How To Plan YOUR Finest Journey Route

Vital Tip: it’s spelled Colombia, not Columbia. That is completely different from British Columbia or Columbia College! You’ll want to get it proper when asking for tips about teams or boards — or face an indignant mob giving zero solutions. Folks do get delicate about it so it helps to spell it appropriately.

Easy methods to create an itinerary

The issues with Colombia

Earlier than we get into itinerary planning, there are some things to debate.

No, I’m not speaking about security! (Colombia is generally effective.)

The true downside with Colombia that it’s just too good of a journey vacation spot. Actually, it’s one thing you actually must be ready for.

What do I imply?

Properly, it simply has so many issues to do and locations to go to that it’s very straightforward to really feel utterly overwhelmed. Making an attempt to ‘do all of it’ in Colombia is like making an attempt to drink from a firehose. Even with 3 months in Colombia I nonetheless felt like I wasn’t performed.

That is fairly completely different from another nations. You may spend 2 weeks in, say, modestly-sized Guatemala or Ecuador and nonetheless hold your FOMO at bay. In Colombia, you’ll absolutely usually agonize over what to incorporate in your itinerary or what to depart out.

The opposite situation is solely the distances.

Perhaps you get the spontaneous thought to only catch a fast bus from Cartagena within the north to the capital within the middle. Oops, it takes 21 hours.

Colombia isn’t solely an enormous nation, however its geography is outlined by three mountain ranges that run vertically throughout it. And mountains means “sluggish”!

For instance, journeys within the mountainous espresso area usually take longer than anticipated — a minimum of, in the event you’re simply connecting the dots on a map with out checking the precise journey instances.

For reference, listed here are the distances from Bogota by bus:

What all this implies is that you simply simply must be sensible about your Colombia journey route and plan it effectively.

However don’t fear! I’ll assist you to get probably the most out of your journey to Colombia. And we’ll have a look at some ready-made itineraries that may work for a shorter journey or that you could piece collectively for an extended journey.

Maintaining your route lifelike

So, Colombia is huge and there’s an excessive amount of to see. How will you hold your journey route manageable?

Properly, there are two methods: taking flights, or specializing in a area.

In case you have solely one or two weeks, I recommend selecting a selected area and largely staying in it. That approach, you gained’t waste an excessive amount of time in transit and also you’ll have far more time throughout your journey for actions and sightseeing.

As an alternative of making an attempt to go to each level on the compass, you may have a unbelievable journey by, say, specializing in the Caribbean coast plus a number of days in Bogota. That approach you’ll get a extra full expertise inside part of Colombia as an alternative of an excessively hurried or fragmented one.

(I do know everybody’s journey fashion is completely different although. That is simply my suggestion for getting probably the most enjoyment inside a restricted time.)

In case you have three or 4 weeks in Colombia, then I believe it’s good to sort out two or three areas. You’ll have a superb minimal time for a ‘full Colombia journey’ of kinds. In fact, that doesn’t imply you’ll see all the pieces it has to supply, however you may undoubtedly see quite a bit and have an itinerary with lots of selection.

In case you can journey longer than 4 weeks, then congratulations! You’ll be capable to expertise Colombia in a approach not everybody can. With a minimum of about 6-8 weeks you may actually cowl a lot of the highlights in Colombia. This is a perfect timeframe in the event you’re, say, backpacking in Colombia and actually aren’t in a rush.

Taking inside flights could be a good resolution for some itineraries. My journey fashion is often to go overland, however the comfort and low value of home flights in Colombia make them very tempting. To provide you an thought, on my final journey I hopped between Santa Marta to Medellin by air (that’s crossing about half the nation) for about $40. This fortunately prevented a 15-hour bus trip.

Some locations within the Amazon or on the Pacific Coast are additionally unreachable by street, necessitating flights.

A flight or two can undoubtedly make an even bigger journey route in Colombia simpler to plan. In fact, you may also get carried away with including flights.

