La Guajira is almost a world apart from the green and tropical Colombia most travelers know. The arid desert landscapes in this region are foreboding yet beautiful, with the sun-scorched earth and steep red dunes tapering off into the azure waters of the Caribbean. The most epic landscapes here...
Cartagena de Indias is not only a beautiful Caribbean coastal destination, but it's also one of the most well-preserved Spanish Colonial cities in South America. Back when the Spaniards were in charge, they utilized a network of offshore islands to help protect their shipments of gold. Beyond...
The town of Guatapé is one of the crown jewels of central Colombia's Antioquia region. There are a few reasons for this, not the least of which is El Peñol, a 7,000-foot (2,135-meter) granite rock that rises out of the ground like a giant silver bullet. A private eight-hour tour of the town...
Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tayrona National Park) is one of about 58 national parks in Colombia, and this protected area is known for having some of the most virgin coastal landscapes in the entire country. Indeed, it's home to one of the most iconic "postcard" destinations in Colombia: the...
A few hours south of Bogotá lies the Serranía de la Macarena mountain range, which is also home to a national park founded in 1971. It's an area of great bio-diversity, as it's a convergence point for three different regions of Colombia: the Amazon, Andes, and the Orinoco River lands. This...
A mere 50 minutes north of Bogotá lies the town of Zipaquirá, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. While certainly a charming colonial town, Zipaquirá is a must-visit Colombian destination for one single landmark: the Salt Cathedral, located just outside of town. This is indeed a...
The city of Medellín, located in central Colombia's Antioquia region, is a true global success story. Once plagued by cartel violence, over the past 20 years it has turned itself around to become a model of safety, boasting a mass-transit system second to none. This six-hour tour begins in...
Salento is a gem of a Spanish-colonial town and a popular tourist destination in Colombia's coffee region. However, the town isn't the only highlight; just beyond Salento's borders lies an expanse of unspoiled country known as the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley). Green for days and boasting...
The village of Barichara, located in Colombia's northern-central department of Santander, might just be the most well-preserved colonial town in the entire country. Moreover, this gem is surrounded by beautiful Andes mountains abounding with waterfalls, rivers, and canyons perfect for exploring....
The drawback to Colombia is that the country is so beautiful that many perfectly lovely areas often get overlooked. The nation's Boyacá Department is one such place. This highland region near to Bogotá has a rich history (it's the site of a turning point in the war for independence), and it's...
It's fitting that Salento, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Colombia, is surrounded by the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley), which happens to be one of the most beautiful valleys in Colombia. This fertile region, denoted by rolling green hills, abounds with various coffee estates that...
Bogotá is one of Latin America's most interesting and historic capital cities. At one time it was the seat of government for the new South American republic after independence from Spain. Believe it or not, many historic landmarks from those independence years still stand in Bogotá even now. A...
The rich culture of Colombia is found in many places, from its people to its music to its unrivaled natural beauty. And of course it's found in the food. This cooking lesson allows visitors to discover one of the most delicious regional dishes of Colombia: ajiaco. The class is held at a...
The only thing better than a chocolate tour is one that involves preparing that chocolate from scratch, directly from cacao beans. This is what's in store at the "Bean to Bar" workshop in the ChocoMuseo (Chocolate Museum) located in Parque Bolívar, Cartagena. Over two hours, participants learn...
Cartagena, abounding as it is with cobbled streets lined by colonial homes with bougainvilia-draped balconies, is a city that begs to be explored on foot. And a guided walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage walled city (Old Town) is the perfect way to do this. It's a brisk 2.5-hour tour that...
A 20-minute flight north from the island of San Andres lies Providencia. This small, tear-drop-shaped island is the heartland of Afro-Caribbean Raizal culture in Colombia. Beaches are few compared to San Andrés; however, there are several sites of interest, most of which are accessible by hiking....
