In the event you’ve any preconceived notions about what Colombia is or isn’t, visiting this astonishing nation will throw you for a loop. As soon as related to the drug commerce and violent cartels, Colombia and its previous Hollywood pictures are giving technique to a rustic that’s perfect for studying salsa, exploring colonial cities, and swimming with dolphins.
Although some vacationers are hesitant about visiting Colombia, locals will at all times remark, “The one threat is wanting to remain.” They acknowledge the nation’s turbulent previous however spotlight its new child attractiveness. This sentiment factors to how the present Colombian journey expertise is a minimum of charming.
This nation of quaint cities, historic intrigue, and stylish nationwide parks is simply ready to be found. Boasting a few of the lesser-known Latin American sights, little-visited architectural treats, sweeping landscapes, scorching salsa, and the most effective boutique resorts in South America, Colombia packs an actual punch in your all-important adventure-filled getaway.
Under, we have a look at locations that tour operators have discovered to be probably the most rewarding journey locations in Colombia – one of many world’s best-kept secrets and techniques! Whether or not you’re into journey sports activities, flamboyant fiestas, architectural wonders, or unique wildlife encounters – a brand new, magnetic Colombia is looking.
1. Cartagena: Colombia’s flagship metropolis
It’s a no brainer why guests to Colombia select Cartagena as their high vacation spot. They’re drawn by the town’s historic Previous City district, an irresistible maze of cobblestone streets brimming with stately colonial church buildings, convents, and mansions courting again to the Seventeenth century. Including to the alluring combine, different colonial-era constructions have been painstakingly remodeled into all method of subtle resorts, stylish eating places, and scorching nightclubs – changing the district right into a magnet for worldwide vacationers.
One other inviting characteristic of Previous City is its six miles of a centuries-old stone wall encircling the historic quarter; the wall was constructed to guard the district from pirate assaults and international invaders. Luckily, a lot of this metropolis inside a metropolis stays splendidly preserved.
As additional safety, standing on a hill above the Previous Metropolis is the imposing San Felipe de Barajas fortress – the best citadel ever constructed by the Spaniards in any of their colonies. In its day, the fort was impregnable, resisting all makes an attempt to storm it. Immediately, this huge fortification is a part of the Cartagena UNESCO World Heritage Web site, whose ramparts, tunnels, and parapets are explored by historical past buffs and vacationers alike.
After a full day of deep diving into Previous City’s historic edifications, streets, eating places, and retailers, guests can head to one in every of its well-known salsa golf equipment to witness and take part on one of many nation’s most necessary cultural expressions – and have a ton of enjoyable within the course of. Spend the evening at a famed Previous City salsa nightclub like Casa Havana or Donde Fidel, the place effort, relatively than method, is all that issues!
Elegant Cartagenian lodging
Colombia’s crown jewel on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena’s luxurious lodging mix timeless colonial character with luxurious trendy consolation.
Positioned inside the walled metropolis are quite a few smaller, high-end boutique resorts comparable to Casa Pestagua, Casa San Agustin, and Resort Boutique Anandá, in addition to the bigger Sofitel Santa Clara. Our favourite is Casa San Agustin. You too are positive to search out it a shocking instance of a top-tier resort serving up the proper stability of leisure and cultural immersion inside Previous City.
San Agustin consists of three homes “re-designed as an ode to our previous and with a watch for the longer term,” evoking Colombian heritage in each element but coupled with trendy luxurious for probably the most demanding traveler. Picket-beamed ceilings and wall frescos infuse one’s stick with the allure of San Agustin’s Seventeenth-century beginnings because the breeze off the Caribbean Sea wanders over the white-washed partitions.
Nonetheless, different opulent Cartegena resorts are located exterior the town’s historic heart alongside its scenic shoreline. Lodges just like the InterContinental Cartagena and Karibana Seaside and Golf Resort artfully merge streamlined, modern structure with coastal-inspired decor for a luxuriant seaside resort expertise with quick access to Cartagena’s historic Previous City.