I generally see itineraries posted on-line the place the particular person is solely flying round (e.g. Bogota > Medellin > Santa Marta > Armenia for Salento > and so forth. all by air). This appears extreme and can imply spending an excessive amount of time at airports versus time immersing within the journey expertise.

Whereas among the distances might be vital, the bus/coach transport in Colombia is thankfully excellent generally.

One other pitfall is simply visiting cities. The smaller cities in Colombia have a lot appeal! They’re additionally typically safer than the cities, in order that they have fairly a unique vibe. The smaller locations are undoubtedly to not be ignored and I all the time suppose it’s good to have a mixture of each cities and cities.

The map under exhibits you the principle journey locations in Colombia and the way they are often related.

Flying in- and out of Colombia

Earlier than we will journey in Colombia, we now have to get there first!

Most vacationers will arrive in Bogota just because it has the biggest worldwide airport. The capital isn’t a nasty place to begin your journey, however it’s good to know what to anticipate from Bogota. It’s not a superficially stunning metropolis, however it’s a very attention-grabbing one.

Apart from Bogota, many different cities even have worldwide airports, together with Cartagena, Cali, and Medellín. There are even a number of direct flights all the way in which from Europe to Cartagena. You’ll want to examine all of your choices utilizing Google Flights or Skyscanner as this may occasionally provide you with completely different concepts for plan your route.

An attention-grabbing possibility is to fly by way of Miami. Because it’s tremendous well-connected to the remainder of the US, Colombia, in addition to Europe, it may be an ideal stepping stone.

On my most up-to-date Colombia journey, I flew from Portugal (the place I dwell) to Miami after which on to Cartagena. On the way in which again I flew from Cali to Miami to Portugal. This meant I may begin and finish my journey somewhere else in Colombia. It let me journey overland in a neat north-to-south path, with none must backtrack to Bogota.

Overrated or underrated?

Some locations in Colombia are tremendous well-liked, others appear to be barely identified. In case you prefer to go slightly off the crushed path, you’ll have plenty of alternatives.

I believed it’d be attention-grabbing to take a survey of Colombia itineraries. I appeared on the prime 20 itineraries on different websites and tallied how usually locations are talked about:

As you may see, most websites suggest the identical locations. Cartagena will get virtually 20X extra mentions than, say, the unimaginable Pacific Coast.

That is most likely as a result of many vacationers do the identical 2-week itinerary, which then will get shared once more as if it’s the one possibility. Whereas locations are sometimes well-liked for a motive, it may also be fairly self-reinforcing.

Recognition doesn’t all the time imply ‘greatest’. It simply is dependent upon what you’re in search of. Personally, I like well-liked locations like Cartagena, however actually love among the hidden gems additional down the record.

Most touristy locations in Colombia

Cartagena is by far probably the most touristy place in Colombia, however I do nonetheless suppose it’s touristy in a really good approach. In case you like stunning colonial structure, colourful road artwork, boutique resorts, and classy eating places, then it’s the right place to go. It’s nice for a Caribbean vacation feeling and also you’ll consistently see beautiful snap-worthy buildings or road scenes.

Guatape, a day journey from Medellin, additionally will get very busy and will get combined opinions. Some like it, some don’t. The views are wonderful however simply comprehend it’s fairly a commercialized weekend resort.

Salento is a mountain city close to Valle del Cocora, dwelling to the world’s tallest wax palm bushes. It will get fairly crowded as of late, although there are a number of alternate options to Salento.

For my part, Colombia doesn’t but undergo from true overtourism the way in which another nations do, however in the event you like locations that aren’t but a lot on the journey map, then you should definitely look in the direction of the underside of the desk earlier, or a few of my particular strategies to comply with.

Alright, time for some itineraries!

Itinerary 1: the Caribbean coast

The Caribbean coast is 100% the place you must go for a tropical vacation feeling. It’s excellent for a first-time go to to Colombia.

