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Colombia

TRAVEL GUIDE IN COLOMBIA: THE BEST PLACES AND CITIES OF THE COUNTRY.

Colombia

Vacations to Colombia are a combination of beach vacations at the best resorts and most beautiful beaches, immersion in the natural beauty of the mountainous regions, and an introduction to the culture and history, also to get acquainted with the everyday life of Colombians. Gone are the days when tourism in Colombia was literally banned due to the turbulent situation caused by the struggle of the country's criminal cartels- the country has slowly changed its appearance and has already completely moved away its perilous and unstable past to a warm and welcoming tourism culture once again. The extraction of gold, silver, and emeralds has existed in Colombia since ancient times, and the famous Museum of Gold in Bogotá is a must-see, with the largest collection of pre-Hispanic goldwork in the world. National Geographic even named it one of the best museums in the history of the planet. Beach vacations in Colombia include the popular Playa Blanca, with some of the cleanest beaches in the country, with clear water and white sand, and excellent SCUBA diving. And finishing off your day in some of the local cafes with local treats to sample and rousing Colombian music to dance to. Cartagena is the country's most visited city, and it is here that the best hotels, museums and the most beautiful colonial buildings are located. Life is in full swing here, especially at night, where tourists come to experience the sights and sounds of salsa music. The city of Medellin has long lost the label of a dangerous city, now it is a calm and friendly city with colonial architecture of rare beauty and a magnificent Botanical Garden. It is also worth visiting the "City of Botero,” which is a park with sculptures in the quirky style of Fernando Botero, and with galleries and art spaces located among a serene recreation area. The city of Zipaquira, famous for its catholic church uniquely located deep underground, and where modern buildings and skyscrapers coexist with tiny colonial-style houses, completely entwined with flowers and Gothic bas-reliefs. And for lovers of ecological recreation, we recommend going to the region of Los Nevados Park, where you will take in the flora and fauna of the region, trek up to the volcano and to the crater lakes at the foot of the Andes. Beautiful Colombia is a unique integration of its charming cities, pristine jungles, majestic Andes and white sand beaches.

TOURS TO COLOMBIA -CHOOSE A TOUR ACCORDING TO THE PARAMETERS

Tours to Colombia

Choose the country, route duration, budget, type and subject of your future tour. Pay attention to our regular combined programs for several countries

COLOMBIA HAS ABOUT 37 BIG CITIES

The cities of Colombia

The most famous tourist places and cities of Colombia are Bogota, the capital of the country, Cartagena, Medellin, Zipakira, Cali. San Augustine, San Andres and Santa Marta resorts

EXCURSIONS IN THE CITIES OF COLOMBIA WITH LICENSED GUIDES

Excursions

We know the most interesting places of Colombia - natural attractions in the Andes and mountains, small original and authentic villages, the best beach locations of the country and routes inside cities for fans of history, culture, traditions

REMINDER OF COLOMBIA FOR TRAVELERS

It's useful to know

Highlights
- Bogota with its colonial architecture, botanical gardens and old neighborhoods
- Cartagena and the Caribbean Coast with its beautiful architecture, amazing coral reef and marine life
- The amazing rainforests and mountain regions in the northwest
Geography
Colombia is bordered in the northwest by Panama, ithe east by Venezuela and Brazil, and in the southwest by Peru and Ecuador. Through the western half of the country, three Andean ranges run north and south. The eastern half is a low, jungle-covered plain, drained by spurs of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, inhabited mostly by isolated tropical-forest Indian tribes. The fertile plateau and valley of the eastern range are the most densely populated parts of the country.
Language
The official language of Colombia is Spanish and spoken by around 43 million people. In addition there are approximately 500,000 speakers of American Indian languages.
Money
The official currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso (Col$).
1 US dollar is worth 3,1 Colombian pesos (February 2015)
Climate
The climate of Colombia is characterized as being tropical and isothermal as a result of its geographical location near the Equator, presenting variations within five natural regions and depending on the altitude, temperature, humidity, winds and rainfall. Each region maintains an average temperature throughout the year only presenting variables determined by precipitations during a rainy season caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
Gastronomy
Food in Colombia is largely influenced by the Peruvian and Brazilian traditions and includes a variety of dishes such as bandeja paisa, sancocho de gallina, coconut rice, ajiaco, barbecued meat, etc. It resembles a rich blend of the different cultures. The food in Colombia presents a mixture of the American and the European cuisines. The prevalence of many soups is a result of the European influence. Besides the European and the American cuisines, the food of Colombia also shows the distinct flavours of the Arabic and the Japanese cuisine.

