tripadvisor.