The beautiful colonial metropolis of Cartagena is sort of all the time sunny and (very) scorching. It’s grow to be a mainstream trip vacation spot with high-quality lodging, excessive security ranges, and a plethora of tourist-friendly outlets and cafes. In case you’re in search of a protected household or {couples} vacation spot in Colombia, that is it. (Simply count on it to be a little bit of a ‘vacationer wonderland’ and never like the remainder of Colombia.)

Cartagena is a good start line, however I believe one of the best components within the north are round Santa Marta. Minca is the spot for eco jungle retreats and birdwatching journeys, whereas Tayrona Nationwide Park has a few of Colombia’s most photogenic wild seashores.

Recommended minimal time: 2 weeks

Cartagena (2 days)

I’ve been to colonial outdated cities throughout Latin America and Cartagena is unquestionably probably the most stunning. You’ll be surprised by how properly it’s saved as effectively, with roses hanging from brightly coloured balconies and dazzling road artwork enlivening the partitions within the stylish neighborhood of Getsemani.

You may keep in Cartagena on any funds, however you’ll get probably the most out of it in the event you benefit from the finer issues. Inside its outdated metropolis partitions, nearly all the pieces is ‘artisanal’, ‘gastro’, or ‘craft’. A number of the most stunning boutique resorts in Colombia may also be present in Cartagena. The town is a little more costly than elsewhere, however there are nonetheless loads of funds choices too.

Within the colonial days, large fleets would take gold and different items from Cartagena to Spain. In the present day, the outdated metropolis is prosperous and fairly protected, because the peninsula of Bocagrande with its many high-rise residences that appear like a mini-Miami. Outer neighborhoods are quite a bit rougher across the edges (although you’re unlikely to go to them).

You may wander the outdated metropolis and the fortifications, take a road meals tour, buy groceries, or swim inside a mud volcano (a tacky however enjoyable tour).

Cartagena can be the right launching pad for journeys to numerous close by islands and seashores.

Seashores & islands close to Cartagena (2 days)

Honest warning: the seashores instantly in- and round Cartagena are terrible (e.g. Playas de Crespo close to the airport is simply… no). However the seashores get excellent additional out from town. Anticipate turquoise waters and tropical fishes swimming by.

In case you’re not too choosy or in a rush, hit up Isla de Tierra Bomba, the island simply half-hour from the outdated metropolis. It’s fairly business however will tick the field. For considerably quieter seashores, go to the Rosario islands (1 hr by boat) or the peninsula of Baru. For but extra seclusion, go to the San Bernardo islands (2 hours by boat from Cartagena).

The island expertise is greatest on weekdays as on the weekends many Colombians will arrive on weekend journeys, making it extra crowded.

You may go to the islands and seashores with boat excursions and day journeys, however it’s price staying in a single day so that you simply get to hang around previous the afternoon rush and might watch the attractive sunsets.

Minca (3 days)

Minca burst onto the journey scene round 2015 when a brand new street made it extra accessible. The mountain city turned the go-to ecotourism vacation spot in Colombia and hasn’t misplaced its appeal.

It’s a haven for birdwatching, mountain climbing, natural espresso farm visits, and extra. You attain Minca simply by way of town Santa Marta (it’s about half-hour).

It’s greatest to remain a minimum of considerably exterior the city middle for one of the best views and probably the most serenity. My information to the greatest ecolodges and hostels in Minca will inform you extra.

In case you’re even remotely serious about seeing tropical birds, go on the highly-rated Jungle Joe birdwatching tour. I’m not a bird-watching fanatic but I nonetheless thought it was an unimaginable expertise. Recognizing my first toucan was undoubtedly very memorable.

There are a lot of mountain climbing trails and waterfalls within the space. The environment in Minca and its sweeping jungle cover views are additionally an expertise in itself. It appears many travellers find yourself staying an evening or two longer than deliberate.