For vacationers searching for each authenticity and indulgence, Cartagena’s luxurious lodging supply not simply lavish locations to remain, however gateways to the town’s wealthy tradition and scenic magnificence.
2. Bogota: The place modernity meets custom
A thriving, trendy South American metropolis of 8 million, the Colombian capital of Bogota provides nightlife, tradition, and music in spades.
Because the beating coronary heart of Bogota is the La Candelaria district, no go to to the capital can be full with out spending a while on this vibrant quarter of brightly painted homes, cobblestone streets, and pastel-colored Artwork Deco buildings. On this historic district, even probably the most non-descript corners are adorned with a few of the world’s coolest avenue artwork, which is certain to vary your maybe jaded notion of graffiti.
However greater than avenue murals, a wealth of top-tier artwork galleries and museums await discovery in La Candelaria. First amongst these is the Botero Museum, the place you’ll marvel on the fantastical work of the nation’s most famed artist, Fernando Botero. Close by, you’ll strike it wealthy when discovering a museum of gold and, simply past, a priceless assortment of charming pre-Colombian artifacts.
Different corners of the town’s cultural scene are additionally exploding, together with stately theatrical productions, cutting-edge movie festivals, and booming live performance arenas the place musicians following within the footsteps of one-time residents Shakira, Juanes, and Fonseca combine pop, rock, and conventional cumbia into a brand new Colombian musical kind.
From the colourful cobblestone streets of La Candelaria to the thumping techno-nightlife of Parque de la 93, Bogota provides sights, sounds, and pleasures for all tastes, ages, and pursuits.
Refined lodging in Bogota
The colourful capital of Colombia, Bogotá offers discerning vacationers with an impressive selection of upscale lodging, offering each chic consolation and sensible sophistication, in addition to wonderful service.
Nestled amidst the town’s bustling city surroundings, these trendy stays fantastically meld into the busy city surroundings whereas additionally deeply connecting to native tradition. A spotlight of those resorts is they supply respite from the big-city hustle and bustle, whether or not located towards Bogota’s inexperienced foothills, like Casa Medina, or positioned within the pulsating Zona Rosa leisure district, comparable to Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia.
For a high-end keep within the metropolis’s historic Candelaria district, Resort de La Opera is an genuine jewel and our favourite. Because of its location within the metropolis’s colonial coronary heart, La Opera permits friends to discover the beginnings of Colombia, in addition to Bogota’s wealthy heritage. Set in a restored colonial constructing that oozes historical past, the resort’s rooms characteristic basic decor with all the trendy comforts. On the resort’s two onsite eating places, guests savor true Colombian and Mediterranean eating. Ideally suited for city explorers, Resort de la Opera guarantees an distinctive keep in Bogotá’s most charming district.
Why keep wherever else aside from this or different high-end lodging within the Colombian capital; ones that completely pair refreshing city journey and indulgent leisure.
3. Cali: “The world capital of salsa”
Southwest Colombia’s main metropolis has seen a colourful inflow of individuals all through its historical past, from the indigenous peoples to the arrival of the Spanish throughout colonial rule and the African slaves that got here to work the sugarcane plantations within the 18th century. The native caleños couldn’t be prouder of their blended heritage, which brings cultural aptitude and magnificence to each nook of the town, qualities which might be the residing embodiment of Cali’s well-known vitality.
By day, Cali provides a great deal of these worthwhile experiences, together with these within the San Antonio barrio, or Previous Cali, now the modern place for budding bohemians. Colonial homes have been remodeled into fashionable cafés, hipster bars have sprung up, and stylish eating places at the moment are the norm. On the cobbled streets, musicians strum salsa favorites and artists promote their wares. Saunter as much as the 18th-century church the place {couples} sit and benefit from the metropolis views. For the larger image, climb even additional up the hill to the big statue of Christ the Redeemer for panoramic views over the sprawling metropolis under.
