From the sandy beaches of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts to the Andes Mountains and Amazon jungle, Colombia has something to offer most types of tourists. Its heritage reflects the culture of its original inhabitants as well as the Spanish, who began settling here as early as the 15th century. A few decades ago Colombia was not on the tourism map because it was not a safe place to visit. However, the government has worked hard to change that image, making it safer for travelers to enjoy the many amenities Colombia has to offer. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Colombia:
12 Villa De Leyva
Villa de Leyva may be a small town less than four hours from Bogotá, but its Plaza Mayor is one of the largest city squares in South America, now used as a gathering place for celebrations and festivals such as the Onion Beauty Pageant. Used as. The architecture of Via de Leyva has been compared to that of Andalusia due to its white buildings with wooden decorations and balconies. One of the city’s most unique attractions is the Terracotta House, a clay structure believed to be the largest piece of pottery in the world.
11 El Penond De Guatape
El Penonde de Guatape is a massive rock that rises from the valley floor, weighing 10 million tons, it has been worshiped by the Tahamites for centuries, and the rock became a major destination when the first known ascent was completed in 1954. Today you can travel to the top of the giant monolith via a series of hair-raising stairs, admiring postcard-worthy views along the way, the stairs follow the only crack in the otherwise perfect rock, following 649 steps. You will look out over a real labyrinth of lakes and distant islands.
10 Popayan
Mostly known for its collection of colonial churches, the wonderful white city of Popayán is located in the southwest, nestled between various mountain ranges. Due to its strategic location and rich mines, countless beautiful churches have emerged over the centuries and the historic city is still Also functioning as Colombia. Today the religious center, while the city’s churches are always the best time to visit, is when Easter falls, this is the time when Semana Santa celebrations take place and thousands of people parade through the streets outside the Iglesia Santo Domingo.
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9 Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira Only an hour’s drive north of the pagoda is the city of Zipaquirá, known as the salt mining capital of Colombia as a result of salt mining. Zipaquirá has long been a center of extreme wealth, which highlights things in them. One of them is the Salt Cathedral of Sepakira which is a Catholic church built almost entirely of salt within a now-closed mine, although it is a major tourist destination, the Salt Cathedral accommodates about 3,000 parishioners every Sunday. does and attending a church service can be an unforgettable experience.
8 Las Lajas Sanctuary
Hidden in a valley on the Quitera River in Colombia, the grand Gothic Revival style architecture of the Las Lajas Sanctuary certainly makes for a magical site. Built between 1916 and 1949, this magnificent sanctuary is situated on a 130-foot-high river bridge. And a beautiful waterfall shimmers next to it. Located not far from the border with Ecuador, this church was founded after a miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary and is now one of Colombia’s most popular pilgrimage sites.
7 San Agustin
While Colombia is blessed with plenty of breathtaking scenery and nature, it also has its fair share of fascinating historical sites, one of the best to see is the San Agustín Archaeological Park which is located on the eastern foothills of the Colombian vast, very Is not far. This vast site from Papayan contains a large number of pre-Columbian religious sculptures, monuments, and burial mounds, featuring smiling human figures and sneering monsters as well as striking stone sculptures of animals that are a pleasure to wander slowly through.
6 Medellin, Best Places to Visit in Colombia
In the 1980s and 1990s, Medellin was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world for Colombia’s notorious cocaine cartel, but when drug lord Pablo Escobar was killed in 1993, Medellin became the world’s most dangerous city. Medellin began to bury its troubled past and these days its numbers have skyrocketed. Tourists who visit here find a charming modern city with one of the best climates in the country, be sure to visit Comuna 13, a neighborhood that has transformed itself from crime-ridden to a thriving artistic center, you can see the colorful You will be surprised to see the frescoes. Shows the resilience and warmth of the community.
5 Zona Cafetera
Coffee lovers should visit the Zona Cafetera, where coffee plantations welcome visitors and where almost half of Colombia’s coffee production is grown on the Andes slopes. curious coffee lovers who want to know more about How these extraordinary coffee beans are grown, hiking is another popular activity, especially the Cocora Valley Trail, the world’s tallest palm tree can be seen on this route, there is also the town of Jardin located in the center of the Zona Cafetera. , this quaint little town has a welcoming atmosphere with cobblestone streets, brightly colored buildings, and cafes serving locals.
4 San Gil
San Gil, located in the Department of Santander, is notorious for being the adventure sports capital of Colombia. Founded in 1689, the town showcases cobblestone streets, historic structures, and rich culture in a magnetic location, making it a popular destination among backpackers. Has become a travel destination, although it is not crowded. Tourist destination Yet Sandhill offers a lot of activities and adventure bungee jumping is one of the most popular activities in Sandhill which is famous for its affordable pricing. Another popular activity at Sanhill is white water rafting which has one of the rarest opportunities in the world for a Class 5 raft.
3 Bogota
Sometimes referred to as the Athens of South America, Bogotá was first settled by indigenous peoples, although the date of its founding is generally set at 1538 by a Spanish explorer, today the city is one of the largest cities in South America. And the capital of Colombia was once considered a place to escape. Perched high in the Andes, Bogotá has its work cut out for it and is fast emerging as one of Colombia’s most sought-after travel destinations. Bogotá has many attractions to tempt visitors, including a Gold Museum, Botanical Gardens, and a thriving nightlife that can be found in La Candelaria, the city’s historic district. A pleasant quarter of cafes, churches, and museums.
2 Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park, which borders the Caribbean Sea and offers tourists stunning beaches and landscapes, is located in the northernmost part of Colombia. One of the top spots in the park is the lagoon called La Pesina where a natural reef turns the lagoon into a lake. There are also protected swimming areas, and plenty of sandy hiking trails to and from the coast, many of which provide spectacular views of the Caribbean.
1 Cartagena
Cartagena is a bustling city where Kathleen Turner’s character Joan Wilder begins her Colombian adventures in Romancing the Stone, hoping to give travelers a better start to their travels, though the city is just as busy as it was when it It was one of the major Caribbean ports from the 16th to the 16th centuries. Fighting took place between different countries in the 18th century. The defenses of Cartagena, one of the largest fortified cities in South America, are still visible today. Take some time to wander around the lively old town, which features churches, palaces, and museums built during the colonial era.
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