Tayrona Nationwide Park (1-2 day)

Colombia’s most well-known nationwide park encompasses a number of extraordinarily scenic seashores — of which Playa Del Cabo is one of the best identified. Tayrona is gorgeous, although it’s grow to be a little bit of an iconic place in Colombia, so it may be fairly busy at instances. This isn’t actually a difficulty, simply don’t count on it to be a completely quiet wilderness.

A preferred exercise amongst backpackers is to remain the evening at Playa Del Cabo in a hammock beneath only a corrugated steel roof. I haven’t performed this however heard combined opinions (primarily to do with the chilly wind), so learn up on it to see if it’s one thing you’d like. Alternatively, you may keep on the sting of the park in an eco-resort or hostel after which do a morning hike to the seaside.

Many seashores in Tayrona aren’t suited to swimming because of the currents. Playa Concha is near Santa Marta and is extra of a swimming seaside.

Palomino or comparable (2-3 days)

For some straightforward seaside time merely look to your entire stretch of coast east of Tayrona Park. Palomina is a little bit of a scorching spot right here; when it comes to vibe consider a “backpacker seaside place in Thailand” besides a good bit extra laidback. Put your toes within the sand and a beer in your hand.

For someplace a bit extra low-key, try the world across the japanese fringe of Tayrona. Search the map for ‘Playa Los Angeles’ or “Trompito’. The entire space round right here is sprinkled with ecolodges, hostels, glamping, and farm stays.

Extra on the Caribbean Coast

There is sufficient to do within the north to replenish an entire month! Listed below are some methods you may lengthen your itinerary.

Ciudad Perdida (or Misplaced Metropolis) is an historical damage contained in the Sierra Nevada Nationwide Park. In case you have 4 or 5 days to spare and love the outside, then think about the Misplaced Metropolis trek. It passes via indigenous lands and ends on the ruins of a pre-Columbian civilization. You may solely do that as a part of an official group tour. It does take many days and prices 1400000 COP per particular person (roughly 300 Euros or {Dollars}), so think about if the Misplaced Metropolis is price it for you. My Misplaced Metropolis trek information will provide you with all the small print.

Many use town of Santa Marta solely to transit to Tayrona Park or Minca. It’s a ‘regular’ trendy metropolis and doesn’t have that a lot for vacationers, however it could actually nonetheless function a pleasant base. It has a marina, a superb metropolis seaside (at Playa El Rodadero), a small historic space, and lots of nice lodging choices. I as soon as stayed for five nights in Santa Marta just because I wasin a enjoyable hostel and in addition met some locals who confirmed me round.

The valley of Paso Del Mango is a little-known various to Minca. It’s extra remoted within the jungle, although it has just a few lodging choices. Finca Carpe Diem is the principle base in Paso Del Mango.

Taganga, a village by a bay simply north of Santa Marta, is the place to study to scuba dive. It has among the least expensive dive faculty packages in Colombia — or wherever, for that matter. A 3-day primary certification course prices about 700000 COP, whereas a half-day introduction to diving prices about 200000 COP. The reefs may not impress extra skilled divers, however they’re excellent to your coaching dives.

Barranquilla is kind of an industrial metropolis with a poor repute for security. I wouldn’t trouble with it usually, although the carnival in February makes an enormous exception. It’s truly the second-biggest carnival parade after Rio de Janeiro. Do watch your belongings fastidiously because it’s really a carnival of pickpocketing as effectively. Be particularly alert if you end up briefly blinded by cleaning soap bubbles sprayed from aerosol cans throughout the celebrations. However in the event you take some care then it’s an unforgettable occasion.

Rincon Del Mar is a laidback place by the seaside about 3 hours south of Cartagena. It’ll most likely keep fairly laidback because it’s considerably out of the way in which and lacks these postcard-friendly turquoise waters, however the in-the-know travellers make it there and like it for its pleasant environment. From Rincon, you may go to the San Bernardo islands on a ship journey and see bioluminescent plankton sparkle within the waters in a close-by lagoon. If a low-key vibe is your kind of factor, you gained’t remorse going to Rincon (shhhhh, it’s secretly additionally my favourite seaside in north Colombia!).

