From the blue waters of Tayrona National Park, the sweeping views of the Cocora Valley, and the ruins of San Agustín, Tierradentro, and the Lost City, to the white colonial buildings of Popayán and the hustle and bustle of its metropolises, Colombia is packed with things to see and do. I’d wanted to visit Colombia for years. And after spending six weeks there, I must say, it lived up to the hype. I mean I’ve been fawning over it a lot in my last few posts. And I know I’m the millionth blogger to do so, but it really is as incredible as people say. (Even getting knifed there couldn’t stop me from loving the country.) I had falsely assumed that six weeks would be enough to get a good sense of Colombia. After all, six weeks is a fair amount of time to spend anywhere. But I was wrong. Given its size and the sheer number of activities, it was barely enough to scratch the surface. Yet I did manage to see a lot. Today I want to share my list of what I think are the best things to see and do in Colombia. These are the activities and places you should try to focus on when you visit: 1. Cartagena
But despite the crowds (and there are a lot of crowds), I really enjoyed Cartagena. While there aren’t a lot of tourist activities (you can do most of them in a single day), what makes it a wonderful place to visit is just that: it’s somewhere you can slow down, relax, and gorge on the phenomenal gastronomy. For more, check out this blog post about Cartegena and all my favorite places to eat there. 2. Tayrona National Park
It’s easy to visit as a day trip from Santa Marta. I highly suggest you start early at the big entrance at El Zaino and exit the park through Calabazo. This underused route takes a whole day, and once you pass the Cabo San Juan campground, you’ll get the last half of the trail to yourself. Try to avoid visiting during January and weekends, when the crowds on the beaches and hiking paths are at their peak. 3. The Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida)
(Tip: You cross a lot of rivers, so be sure to bring an extra pair of shoes or flip flops for when you cross the rivers. You’ll easily ruin a pair of sneakers along the way.) 4. Salento
5. Cocora Valley
(Tip: Start early to avoid the brutal midday heat, since there are a lot of exposed areas here.) 6. Bogotá
For more, here’s a list of all my favorite things to do – and places to eat – in Bogota. 7. Cali
8. Popayán
While you don’t need a lot of time (take the walking tour, climb the hill, see the churches, and you’re done), I do suggest staying longer to enjoy the slow pace of life. So much of Colombia is go-go-go, it’s nice to find a place that’s more “stay and relax a while.” 9. Tatacoa Desert
10. San Agustín Archaeological Park
11. San Gil
12. Providencia and San Andrés Islands
Try to make it when tens of thousands of black crabs migrate to the sea. This happens twice a year for about a 1-2-week period between April and July, so it’s not always easy to nail the timing. 13. Medellín
It’s one of the most popular destinations for expats and tourists in the country. While it’s easy to get lost in Gringoland here, try to get out of Poblado or Laureles and see the locals’ side of town. There’s more to the city than those two areas! 14. Guatapé
Most people, though, come to climb the steep (and difficult) staircase to the top of the monolithic Rock of Guatapé (La Piedra) for some of the best views in the country. Guatapé is a long day trip from Medellín (hostels in the city organize them throughout the week) so I recommend trying to spend at least a night here so you aren’t as rushed and can enjoy the area little more. 15. Chingaza National Park
16. Barranquilla
But there’s a lot to do here when it’s not carnival season as well. Make sure you visit El Museo del Caribe, a museum offering an interesting insight into the history of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. There’s also a special exhibit dedicated to Gabriel García Márquez (the famous author who wrote Love in the Time of Cholera). 17. Tierradentro
18. Manizales (and Los Nevados)
19. The Caribbean Coast
20. Punta Gallinas
21. Minca
There are a lot of waterfalls in the area as well. Two of the best are the Pozo Azul and Marinka. Both have swimming holes at them too. Be sure to check out the sunset Mundo Nuevo Hostel. It’s an amazing vantage point. Colombia has a million and one things to do. I lost track of all the places I kept wishing I had time to visit. You can spend months there (and a lot of people to do). However, I think this list is a great start. My recommendation is that if you’re short on time, fly (the bus rides are long) or just stick to one area of the country and go in depth around that region. Trying to “see it all” in Colombia is just a recipe for burnout! Book Your Trip to Colombia: Logistical Tips and TricksBook Your Flight Book Your Accommodation Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Looking for the best companies to save money with? Want More Information on Colombia? Photo credits: 4, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22 The post My 21 Favorite Places to Visit in Colombia appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. from https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-places-colombia/
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Jeffrey ClinardHi I am Jeffrey Clinard ,35 years old, By profession I am a photographer,I love to catch the beauty of Nature for this purpose I love to Explore the world. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |