NATURE ACTIVITIES

BIRD WATCHING: Colombia is the country that has the most diverse bird species in the world with 1,907 species identified, 74 of which are endemic. There are various national destinations that offer visitors a chance to admire birds that are only found in this country, where the 116 IBA (Important Bird Areas) areas stand out throughout the territory.

WHALE WATCHING: Either from land or from a boat, it is possible to see the silhouettes of 40 ton humpback whales. After a journey of nearly 5,000 miles from Antarctica, they arrive in the Colombian Pacific waters to mate and give birth to their young between July and November each year. It is possible to live an unforgettable experience seeing the calves’ first flaps.

Colombia has unrivaled destinations and attractions such as whale watching at Malaga bay, Nuqui, Solano Bay, and the National Parks of Gorgona and Utria with beautiful beaches that are characteristic of the Pacific shore.

Even some whales remain until the first days of December. The arrival of the humpback whales is gradual and they usually do not stay in the same place. During the season, about 3,000 of these mammals swim along the coast of Malaga bay, the Gorgona National Natural Park and the gulfs of Tribuga and Cupica, where they remain between four to five months. The water quality, the low presence of boats and tranquility in the area are some of the reasons the southeastern Pacific is a breeding ground for humpback whales.

AGRITOURISM: Colombia is a territory of agricultural talent that offers travelers the best of its landscapes, crops, and emblematic towns that preserve their customs. The rural settings captivate visitors for its tranquility, architecture, musical Expressions, its culture, fine dining and, crafts.

Colombia has 994 miles of coastline facing the Caribbean Sea, exhibiting a diverse offer of sun and beach destinations ranging from beautiful beaches on tropical islands, to coastal cities that are nothing short of unforgettable experiences. Colombia's strands and waters offer world-class attractions, barrier reefs and coral reserves, seas of seven colors, islands with crystal-clear water and white sand, ecological parks, aquariums and unsurpassed biodiversity.

SUN AND BEACH DESTINATIONS

SAN ANDRES: Its major attraction is the Sea of Seven Colors with pristine and quiet waters, as a result of the coral reef shelter. This island, with temperatures exceeding 80° degrees Fahrenheit, is a perfect destination for diving enthusiasts and other visitors who like to perform activities such as kite surfing, windsurfing, and beach sports. The charm of its inhabitants is one of the main features compared to other destinations, where you will hear the characteristic sounds of Caribbean music: reggae, calypso, and socca. The island is located very close to Johnny Cay and the Aquarium, two islands where unique experiences can be enjoyed just 5 minutes away by boat. It is a destination for tourists who are expecting to fall in love with the colors of the sea, traditional food, reggae, and singular regional cocktails. TripAdvisor chose San Andres as one of the top 10 destinations for sun and beach in South America (2012 Traveler’s Choice). The Aquarium is an open sea fish tank where you can get close and personal with the diverse marine species. Here you can swim with manta rays that approach the coast at certain times of the day; definitely a unique experience that is only offered here.

PROVIDENCIA & SANTA CATALINA: Two volcanic islands are linked by the Puente de los Enamorados - Lovers’ Bridge; where you will be able to see the best sunsets. The destination can be reached via 20-minute flight from San Andres and its major attraction is looking down at a virgin landscape populated by colorful wooden houses built by hand. This is a calm and quiet environment for those tourists looking to connect with the Caribbean nature. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO; it has the third largest barrier reef in the world where divers can discern the entire seascape thanks to its crystalline waters allowing you to see beyond one hundred feet deep discovering reefs that have been there for hundreds of years. Santa Catalina is Providence’s younger sister. This small mountainous island with just 0.4 mi² in diameter is an option for a secluded and romantic beach place with lukewarm crystalline water that has become one of the most seductive spots of Colombia.