Lastly, Punta Gallinas is the furthest northern level of Colombia. It exhibits a really completely different aspect of Colombia. There are sand-dune deserts and (very poor) indigenous villages. It’s troublesome to go to by yourself so it’s greatest performed on a 2 or 3-day organized tour.

Itinerary 2: from North to Bogota

The areas of Colombia are separated by appreciable distances. If you wish to journey overland from Cartegena to Bogota, it would take a dispiriting 21 hours. Many will determine to fly throughout, however when you’ve got time, you may also break up the overland journey with some wonderful stops alongside the way in which.

This itinerary is greatest in the event you take pleasure in out of doors actions, as San Gil is among the greatest locations for journey sports activities like paragliding and rafting. Two of the cutest villages, Barichara and Villa de Leyva, are additionally on this route.

You should utilize this itinerary to attach collectively completely different sections of a Colombia journey or think about it in its personal proper.

Recommended minimal time: 10 days with Bogota or 1 week with out

Mompox (2 days)

I missed out on Santa Cruz de Mompox on my journey, however I later realized it could have been completely on the way in which. It’s about 8 hours from Santa Marta or 6 hours from Cartagena. This quiet colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage web site will get beneficial by lots of vacationers. I’ll refer you to this nice weblog about Mompox for more information.

San Gil (2-3 days)

It’s about 10 hours from Mompox to San Gil. As I skipped Mompox I arrived from Santa Marta, which took about 13 hours (I did it as an in a single day journey.)

San Gil is the journey sports activities capital of Colombia. The small metropolis earned this repute primarily because of the various river rapids which are wonderful for rafting, however you may also go paragliding, bungee leaping, canyoning, zip-lining, and mountain biking within the mountains round this small metropolis.

Don’t miss the native delicacy: the giant-ass ants. They fry ‘em up with a little bit of salt after which you may eat them like popcorn.

El Cocuy (1-2 days)

On the sting of central Colombia, this nationwide park contains a mountain vary with snow-covered peaks and glaciers, past which lies the beginning of the Amazon rainforest.

It’s a spectacular space for day hikes and multi-day treks, supplying you with the possibility to identify mighty condors and traverse otherworldly landscapes crammed with fraijones — palmlike shrubs that vaguely appear like huge succulents.

Actions are simply organized from the city of El Cocuy (6 hours by bus from San Gil).

Barichara (1 day)

Being one of many prettiest little villages in Colombia, Barichara actually has a approach of stealing travellers’ hearts. Only a 40-minute drive from San Gil, these two locations make for an ideal pair.

Thoughts you, it doesn’t essentially have an infinite index of issues to do; primarily some small hikes, a viewing level, a church, and a few native handicraft outlets. However the white-washed colonial structure makes strolling round Barichara an actual pleasure. It’s price an in a single day keep to soak within the environment.

Villa de Leyva (2 days)

This charming city is among the few in Colombia that conserved all its colonial structure. It’s a pleasure to walk round its many cobbled streets with whitewashed buildings with tiled roofs. There are extra actions in- and round Villa de Leyva than in Barichara, which is why I recommend staying right here a minimum of a day further.

Bogota

It takes about 3 ½ hours from Villa de Leyva to Bogota by bus. Maybe your journey already began in Bogota, however right here’s your likelihood to provide it a more in-depth re-assessment.

I discover that Bogota generally will get destructive feedback from travellers who could have anticipated to see a extra superficially stunning metropolis. Despite the fact that Bogota has a gritty look, there’s a lot to like about it.

I make the case for Bogota right here whereas sharing some tips about make one of the best of your time. Don’t miss the excellent museums, taking a bicycle tour, or the daytrips from Bogota.

