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Colombia
General Information

With both Caribbean and Pacific Coastlines and characterised by the Northern peaks and valleys of the Andes range, Colombia offers an astonishing variety of beautiful natural scenery. But it is the warmth of its fun loving people and the richness of its culture that often surprises the visitor to this much misperceived country. The traditions for which Colombians are fiercely and justifiably proud burst forth in colourful displays of music and dance such as the deeply rooted Cumbia and of course the world renowned Salsa, while Colombian literary legends, such as Gabriel García Márquez, need no introduction. Little visited by tourists in recent years, Colombia is finally claiming its rightful place at the heart of Latin American tourism as it opens its doors to welcome visitors with its characteristic passion.

BOGOTA

Located at 2,650m above sea level on a rich Andean Plateau, Santa Fé de Bogotá is both a modern and a historic capital city. Bogotá’s old centre, La Candelaria, is the heart of the city and a charming collection of cobble stoned streets, museums and colonial buildings, while elsewhere the city’s modern zones throb with world class shops, restaurants and night spots. Bogotá’s famous Gold Museum is not to be missed and houses one of the most impressive collections of Pre-Columbian gold work in the Americas while another must on any visit to the city is the ascent by funicular to the top of Montserate (3,210m) which towers above the city and offers breathtaking panoramic views. Easily reached on a day trip from Bogotá is the astonishing Salt Cathedral which has literally been carved from within the ancient salt mines at Zipaquiri. Further from the city, the beautiful colonial town of Villa de Leyva is remarkably well preserved and dates from the years of Spanish rule.

CARTAGENA

A World Heritage Site and without doubt one of the best preserved, most attractive and interesting colonial cities in the Americas, Cartagena is not to be missed on any visit to Colombia. The historic heart of the city, surrounded by 12km of ramparts, is an enchanting labyrinth of cobble stone streets and delightful plazas lined with well preserved colonial mansions and houses. A number of these have been converted into small hotels that abound with character and make the ideal base from which to explore the city and to sample its wealth of charming shops and restaurants. Cartagena also retains a vibrant and rich cultural mix that is a legacy of its historic role as the main slave port in Spanish South America and which makes the city a fascinating and intriguing blend of Spanish and African traditions, tastes and rhythms. For those with a bit more time, a visit to the Rosario Islands, which lie 45 km beyond the Bay of Cartagena, makes a good opportunity to relax before or after a visit to the city.

COFFEE REGION

On the Western slopes of the Cordillera Central, Colombia’s coffee region is the cultural heartland of the country and a peaceful and traditional area of picturesque villages and plantations set amidst lush and dramatic mountain scenery. Trips to the region give not only an opportunity to witness Colombia’s unique coffee culture but also offer chances for outdoor activities such as hiking or bird watching.

SANTA MARTA & TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK

The historic port city of Santa Marta was founded by the Spanish conquistadores in 1525 and today is a pleasant town with a number of colonial buildings, many of which are being restored, and attractive palm lined beaches. In the outskirts of Santa Marta lies the atmospheric San Pedro Alejandrino hacienda which was where the great South American liberator, Simón Bolivar, came to die, his dream of a united South America in ruins. Beyond Santa Marta, stretches a beautiful and mostly unspoilt coastline of stunning beaches set against the spectacular backdrop of the coastal mountain range, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, whose snow capped peaks rise from the Caribbean to an altitude of 5,800m. The highlight of any visit to this region is the Tayrona National Park, a paradise of palm lined beaches and forested hiking trails where hillside bungalow style accommodation has both views of the beach and ocean and of the stunning mountain range.

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London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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