SANTA MARTA: The charm of Santa Marta is unique: there is a natural park where the forest and the sea come together in one place. There, the sun, the beach, and snorkeling are combined with ecotourism and creature sighting. Chosen by tripadvisor In the top 10 sun & Beach destinations in South America (traveler’s choice 2012). Among this city’s main attractions can be found:

POZOS COLORADOS: located in an exclusive area of the city with fine hotels, a quiet beach, and awesome scenery.

TAGANGA: Just 20 minutes away by road from Santa Marta. This place is famous for its coral reefs that can be admired when you practice diving.

PLAYA GRANDE: Five minutes away from Taganga via a boat ride, this beach is where you can enjoy the scenery and delicious seafood.

EL RODADERO: it is a 10-minute ride away from the city. It has the largest hotel selections and it is considered the perfect beach for water sports such as sailing, scuba diving, and waterskiing, among other water sports.

PLAYA BLANCA: It is located 15 minutes away from Rodadero via boat ride, where this white sandy beach can offer you a quiet and serene dip in the ocean.

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS: In Cartagena de Indias you will find Bocagrande, El Laguito, Marbella, Crespo, La Boquilla, Manzanillo del Mar, TierraBomba, and Bocachica beaches. A few miles away from the historic downtown of Cartagena de Indias, you will marvel with its local cuisine, strolls along the city wall and its vibrant nightlife. If you are looking for a heavenly experience, take a 45-minute boat ride to the Rosario and Baru Islands, portrayed by its crystalline waters and white sandy beaches. Among this city’s main attractions can be found:

ROSARIO ISLANDS: This charming little archipelago made of coral is one of the most important marine reserves in the continent. It is 90 minutes away by ship or 45 minutes away by a chartered boat from Cartagena de Indias.

BARU ISLAND: It is a large island located near Cartagena de Indias known for its fine white sandy beaches and its underwater gardens. Access to the island can be done either by boat crossing the Bay of Cartagena de Indias or by car taking the ferry that crosses the Canal del Dique.

ARCHIPELAGO OF SAN BERNARDO: It is a charming archipelago located just south of the city, with strong water currents especially in some areas and seasons. Its beaches are a wonderful setting for sun lovers longing for peace and rest.

Cultural tourism is the most comprehensive and interactive way to learn about a country. Experience a brief flashback to Colombia’s past while enjoying traditions cherished in the present.

Colombia embraces a past that reflects its glory in every city, town, in its cuisine, fairs and festivals, religion, but especially in its people allure. Proof of this is that Colombia hosts the Ibero-American Theater Festival of Bogota, one of the largest festivals in the world that brings together the best of the performing arts of the five continents. In addition, other events like the Carnival of Blacks and Whites, and the Barranquilla Carnival with the most colorful display of culture and folklore of the Caribbean coast, just to name a few. Also, the major capital cities have a wide range of museums with noteworthy collections, such as the Gold Museum in Bogota where the biggest display of gold is preserved mounting to nearly 34,000 pieces of gold and 19,600 objects belonging to the pre- Columbian cultures. Additionally, Colombia is a country where you can learn about traditions and monuments closely linked to the Catholic religion, such as the Santuario de Las Lajas in Ipiales, one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in America and what about those places that were the scene of battles and conquests as Cartagena de Indias, where the forts and monuments have been declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Colombia is offering travelers the opportunity to interact with multiple cultures inviting you to discover the wonders of this destination.

RELIGIOUS TOURISM: Colombia is a country with over 500 years of catholic religious tradition. This is the product of the evangelization and catechesis during the Spanish conquest. The main destinations are the cities of Buga, Cali, Mompox, Pamplona, The Sanctuary of our Lady of the Rosary of The Lajas in Nariño, and the holy week in the city of Popayan.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM: Archaeological parks are one of the most important cultural treasures of Colombia and for this very reason every year thousands of tourists travel to these destinations looking to explore and learn from the past and come closer to the magic of these mythical places.