Itinerary 3: the Espresso area

The Zona Cafetera is a largely mountainous area positioned between the cities of Medellin, Cali, and Armenia. Because of having the right coffee-growing situations, it produces the vast majority of Colombian arabica espresso.

The area has a gentle local weather perfect for touring year-round. Apart from the genuine espresso cities with colonial-era structure, there are some wonderful nature areas as effectively. I like this area because it consists of among the basic photographs of Colombia.

Recommended minimal time: about 9 days (with Medellin), longer if together with extra espresso cities

(Additionally proven on the map is the Pacific Coast, which could be a nice add-on with flights leaving from Medellin. Think about this wonderful vacation spot throughout whale watching season, which is roughly from July till November.)

Medellin (2 days or extra)

Within the Nineties it was one of many world’s most violent locations; right now it’s a reinvented metropolis extremely price exploring. To really admire Medellin’s historical past and its outstanding transformation, ensure you take the Actual Metropolis Tour Medellin. It’s nonetheless among the finest strolling excursions I’ve ever performed. Make it the very first thing you do! You’ll thank me later.

It’s additionally price taking the cable automotive as much as Parque Arvi or visiting Communa 13, which was as soon as a nasty neighborhood however is now a vacationer vacation spot and provides clear proof of Medellin’s transformation.

I recommend spending 2 days in Medellin to get a superb style of it, however you can keep longer to benefit from the nightlife or for day journeys within the space. Whereas missing considerably in museums or different main sights, Medellin is a really habitable metropolis that pulls many expats and digital nomads. The upscale space of El Poblado (the place many hostels and resorts are positioned) is nice and hosts many high quality eating places and cafes.

Jardin (2 days)

This beautiful little city will provide you with an ideal introduction to the espresso area. It’s a full of life and tourist-friendly place, but genuine all the identical (and never but so found by overseas vacationers). You’ll absolutely see some ranchers and occasional farmers sporting cowboy hats and ponchos, generally on horseback.

There’s a lot to do in Jardin so you can truthfully keep for 3 days to take it sluggish. There are hikes, waterfalls, espresso farm visits, birdwatching excursions, horseback driving, and lots of extra actions to select from. Close to the river are additionally many trout farms the place you may take pleasure in freshly grilled fish.

The bus from Medellin to Jardin takes about 4 hours.

Manizales & Los Nevados (2 days)

Add some selection to your Zona Cafetera journey by leaving the plush espresso valleys for Manizales, a metropolis at round 2,000m (6500ft) elevation. It’s not essentially probably the most stunning metropolis however it’s comparatively protected, has pretty mountain views, and is called a vibrant college city.

It takes 6 hours to get there from Jardin; spend the afternoon in Manizales for an opportunity to see an actual Colombian metropolis with none of the standard gringo trappings. You gained’t discover colourful colonial structure right here, however it’s an attention-grabbing metropolis in its personal approach.

Manizales is the right base from which to take a full-day tour of the Los Nevados nationwide park. You’ll see a number of volcanoes in addition to a singular Andean ecosystem referred to as the paramo. It may be fairly chilly within the mountains, however you may warmth up afterwards by taking a shower in a scorching thermal spring.

Salento (2 days)

Salento is the place from the place you may see the wax palm tree, Colombia’s nationwide image. The valley close to Salento has quite a few of those bizarrely tall palm bushes, making for a formidable sight. You may hike via the valley or take a tour with a jeep.

There’s much more to do in Salento so it’s good to remain for some time. Don’t miss your likelihood to play tejo at Los Amigos. It is a Colombian ball-throwing recreation the place the targets are rigged with gunpowder and it’s a ton of enjoyable.

The bus from Manizales to Armenia takes about 2 hours. It’s one other 40 minutes or so from Armenia’s bus station to Salento.

Extra within the Espresso Zone

The above locations will provide you with the highlights, however there’s a lot extra within the Zona Cafetera. I had a good time simply hopping from city to city for 2 weeks.

