Top 10 Things to Do and See in Colombia
Colombia is the only country in South America with coasts on the Pacific and Caribbean. It's a spectacularly beautiful country, with the Andes, beaches, colonial cities and archaeological treasures to delight the business or leisure traveler.
The capital of Colombia, Santafé de Bogotá has a rich colonial tradition with a number of landmarks from that period preserved as historical landmarks. Most of these are in the La Candelaria, the oldest district in the city. The Capitol Municipal Palace and several churches are worth a visit.
The old walled city and fortress repelled invaders and pirates in its early days. Now it welcomes visitors to its colonial charm, energetic nightlife and nearby attractions.
Parque Arqueológico de San Agustín is a huge park in the Magdalena River gorge in southern Colombia where centuries ago, before the time of the Incas, people interred their dead in tombs guarded by fierce stone figures, some with animal features, some mythical, all intriguing to archaeologists and visitors alike.
Santa Marta is Colombia's first Spanish settlement. Located on the coast, it boasts great beaches and access to Tayrona and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta national parks, plus the famed lost city of the Taironas.
Cali is Colombia's third largest city and a center for sugar and coffee industry. It enjoys terrific nightlife in the salsotecas, and visitors enjoy the historic center as well as excursions into the surrounding areas for sugar baron haciendas and the prime archaeological sites of San Augustin and Tierradentro.
This charming town, nestled in a serene valley setting, is one of Colombia's most beautiful colonial towns with a rich religious and cultural heritage. Fully restored after an earthquake, it's a national monument and known for its spectacular Semana Santa celebrations.
Visitors wanting superb diving in crystal clear water, warm, white sandy beaches, exciting nightlife, colorful culture, a choice of full-amenity accommodations, relaxation and duty-free shopping head to San Andrés, a Colombian archipelago in the Caribbean. Its location, closer to Nicaragua and Jamaica, offers a carefree attraction away from the potential dangers of mainland Colombia.
This former prison island in the Pacific Ocean is now a nature reserve open to visitors who wish to tour the prison ruins, see abundant wildlife, including monkeys, snakes, whales and sea turtles, or dive off the island.
Villa de Leyva, also called Villa de Leiva, is colonial-era town situated a short distance from Bogotá, and a popular day or weekend excursion. Scenic attractions include colonial architecture, gorgeous scenery, typical places to stay and local cuisine in an historic setting.
Medellin is the capital of Antioquia department in Colombia and enjoys a temperate climate that gives the city the names of The Land of Eternal Spring and Capital of The Flowers.
