Sitting at the top of South America, Colombia shares its borders with Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. and is unique on the continent for being the only country to have a coastline on both the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic/Caribbean. This ideal location has afforded a striking mix of biodiverse landscapes - from lush jungles to arid deserts, snowy glaciers, cosmopolitan cities and Caribbean coastline. The high altitude capital of Bogota nestled within the Andes is quickly gaining recognition as a top gastronomic destination as new restaurants with world-class chefs continue to grow throughout the city.  Food isn’t all the city has to offer: think art galleries, museums, sophisticated hotels, thriving nightlife and a beautiful historic district from which this metropolis grew. If there is one constant throughout Colombia, it is the strong colonial influence dotted across the country. You won't have to go far before you come across one of the many small picturesque towns, expressing Colombia’s mix of Spanish, African and Amerindian heritage, frozen in time and oozing charm, with cobbled lanes, vast plazas and an excellently preserved colonial character.

Towards the east you will find the verdant rolling mountains of the coffee region, where agriculture is the main export, from bananas to cacao and of course, delicious coffee. Here you can see the Quindío wax palm, the national tree and symbol of Colombia. This area is an enticing playground, from cycling, to ziplining, horseback riding, hiking, and hot air ballooning. But you can always take a break for a game of tejo, or a spot of shopping in one of the small brightly coloured pueblos nestled in the mountains. The striking contrast between this region and the rest of Colombia reinforces the country’s broad cultural diversity.

Head north and you will find the jewel of the Caribbean coast, the inimitable Cartagena. This small town, surrounded by its historic walls, is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. A port city, it has cobblestone streets, lively squares and colourful colonial mansions, plenty of which have been expertly transformed into gorgeous boutique hotels and enticing restaurants. There is also a high level of culture entrenched throughout the city, in its literature, film and music festivals, art galleries, museums and traditional cultural celebrations. The strong Caribbean influence here makes it stand apart from the rest of the country. It is also the perfect jumping off point for exploring the Rosario archipelago where you will be gobsmacked by the pristine turquoise water and white sand beaches.

With such a diverse mix of cultures, contrasting colonial and contemporary cities, verdant landscapes (and ranked as having the happiest people in the world...), it will not come as a shock that Colombia is on the verge of breaking out into an extremely sought after destination.

• From North America there are direct flights to Colombia, and if you are coming from Europe, certain European cities have direct flights as well.
• We recommend visiting for 7 nights to two weeks .
• Colombia is perfect for foodies, culture seekers, trekkers, hikers and families
• No visas are required for North Americans or Europeans, however, a reciprocity fee must be paid on arrival by Canadians
• No shots are required for your entry into the country, but we suggest you visit a travel health clinic before your departure to make sure you have all the vaccinations you need.
• In certain areas you can get around by a car and driver, otherwise short domestic flights are recommended, however, some destinations involve a change of planes in Bogota
• Much time and effort has been dedicated to safety within the country, which has vastly improved and continues to, making it an easy and comfortable destination to explore.
• The food in Colombia is top notch, and varies in each region. Think meaty, flavorful and filling, with street vendors selling some of best local favourites.
• The national language is Spanish, but English is also widely spoken.