As a result of Salento will get fairly busy as of late, it’s possible you’ll benefit from the alternate options to Salento. My favourite is Filandia, a city that’s much more laidback, however which nonetheless has plenty of attention-grabbing issues to do.

On the Barbas Bremen Nature Reserve you may take a guided jungle hike and have a superb likelihood of recognizing teams of red-haired howler monkeys.

In case you take pleasure in very quiet however untouristy cities then I extremely suggest Jerico, Salamina, or Pijao. Remember the fact that you gained’t be greeted by large menus of organized excursions and actions upon check-in at your lodge, as you may in additional touristy locations. But when yow will discover your individual mountain climbing trails, take pleasure in watching the road life, or you are able to do your individual analysis to search out the actions obtainable, then these cities are really among the hidden gems within the Zona Cafetera.

Itinerary 4: southern Colombia

The southern components of Colombia are much less explored, not for an absence of sights however largely as a result of it’s additional faraway from the place most vacationers begin their journeys. It’s slightly extra off the crushed path and a rewarding a part of Colombia to discover. Some sights are price it particularly in the event you’re on an extended journey and in your solution to Ecuador.

Recommended minimal time: 10 days

Cali

It needs to be mentioned that Cali has a worse repute for security than different cities. The ‘Cali cartel’ now not exists, however it’s nonetheless a hub for narcotrafficking. Nonetheless, the unhealthy bits of Cali are within the northern and japanese suburbs and are largely effectively away from the middle. Having constructed up a caricature of Cali in my thoughts, I used to be shocked to search out central Cali is definitely very inviting and habitable. (Try El Penon or the world round Parque del Perro.)

Cali is legendary for being the salsa dancing capital of Colombia. In case you ever wished to take lessons, do it right here! The salsa bar scene is very social and alluring. Do take taxis again to your lodging at evening for security.

San Agustin

This colourful village is legendary for its many enigmatic pre-Colombian statues which are scattered all through the panorama. Seeing these archeological finds will contain fairly a little bit of strolling as they’re fairly unfold out. The traditional civilization that left all these works stays shrouded in thriller.

The statues are removed from the one attraction. There are a lot of hikes, viewpoints, and waterfalls to go to and jeep excursions can present you among the extra distant sights. There are a minimum of half a dozen very well-rated hostels in San Agustin, together with the Masaya San Agustin, which is nearer to an ecolodge with a spread of snug bamboo homes constructed within the native fashion.

Popayan

Because of its many well-preserved white colonial buildings, beautiful Popayan is called the “white metropolis”. With a inhabitants of round 220,000, it’s an awesome mid-size metropolis to discover, having a superb repute for security as effectively. You may stroll the streets, store for handicrafts, and revel in its many church buildings, plazas, and parks. In case you’ve simply had some action-packed journey days, then the close by thermal swimming pools will allow you to loosen up and recuperate.

There isn’t essentially an infinite record of issues to do, however Popayan is a pleasant light metropolis to spend a while and to make use of as a base for day journeys. One such journey is to Silvia (described under), one other Parque Pure De Puracé the place you may witness an energetic volcano.

Silvia

The small city of Silvia close to Popayan is notable for its giant inhabitants of indigenous folks, principally Guambiano Indians. The genuine market in Silvia is the place you may see many sellers put on conventional black bowler hats and colourful ponchos. It’s a mode of costume extra generally seen in Peru or Bolivia, so in the event you’re in search of an Andean environment in Colombia, that is the place to search out it.

You could need to go to the market on a visit from Popayan with a superb information to achieve extra of an understanding of the native tradition and traditions.

Tatacoa Desert

In Tatacoa you’ll end up in amid an arid expanse, dwelling of vultures and eagles, with the beginning of the Andes mountain vary seen off within the distance. A labyrinth of rocky canyons fashioned by years of abrasion is the principle attraction right here — it’s a surreal little place to wander, although it gained’t take greater than an hour or so.

