How To Use This E-Book
Getting around the e-book
This Insight Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration for your visit to Colombia, as well as comprehensive planning advice to make sure you have the best travel experience. The guide begins with our selection of Top Attractions, as well as our Editors Choice categories of activities and experiences. Detailed features on history, people and culture paint a vivid portrait of contemporary life in Colombia. The extensive Places chapters give a complete guide to all the sights and areas worth visiting. The Travel Tips provide full information on getting around, activities from culture to shopping to sport, plus a wealth of practical information to help you plan your trip.
In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.
Maps
All key attractions and sights in Colombia are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.
Images
Youll find hundreds of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Colombia. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.
About Insight Guides
Insight Guides have more than 40 years experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce 400 full-colour titles, in both print and digital form, covering more than 200 destinations across the globe, in a variety of formats to meet your different needs.
Insight Guides are written by local authors, whose expertise is evident in the extensive historical and cultural background features. Each destination is carefully researched by regional experts to ensure our guides provide the very latest information. All the reviews in Insight Guides are independent; we strive to maintain an impartial view. Our reviews are carefully selected to guide you to the best places to eat, go out and shop, so you can be confident that when we say a place is special, we really mean it.
2017 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd
Table of Contents
Colombias Top 10 Attractions
From reminders of its colonial past, to fashionable trendy neighborhoods, here are the top attractions this captivating country has to offer
Top Attraction 1
Cartagenas walled city. Walk along the ancient ramparts of this dominant fortress city and youll understand the military might once wielded by Colonial Spain. Today its a Caribbean-colonial marvel filled with great restaurants and charming boutique hotels. For more information, .
SuperStock
Top Attraction 2
Monserrate. Some of the greatest panoramic views on the South American continent can be seen at Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janerio, Machu Picchu in Peru and Cerro Monserrate in Bogot, Colombia. For more information, .
iStock
Top Attraction 3
Ciudad Perdida. Not all indigenous ruins in South America are in Peru this ancient stone city actually pre-dates Machu Picchu by about 650 years. Take a multi-day trek through the Sierra Nevadas and discover it for yourself. For more information, .
Shutterstock
Top Attraction 4
Zona Cafetera. In the mountains south of Manizales lies Colombias premier coffee-growing region. Pick beans right off the trees or, better yet, stay on a hacienda for a few days in a hyper-caffeinated state of bliss. For more information, .
Getty Images
Top Attraction 5
La Candelaria. Bogots historic center is a hilly colonial enclave home to museums, diverse restaurants, pulsing nightlife, and a bohemian spirit unrivalled anywhere else in the city. For more information, .
SuperStock
Top Attraction 6
San Gil. This northern city is ground zero for Colombias adventure-sports scene. Take to the skies in a paragliding harness or, if high altitudes arent your thing, try braving the rapids of Ro Fonce. For more information, .
Getty Images
Top Attraction 7
Guajira Peninsula. Colombias largest indigenous community, the Wayu people, live in this arid coastal area, and the surrounding desert is rich with flamingos, salt flats, and hidden beaches. For more information, .
SuperStock
Top Attraction 8
Ro Claro. Just outside of Jardn, one of Colombias most idyllic towns, is the Ro Claro. Picturesque crystalline waters and tempting cliffs and boulders make this a perfect day trip for zip-lining, kayaking, or just taking a swim. For more information, .
SuperStock
Top Attraction 9
Popayn. Few Spanish-colonial towns in Colombia are as well preserved as Popayn. Located near the border with Ecuador, the whitewashed facades of the old buildings transport you back in time. For more information, .
SuperStock
Top Attraction 10
Choc. For years the Choc Department, on Colombias Pacific Coast, was undiscovered by tourists. But word has gotten out. These days more and more people are visiting remote villages like Baha Solano and Nuqui to take in the amazing wildlife like the migration of humpback whales that pass through every year. For more information, .