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Places to discover
Best places to visit in Colombia
Feeling the excitement for your trip to Colombia? That's not surprising, as a trip to Columbia is a huge adventure, in a country which used to be infamous, but where security has vastly improved since focusing its efforts on promoting tourism. Travelling to Columbia isn't just a chance to take time away from your busy schedule, it's a chance to make rich discoveries and let yourself be guided by a people who really know how to live well.
As diversity is a central concern for any traveller, planning your stay with the help and advice from the Evaneos community will help simplify the process, as you take on board suggestions of various destinations from among the best of what that country has to offer. Once in the country, let yourself fall into the wild pattern of Colombian life.
Upon arrival in Bogotá, start with trying a delicious ajiaco. This speciality of the capital is also the national dish. In Colombia, colour is everywhere, in the food as well as the architecture. At the coast, don't forget to visit the incredible Cartagena de Indias, a historic city with colonial architecture, so beautiful they call it the Pearl of the Caribbean. If you like the archaic charm of paved streets and arcades, you'll love the tranquil town of Leyva, the favoured destination to Bogotanos. Another historic town, Medellín, has defied its turbulent past to transform itself into a vibrant cultural capital.
Colombia is rich both in history and nature. So head off to discover the national nature park of Tayrona and its beautiful coastline. The more adventurous traveller will choose to embark on an expedition in search of the pre-Colombian civilisations, heading towards the Lost City, located at the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The romantics among you will opt for luxury on the island of Múcura, a tiny paradise reserved for the connoisseurs.
So put on your salsa shoes as you prepare yourself for a trip which will awaken your senses!
Barichara is a small town located in Colombia's northeast.
Bucaramanga, an industrial city in Colombia and capital of the department of Santander, is a place you are sometimes obliged to stop at when travelling between Bogotá and the north of the country by bus.
Chicamocha National Park is located in the Colombian department of Santander and is famous for its spectacular scenery and its outdoor sports.
La Guajira is Colombia's most northern point. Largely made up of desert, this region stretches as far as the Venezuelan border and is lined with stunning beaches that overlook the Caribbean.
The Carrizal Desert is located in the Department of La Guajira, in extreme northern Colombia.
Lying at the extreme northern tip of Colombia, Punta Gallinas is famous for being the most northerly point in Latin America.
Barranquilla is a port city located in Colombia's Atlántico department and lying just a stone's throw from the Caribbean Sea.
The Tatacoa Desert is located in the northern part of Huila Province, around ten kilometres from Villavieja.
The archaeological park of San Agustin is situated in the heart of the Colombian Andes. It's home to some incredible Megalithic sculptures and is a classified UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tierradentro or 'the land within' merits its name - a superb walk in the heart of Colombia combined with visits to subterranean tombs...
Overlooked by the Puracé Volcano, Popayán is a town situated in the Cauca Department, about 100km from Cali.
Quindío is one of Columbia's 32 departments. It's found in the coffee producing region of Columbia's mid-west.
Riohacha is a stopover town where you can spend the night before going off to explore the La Guajira Desert.
Palomino is a small Colombian town lying at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
A rocky promontory located on the Guajira Peninsula in northeast Colombia.
Zipaquira is a colonial city located in the Bogotá metropolitan area, known for its Salt Cathedral.
At 3hrs 30mins north of Bogota, the white town of Guatavita is a great place for a long weekend. It's also where you'll find the Guatavita Lagoon, the origin of the El Dorado legend and myths surrounding the Muiscas and Chibchas people.
Pereira is a city located in the "EJe Cafetero" coffee-growing region of Colombia and capital of Risaralda.
The Cocora Valley's exotic and lush scenery is perfect for walks and enjoying some superb views. Its giant palm trees make it a must during a visit to the Coffee Triangle.
Armenia is the capital of Quindío in Colombia's coffee region. This city experienced a very significant earthquake in 1999.
