When it comes to visiting a new place, we often tend to think about the most famous tourist destinations. Places like Melbourne or a trip to Iceland have long been on our travel bucket list. But, today, we bring you a bucket list destination that we bet won’t have crossed your mind – Colombia!!
Colombia has been going through a remarkable transformation over the last two decades – some may call it a regenesis. Far from the internal conflict news we used to hear decades ago, Colombia now offers a wide range of diverse experiences for tourists worldwide. The biodiversity, the landscape, the people, the culture, and the food are some reasons Colombia needs to make it to your bucket list.In this article, we will discuss five reasons Colombia needs to make it to your bucket list.
Table of Contents
#1 Colombia is Incredibly Rich in Biodiversity
If biodiversity were a country, it would be called Colombia. Colombia is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. Colombia offers the most biodiverse birds, plants, amphibians, butterflies, and frogs on a per square kilometer basis. The biodiversity of plants, amphibians, birds, and mammals alike is all thanks to the diverse climate Colombian regions have to offer.
This is one of the top reasons to explore Colombia’s different regions. The experience in nature is truly unique and must be on your bucket list. By indulging in ecotourism in Colombia, you are also supporting the local governments’ conservation efforts to preserve this incredible biodiversity of the region.
The species you will encounter in Colombia will give you a new appreciation for life and nature.
#2 The Rich Culture to explore on a trip to Colombia
Colombia offers a vibrant culture thanks to its indigenous and colonial cultures coming together in a melting pot. Each region and province of Colombia offers a unique cultural experience. From the different neighborhoods in Bogota offering a peek into their capital region’s rich culture, commerce, and entertainment, to the Caribbean tropical cities like Cartagena providing a vibrant beach nightlife and culture.
If you visit Colombia in February, check out their Carnival de Barranquilla to witness some of the biggest and most iconic dances, festivities, outfits, and parties.
For a change of pace, be sure to check out some of the several indigenous communities to experience their culture. Colombia is home to 85 ethnic groups and 65 languages, making it one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the Americas. Book a guided tour to get an immersive cultural experience when you visit Colombia.
#3 The Diverse Climate
Colombia is located in the northern part of South America, bordering Panama to the north, Venezuela to the east, and Ecuador and Brazil to the south. Its coastal regions are divided between the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific to the south and west. This offers a very diverse climatology to different regions of Colombia.
The Caribbean coast offers tropical heat perfect for your beach vacation, while the higher-elevation interiors offer a milder temperate climate.
In fact, the city of Medellin, the capital city of the mountainous province of Antioquia in the interior part of Colombia, is nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” because of its year-round spring-like mild temperate climate.
So, if you like to hike and explore beautiful terrains and vistas and experience different climates within a few kilometers of each other, Colombia has it all. Be sure to pack wisely to be comfortable on your walking tours and hike through Colombia. The climate makes it easy to see why Colombia has to make it to your bucket list.
#4 The Food and The Coffee
Colombia is world famous for its coffee. For centuries, coffee lovers have preferred 100% Colombian coffee over many other regions. The robust full-bodied coffee with hints of chocolate, fruits, and citrus has attributed to its success. Colombian coffee is the only bean that is harvested by hand and only when the cherries are fully ripe. That is why the flavor is so remarkable. The coffee region of Colombia is called Eje Caftetero, which is another major tourist attraction. Be sure to take some tours of the coffee plantations and do some taste-testing when there.
Speaking of taste-testing, you must check out Colombia’s food scene on your trip to Colombia. Thanks to its excellent growing climate, Colombian cuisine offers the freshest fruits, vegetables, and delectable dishes with colonial, African, and indigenous influences.
Check out the lively restaurants and cafes and try out one of their national dishes – Bandeja Paisa – a calorie-rich dish with rice, plantain, cornmeal patties, sausages, avocado, beans, and a fried egg. This meal will be a heavy one, so go hungry.
Otherwise, check out Colombian treats like empanadas and arepas. The food and the coffee scene is another major reason to visit Colombia.
#5 The People of Colombia
Another major reason to have a trip to Colombia is to experience the hospitality of its people. Colombians have gone through some very rough times in recent history, which is why it is quite amazing how warm and inviting they continue to be to tourists. The Colombian people are fun-loving warm people radiating positively all around. They like to dance, laugh, and enjoy life one day at a time.
This is a perspective many of us in the developed world have forgotten. Reconnect with the soul of humanity and experience the warmth Colombians offer.
Conclusion
Truly, Colombia has it all. From stunning vistas of nature, the biodiversity of the region, to the food, culture, coffee, and the topography, what is there not to love about Colombia. The local authorities are putting tourism at the forefront of their economy and has made the country a safe and inviting place to visit. So, break free from the stereotypes we held about this stunning country and go have a memorable trip to Colombia. Bon Voyage!
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