Dier - Moon Colombia

ANDREW DIER

Idyllic colonial towns, fast-paced cities, stunning archaeological sites, jaw-dropping scenery, and secluded beaches should be enough to put Colombia on your must-see list. But what really seals the deal is the contagious alegra (happiness) of the people you will meet along the way.

Bogot and Medelln offer all the architecture, culture, restaurants, and nightlife that you would expect in any major world city. For urbanites, these are destinations in their own right. But they are also excellent bases to enjoy creature comforts while organizing trips throughout the country.

Cartagena and the towns of Villa de Leyva and Barichara will transport you back to the 18th century, when citizens were ruled by a king in Madrid. Cartagena never fails to seduce those who stroll along its narrow, cobblestone streets adorned by bougainvillea cascading from balconies above.

The Andes Mountains combined with Colombias tropical location mean that every possible natural setting is within reach. The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, virtually unknown outside of Colombia, offers incredible trekking amid glaciers and snowcapped peaks. Coffee farms are nestled in verdant valleys abundant with orchids. Los Llanos, Colombias eastern plains, and the Amazon basin are tropical wonderlands, with innumerable opportunities for nature and wildlife viewing.

Even the beaches here are varied. The Caribbean Coast features gems like Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, where glacier-fed streams flow from snowcapped mountains into the Caribbean Sea. The Pacific Coast offers solitude and a chance to spot humpback whales breaching. And, far from the mainland in the Caribbean, the islands of San Andrs and Providencia are a sultry respite from the rush of city living.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Its people are just as diverse. Beyond differences in language, dialects, and accents, you can tell where someone is from by the songs that they sing, the instruments that they play, and the dances to which they move. In Cali, salsa, with its the fancy footwork, color, and brass instruments, is nothing less than an obsession. In the Llanos, joropo is a tribute to Colombian cowboy tradition.

A remarkable transformation has occurred in this corner of South America. And now is a great time to experience this change. Colombia has laid out its welcome mat and beckons: Bienvenidos!

Against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, the countrys cool capital is a cosmopolitan melting pot. Its a city of stunning colonial and modern architecture, art and culture, glitzy shopping, five-star dining, and euphoric nightlife.

The Caribbean coastline runs the gamut from the eerie desert landscapes of La Guajira in the far north to the untamed jungles near Capurgan along the Panamanian border. In between are the tropical jungles and mystical Ciudad Perdida of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, as well as Cartagena, the seductive colonial jewel of the Caribbean.

Cradle of Colombian independence, the departments of Santander and Boyac are graced with stunning countryside, from the awe-inspiring Can del Chicamocha to the snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. San Gil is the outdoor adventure capital, while nearby Barichara is one of the most beautiful colonial pueblos in the country. The sacred Laguna Iguaque and the nearby town of Villa de Leyva, with its serene whitewashed buildings and cobblestone streets, are truly picturesque.

ONE WEEK: Visit Medelln, stay at a coffee farm, and fly to Cartagena.

TWO WEEKS: Add the Caribbean Coast, then Bogot and Villa de Leyva.

THREE WEEKS: Add Cali, Popayn, and Parque Nacional Natural Isla Gorgona.

FOUR WEEKS: Add an excursion to the Amazon or Los Llanos.

Ambitious Medelln is known for its temperate climate and fun nightlife. For a break from the city, the Reserva Natural Ro Claro makes a fantastic midweek distraction. Photogenic Paisa pueblos abound, with Jardn, Jeric, Salamina, and Salento some of the most colorful. Stay at one of countless coffee haciendas in the lush rolling hills. The landscape is dotted with towering wax palms and brightly colored barranquero birds. The snow-covered volcanic peaks of Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados beckon mountain climbers.

Colombias third-largest city is a joyous one of music and dance. When the sun goes down its hard to resist Calis hypnotic salsa rhythms. To the west, beyond the