Blessed with many different landscapes, Colombia in the northwest of South America is home to beautiful Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, the glorious Andes mountains, and of course, the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest – among many other spectacular natural sights.
While over a third of the country consists of endless jungle, large rivers such as the Orinoco course through the countryside, and offshore, there are lots of fantastic islands for you to explore in both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Dotted among its many different ecosystems are lively cities such as Bogota, Medellin, and Cali, while the colonial-era cities of Cartagena and Popayan are equally alluring.
Andino
Blessed with beautiful mountain scenery in the shape of the Colombian Andes, the country’s two largest cities of Bogota and Medellin, and a wealth of national parks with jungle-filled canyons and endless coffee plantations, Andino is a treat to visit.
Spending some time in the intoxicating cities of Bogota and Medellin is a must for all the amazing museums, fascinating historical landmarks, and pounding nightlife they have to offer. It’s well worth traveling around the greater region, as everywhere you go, you’re greeted with the majestic Andean Highlands.
The city of Bucaramanga, for instance, warrants a visit for its scenic setting in the Rio de Oro valley. San Gil is the place to head to if you want to go white water rafting, trekking, or even bungee jumping; it is the adventure sports capital of the country. With the gorgeous nature of Cocuy National Park and Purace National Natural Park on show, Andino provides the perfect mix of culture, history, adventure, and nature, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Costa Norte
Home to some of Colombia’s most impressive colonial towns and cities, and an equally stunning Caribbean coastline to match, the idyllic Costa Norte is one of the most popular regions to visit in the country, and with good reason.
Cartagena is a must-see when in the region for its wonderful colonial-era architecture and fascinating historical sites. Barranquilla, the fourth largest city in the country, erupts once a year with the second-largest Carnival in the world, when everyone takes to the streets to party and celebrate with dances, music, and parades. Santa Cruz de Mompox and Santa Marta boast some fantastic colonial architecture, with the latter also a gateway to the beautiful beaches and gorgeous natural sights that lie nearby.
Costa Norte has the jungle-covered Tayrona National Park for you to explore, as well as the golden sandy beaches of Cabo de la Vela and the captivating archaeological site of Ciudad Perdida, which are both well worth a visit.
Orinoquía
Punctuated with tropical savannas, meandering rivers, lush forests, and wetlands, Orinoquia’s endless plains are fascinating to explore, and offer travelers an off the beaten path experience; even Colombians seldom venture here.
Populated by cowboys and ranch hands, this wild and remote part of the country is rarely explored beyond Villavicencio, which is located not far from Bogota. The charming town acts as a hub for El Meta’s wonderful Hacienda country. It is here that you’ll find the majestic Cano Cristales, which is aptly known as ‘The River of Seven Colours’ for its shimmering, multicolored waters.
Located around the river are the Serrania de la Macarena, which are full of beautiful landscapes for you to explore, with glittering waterfalls, steamy jungle, and rugged cliffs all on show.
Pacifica
Hugging Colombia’s Pacific coastline, Pacifica’s narrow strip of land runs all the way from Panama in the north right down to Ecuador in the south, with beautiful beaches, tropical forests, and fascinating cities and towns waiting to be explored.
Cali, the largest city in the region and the party capital of Colombia, attracts the most visitors with its many fiestas, street parties, and salsa clubs. The colonial-era city of Popayan is also well worth stopping by. It is the country’s religious center, and this is evidenced by the huge Easter festival that takes places here every year.
Along its Pacific coastline, you’ll find some beautiful seaside towns and beaches to while away your days, with the fishing villages of Ladrilleros and Juanchaco among the most popular for all the great activities they have on offer. Here, you can try your hand at surfing, or explore the depths of the ocean with scuba diving or snorkeling. Between the months of July to September, whale watching is very popular, as the majestic creatures migrate along the coast.
Amazonia
Covering more than a third of the country, the endless sea of green that makes up Amazonia really is a sight to behold, and trekking through the steamy rainforest makes for an unforgettable experience.
Boasting an incredible range of fauna and flora, the region is a nature lover’s delight. The enormous Amacayacu National Park is the place that most people head to, with Chiribiquete National Park also popular.
In this wild and secluded part of the country, the best way to get around is by boat. While cruising along the Putumayo or Guaviare Rivers, you may see pink dolphins or tapirs and caymans in the surrounding rainforest. With so much amazing wildlife and breathtakingly beautiful nature to discover, visiting Amazonia really is a once in a lifetime experience.
Colombian Islands
Dotted around both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the Colombian Islands are lovely places to visit. You really can’t go wrong wherever you choose, as all of them are blessed with gorgeous scenery and a plethora of fun watersports for you to enjoy.
While the scenic archipelago of Islas del Rosario in the Caribbean never fails to delight with its beautiful beaches, colorful coral reefs, and nature-filled national park, both San Andres and Providencia are also well worth a visit for the marvelous scenery on show.
Scattered along the country’s Pacific coastline are some equally delightful islands for you to check out. The wonderful Isla Gorgona – a former prison turned nature reserve – and Isla Malpelo – a nature preserve located far offshore – both boast some incredible scuba diving opportunities.
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