The main destinations are The Archaeological Park of San Agustín, Huila, which was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage in 1995, and where traces of a culture over 3,000 years old can be found. The Teyuna archaeological park, known as Lost City in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; this is home to the Tayrona Indian civilization, one of the most important in South America. And Tierradentro Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 there is a pre-Hispanic cemetery about 1,400 years old worth visiting.

HERITAGE DESTINATIONS: Undoubtedly the colonial era left a past of great historical and cultural value that is still alive in Colombia; reflected in its streets, houses, and statues across the municipalities which have been declared national monuments for their historical preservation. Among this destinations can be found beautiful towns and cities like Barichara, Giron, Santa Fe deAntioquia, Villa de Leyva, Mompox, Cartagena de Indias, the Coffee Cultural Landscape among many others.

Carnivals, exhibitions, dances, dressed-up parades and processions happen every year in Colombia. Their religious holidays, landmark commemorations of history and even the triumphs of their athletes are a reason to celebrate! To really know Colombia you have to be part of the festivities! They invite you to come.

CARNIVAL OF BLACKS AND WHITES: In 2001, the Carnival of Blacks and Whites was declared a National Cultural Heritage. It is held during the first week of January in Pasto; the Andean city is located in southwestern Colombia. It is a native cultural display that expresses the perfect fusion of all the ethnic influences that were in that region over the centuries: its mix of indigenous rituals and the cultural expressions of the Spanish and Africans. Days before the event you can visit the workshops where the craftsmen show the construction of the floats that tower 49 feet high. The Castañeda Family Parade where floats and costumes are displayed.

THE MANIZALES FAIR: is a seven-day affair during the second week of January, that unfolds into an immense party display proclaiming the tradition of the Colombian coffee culture. The season is celebrated with interesting activities such as the bullfighting season and other activities like the super fair concert where international artists participate. The Manizales Fair is widely recognized nationally and internationally by the International Coffee Pageant; a great opportunity to show the world of this unique culture.

CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL: The International Music Festival was created in 2007 to strengthen the country’s musical development and is today renowned for its high artistic quality of national and international proponents of this genre that come to the event. For nine consecutive days, during the third week of January, in the various places of the walled city and some neighborhoods of Cartagena de Indias, it receives international visitors who are also music lovers. Concert around city landmarks such as chapels and plazas permeated with history.

HAY FESTIVAL: Cartagena de Indias, the beautiful walled city becomes a luxurious backdrop, where great exponents of literature, film, journalism, music, and art from the United States and countries of Latin America and Europe, gather to talk and interact with the public for four days during the third week of January. Dialogues with major authors, Nobel prizes are awarded, concerts, and literary competitions.

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: The International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in Latin America. Outdoor movie screenings in public parks near the historic downtown. Held during the last week of February at Cartagena de Indias, since 1960, where international juries select the winners of the statuette India Catalina, an acknowledgment to the best cinema of the Latin American. On display there are about 220 audiovisual achievements: 107 feature films, 33 short films, and 80 international videos. It is known as an international audiovisual illustration of Colombia and other countries from the region presented to the world.

THE BARRANQUILLA CARNIVAL: The UNESCO appointed the Carnival in 2008 as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. During four days, before Ash Wednesday, the city becomes a great cultural stage where multiple parades bring 500 folk groups to dazzle the crowds by showing off with dances and typical costumes of the region. Activities include festivals with international artists and events, there is also the famous battle of the Flowers Parade, a 3-mile route where the magic of the floats and costumes exhibit the joy of 100 year carnival celebration.

IBERO-AMERICAN THEATER FESTIVAL: Every two years, Bogota welcomes theater companies from around the world and every continent to perform over 800 shows and bring 250 national and international theater companies. The Festival presents a varied repertoire, from street theater performers playing in public squares and avenues to large structures and special enclosures with unusual performances. Theatrical plays in open air stages around plazas.