But it surely’s at evening when Cali actually takes off. That is whenever you’ll quickly get the texture of this sultry metropolis by exploring its up-and-coming eating places, stylish bars, cafés, and sassy salsa venues throughout city. The dynamic neighborhood of Granada, an space flush with the most effective eating places on the town, is a superb location to start out in for drinks and dinner earlier than winding up on La Sexta (sixth Avenue) and hitting the golf equipment.
Salsa would be the key draw for guests, however you don’t should be a dance flooring diva to fall in love with this dynamic metropolis of enjoyable and aptitude.
Upbeat Cali resorts
As an increasing number of well-heeled vacationers are flocking to the “salsa capital of the world,” to accommodate these globetrotting friends, Cali is seeing a rising variety of luxurious resorts – ones combining historic allure with trendy class and customized service.
Towards the backdrop of scenic mountainsides, these high-end properties of contemporary sophistication and refined style mix with the full of life cultural character of the town.
Posh lodging like The Spiwak and Casa San Agustín are strategically positioned away from the enterprise heart, although near main sights comparable to the town’s hip retrofitted historic districts, a classy restaurant row, and animated nightlife the place salsa tradition takes heart stage.
Although the town itself is thought for being pumped with vitality, inside these resort settings a peaceable environment reigns. Company can calm down and reinvigorate at these upscale lodging, availing themselves of serene courtyards, world-class spas, and infinity swimming pools to die for.
Finishing an expertise in pure indulgence, lavish rooms and suites of those retreats come full with all of the bells and whistles, from fashionable decor to luxurious linens. In-house eating excellence is one other characteristic value spotlighting, as connoisseur cooks present a brand new culinary expertise, mixing native flavors with worldwide delicacies.
A few of the most snug and complex lodging in Cali, these luxurious choices are ideally set for leisure and concrete journey, encapsulating the eagerness and vigor of this vibrant Colombian metropolis.
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4. The Espresso Triangle: Beautiful countryside and a fascinating conventional lifestyle
It’s well-known that Colombia virtually runs on espresso, which is why its producing a few of the greatest espresso on this planet is a supply of nice pleasure and satisfaction. Owing to fertile mountain hillsides that ship excellent soil and barely cooler temperatures, the last word situations for bean cultivation have blessed Colombia’s Eje Cafetero (Espresso Triangle), an space spanning three of the nation’s departments rising Colombia’s magic arabica beans.
Within the triangle, enquiring vacationers are invited to take a deep dive into espresso tradition via fascinating day excursions and homey in a single day stays provided by family-run fincas (farms).
However, there’s much more to the area than a group of intriguing espresso plantations. An necessary nook of Colombia’s well-known Espresso Triangle is Cocora Valley. In reality, that is what virtually each customer actually comes right here to see.
This peaceable valley is a conservation space for the famed Quindío wax palm tree. Strewn like large matchsticks throughout the panorama, these impossibly tall palm bushes (the tallest on this planet) can develop as much as 200 toes excessive. The Cocora Valley due to this fact invitations you to find these superb bushes by way of its many footpaths or discover the superb valley on horseback.
Surrounded by breathtaking Andean surroundings and fertile countryside, the close by city of Salento actually matches in with the colourful but peaceable panorama. Stroll down the primary avenue previous an excellent palette of vibrant crimson doorways, yellow balconies, blue banisters, purple window frames and pink eaves. Inside these lovely colonial homes, artisans are busy at work making all method of knickknacks utilizing conventional strategies. Leisurely walks concerning the city might be mixed with close by espresso farm excursions and tastings in addition to explorations of the countryside on foot or horseback.
Prime-tier lodging within the Espresso Triangle
Whereas Colombia’s espresso triangle is thought for its rolling mountain landscapes and fragrant espresso plantations, the world additionally provides quite a lot of upscale lodging offering a compelling mix of luxurious and nature.
