Colombia Vacations
Overview
The Republic of Colombia lies close to Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Lying towards the northwestern part of South America, Colombia has the Caribbean Sea on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The fact that Colombia is the 26th largest country in the world will give you a fair picture of its enormous land area. Colombia was once inhabited by tribes and formed a part of the Spanish colonies. There is a heavy Spanish influence in the area and Spanish remains the official language of the Republic to date. The area has gone through many changes, until it eventually gained its independence and became a Republic.
Though Colombia is popular as the 4th largest economy in the continent, a vast majority of the people live below the poverty line. Colombia is ethnically and ecologically diverse. Right from the Amazon and the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines to the tropical grasslands and the highlands of the Andes, the country displays varied geography.
Activities & Attractions
Colombia is slowly and surely emerging as a popular destination for vacations. There are many activities and attractions that draw tourists to this place. Bogota is one of the major cities in the country and the historic city of Candelaria, is quite a popular name amongst tourists.
If you really want to see the best of Colombia, you need to stay outdoors. The country has many national parks including the famous Tayrona National Natural Park and the Amacayacu National Park. The Nevado del Ruiz Volcano is a breathtaking site. The beaches are ideal for people who love the sand and the sun. The ancient city of Cartagena shot to limelight when it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You can also visit less-traveled places like La Guajira, the final portion of Colombian coastline or San Gil, a town gaining popularity for adventure tourism. You can also get a taste of exciting Latin nightlife. The country hosts a large number of festivals which attract visitors to this place.
Lodging
The country works towards satisfying all your temporary lodging needs. You can pick from luxurious resorts, cheap hotels, apartments, and discount motels. The Hotel Morrison and Sofitel Altamira Hotel in Bogota are good choices.
Transportation
Colombia has a good network of highways that criss-cross the entire country. There are also highways which connect Colombia with other countries around the region including Venezuela and Ecuador. There is an International Airport, El Dorado, in Bogota for those who are flying in from other countries, and there are also multiple national airlines for those who want to fly across the country from one city to another. There are numerous waterways which give you the opportunity to take a boat ride from one coastal city to another. There are railways in Colombia for those who do not prefer flights.
The Caribbean cruise ships have their stopovers at Santa Marta and Cartagena.