THE YIPAO (TYPICAL JEEP) PARADE AND CONTEST: Each year, between the months of June and July, the inhabitants of Calarca, a small city within the coffee cultural landscape, decorate their streets, houses, and balconies with cultural representations. Through this event, a tribute is given to the Willys Jeep, for its performance and endurance in the Colombian coffee mountains where over the years they have transported people, coffee, products, and objects. The Pique Contest: colorful wheelie race between Willys Jeeps, the typical cars of the region.

WORLD SALSA FESTIVAL: Held during the first week of August. If you want to enjoy the best of salsa and Colombian dancers, then you cannot miss this festival where all of the Cali dance schools participate and are accompanied by schools from other cities representing over 5,000 dancers. The World Salsa Championships demonstrates not only the competition itself, but also the knowledge that exists about this genre around the city. Enjoy free concerts, dance workshops, and chat with music experts.

PETRONIO ALVAREZ FESTIVAL: Held in September, in Cali. The Petronio Alvarez Festival established itself as the largest and most characteristic party of the Afro-Colombian folklore of the Pacific Coast. It represents the sensuality of dance and songs that renew ancestral musical fusions. Regional Pacific music concerts and provincial cuisine showcase.

THE MEDELLIN FLOWER FAIR: Every year in August, when the balconies, terraces, and gardens are overflowing with flowers in Medellin, the Fair is then officially inaugurated offering local and foreign tourists more than 140 events, such as the Silleteros Parade where the local farmers of Santa Elena exhibit more than 80 varieties of flowers in monumental wooden saddles which are displayed throughout the main avenues of the city and later nominated in four categories. There is also a parade of classic and vintage vehicles where the collection cars roam the streets of Medellin. Experience a horseback ride with over 7,000 horses on display along a 6-mile route.

THE CALI FAIR: During five days, during the last week of December, the salsa music and the Cali culture becomes the host of domestic and foreign visitors who come to the capital of the Valle del Cauca to enjoy the city as a musical and cultural stage. Do not miss the display of the Cali dancers, the international salsa champions, or the vast concerts featuring renowned artists in the genre. There are party nights, colorful parades, dancers, music lovers’ gatherings, collectors, the Fiesta Brava in the Cañaveralejo Plaza, and Salsa Dancing Clubs of Cali.

COLOMBIA IS ADVENTURE: For those who love adventure sports, Colombia is a paradise location, with coastline facing two oceans (the Atlantic and the Pacific), and split by the Andes Mountains dividing it into five natural regions with different characteristics (Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Amazon, and Orinoco), this fascinating geography allows visitors to enjoy striking adventure activities, that has the perfect conditions to guarantee a unique experience.

ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS

Chicamocha Canyon, where you can hike, mountain bike, raft, and rappel.

San Gil, considered the cradle of adventure activities in the country. You can do cave exploration in the Indian Cave where the only entryway is by rappelling down and then taking a thrilling leap into the void inside the cave.

Roldanillo, where you can paraglide and practice sky surfing and windsurfing in Lake Calima, considered to have the third world’s strongest winds.

Choco region can provide one of the most unforgettable and adventurous experiences, where visitors can choose to surf in a sea that clashes against the tropical jungle and spot humpback whales who come to the peaceful Colombian Pacific between July and October of each year to give birth to their calves. You can also enjoy adventure and trek through the tropical jungle in order to spot the world’s most poisonous frogs.

Practicing mountain biking in this region is such an adventure, with bike tours in places like the Cocora Valley; a stunning natural landscape where the valley is adorned by palm trees as tall as 66 feet high. Do not miss the horse rides on nature trails where you will get to know the fascinating ethnicity and tradition that surrounds the equestrian culture of the region.

SCUBA DIVING: Colombia has one of the best diving spots in the world, thanks to its privileged features with two oceans on each side and also considered a true living laboratory. The richness of its vegetation houses many endemic species, because of the unique variations of fauna.

Diving in Colombia is a unique experience that can be found by visiting its national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, exploring its extensive beaches, jungles, villages, and communities that still preserve their ancestral traditions.

