Karen Chapman, Author at cazenove+loyd

Karen Chapman shares eight reasons why Colombia should be on every traveller’s list.

From cosmopolitan cities, ancient historical sites and fascinating museums to colourful colonial towns and villages, lush national parks and picturesque Caribbean beaches, Colombia has an incredible diversity of attractions to delight every type of traveller. Below, we unveil eight good reasons to travel to this underrated South American country.

Good food is one of the reasons why you should visit Colombia

1. For People

Colombians are friendly and hospitable. We partner with fantastic local guides who will give you a wonderfully warm welcome and share their expert knowledge with pleasure.

One particularly memorable encounter we can arrange is for you to meet some of the last of Colombia’s cowboys (or Llaneros) in Los Llanos, a vast grassland area south-east of Bogotá. The Llanos culture is enthralling and unknown, even by most Colombians. They still use the cattle-ranching practices inherited from Jesuit settlers in the 1800s, riding barefoot and chanting to call and calm the livestock. Music – played on the harp, the cuatro (a small guitar) and the maracas – is very important to them and often accompanied by joropo, the local dance, which consists of fast-paced stomping and twirling.

At Corocora Camp, in Los Llanos, you can gain an insight into the Llaneros’ intriguing way of life by listening to the chants, watching horses being broken in and learning how to herd and lasso cattle. We can even organise for you to stay in a local house – a rustic but authentic and truly fascinating experience.

2. For the art + culture

The country has a wonderfully rich cultural scene to dive into, including the Colombian chapter of the Hay Festival, which takes place in Cartagena every year in late January. You will also find original examples of Fernando Botero’s world-famous works of art all over the country (including at the Botero Museum in Bogotá and at the Botero sculpture park in Medellín), as well as a nationwide passion for music and dance. You can read more about Colombian art here.

3. For the cities

Cartagena, a beautiful colonial city on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, is a wonderful place to explore. Here, you pass the time strolling around colourful alleyways and pretty plazas, soaking in the atmosphere, Alternatively, you can set out on foot with an inspiring guide to admire some amazing street art, before retreating to Casa San Agustín, a charming hotel that reflects the rich culture and hospitality of Cartagena.

In addition, Bogotá is well worth exploring. The world’s third-highest capital may be a little rough around the edges, but it is an exciting and continually evolving metropolis with plentiful character, several museums worth visiting, bustling markets, lovely boutique hotels and a growing number of top-notch restaurants and bars.

4. For the cacao and coffee

Colombia is the second-largest coffee-exporting nation after Brazil and produces some of the best-tasting beans in the world. We recommend staying at Hacienda Bambusa, a traditional cocoa farm in Quindío in the south of the Coffee Triangle. Quindío is one of three departments in this mountainous region, the others being Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda. The most interesting time to come here is during the harvests – from April to June and October to December.

street food in Colombia, one of the reasons to visit Colombia

5. For the food

Colombia has never really been on the foodie map, but it has seen some fantastic restaurant openings in recent years. It’s also home to a wealth of diverse native ingredients, including unusual tropical fruits that many of us have most likely never seen before.

6. For the landscapes

Colombia’s landscapes are breathtaking and varied, ranging from the Andean Mountains and the Amazon rainforest to the unspoilt Caribbean Coast. A heavenly place to soak in the stunning scenery is Hacienda Buenavista, a stunning boutique hotel in the Coffee Triangle’s Quindío department, which is surrounded by verdant mountains.

7. For a taste of the Caribbean

Colombia’s sun-drenched Caribbean Coast boasts palm-fringed bays, warm, turquoise water, coral reefs and some incredible islands, including Providencia and Santa Catalina. Our favourite place to stay on the former is Monasterio del Viento, a delightful four-bedroom house, sleeping 12, right by the sea. From here, we can arrange all sorts of experiences, including a brilliant day spearfishing with a local, who will cook you your freshly caught lobster on one of the island’s deserted beaches.

8. For the wildlife biodiversity

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. It has the second greatest biodiversity of birds and the second highest number of palm species in the world after Brazil, as well as the largest number of orchid species. This is all thanks to its unique geography. With the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range tumbling down to the Caribbean Sea, Tayrona National Park is one of South America’s most scenic reserves. Home to abundant monkeys and birds, such as this exquisite indigo-capped hummingbird, it is a magical place to explore on foot or on horseback, using One Love as your jungle hideaway. It’s also possible to embark on a private boat trip from Marina Santa Marta to discover the area’s best secret coves for swimming, snorkelling or scuba-diving.

Our South America Expert Shares Eight Reasons to Visit Colombia

Karen Chapman shares eight reasons why Colombia should be on every traveller’s list.

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