Extremely-extravagant hotel-haciendas within the area embody the Buenavista Hacienda and Hacienda Bambusa. Nearer to the picturesque city of Salento is one other excellent lodge: the Kawa Mountain Retreat. It’s located in a privileged space the place mountains, palm forests, espresso fincas, and the river of this enchanting space meet. The mountain retreat provides friends full immersion in nature, with the additional benefit of reaching the scenic city of colourful colonial homes in lower than a 5-minute stroll.
An instance of environmental sustainability, the lodge was designed and developed with natural architectural processes in thoughts; discovering inspiration from its distinctive and numerous flora, framed inside the espresso triangle area. The retreat has all of the services of a pastoral, but elegant architectural house providing its friends an intimate reference to the pure surroundings, coupled with luxurious service.
5. Trendy Medellín: Past the stereotypes
Although Medellin was as soon as generally known as the world’s most harmful metropolis, this former narco epicenter of the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar has been remodeled into a contemporary metropolis that punches effectively above its weight.
Immediately, it’s simple to see why Medellin has earned the title of “The Most Livable Metropolis in South America;” it’s simple to get round in, blessed with a few of the greatest climate on the planet, über pleasant, and arguably much more enjoyable than the capital metropolis.
The town’s perfect local weather signifies that there’s no excuse for staying pent up inside. By day, guests can get out and discover the El Centro district, the true heartbeat of present-day Medellín. There, you’ll uncover all the Plaza Botero full of larger-than-life bronze sculptures of native icon Fernando Botero. To realize a fair deeper understanding of the town’s previous, lose your self in an eye-opening graffiti tour via the once-dreaded/now-applauded Comuna 13 barrio.
It’s assured that after profiting from Medellin’s excellent local weather, infinite actions, and vibrant nightlife, you’ll end up wanting to stay round for weeks on finish.
Uncover Medellin’s most interesting upscale lodging
Medellín’s outstanding transformation in recent times is mirrored in an explosion in upscale lodging characterised by their mix of luxurious, consolation, and native aptitude.
Main Medellín resorts in themselves are sufficient to put in writing house about. Trendy frontrunners like The Charlee Resort, Resort Marquee, Casa Mosaiko Primer Parque Laureles are positioned in prime areas, such because the unique El Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods, the place they’ll proudly boast of chic interiors, modern facilities, and attentive employees.
Our choose of the litter is Resort Charlee, now a Poblado mainstay. The second you pull as much as Charlee, you gained’t fail to be impressed by its modern design. Coming into your lavish room, it will likely be tough to inform in the event you’re extra impressed by the swank furnishings or the beautiful metropolis views. And although the resort is surrounded by the town’s most fascinating eating places, golf equipment, and bars, it would even be tough to drag your self away from Resort Charlee’s world-class facilities – ones like its rooftop Envy pool and bar, health club, wellness heart, on-site eating, and extra.
6. San Andres & Providencia islands: Paradise discovered
Frankly, there isn’t an awesome deal Colombian about San Andres Island and its neighboring Providencia Island. Sitting means out within the Caribbean Sea, the cheerful, laidback environment of those sister magnificence spots feels slightly extra Jamaican, if something. Nearly 500 miles from continental Colombia, there are not any direct flights from the mainland, which signifies that inhabitants are additional lower off from the remainder of Latin America. Due to this, you gained’t hear Colombian Spanish spoken right here, however relatively English Creole, courting means again to when the island was a British colony. As for the affable inhabitants, they go about their days residing a standard lifestyle, seemingly tired of making the most of the beautiful great thing about their island house.
As beautiful as these islands are—with their white sandy shores, leaning palms, aquamarine waters, and out-of-this-world snorkeling—there’s a heat native vibe and never a high-rise resort in sight. San Andres and Providencia tick each field for a dream tropical-island getaway, simply don’t be postpone by the journey to get there! Many individuals are…which is why it stays spectacularly remoted, untainted by tourism.