The main destinations for scuba diving are Chocó, Gulf Of Morrosquillo, Santa Marta, San Andres, Providence, Santa Catalina, San Bernardo Islands, Malpelo Island, Gorgona Island, Capurgana and Sapzurro, Rosario Islands and Baru.

NAUTICAL AND CRUISE SHIPS: From the vibrant city of Cartagena de Indias, with its fascinating history, to Santa Marta, where the legacy of the native culture and an extraordinary diversity of landscapes merge with the sea to San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina Islands where beaches blend with the exotic vegetation of the virgin islands.

Cruise ships can dock 365 days of the year thanks to its location below the hurricane belt, sailors can find calm waters for their boats. The cruise destinations provide a unique experience for passengers who disembark at any of the three main points in the Caribbean.

WELLNESS TOURISM OFFER IN COLOMBIA: The abundant wealth of natural resources found in Colombia has turned it into an exclusive platform and a supplier of unique ingredients of health and wellness. Thanks to its extensive volcanic system, Colombia has more than 300 telluric thermal and alkaline springs ideal for hydrotherapy, relaxation, and rest performed in places surrounded by green landscapes, waterfalls, and villages that maintain their traditions, rituals, and culture. One of its main advantages is the variety of products and the ability the country has to produce fruit, flowers, and plants with unique medicinal properties mostly driven by its privileged year round geographical location close to the equator. These elements are used as ingredients for health and beauty treatments in spas located in cities like Bogota, Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and the departments that make up the Coffee Cultural Landscape.

Colombia’s multiculturalism and its varied topography, make it's gastronomy another reason to visit. This is a country that cannot be tied to a single typical dish, as each region offers a unique selection, with different ingredients, preparations, and presentations. Dining can be considered a cultural experience, where a mixture of native, African, Turkish, Spanish, and other cultures converge making gastronomy the greatest exponent of the culture itself. Each region has a unique cuisine that varies in ingredients and cooking techniques. They owe this to the varied topography, the country's wealth in produce, and the traditions of the indigenous culture, the heritage of the Spanish colonial period and also to their African legacy.

Some of their best known products by region are:

Valle del Cauca: Sancocho de gallina (chicken stew) cooked in firewood, the manjar blanco (caramel spread), pandebono (cheese bread), desamargado (grapefruit dessert), champús (citrus juice and maize), cholao (flavored shaved ice), the lulada (lulo juice), the marranitas (fried green plantains stuffed with pork rinds), the aborrajado (ripe plantain fritters) and fruits like palm fruit, star fruit, and giant granadilla which are known to be part of multiple food preparations.

The leading locations of where to find this cuisine in Cali, Valle del Cauca’s capital are:
1. Ciudad Jardin
2. El Peñón
3. Granada
4. San Antonio.

Antioquia: Antiochian cuisine is based on ingredients that include corn, beans, cassava (yucca) and tubers. One of its most outstanding dishes and internationally known is the Bandeja Paisa or Paisa Tray (combo) which is characterized by its bean soup, rice, ground beef, pork, sausage, black pudding, fried plantain slices, a fried egg, avocados, and an arepa (cornmeal flat cakes).

Antioquia also has a variety of restaurants offering local and international cuisine, primarily located in 10 areas:
1. The Calle De La Buena Mesa.
2. The Golden Mile And Avenues.
3. The Corridor Of Las Palmas.
4. The Lleras Park.
5. Plaza Mayor (The Town Square).
6. Eastern Antioquia.
7. Envigado.
8. Downtown.
9. Laureles.
10. Provenza.

Bogota: Traditionally recognized by the Ajiaco, a soup made with several varieties of potato that come from the Cundinamarca highlands with guascas (quick weed herb), corn and fresh farm-grown chicken. However, Bogota is also considered a cosmopolitan capital, which offers a wide range of local, regional, and international cuisine.

