Colombia Overview
Colonial walled city of Cartegena, museums of Bogota, Caribbean beaches and coffee plantations...
Occupying South America’s top corner, and providing the link between the continent and the Central American isthmus, Colombia borders Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.
For a long time firmly off the map for tourism of any kind, let alone the more upmarket end, Colombia is now the country that most UK operators name as the most exciting emerging destination in their portfolio. Transformed under President Uribe, whose uncompromising stance against the Farc rebels and the narcotics industry brought about astonishing results, the vast majority of Colombia is now recognised by the FCO as entirely safe to visit. The Colombian Tourist Office in the UK may allude to the country’s former negative image in its campaign slogan: ‘The only risk is wanting to stay’ but it is now reporting ever-increasing business from the British market, fast becoming one of its most important.
For Colombia has all the elements of an ideal holiday. Its capital, Bogotá, has good hotels, excellent museums, and is surrounded by history and culture. The lush Andean highlands of the coffee region make a total change from the city and the colonial hacienda style accommodation here is ideal for a few days’ relaxation. Up on the Caribbean coast is the delightful fortified city of Cartagena with its boutique hotels and endless photo opportunities. Beyond here lie heavenly beaches and the biodiversity of the Tayrona National Park.
Best of all: relatively speaking, you’ll have all these treasures to yourself. Colombia is one of South America’s most unspoilt countries, and if you enjoy seeing places before too many others get there first, now is the ideal time to go. You may even want to stay!
What to expect from your Colombia holiday: A cliché it may be, but an enormously friendly welcome. The Colombian culture is exuberant and fun-loving and the country’s people are delighted to see the successful re-emergence of tourism after so long. Flights and hotels are of a high standard and English is widely spoken in all major centres.
Please note that Colombia combines well with the Galapagos Islands, as there are regular flights from Cartagena via Bogotá to Ecuador’s Quito or Guayaquil.
