Tourist Attractions in Colombia

Colombia is an exotic country. Multicultural population, a heterogeneous culture, and many interesting tourist attractions can be found in Colombia. Cartagena one of the favorite tourist destinations in Colombia and became the main attractions, the city of former Spanish colony and became a key of urban development when it was ruled by Spain. The beauty of the colonial architecture make the city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is a center of economic activity in the Caribbean.

On the other side, most Western countries including most European countries, all South American nations, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Bhutan, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore don't need a visa to visit Colombia, tourists can stay in Colombia without a visa up to 90 days.

Here are the most famous tourist attractions in Colombia:

1. Bogota

Bogota is the capital city of Colombia. Many green open space are arranged neatly, beautiful and well maintained giving a distinctive character to the city of Bogota and its people. There is no impression of chaotic, dirty or soiled. Nor the smell of stale garbage. The city is actually built with the concept of human (ecological and economic perspective). Bogotá hosts various internationally acclaimed events such as the Iberoamerican Theatre Festival (largest one on Earth) and "Rock al Parque", a concert featuring rock stars from around the globe. The city also offers a great variety of restaurants and museums, such as the Andrés Carne de Res.

2. Cartagena

Cartagena is not strange city for travelers, this city is the belle of tourism in Colombia. Being on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena famous as a favorite beach resort town in northern Colombia and is the fifth largest city in the country. It lies 658 km north of Bogota. The place is beautiful, comfortable, and very nice for a vacation. Beautiful beach with bright blue sea and colonial-style buildings of Spain, become the main attraction of the city.

3. Cali

Located on the Cauca Valley to the west of the Cauca River and to the east of the Western Mountain Range near the hills known as Farallones de Cali. Cali is Colombia's third largest city and a center for sugar and coffee industry. It enjoys terrific nightlife in the salsotecas, and is known as the salsa capital of Latin America. Cali offers historical areas with cultural variety and other attractions. In downtown Cali, there are many historical churches like La Merced and La Ermita. Cali contains a well preserved historical center, the most important zone is La plaza de Caicedo, considered the center of the city, which is a square surrounded by many historical and modern buildings.

4. Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva, Colombia is a colonial-era town a short distance from Bogotá, and a popular day trip northeast of the capital. It's also a popular weekend excursion, so during the weekend, the streets, restaurants, places to stay and shops are crowded. There are some well organized art museums around the centre of town and the charming Parroquial de Villa de Leyva with the magnificent mountain backdrop makes the town a really attractive destination.

5. San Augustin

San Agustin, a small town of 18,000 people with breathtaking scenery, great music and home to a key archeological area in South America. San Agustin Park in Colombia is a UNESCO'S World Heritage Place, travel to San Agustin is something you can't miss if you like History, archeology, natural parks, adventure or cultural places.

6. San Andres

San Andres island is some of the most beautiful in the world. San Andres is 700 km from the Colombian mainland, Perfect beaches, excellent water-sports, diving and ecotourism. Your first glimpse of San Andres island is the sea of seven colors, home to many-hued fish and coral, working their magic on the visitor. After an afternoon on the beach or shopping duty-free, night falls and the air is alive with music and dancing.

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View of Medellin from Biblioteca Espana (photo: David Lee)

An ideal destination for backpackers, Colombia has much to offer; whether you are looking for an affordable destination where you can make your money go further (and put off returning to that desk job), want to experience the amazing Amazon rainforest, while away the hours on a beautiful beach, or visit one of the thoroughly modern cities; there really is something for everyone.
If you like your beaches to contain white sand, meet with crystal clear turquoise water and have snorkelling & scuba diving opportunities a plenty, then you’ve definitely come to the right place, as Colombia has some of the best beaches in South America.
If you’re not a fan of beaches then here are my alternative top 5 places to visit:

Medellin

Medellin is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in South America (often called “city of the eternal spring”) with plenty to see and do; a superb mixture of modern, bustling city, whilst retaining its unique heritage and beauty.
Due to it being around 5,000 ft above sea level and near to the Equator, it benefits from a subtropical climate and year round warm temperatures (the lowest around 15°C).
The city rose to prominence in the 1980′s due to the exploits of drug baron Pablo Escobar, but this has long since been forgotten and the welcoming and friendly locals mean it’s a much safer destination.

Amazon Rainforest

What visit to South America could be complete without visiting the Amazon Rainforest?
Covering over 1 billion acres and encompassing areas in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru, the Amazon Rainforest produces around 20% of the worlds oxygen and contains half of the planets estimated species of plants, animals and insects.
A tour can easily be arranged from Leticia which is the capital of Colombia’s Amazonas region and there are a number of jungle lodges to stay at (July and August is the driest time of year to visit).

Colorful street in Cartagena (photo: David Lee)

Cartagena

Cartagena is another of Colombia’s popular cities which combines a wealth of history – to be found in the old walled city – with modern conveniences, 5 star luxury hotels and beautiful Caribbean beaches (although I promised I wouldn’t say anything about those in this article…).
The historic centre of Cartagena is labelled a UNESCO World Heritage Site and should top any travellers list of places to see, especially by night when it is at its prettiest.

Ciudad Perdida

If you fancy an adventure whilst you’re in Colombia then why not head to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida).  Not for the fainthearted, it’ll take a 5-6 day trek to reach the city, but what awaits you there is well worth the effort.
On your way through the 20km, you’ll cross various rivers, see indigenous villages and their inhabitants and see some amazing sights, culminating in reaching the spectacular ruins of Ciudad Perdida.

Mompox (Mompós)

Located on an island in the Magdalena River and another of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites due to its well preserved colonial architecture, Mompox (officially Santa Cruz de Mompox) is definitely worth a visit if you want to experience the town that time forgot.
With no bridge from the mainland it’s no easy feat to reach Mompox, but for the determined the effort will be rewarded.  The locals are a friendly bunch (something you’ll find a lot in Columbia) who always seem willing to share whatever they have with you.