EXPLORE COLOMBIA

The country of beauty, with avianca airlines

2024-02-01 -

From epic landscapes to a rich history and warm culture, the historic streets and Amazonian wildernesses of Colombia are now at your fingertips, thanks to avianca airlines…

Whether wandering the historical streets of Cartagena or hiking the green-felt hills of the Cocora Valley, Colombia is perfect for travellers looking to fuse culture, adventure and nature. Even better, direct avianca flights between London Heathrow and Bogotá have made it easier than ever to reach this ‘country of beauty’. Now all that’s left is to discover some of its top spots…

SEE COLOMBIA THROUGH ITS… Cultural cities

From world-class salsa dancing to exceptional cuisine, Colombia’s rich culture and history is one of its biggest draws, though this is best seen in the big cities.

Start with a visit to capital Bogotá, which combines world-class museums and vibrant nightlife with colonial-era architecture and fine gastronomy.

At the heart of the capital lies La Candelaria, a neighbourhood filled with colourful cobblestone streets. It’s blend of history and culture is infectious, so be sure to visit the 16th-century Cathedral of Colombia and the Botero Museum, whose collection of works by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero is unmatched. Special mention also goes to the Gold Museum and its 34,000 pieces of pre-hispanic goldwork.

Above all this rises the Sanctuary of Monserrate, a mountaintop Catholic shrine that offers views across the city. Or head instead to the trendy, bohemian Chapinero neighbourhood for good food and laid-back cafés.

Just as appealing is the country’s second-largest city, Medellín. This vibrant metropolis (and birthplace of Fernando Botero) is a busy mix of modern museums, a buzzing nightlife scene and plenty of green space.

Further north lies Colombia’s Caribbean-coast jewel, Cartagena, whose lemon-yellow buildings and crumbling city walls frame an unmissable Unesco-listed centre. Elsewhere, south-west of the capital, Cali is the country’s salsa king. By night,

you’ll find street parties and packed salsa bars; by day, you can wander colonial-era architecture, local markets and art galleries. Or go north to Santa Marta for a taste of the Caribbean.

Wildlife and landscapes

Colombia isn’t only about city life. This diverse nation offers wilderness, too; in fact, it is the most biodiverse country on the planet in terms of birdlife, home to around 19% of the world’s bird species. The Amazon basin also covers over a third of the country, encompassing Amacayacu National Park, home to over 5,000 plant species, and Cahuinarí National Nature Park, known for its pre-hispanic petroglyphs and biodiversity.

For more off-the-beaten track adventures, look to Los Llanos

(or the Eastern Plains). Bordered by the Andes and Amazon, this vast expanse of wetlands, rivers, savannah and forest covers an entire quarter of the country and is home to pumas, jaguars, howler monkeys and rich birdlife. It’s in Los Llanos that you’ll also find La Macarena National Park, home to the extraordinary Caño Cristales – nicknamed the ‘liquid rainbow’ for the kaleidoscopic hues created by a mysterious native plant.

Further south, the Cocora Valley is a mecca for birders. Hummingbirds, parrots, parakeets and toucans all reside among the misty cloud forests and verdant slopes of the Andes. Elsewhere, Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean coast is a hotspot for hiking and wildlife-spotting, with rustic jungle trails home to howler monkeys, sloths, jaguars and more. On the lesser-visited eastern side, the Mavicure Hills invite intrepid climbers to scale volcanic peaks above the lush jungle, or for a truly unique experience, there’s the Tatacoa Desert, where scarlet-red sandstone rocks and otherworldly canyons invite exceptional stargazing.

People

What really makes Colombia stand out is the people. You’ll be met with a warm, friendly welcome everywhere you go here, with locals keen to showcase the country’s vibrant culture, food and music.

As the second-most ethnically diverse country in the Americas, it’s something of a cultural melting pot, with European, Afro-caribbean and Indigenous influences all found here.

For local life at its best, head to one of the country’s many festivals. Part of UNESCO’S Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos in San Juan de Pasto is among the most popular (and unique) events. Arising from Indigenous Andean and Hispanic traditions, the five-day festival is a celebration of the region’s diverse ethnic heritage. Elsewhere in Medellín, the annual Flower Fair in August brings colourful floral exhibitions, live performances and parades to the streets across the city.

It’s Barranquilla, however, that steals the show, hosting the world’s second-largest carnival every year. This iconic four-day fiesta sees costumed dances, processions and vibrant parades light up the streets in the lead-up to Ash Wednesday, bringing an explosion of colour, energy and joy that is Colombia at its most quintessential.