January 19th 2015
Honorable mention:
The Rainbow River of Cano Cristales
I didn’t go but my brother did and it looks amazing. Everyone I’ve met who made it there has told me it’s worth it with plenty of enthusiasm. A good sign that Cano Cristales is not to be missed. It’s another expensive off the beaten path adventure that requires a plane ride from south of Bogata to La Macarena. Once there, you’ll find that there are strict restrictions on visiting this wonder of nature. You must be with a guide, no sunscreen or insect repellent, and somewhat strict visiting hours. The trip will probably run you several hundred USD in the end but I’m hoping to get there next time I’m in Colombia and I do believe it’s worth the effort and money. Honestly, it looks amazing.
10. Enjoy the lively street scenes of Cartagena. Music and Food alike.
Cartagena was the first place I visited in Colombia and indeed in South America. Honestly the city is alive with the sound of music. Everywhere I walked in both the Old Town and Getsamani Neighbourhoods I’d round a corner and find some sort of band playing. On the rare occasion this wasn’t true music was pumped out onto the street through speakers. Plaza de Trinidad is a great place to check out some local music while also enjoying some delicious street food. Some of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted are on offer, along with a great meat on a stick guy, and a decent and economical empanada stand. Looking for a place to stay nearby check out Mama Waldy’s a simple hostel with a great atmosphere.
9. See a futbol (soccer) game in Medellin.
Medellin boasts two football teams in the top Colombian League: Atletico Nacional and Deportivo Independente. I was lucky enough to see both play and both times it was worth the price of admission. (15,000-60,000 COP) The crowds are intense and the level of futbol isn’t half bad either. If you’re a fan of sports, or local culture and religion (futbol is both) Don’t miss this opportunity. It’s easy to get tickets and the Stadium is right on the metro at the Estadio stop.
8. Take a coffee tour in Salento.
Salento is a charming if touristy town and the options for coffee tours abound. Though that’s not all the town has to offer with great hiking opportunities to waterfalls and the worlds tallest palm trees. Still the coffee tour is fascinating. Don Elias is the top name in the group but if you want a more personal experience and speak at least semi functional Spanish continue along the road one minute and you’ll come to La Azarcia. I had a great afternoon getting to know the family running the place and learning all about coffee. Once you’re done you’re coffee tour go enjoy a delicious meal at Brunch Restaurant.
7. Check out the one of a kind Salt Cathedral outside Bogata.
The Salt Cathedral is very much on the tourist trail and may be the most popular day trip from Bogata. That said, it’s worth it. The salt cathedral is a vast section of much vaster subterranean salt mines. It was transformed just a few years ago into a tourist site but the cast chambers which crosses carved into the rock and shifting light splaying across statues dotting the caves. There’s museums all around the site as well and Zipaquira itself is a pleasant town to walk around. A great day trip to escape the bustling city of Bogata.
6. Visit Las Lajas Sanctuary to say Goodbye to Colombia.
Right on the border between Colombia and Ecuador you can find one of the most beautiful churches in all the world. The border town of Ipiales is limited in it’s appeal though there is a couch surfing guy who runs an English School there and he accepts short term volunteers. But just outside the city, a quick half hour collective ride from the bus station, you’ll find this incredible symbol of religion and belief. The sparkling white Church is nestled into a gorge with a rushing river and waterfalls and is a necessary stop for at least a few hours if you find yourself crossing this border.
5. Escape the Caribbean Heat in Minca.
Minca is a quick 45 minute collectivo ride from Santa Marta but what a difference it makes. Nestled into the Cloud forests of the Sierra Nevada Mountains Minka is a charming little town full of Waterfalls, Coffee Farms and Friendly locals. Looking to extend your stay? Head further up into the mountains to Casa Elemento, an amazing hostel with great hiking opportunities and a truly special social atmosphere.
4. Escape the hectic capital city and visit Colombia’s tallest waterfall.
La Chorrero is a towering column of water plummeting down from high in the Andes mountains. It stands at 860 meters and is the tallest waterfall in Colombia. It’s less than an hour bus ride away from Bogota (plus several hours hiking to get there) but it’s almost entirely empty. Probably my favourite day trip in all of Colombia I highly recommend it, the hike, busride and everything else are full of stunning views and the waterfalls (yes there’s a smaller one on the way) are spectacular. Want to go? You’ll see precise instructions at the bottom of the blog post linked here and in the title.
3. Climb El Penon in Guatape for an Amazing View.
There is a sign on the way to the towering pillar of Rock claiming it offers the best view in the world. While I doubt this is true it’s certainly a very impressive view, hundreds of lakes made by hydro electric projects flooded the valleys between the rolling green hillsides and what your left with is spectacular. A lot of people do this as a day trip from Medellin but I recommend spending at least a night or two. While your there stay at Hostel el Encuentro and enjoy kayaking, swimming and much more. You can also hike to some small but beautiful waterfalls, or take a boat trip to one of Pablo Escobar’s homes. And while your there don’t forget to eat at Donde Sam for a true taste of Indian cuisine. Rare in South America.
2. Get a taste of African Culture in the Colombian Pacific.
The Pacific coastal Province El Choco isn’t easy to get to, but the experience is only made better by this fact. You can fly from Medellin or take a long cargo ship from the southern coastal city of Buenaventura. I flew and it was worth the money. The pacific coastal people are mostly descendants of escaped Colombian slaves and the entire province has a very different atmosphere than the rest of Colombia, very influenced by African music and culture. The beaches aren’t pristine or white like on the Caribbean coast, but they are empty, save for a few locals, and wild with the jungle actively encroaching o n their domain. There’s surfing, There’s jungle trekking to waterfalls and hot spring, and there’s the incredible local people, including the gregarious and very friendly children. Almost no roads exist here, so use boats to get between the small settlements. El Choco is, without a doubt, worth the time and effort it take to get to and I hope to go back one day. I visited Nuqui, Arusi, El Valle and Jurubida and all provided me with unique and incredible adventures.
Get off the beaten track with the Wayu people in the Guajira Desert.
The best thing I did in Colombia, which I only found out about after arriving in Cartagena, thanks to a lovely travel blog found here. You won’t regret exploring Colombia’s North Eastern Desert. Getting to the Guajira can be time consuming and somewhat uncomfortable but it’s worth it a thousand times over. A bus and two collectivos from Santa Marta will get you to Cabo de la Vela, a lovely desert town on the coast which empty beaches and scenery unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. From there a 4-5 hour 4×4 through a desert without roads or signs gets you to Punta Gallinas: the northern most point in South America. The warm welcome at the only hostel here, the delicious seafood, the incredible sand dunes plummeting down into the pacific, and the ample opportunities to get to know the Wayu people make this the best thing to do in Colombia. You can go with a tour but If you truly want a taste of adventure, do it yourself. It’s not as hard as it sounds and I promise you won’t regret it.
1 Comment
I want it all! Thanks for give you a time to talk about your travel….and the hostal recomendations.