Destinations
Colombia
Colombia is one of the most complete countries for tourism in the world with a very wide mosaic of landscapes, traditions and colors. Its biodiversity is very high because it is found in the equatorial region and in an intermediate strip between the north and south regions of America. It has all climates from the sea to the snows and is crossed by mountain ranges and rivers in a wonderful green tapestry. It is also the only South American country with coasts on both oceans and attracts many visitors for the warmth and generosity of its people. The adventure of Colombia includes towns, cities, traditions, archaeological sites, natural parks and a great welcome from its people. Colombia is characterized by five geographical regions each of them different as to nature, culture and people. Touring through these regions the traveller feels like being in different countries. Colombia is waiting you.
Caribbean Region
The coastline of the Atlantic sea of Colombia is characterized by having large cities, tourist centers and communication routes that allow mixed routes between nature areas and traditional tourism. In the coastal landscape, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Guajira desert and the Rosario Islands stand out, as well as a series of estuaries and mangroves. The richness of the coastal culture stands out for its spontaneity and folklore.
Climate:
The vast majority of the region has coastal areas with savannas where predominates hot Caribbean climate. The exception is in the Sierra Nevada region where the mountain range culminates in peaks of 5,770 meters above sea level, this is why all thermal floors can be found. Further east, in the region of La Guajira, areas of desert predominate with little vegetation and extreme heat temperatures.
Places of interest:
Tayrona National Park, La Guajira Desert, Rosario Islands, The lost city, Cabo de la Vela, Macuira National Park, Flamencos National Park. Tourist cities: Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla
Typical food:
Fried fish, “arepa de huevo” (fried corn pancake filled with egg)
Pacific Region
The Pacific region is located in the west of the country and is characterized by its high biodiversity and richness in natural landscapes. It is a historically more isolated region where mostly wild landscapes predominate far away from the traditional tourism. Most of the beaches are silent and with very few visitors. The black communities give it a cultural richness associated with the jungles, beaches and marine wealth.
Climate:
The humid tropical forest is characterized by the large number of water sources and the hot climate in contrast to the wind from the marine areas. One can expect very high precipitation throughout the year.
Places of interest:
Gorgona Island, Nuqui, Malaga Bay, Bahia Solano, Ensenada de Utria, Malpelo Island Gulf of Tribuga
Typical food:
all type of marine products, lots of local fruit sometimes unknown even to the Colombians from other areas.
Orinoquia Region
It is located to the east of the Andean region. The Orinoquia is a mixture of savannas with some jungle ecosystems intermingled with the Amazon. The “llanera” (plains) culture is linked to the cattle raising in the so-called cattle herds. The gallery forests, the extensive wetlands and the great rivers that cross the savannas stand out. The east side of Orinoquia region is highlighted by geological formations of the Guyanes Shield where the Tepuis (table –top mountains), rapids and the imposing Orinoco river stand out.
Climate:
In the region predominates hot climate with strong solar radiation especially in the savannas covered with grasslands.
Places of interest:
Tuparro Natural Park, Bojonawi Nature Reserve, Caño Cristales, Hato La Aurora, Guanapalo private reserve.
Typical food:
“Llanera” type beef (a special preparation of the meat)
Amazon Region
The tropical humid forest of Colombia stands out for being a territory with large extensions of jungle crossed by imposing rivers. In the foothills (close to the Andean zone) we have a mixture of Andean and Amazonian diversity with very special characteristics. In some areas the Guyanes shield formations stand out. The Amazonian territory is populated by indigenous ancestral communities with a strong sense of belonging and linked millennial traditions.
Climate:
The tropical forest is essentially hot and humid with marked rainy seasons.
Places of interest:
Amacayacu Park in Leticia, El Portal del Fragua in Caqueta, Putumayo river, Raudal of Jirijirimo in Vaupes, Mavicure Hills in Guainia, Araracuara Canyon
Typical food:
Fish from Amazon river
Andean Region
The Andean region is where the majority of the population of Colombia live. There are three mountain ranges (eastern, central and western) that cross the country from north to south. The culture in this area is characterized by its strong regional traditions. The Andes Mountains have the average elevations between 2,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level and mixes coffee-growing landscapes, fruit tree landscapes surrounded by volcanoes and areas of paramo of great beauty. This is where the traveller can get familiarized with “paramo” ecosystem which can only be found in few Latin America countries at the altitude of 3.000 to 4.000 meters. The inter-Andean valleys should be highlighted for its great agricultural vocation. Between the central and eastern mountain ranges there is the Magdalena River – the most important one in Colombia.
Climate:
In very short journeys it is possible to enjoy the warm air of the low mountains or the banks of the rivers in the valleys. You can also ascend to the cold paramos or glaciers of the volcanic peaks. The mountain forest has medium climates with high humidity carried by fog.
Places of interest:
capital cities, colonial villages, coffee cultural landscapes, national parks (Los Nevados, El Cocuy, Chingaza, etc), Tatacoa Desert, archaeological sites of great importance such as San Agustin and Tierradentro
Typical food:
“Ajiaco” soup, different kinds of arepas (corn pancakes), “Trucha” – sweet water trout.