Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations
Slide Nr 1From dramatic mountains and unexplored forests to palm-lined beaches, cascading waterfalls, charming towns and vivid deserts, Colombia is a traveller’s treasure trove of discoveries just waiting to be made. And while the country was held back for decades due to internal conflict, it is being reborn, little by little, thanks to its diverse landscapes and the warmth of its people. In fact, Colombia was recently named as South America’s Leading Destination for the first time by the World Travel Awards.
0/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 2Although much of the country is safer and more accessible now than in the past, you should still take reasonable precautions when planning your trip. Be sure to organise your itinerary in advance and always check the latest government travel advisories, avoiding any areas that may be unsafe.
1/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 4The Dunes of Taroa – In La Guajira, next to the northernmost point of South America, you’ll find the unique Dunes of Taroa – the only dunes on the continent where the yellow desert sands fall into the Caribbean Sea. With green flora behind you, climb the mounds of fine sand and walk until you reach the sea. It’s a tough place to get to – you’ll have to cross the desert in a 4×4, and it’s easy to get lost, so enlist the help of a local guide – but it’s one of the most stunning corners of the continent. [Photo by Lina Maestre Lacera]
3/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 5Santa Cruz de Mompox – Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this town in northern Colombia is frozen in time. You’ll find colonial-era architecture, vendors selling milk from their carts, fresh produce carried on the backs of donkeys, lazy boats on the Magdalena River, very friendly locals and very few cars. It’s no coincidence that Gabriel García Márquez was inspired to write several of his novels here. [Photo by Lina Maestre Lacera]
4/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 7Quebrada Las Gachas, Santander – Near the municipalities of Oiba and Guadalupe in the department of Santander, you’ll find an unusual sight: a red river full of natural pools. Cold, crystalline waters flow across a shallow river bed where many natural plunge pools of different depths have formed. The river bed is blanketed in red algae which gives the river an other-worldly appearance, but it’s safe to take a dip – so don’t forget your swimsuit. [Photo via Wikimedia Commons]
6/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 8El Parque Tuparro – This protected natural area boasts of ecosystems representative of the Orinoquía region and the eastern plains. In this extensive green savannah, you can spot such species such as howler monkeys, tapirs, pink dolphins and otters, along with hundreds of other species of mammal, bird, reptile and fish. One of the main attractions of Tuparro is the Maipures stream, declared the 8th wonder of the world by Alexander von Humboldt in 1800. [Photo: Colombiaamazinglandscapes via Wikimedia Commons]
7/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 9Ciudad Perdida – Located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, the so-called ‘Lost City’ is one of the most important yet lesser-known archeological sites in Latin America. It was most likely built by the Tairona people around 700 AD (making it several centuries older than Machu Picchu) and rediscovered in the ‘70s. To get here you must join an organised tour and make a four- or five-day hike, enjoying the unspoilt natural landscapes and brightly coloured sunsets along the way. You may also encounter some of the descendants of the Tairona, who built hundreds of kilometres of roads and terraces in the Sierra Nevada. [Photo: Alexander Schimmeck/Flickr]
8/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 10Isla de Providencia – This Caribbean treasure is a haven for beach lovers, divers and snorkellers, as well as anyone with an appetite for island cuisine rich in coconut and seafood. And when the blue of the sea and the pink of the sunset mingle, it will leave you breathless. Providencia is truly a paradise anchored in the middle of the sea, but to get here, you’ll need to fly to the neighbouring island of San Andrés first, then take another short flight or 3-hour catamaran trip. [Photo: Chiara/Flickr]
9/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 11Palomino – This small town on the Caribbean coast has become a fashionable destination for Colombians, and it’s not hard to understand why. A biodiverse region with soft-sand beaches where the river meets the mountains and the sea, Palomino is a special place. You can spend hours gliding down the river on a float, flowing into the Caribbean sea. It’s reasonably easy to get here, too: just take a public bus from Santa Marta, about a 1.5-hour trip. [Photo: Pieter Bas Elskamp/Flickr]
10/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 12Minca – Only 17 kilometres from Santa Marta, the quiet but welcoming mountain town of Minca offers a warm and temperate climate, perfect for enjoying its many waterfalls and its lush natural beauty. Soothe the mind and body by taking a dip in the beautiful rock pools, spot some local fauna on a bird-watching expedition, or ramp up the adrenaline with some rappelling. Another easy-to-reach destination, you can take a public bus from Santa Marta to Mamatoco, and then a van to Minca. [Photo: Louis Vest/Flickr]
11/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 13El Santuario de las Lajas – The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Lajas is a Gothic-style church built on the Guáitara river canyon in Ipiales, on the Ecuadorian border. It was declared the second wonder of Colombia in 2007, and you don’t have to look twice to see why: the church is architecturally impressive, standing on a bridge that spans the river and reaches some 100 metres from the base to the tallest tower. [Photo: Diego Delso/Flickr]
12/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 14Parque Los Nevados – High in the Andes, forests, moorlands, glaciers and active volcanoes converge. As you ascend into this incredible mountain ecosystem, you’ll encounter one of the most enigmatic places Colombia has to offer. Upon reaching the moor, you’ll be amazed by the many green tones and the frailejones shrubs in the distance – and you may even observe condors, bears, tapirs and many other native animals. [Photo: ManuB./Flickr]
13/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 16Barichara – This tranquil town in the department of Santander is renowned for its friendly people and charming cobblestone streets. In fact, one of the greatest draws of Barichara is that it appears to have been untouched since the 18th century, its whitewashed buildings with tiled roofs of red clay lining the quiet avenues and leafy plazas. After taking in the serenity of this time capsule, you can get your heart-pumping in nearby San Gil, a hotspot for adventure sports like paragliding and rafting. [Photo: Pieter Bas Elskamp/Flickr]
15/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 17Guatapé – In the northwestern department of Antioquia, the town of Guatapé enchants with the vibrant colours of its zócalos, fresco-like panels adorning the town’s façades. The tradition began around 1920, when the first zócalos were installed by José María Parra, initially to protect the walls from moisture and livestock. Today, they are the town’s main attraction; we recommend getting lost among the streets of the town and leisurely taking them in. Be sure to visit Piedra del Peñol, also known as the Rock of Guatapé, a striking rock formation that can be climbed for wonderful views.[Photo: Pieter Bas Elskamp/Flickr]
16/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 18Nuquí – A wild, untouched destination, Nuquí is where humpback whales – having travelled thousands of kilometres from icy Antarctic waters – come to breed and give birth between June and November, providing an unparalleled spectacle for visitors. It’s located on the Pacific coast, in the department of Chocó, a place where sea and jungle merge into one magical landscape. To come here is to disconnect from the stresses of modern life (there’s no internet or even mobile service) and embrace the tranquility offered by nature in its purest form. [Photo: Quimbaya/Flickr]
17/18
Special Colombia Now!
Discover Colombia: 17 Don’t-Miss Destinations.
Slide Nr 19Tatacoa Desert – The Tatacoa Desert is one of Colombia’s most fascinating destinations. The second largest arid zone in the country after La Guajira, it’s located in the department of Huila, 2 hours from the city of Neiva. Its wrinkled red-earth landscape dotted with cacti will leave any visitor in awe; go on morning walks to explore the areas of Cuzco and Los Hoyos, and at night, look up to the crystal-clear sky to gaze at the stars in all their splendour. Visit the astronomical observatory to learn more about the night sky and the universe. [Photo: Alexander Schimmeck/Flickr]
18/18
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.