Saturday, November 30, 2013

Bogota

     Bogota is the capital and the biggest city in Colombia. Located 2,600 meters above sea level makes this a cold climate place to be in. This city is the best example of diversity one can find in the country. Bogota is one of the most important city in the continent, and it is just as interesting to visit it and get to know it. It is known for its varied and spacious public spaces, including parks, plazas, streets, and modern avenues. One main attraction and characteristic of the city is its Ciclovia, its bicycle road system. This is available for all citizens to both travel along it or drive around your bike as a hobby or exercise. Bogota has many varied museums, art galleries, and cultural hotspots. It is also known for its many outlet stores and shopping malls, more than 50, scattered around the city. Bogota has also become one of the major capitals of food in Latin America, offering both native and international cuisine for all people. These are just some of the reasons why Bogota has become one of the mayor capitals of South America and one of the best cities to get to know and visit.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Medellin

     Medellin in one of Colombia's most beautiful cities, and one of the most innovative and advanced. It is the second largest Colombian city, and has many activities that tourists can come experience. It is filled with great food, people, climate, flowers, and there is no wonder why it attracts so many people. The city rises from the center of a valley and extends all the way into the foot of the mountains, and provides for a very beautiful cityscape. Medellin is truly a Colombian hotspot for business, finance, and development in every way.

     One can enjoy this city in many ways. You can take a short trip to one of the many fincas, or farms, around the city, and relax in the mild climate drinking coffee, or enjoy the famous nightlife in the city, in which one can visit the many bars and nightclubs in the city. The food of the city is also very delicious. Another great activity around this city is shopping. Medellin s the fashion capital of Colombia and many tourists and people from around the country travel to Medellin and shop in its many stores. These are just some of the many things one can experience in Medellin.
                                

San Andres Islands

     San Andres is an island located 700 km away from the Colombian mainland. It is one of the most beautiful sites in Colombia, mainly for its beautiful sea with many shades of blue and its blend of many cultures and races. It is truly one of the most diverse places in Colombia, having Dutch, English, Spanish, and African cultures blended all into one island. During the day, a tourist can enjoy a relaxing day at the beach and practice all kinds of water sports that they want. These include diving, surfing, water skiing, and many more. You can also shop duty-free at the island, and enjoy a meal unlike any other. Then, during the night, San Andres has really fun nightlife for the many people visiting the island, characterized with its dancing and music.

     Another famous place to visit while in this island is the Johnny Cay island, only 15 minutes away by boat. This small island is famous for its white beaches and beautiful sea, and many tourists go there to experience peace and quiet, and relax in one of the most beautiful places they have seen. This is why San Andres Island is one of the most famous destinations in Colombia.

                               

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Carnaval de Barranquilla

          The Carnaval de Barranquilla is a famous carnival event that occurs in the 4th most populous city in Colombia: Barranquilla, and is the second largest carnival in the entire world. It is famous for its many parades and dances that express the diversity, joy, and culture of Colombian people. Visitors from all over the country and outside of it come to Barranquilla to celebrate this carnival for 4 days every year. It occurs 4 days before Ash Wednesday, and ends on this day. The carnival consists of various activities throughout the city for those 4 days, including the parades of Batalla de Flores, the most known activity, and La Gran Parada. The 2 dances that most characterize the carnival are Cumbia and Garabato, which show how tradition and culture in Colombia is so joyfully preserved. 
         The carnival ends with the death of Joselito Carnaval, perhaps the most symbolic character in the event. Joselito is a festive and joyful character who dies after 4 days of intense partying. This last day tries to farewell not one character, but all the people who participated and was part of the event. The Carnaval de Barranquilla is perhaps the most fun you can have in this nation filled with joy.

                           
                        

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Villa de Leyva

     Villa de Leyva is a colonial-era town in the department of Boyaca that is influenced a lot by Spanish architecture and is famous for being so similar to many towns in Spain, if it were not for the cold climate. The town's streets are filled with white building with wooden windows and doors, which are influenced by the 
hispanic architecture brought by conquistadors. You almost feel as if being in a Spanish town in Spain when arriving here in Villa de Leyva. It is one of the most visited attractions in Colombia for its variety of things to do, like its many restaurants, its central plaza, known for being the largest in Colombia, and the many museums that are around the town. It is one of the oldest cities in Colombia and dates back to 1572, when it was founded. One can visit the first distillery established in the Spanish viceroyalty, the famous museum of palaentology and also many of the town's historical relics. It is one of the cultural gems of Colombian history and contains many relics of the nation. Villa de Leyva is often visited by people who are in Bogota and want to have a weekend getaway from the crowded city.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Tayrona National Park

          The Tayrona National Park in the Caribbean coast of Colombia is one of the most beautiful attractions there is to see in this country full of scenery and landscapes. It shows its visitors both a jungle environment and how close the sea is to this jungle. You get to follow a trail made of wood in a forest inside the region around the Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta, the tallest seaside mountain in the world, and arrive in the beautiful beach of the park. This park is located in the department of Magdalena, and is filled with nature and archaeological remains which you can experience. The land of the park was previously the land of the Tayrona indigenous people, and these left many things behind in it.
          People arrive here mostly to experience the nature and beauty of the place. Tourists birdwatch, and experience the very ranging biodiversity in the region. Activities include diving in the ocean, snorkeling, trekking the archaeological stone roads, camping in the region itself, horseback riding, and swimming in a natural pool. This park is one of the most attracting spots that tourists like in Colombia mostly because of its natural and physical beauty, and the many things that can be done here.

                         

Friday, November 15, 2013

Cartagena

          Cartagena is the jewel of Colombian tourism. This city is widely famous for its beautiful beaches, deep culture and impacting skyline and structures. It is located on a bay surrounded by islands and lakes in the Caribbean sea. The city also has history, being on of the oldest cities in America and conserving most of its colonial city and architecture.This colonial walled city is filled with nightlife, bars and restaurants for the many tourists the city attracts. There are also many attractions outside the colonial city, with a whole sea to discover in front of you and a beautiful city with high skyscrapers behind.
          Another very famous spot for tourists is the San Felipe castle, a Spanish castle built during the 16th century. This jewel of colonial architecture still lies in Cartagena and is open for tourists who want to visit and learn about its history. Inside the walled city another famous place is the Inquisition, where the Spanish crown used to torture prisoners and other citizens who defied the catholic ways.
          However, if you want to relax and lie in the beach, you can visit one of the many islands around the bay or just go to the Bocagrande district of the city, where there is a public and very beautiful beach to lay around all day. There are plenty of hotels in the area, and most of them have beaches only steps away from your room.