The world's third-largest producer of coffee beans, Colombia is a fantastic one for tastings and tours. The vast majority of production takes place in the subtropical Andean hills west of Bogota between the small cities of Armenia, Pereira, and Manizales.
This region, known as the Eje Cafetero (or Coffee Axis), is home to a growing number of coffee plantations that have opened their operations to the public in recent years, with tastings and lavish farm stays.
These small (and often organic) plantations are the kind of places where the farmer-owner might take an hour out of his day to explain the process of how a humble "cherry" turns into a coffee bean that will one day be roasted and ground into a latte back home.
Leticia.
Picture the Amazon, and Colombia may not be the first country to come to mind — which is odd, because about a third of the nation is blanketed in its thick (and often impenetrable) jungles. The capital of the vast Amazon Basin is the small frontier town of Leticia along the banks of the mighty Amazon River, where Colombia shares borders with Brazil and Peru.
Leticia makes a great base for Eco-tourism, and visitors can learn about the local tribes that call this area home. The only way to arrive here is by plane from Bogotá, and you can continue onward by boat either downriver to Manaus, Brazil, or upriver to Iquitos, Peru.
Tayrona National Natural.
You'll find some of the best beaches in Colombia within the protected Tayrona National Natural Park, which is known for its palm-shaded coves and crystal-clear coastal lagoons. Most beaches are set against the dramatic mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, whose rainforested hills make for a great side trip on any beach vacation.
Bogota.
Most visitors to Colombia will inevitably begin their trip in Bogota, the nation's largest city. It's a city that often divides opinion, with some complaining about its gridlocked streets and sometimes dreary weather. While others fall head over heels for its unique combination of colonial charm and urban sophistication. Either way, this city of eight million tends to grow on people who give it enough time.
Medellin.
Bogotá might be the Colombian capital, but it's the smaller and more manageable city of Medellin that tends to capture the hearts of visitors. Medellin was dubbed the most dangerous city in the world in the early 1990s, but a quarter of a century later, it has earned a reputation for something entirely different: innovation.
The city boasts cable cars linking the settlements in its hills to a modern metro system in the valley below, a green belt of lush "eco parks," and striking libraries and community centers in some of the poorest neighbourhoods.
Cartagena.
It's known as the crown jewel of Colombia's Caribbean coast and one of the best-preserved colonial destinations in the Americas. You may feel as if you've stepped back in time to a different era.
It's the 13 kilometres of centuries-old walls, or the colourful colonial architecture, many of which are now beautifully restored restaurants and luxury hotels. Perhaps it's the bougainvillaea-covered balconies along the labyrinthine streets or the soaring Catholic churches that tower above every plaza. Whatever it is, visitors can't help but fall for this Caribbean charmer.
Ciudad Perdida/The Lost City.
Colombia's most popular hike is undoubtedly the four-day, 44-kilometer trek to Ciudad Perdida, a lost city hidden deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains that was only rediscovered in the 1970s. Built and occupied by Tayrona Indians between the 8th and 14th centuries, this ancient city is said to be one of the largest pre-Columbian settlements discovered in the Americas.
Much of the site remains buried beneath a thick jungle because the modern Indigenous inhabitants of the area have banned excavations. But the stone terraces and stairways are in outstanding shape.
Independent treks are prohibited; you're required to go with a sanctioned and approved tour operator who will provide a guide and all meals. You can book a tour from Santa Marta in advance.
Providencia Island.
This quirky Caribbean Island leaves many first-time visitors perplexed. For starters, it's far closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. Then there's the fact that its residents don't speak Spanish but rather an English Creole. Of course, none of that really matters when you find yourself sunning on the most stunning beaches under the Colombian flag.
Mompox.
Lovers of magic realism and the writings of Gabriel García Márquez will fall for the sleepy charms of Mompox. It features prominently in the Nobel laureate's book The General in His Labyrinth, and it's thought to be the inspiration for the fictional town of Macondo in his most famous novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Mompox was once a prosperous cog in the trading route between the Caribbean coast and the Andes, famed as the spot where "El Libertador" Simón Bolívar recruited his army to gain independence for neighboring Venezuela. Now, this colonial relic, the muddy shores of the Magdalena River, is truly a town that time forgot.
Cali.
The inhabitants of Cali have a zest for life and fun that is unique in Colombia. And, how can you not, when your city is known around the world as the home of Salsa dance? Street festivals celebrating this sensual dance are held mostly in the evening in the Juanchito area under the stars in the sultry air.
However, the city isn't all about dancing; it's also a foodie destination with a plethora of interesting restaurants helmed by innovative chefs turning the most of the bounty from both the land and the Pacific Ocean, only a short distance away.
Dance, food, hot weather — what more do you need? A bit of historical architecture dating from the 20th century, coupled with friendly people, rounds out the wonderful assortment of things to do in Cali.
Nuqui.
The Caribbean coast of Colombia, with Cartagena as a shining star, makes up most of the bandwidth when people think of coastal areas in the country. However, the small city of Nuqui and the Pacific Coast should not be overlooked by those who love adventure and fun.
This incredibly biodiverse area is home to humid coastal jungles, waterfalls, and the full force of the Pacific Ocean. Empty beaches with humpback whales breaching just offshore, crystal clear rivers emptying into the sea, and some of the most incredible birdlife (especially hummingbirds) in the country await.
Hacienda Nápoles.
If there's one man who lingers large over Colombia's recent history, it's the billionaire drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. What few people realise is that you can actually visit the lavish estate built and owned by Escobar in Puerto Triunfo, about 110 miles east of Medellin.
The sprawling complex, known as Hacienda Nápoles, fell into disrepair in the decade after Escobar died in 1993. The local municipality took control of the property in the mid-2000s. And turned it into an ever-growing amusement park with an eclectic mix of themed zones, hotels, a water park, and a safari-style zoo.
The amusements and hotels are new, and signs of Escobar are now limited. The ruins of his former mansion were bulldozed, and one of the Cessna planes he used to smuggle drugs to the US that used to be perched atop the entry gate is gone (as is the gate). The only thing remaining is a small museum that grapples with his legacy and some of his antique car collection rusting peacefully in the sun. Therefore, if you're planning a trip, don't forget to visit South America's Heaven.