A go to to both is all about switching off from life’s worries, even forgetting what time of day it’s and easily embracing the right here and now. Spend your time discovering abandoned sandy coves and strolling the quiet shoreline of those sun-kissed patches of paradise.
Luxurious retreats within the San Andres & Providencia islands
On these islands many luxurious resorts — ones just like the Nattivo Assortment Resort (San Andres) and Posada Candy Anashly (Providencia) — vacationers are impressed by the native tradition. All of their various areas pay tribute to the cultural richness of the island, incorporating components that replicate San Andres’ and Providencia’s essence. Posh lodging “merge with luxurious experiences to meet the aim of offering a pause within the each day rhythm, permitting reconnection with what usually goes unnoticed, thus making the invisible seen.”
These resorts supply quite a lot of companies comparable to connoisseur eating places, swimming swimming pools, solariums, occasion rooms, gyms and Jacuzzis to offer a novel expertise within the islands.
Lodges positioned even within the heart of those intimate islands place you simply three minutes from the seaside, giving friends simple and fast entry to the encompassing sea.
7. Journey awaits within the Colombian Amazon
An often-overlooked gem, the Colombian Amazon is magnificent. It’s a vibrant mixture of the canopied rainforest, far-out wildlife, and age-old Indigenous communities that stay in concord with the jungle. For the roving traveler, this will add as much as an exciting jungle journey or just a peaceable nature retreat.
The distant city of Leticia is the gateway to Colombia’s Amazon area, which makes up a 3rd of the nation. Studded proper within the southern tip of the nation, Leticia waits ever able to welcome guests because of its small airport, a clutch of resorts, and its place subsequent to the commanding Amazon River itself, the place motorized boat journeys to the jungle start.
As Leticia is a border city on the river, you may discover the Colombian aspect and likewise simply jump over to Brazil for much more discoveries. On both aspect, you’ll possible encounter indigenous teams and absolutely discover the wildlife, a key spotlight to any time spent right here.
A mesmeric nature hike can have you getting up near a plethora of birdlife, crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, and armadillos; then too, there’s at all times the possibility of recognizing a Pink river dolphin, an icon of the Amazon! Rachet your journey experiences up a notch by paddling out on a nocturnal canoe safari, the place the soundtrack of the jungle is certain to awaken your senses and stir your soul.
A tangle of impossibly inexperienced rainforest, snaking rivers, and conventional communities, Colombia’s share of the Amazon jungle is a legendary land begging to be skilled.
Amazonian rainforest retreats
For nature lovers, journey seekers, or just these searching for a calming getaway, the Colombian Amazon provides snug lodging that enable unforgettable jungle experiences.
For probably the most adventurous vacationers seeking to escape deep into the rainforest, you may select amongst a number of rustic but restful choices, together with the Calanoa Jungle Lodge, Omshanty Jungle Lodge, and the Eware Amazon Lodge. Adopting conventional Colombian design, these constructions are constructed from pure supplies like bamboo, wooden, and thatched palm leaves, whereas the easy but satisfactory interiors are fitted with mosquito-netted beds, open-air showers, and enjoyable hammocks.
Nevertheless, probably the most comfort-filled lodging within the area are provided on the Waira Suites. Although this snug 4-star resort is positioned inside the Amazonian outpost city of Leticia, guided excursions into lush rainforests are supplied. On this means—with out sacrificing trendy city facilities—you may discover the Amazon rainforest on guided wildlife-watching excursions to identify Pink dolphins, raucous monkeys, and brilliantly coloured unique birds whereas climbing and canoeing.
Whether or not rustic or extra refined, the lodges within the Colombian Amazon supply unforgettable experiences for exploring this breathtaking and biodiverse area.
