If Colombia is not at the top of your Latin America portfolio, now could be the time to add it.
Why? Colombia provides a fantastic mix of delicious cuisine, stunning mountains, untouched rainforest, world class coffee, vibrant city life, intact indigenous culture and wonderful people. It is also one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
A land of superlatives, Colombia will not disappoint; one out of every 10 species can be
found there, that’s 1/10th of all species on EARTH; it’s the world’s #1 most biodiverse
country for birdlife; 70-90% of the world’s emeralds come from Colombia; it’s often voted one of the world’s happiest countries and it has the second largest carnival celebration in all of South America…but that’s not all!
Colombia has come a long way from the shady days of Pablo Escobar and glamorised
stories of drug cartels in shows like Narcos, and Colombians want travellers to know that. Millions have been spent on revitalising the country and Colombians are working hard on changing their country’s reputation, so park any preconceptions please!
Read on to find out some of our top Colombia favourites…
Where to go for wildlife
Given the above-mentioned facts, Colombia really should be top of the list for wildlife
enthusiasts.
From birds to whales to monkeys, where you send your clients can be tailored to their wildlife interests, but be sure to include a visit to Tayrona National Park. Tayrona is where the rainforest meets the sea, consisting of 12,000 hectares of land and about 3,000 hectares of crystal-blue sea. The diversity of this ecosystem makes wildlife encounters a very real possibility.
More than 100 mammal species and 300 bird species have been recorded here, including
jaguar, cotton-top tamarin, white-necked puffbird, and red-legged honeycreeper!
Feeling peckish?
A fantastic climate and fertile lands makes for delicious home grown produce. Add to that
the combination of indigenous and European influences and visitors will find a wonderfully
diverse cuisine with delicious regional specialities from the mountains to the sea.
Looking for an underrated staple? Try a tamale. A spiced maize meal is combined with meat
and vegetables, then cooked in a banana leaf. It should be juicy and firm but never soggy.
There are numerous regional varieties, but apparently the best come from the Tolima
department.
With two coastlines and numerous rivers, visitors can expect an abundance of fish dishes on offer including Cazuela de Mariscos. This tasty dish combines fish and seafood (typically
shrimp and squid) with a creamy coconut sauce. It is best served with fried green plantain and lemonade to cleanse the palate.
Get active
The landscape of Colombia lends itself to exploration and adventure. There are snow-capped peaks, rugged desert landscapes and remote island beaches. To get those pulses jumping, here are some amazing options to add to the itinerary.
The Lost City Trek (Ciudad Perdida) is an almost 25-mile round trip, taken over 3 to 5 days.
This ancient archaeological site is perched within the Sierra Nevada mountain region and was built by the Tayrona people in approximately 800 AD. This makes it not only Colombia’s
answer to the Inca Trail trek but the site itself is older than Machu Picchu.
Looking for adrenaline all in one place? Then we recommend San Gil, the capital of adventure travel in Colombia. Here, clients can go white-water rafting, canyoning, mountain biking, caving, bungee jumping and even paragliding!
Time to chill
If looking for a quieter spot off the beaten-track, Colombia has it.
Head away from the mainland into the Caribbean Sea to explore the stunning island of
Provedencia. With no direct flights and lying 56 miles north of San Andrés Island, getting
there can be complicated but it’s worth the effort. Given its location, there are fewer tourists which allows Providencia to retain its Caribbean charm and authenticity. This really is a hidden gem.
Boasting some of the best diving on Colombia’s coast, this area is a diver’s paradise, with the barrier reef being the third-largest coral reef in the world.
Visitors can enjoy a fresh coconut on an empty, white sandy beach, hire a golf cart and go exploring, don some snorkel gear and connect with an underwater world or join the locals to watch the beach horse racing every Saturday in South West Bay!
Drink it in
Colombians love their coffee and rightly so. Head to the Zona Cafetera to find out what all the fuss is about. Here, visitors will find lush green plantations growing arabica beans and many family owned and run fincas (farms), offering either overnight stays or bean to cup experiences.
The national tree of Colombia, the wax palm, can also be found here; growing up to 50m tall
and living up to 200 years, these are quite impressive trees! They dominate the landscape
of the Cocora Valley and are one of the most photographed natural attractions in Colombia.
Culture vulture
If looking for a touch of urban life to add to the mix, then there are many towns and cities to explore in Colombia. Enjoy the unique artwork of Fernando Botero in Bogota, meander the bougainvillaea-covered cobblestone streets of colourful Cartagena or admire the architecture of colonial buildings in Popayan.
Or what about learning about the street art and regeneration of Comuna 13 in Medellin?
This commune was a previous absolute no-go zone for tourists, but since 2006, community and activist groups have worked hard to seek justice and promote resistance to violence. Over time artists began to create poignant wall murals and it’s now possible to go on walking tours to learn about the area and its murals.
These murals serve as reminders to the local people about the historical conflict they
endured, and also represents a bright, hopeful future.
Whatever activities travellers choose to do, we are certain that Colombia will not disappoint. She will delight and inspire at every turn and leave all who visit with truly wonderful memories. From magnificent wildlife and breathtaking mountains, to deserted beaches and urban adventure, it can all be found in Colombia.
If you’re looking to refresh your Colombia portfolio, then our superb DMC Phoenix Travel Group would be delighted to speak to you and tell you more about themselves.
Phoenix offers diverse adventures across Colombia, focusing on unique cultural and special interest tours. They strive to create meaningful experiences, while preserving the environment and benefiting local communities. Colombia is one of our favourite places in the world.
Tour operators are also invited to join their upcoming webinar, all about the top five reasons to visit Colombia on Wed 21 August at 15:00pm BST. You can find out more and register here: https://shorturl.at/xTlgn
To find out more about Phoenix Travel Group, please visit:https://www.theadventureconnection.com/phoenix-travel-group
Or get in touch with our LATAM Representation Manager, Georgia, at georgia@theadventureconnection.com to find out more.
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