As a result of low gentle air pollution, it’s additionally an ideal spot for stargazing. On the native observatories, some resident astronomers give nightly excursions of the universe. Regardless of lots of clouds I nonetheless noticed Jupiter via a telescope which was very fascinating. Descriptions of the enlargement of the universe and such had been a bit a lot for my restricted Spanish on the time, however it was an awesome expertise nonetheless.

Tatacoa was as soon as in Lonely Planet’s prime locations to go to listed firstly of its information. Maybe this was because of fewer different locations but being protected prior to now. I’m wondering if this may occasionally have overhyped Tatacoa a bit, however I nonetheless suppose it’s price staying for a day or an evening.

Las Lajas Sanctuary

Lastly, you may jump over to Ipiales, close to the border with Ecuador. It’s undoubtedly price visiting in the event you’re heading to Ecuador anyway, however whether or not it’s price a visit in its personal proper is debatable because it takes you a bit removed from the Colombia journey path. The massive attraction right here is the Santuario de las Lajas, a cathedral spectacularly constructed on a bridge over the Guaitara river.

Colombia itinerary extensions

The above routes embrace locations which are properly clustered collectively. However there are additionally extra distant locations which are a bit disconnected from all over the place else. They are often considered nice “add-ons”.

Pacific Coast

Distant and unconnected by roads, the Pacific Coast is a very wild a part of Colombia. In case you go there between July and November, you’ll be there on the proper time to see quite a few humpback whales. In case you’re intrigued, learn my information to Colombia’s Pacific coast.

By the way in which, the Pacific Coast is among the many world’s rainiest locations, so do pack your rain coat and baggage rain cowl. If listening to this demotivates you in any respect to go, I must also say it’s arms down my favourite place in all of Colombia. The character is extremely wild and unspoiled and the small Afro-Colombian communities alongside the coast are a delight.

Lodging is a little more primary on the Pacific Coast. Villages are equipped solely as soon as per week by cargo boat, so costs for meals or different good could be a bit larger than within the inside. It sometimes takes a propellor aircraft flight from Medellin to get there, however you may be rewarded for the hassle. Whereas fairly distant, identified locations in Choco corresponding to Bahia Solano and Nuqui are thought-about protected.

Into the Amazon

35% of Colombia’s territory is roofed by the Amazon Rainforest. Going into it was once fairly a dangerous proposition, however for the reason that 2016 peace accord with the FARC rebels, the Amazon area has been opening up for all types of ecotourism.

The city of Leticia, on the border with Peru and Brazil, was once the one recreation on the town for Amazon excursions. It’s nonetheless a superb wager as you’ve got many flights there from Bogota and it’s a well-established vacation spot.

Extra not too long ago the city of San José del Guaviare has grow to be an alternative choice. You may fly there or attain it overland by bus by way of Villavicencio. It was once a harmful place however now not is, but it’s nonetheless not almost as well-known as Leticia. (You’ll want to take journeys from San Jose with respected tour firms, nevertheless.) The Cano Canoes waterfalls are very onerous to get to however are one of many ‘secret’ locations in Colombia. Historical cave work are one other sort of sight discovered deep within the jungle.

Different locations within the Amazon are troublesome to get to independently. On the Cerros de Mavecure, you may climb two hills fabricated from darkish volcanic rock and revel in views of the rainforest so far as the attention can see. However you’ll must examine with tour firms corresponding to Colombia Oculta for organized expeditions to such locations.

The Darien Hole

Nope, I’m not suggesting you must go hand around in the thickly jungled borderlands between Panama and Colombia, identified for its drug-smuggling routes and its manifold risks. Nonetheless, there are some beachside villages close to the Darien Hole, corresponding to Capurgana, which are identified to be protected whereas nonetheless being off the standard journey routes in Colombia.

The seaside cities are too far faraway from different locations to simply justify simply going there on their very own, however they’ll make for an ideal cease if you’re coming from Panama.