8. From seashores to jungles in Tayrona Nationwide Park
What’s Tayrona Nationwide Park? Suppose palm-lined tropical seashores and secluded coves; image a paradise of leisure towards the dramatic backdrop of the looming coastal mountains.
Established as a nationwide park over a half-century in the past, Tayrona has been protected ever since, drawing in guests with its verdant jungles and golden seashores. The traditional Tayrona civilization as soon as flourished right here, as might be glimpsed via primeval websites like La Ciudad Perdida – actually, “The Misplaced Metropolis.” This mini-Machu Picchu is so deeply entwined within the jungle that it requires a three- or four-day hike to get there. That is however one of many a number of causes Tayrona Nationwide Park is the proper playground for historical past lovers, nature seekers, and wanna-be Indiana Jones adventurers.
One other string in its bow is the gathering of superb seashores that hug the shoreline of Tayrona. Golden sands strewn with monumental boulders backdropped by gently swaying palm bushes bestow a real paradise setting.
You gained’t discover any super-glam resorts right here; a part of the area’s attract is the country really feel of the lodging scene, made up of thatched cabanas perched on the shorefront or beneath the palm tree cover; nonetheless, a dose of luxurious is thrown in only for good measure. So, with a mélange of protected jungle, back-to-nature lodging, idyllic seashores, pre-Columbian websites, and infinite spots for blissful leisure, look no additional than Tayrona Nationwide Park. It’s to not be missed.
Prime-tier eco-lodges in Tayrona Nationwide Park
For guests desirous to expertise such beautiful magnificence on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, a number of upscale lodges and resorts can be found to accommodate your keep on this beautiful park. Lodges comparable to Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos (pictured), Villa Playa Tayrona, Villa Maria and Senda Watapuy are there so that you can spend days chilling out on sun-kissed seashores or wandering alongside the jungle trails that edge the shoreline. Not simply rustic huts stripped right down to the mere fundamentals, these are upscale lodges possessing trendy facilities, serving scrumptious meals, and offering attentive service whereas proudly displaying off their outstanding indigenous Colombian structure.
Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos is a jungle retreat simply minutes from the primary Zaino entrance to Tayrona Park. Out of your room’s non-public terrace, you’ll not solely have panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the Rio Piedra River but additionally the snow-covered summits of the Sierra Nevada – the world’s highest coastal mountain vary; or sit back on the pool or wander on right down to an unspoiled, white-sand seaside. The resort is attended by 24-hour employees, its rooms are air-conditioned and provided with piping scorching water, and the lodge’s on-site restaurant permits friends to dine within the restaurant with out having to drive.
Like the opposite luxurious lodges at Tayrona, Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos is the best location for pals seeking to benefit from the pure great thing about the river, sea, and gardens surrounding the resort, {couples} on a romantic getaway, and individuals who need a snug place to remain as they uncover Tayrona Park, one in every of Colombia’s pure jewels.
The takeaway…
With not solely the Andes and the Amazon, however golden seashores on two oceans, in addition to unbelievable meals, historic ruins, colonial cities, archaeological websites, artwork, cumbia, salsa and a lot extra, Colombia offers numerous alternatives for exploring and discovering.
And if all of the planning and coordination appears an excessive amount of to deal with, don’t fear. Journeys to Colombia are particularly doable via skilled tour operators who can design and handle your complete journey expertise. They’ll deal with the heavy lifting, so that you can provide all of your consideration to totally having fun with your journey.
Colombia has one thing for each traveler. From Cali’s scorching salsa to Cartagena’s character-filled streets, all of the substances of a enjoyable and rewarding journey are right here. Your subsequent journey simply may be to this charming nation!
Alfonso Tandazo
Alfonso Tandazo is President and CEO at Surtrek Tour Operator. Surtrek Tour Operator is a well-established agency, specializing in custom-designed luxurious excursions in Ecuador, the Galapagos and all through the remainder of South America. If you need to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog as a way to increase your profile, please contact us.
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