Editor’s letter

ISSUE 107, NOVEMBER 2022

Pristine rainforest and bountiful coffee regions, Pacific and Atlantic coastlines with untouched beaches, ancient ruins, captivating cities and a beguiling spirit… there are times when it seems like Colombia is one of the world’s bestkept secrets.

Disney’s Encanto film last year gave it a helpful push, but the country has been gaining steam on its own for a while. From under a million visitors a year in 2005, to almost five million in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Colombia has, in just over a decade, emerged as one of the world’s most alluring destinations.

Responsible and sustainable tourism have thankfully proved to be the cornerstone of this growth, with conservation and protection of its wildlife and heritage essential to this new-found popularity. And a new president, elected in June, who is focused on nature-, culture- and community-based tourism will only further benefit Colombia’s rich biodiversity.

Our cover story this month brings you the best of South America’s rising star, with a focus on wild river safaris in the Amazon jungle; the vibrant cities of Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín; the innovative Indigenous communites; the stunning archipelago of the Rosario Islands; and the best of the Coffee Triangle.