There are 4 popular zones in the city that reflect the variety of world-renowned restaurants including:
1. Area C In The La Candelaria.
2. The T- Zone Between 82nd Street And 13th Avenue (Carrera).
3. The G-Zone Between 65th And 70th Streets And 6th And 5th Avenues (Carrera).
4. The M-Zone In The La Macarena Area.

Caribbean Coast: Its cuisine is the result of the cultural mix of the region. It is the amalgamation of the indigenous culture, African, Arabic, Turkish, Lebanese, Italian, French, and Spanish. Some of its recognized dishes include: sancocho (chicken, beef or fish stew), deep-fried food such as: arepa (cornmeal flat cakes) with eggs, yucca fritters, carimañola (empanada-shaped yucca fritter with chicken or beef), fruits like: corozo, tamarind, zapote, and nispero. Cities like Barranquilla, Cartagena de Indias or Santa Marta offer a wide range of cuisine with typical and international top-notch restaurants; besides the local authentic cuisine which can be found in the Islands.

NATURAL PARKS: There are 31 natural parks open to everybody, including tourists.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARKS: One of the most important and impressive cultural riches in Colombia. Every year thousands of tourists travel to these destinations to learn from the past and to experience the magic of these mythical places.

BOGOTA: Bogotá is the capital and largest city in Colombia. A melting pot of people from around the country, it is diverse and multicultural, with a blend of modern and colonial architecture. The predominant colors in Bogotá are the green of the city’s many parks and the eastern mountains overlooking the sanctuaries of Monserrate and Guadalupe, and the rich red of its many brick buildings. The landscape of Bogotá, marked by the green of the Andes to the east, is spectacularly one-of-a-kind. Apart from the many outdoor spaces in Bogotá, travelers find it an ideal place to do business, or explore history, food, culture and many other local customs. Discover The Gold Museum, which holds the world’s largest collection of its kind, with nearly 34,000 pieces of gold and 20,000 gold objects belonging to the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco, and Malagana civilizations. Visitors to the capital also experience the city’s juxtaposition of history and modernity and the local and the cosmopolitan; it is a great destination for high-end shopping as well as shopping for fresh fruit in Paloquemao Square.

Nearby you’ll find:

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira; Colombia’s wonder located 180 meters beneath the earth, it is the largest reserve of rock salt in the world since its opening in 1995 receiving more than 13 million tourists from around the world.

47 miles away from Bogota you can visit the sacred lake of Guatavita; the legendary location where during the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the territory.

MEDELLIN: Proclaimed in 2013 as the world’s most innovative city, it is the venue of the main financial and industrial centers in the country and where textiles, apparel, telecommunications and the automotive industry are notorious. It is known as the "City of The Everlasting Spring" Because of its year-round privileged weather. It is considered the entertainment destination acknowledged for its parties, exquisite food, and fine shopping. This is the Latin American Mecca for fashion, shopping and quality of life at affordable prices. The city has a pleasant climate of around 24°C; offers modern transport systems like Metro and Metro Cable an efficient infrastructure which has allowed it to host world-class events such as OAS and IDB meetings. Located in a valley surrounded by mountains, this city is always friendly to visitors. From the mountains that surround the capital of Antioquia you can see how the Medellín River runs parallel to the Metro, which connects various parts of the city. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces where many Cultural events take place. Flowers have their own fair and in the surrounding villages life is simple with relaxing landscapes and nature reserves. Families and generally all visitors find many options for fun and entertainment in Medellin. Sites as museums, libraries and public parks can be found all over the place.