Furthermore, bread, desserts and sweets seems to be an integral part of the food in Colombia. In Colombia, the people are fond of meat and sea food. Therefore, food in Colombia presents a wide variety of non-vegetarian delicacies such as Cabano, Chicharron, Sobrebarriga al horno, Bofe, Hogao, Aborrajado, etc.

Thus, as it is evident, food in Colombia presents a wide variety ranging from American to European food, from Japanese to Arabic delicacies.
History
During the pre-Columbian period, the area now known as Colombia was inhabited by indigenous people who were primitive hunters or nomadic farmers. The Chibchas, who lived in the Bogota region, dominated the various Indian groups.
Spaniards first sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as 1500, but their first permanent settlement, at Santa Marta, was not established until 1525. In 1549, the area was established as a Spanish colony with the capital at Santa Fe de Bogota. In 1717, Bogota became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which included what is now Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. The city became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World, along with Lima and Mexico City.
On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Total independence was proclaimed in 1813, and in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed.
Religion
Approximately 80 to 90% of all Colombians are Roman Catholic.
Culture
The culture of Colombia lies at the crossroads of Latin America. Thanks partly to geography, Colombian culture has been heavily fragmented into five major cultural regions. Rural to urban migration and globalization have changed how many Colombians live and express themselves as large cities become melting pots of people (many of whom are refugees from the various provinces that have hit Colombia through out its violent history).
More recently has the displacement been caused by the Colombian armed conflicts.

According to a study in late 2004 by the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Colombians are one of the happiest people in the world; despite its four-decade long armed conflict involving the government, paramilitaries, druglords, corruption and guerrillas like the FARC and ELN. Colombians are sometimes called "locombians" for this paradox and for their joie de vivre.
Music
The traditional music in Colombia is an oral tradition. Primarily, it is not mediated by books, recorded or transmitted media. Singers may extend their repertoire using broadsheets, song books or CDs, but these secondary enhancements are of the same character as the primary songs experienced in the flesh. This music derives from, or is related to, a commemorative character. On certain days of the year, particular songs celebrate the yearly cycle. Weddings, birthdays and funerals may also be noted with songs, dances and special costumes.
In a globalised world, many musicians are fusing traditional music with other styles (usually styles from the popular music genres). While this is no bad thing, it is also not traditional music; it's no longer related to their particular culture, but is related to both it and to the culture of the music that their music is being fused with. The points above mean that traditional music tended to arise in a pre-commercial setting.
Traditional music continues to evolve today, but generally as a continuation of the music from a pre-globalised culture.
Styles like bambuco, vallenato and porro were especially influential. When the waltz became popular in the 19th century, a Colombian version called pasillo was invented.
Wildlife
More than 45,000 species of plants have been identified in Colombia, but it is predicted that when the region has been thoroughly explored that number may be doubled. At the highest (3,000–4,600 m/10,000–15,000 ft) and coldest level of mountain meadows, called páramos, the soil supports grasses, small herbaceous plants, and dense masses of low bushes. In the intermontane basins some vegetables, European-introduced grains, and corn are found, along with the bushes, trees, and meadow grasses indigenous to the region. The temperate areas support extensive and luxuriant forests, ferns, mosses, trees of the laurel family, Spanish cedars, vegetables, and grain crops. The tropical zone may be divided into four main groups according to the amount of rainfall received: desertlike areas supporting arid plants, deciduous forests, rain forests, and grass plains. Palm trees of various species abound in the tropics and there are many edible fruits and vegetables.
Animal life is abundant, especially in the tropical area. Among carnivorous species are puma, a variety of smaller cats, raccoons, and mustelids. Herbivores include the tapir, peccary, deer, and large tropical rodents. Sloths, anteaters, opossums, and several types of monkeys are also found, as well as some 1,665 species and subspecies of South American and migratory birds.

Vacation in Colombia

Discover Colombia with Ada Tours TO

Travel agency Ada Tours would be happy to plan your unforgettable trip to Colombia- the country of the legendary El Dorado. We will organize excursions to the best sights of the cities and regions- places like the capital Bogotá, the bright and eccentric Cartagena, and the salt cathedral and rock formations of Zipaquira. Tours to Colombia combine the stunning natural beauty of the massive Andes ridge or along the waters of the Caño Cristales River, which have an amazing multi-colored hue. Fans of trekking and eco-tourism will find unique trails to the Santa Isabel glacial lake or the Andean volcanoes, as well as Jeep rides through nearby villages and mountains. The major cities even offer excellent shopping and nightlife opportunities. We would be happy to plan your holiday through thrilling and exotic Colombia, where you will find prime beach holidays, endless outdoor activities, eco-tours, romantic destinations, and even medical tourism.