CALI: Besides being the capital of salsa music, Cali is characterized by the production of Sugar, which has left an immense wealth in the Valle del Cauca. Evidence of this, are the sumptuous estates that are still preserved in the region, some of which have been turned into museums where you can still breathe the air of the 19th century. You cannot miss the Cane Museum, where visitors can learn about the cultivation of sugar cane and sugar production and stay the night at the beautiful haciendas, which provide ample amenities and services. It is also recognized for being the Sports City of America, thanks to its infrastructure in sports venues, where it has been host to international events of this kind. Cali’s cheerful nature is manifested in salsa, a Caribbean rhythm that is danced here among the sugarcane in its own unique way. In this city, nicknamed "Branch of Heaven,” the peaks of Cristo Rey, the hill of the Three Crosses, and the hills of San Antonio jut upwards from the plains that make up most of Valle del Cauca. Cali, founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city’s many museums. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes. Learn how to dance and be part of the most spectacular show in the musical genre that displays the world salsa champions. Tour the dance schools built on social responsibility, inspiring their dancers to travel the world in dance championships. Salsa dancing may seem difficult, especially when it’s performed by master pairs and dance groups that have spent years perfecting their movement, coordination, and speed. There are numerous opportunities in Cali for tourists to try their hand at this energetic dance, as there are a number of dance academies and schools offering lessons tailor-made for beginners. The city has also earned a reputation as a major destination for shopping.

Colombia has a wide offer for Shopping; according to each city different products can be found.

Shopping malls abound in all areas of Bogotá, so this city is ideal for people who love modern spaces full of large stores specializing in products such as footwear and fashion accessories. In the capital, you can also purchase high quality handicrafts and visit antique markets.

The history of Medellin with the textile industry and modern shopping centers with spacious stores and specialty stores in footwear and accessories make this city a great destination for shoppers. And thanks to the organization of events such as the Colombiatex Americas and Colombiamoda, the city has become a trendsetter in South America.

Modern shopping centers with spacious shoe and accessory stores and boutiques by recognized designers such as Silvia Tcherassi and Francesca Miranda prove Barranquilla’s interest in fashion. The capital of the state of Atlántico often sets trends among travelers who visit.

In Cartagena de Indias you can relax in style; the city showcases some of the best Cartagenan and Colombian designers’ creations. Hernán Zajar and Silvia Tcherassi both have boutiques in Cartagena de Indias (often referred to as “La Heroica”). You can also find a variety of shops selling international fashions, guayabera shirts (embroidered men’s shirts), jewelry, leather goods, and fashion accessories. Cruise ship passengers can also experience the magic of Cartagena de Indias. The port is less than four miles away from the main shopping areas. In high season, about 200 cruise ships dock in “La Heroica”. The port is an embarkation point for ships offering onboard amenities like swimming pools, jacuzzis, gyms, bars and restaurants.

With the development of Santa Marta, recent years have seen modern shopping malls built where customers can access high quality services. There are stores, restaurants, movie theatres, ice cream parlours and other businesses. Good shopping can be found in the Rodadero tourist district with shops selling Arhuaca and Kogi decorations and crafts.

Manizales has recently witnessed a boom in the construction of shopping centers. These malls feature spacious stores specializing in footwear and accessories, as well as restaurants and entertainment. Tourists can find a wide variety of clothing and other products by the major brands of Colombia and the world in these shops.

In recent years, Cali has seen the construction of a number of modern shopping centers, where the beautiful women of Colombia can be seen sporting the latest fashions. Tourists can find a great variety of clothing and other products from the most important Colombian and international brands. Shopping centers also offer dining and entertainment options.

The most popular sport in Colombia is football, everywhere you go, from big cities to small towns; you will be able to find a group of locals willing to play. Another popular sport is cycling. Then there are the local and typical sports such as the famous Tejo, horseback riding.

GOLF: With over 50 golf courses Colombia, surpassed only by Argentina and Brazil, offers challenging courses in each region, designed by golfing legends such as Robert Trent Jones, Gary player and Jack Nicklaus. The country hosts big tournaments, has stunning sceneries and a great selection of courses, for example the Karibana beach golf condominium Cartagena de Indias, the only tpc (tournament players club, pga) golf course in South America.

Regarding outdoors and extreme sports in every region of Colombia people can find an array of options, for example hiking, mountain biking, trekking, caving, canoeing, rafting, rappelling, climbing, paragliding, scuba diving, surfing, sky surfing and windsurfing.