Despite its chequered past, Colombia is currently much in vogue with backpackers and it’s easy to see why if you just scratch the surface.
South American countries have always topped the list for travellers who need to make their budget stretch that little bit further, largely due to the fact that they offer cheap food and accommodation, beautiful scenery and a wealth of tourist attractions to keep people busy.
Colombia is certainly no exception to this rule and, thanks to the cheap cost of living, you’ll find that your budget easily stretches further here; making it an ideal stop on your gap year holiday or round the world backpacking trip.
If you like your scenery varied then you’ll also find that Colombia is a country of contrasts. Bustling metropolitan cities flow seamlessly into old world architecture and Caribbean beaches which in turn merge into the verdant scenery of the Amazon Rainforest (it’s Colombian region covers an area of over 403,000 km²).
If you’ve not travelled to Colombia before it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to working out your itinerary. To make it that little bit easier, here are my suggestions for things to see and do during your stay:
Medellin
However long your visit, it would be a crime to travel to Colombia and not visit Medellin, the city of eternal spring. Due to its close proximity to the equator and position in the Aburrá Valley, the temperature rarely drops below 15°C and the city basks in a year round spring-like climate; it’s certainly one of the greenest cities you’ll see too.
The city featured heavily in world news during the late 80’s and early 90’s thanks to the exploits of Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug baron, and this was certainly a turbulent period in the city’s past with crime and brutality rife. Safety is now generally much improved and crime rates have dropped drastically making it a much less risky place to visit; although there are still some parts of the city it’s best to avoid, so do your research before you visit.
Mompós (Mompox)
After you’ve visited Medellin, it’s time to head towards the town of Mompós which is a stark contrast to the busy and modern Medellin due to its colonial style architecture and feeling of being ‘the town that time forgot’.
How did this happen to Mompós you ask? The story goes that the town was once a prosperous and busy port which made its residents very wealthy, but fortune turned against it when the river shifted its course in the early part of the 20th century putting an end to its days as the busiest port on the Magdalena River.
It’s about a day’s journey by road from Medellin and it’s not the easiest place to get to due to it being situated on an island in the river which isn’t accessible by bridge.
It’s definitely worth the extra effort though as you’ll come across some brilliant examples of the country’s rich colonial history and architectural style. You’ll find it a strange sight though, as the once grand buildings have now begun to show the ravages of time and unintentional neglect caused by the town’s diminished economy.
The locals are usually very friendly though and more than willing to show you around and do anything they can to help you whilst you are there. I’ve even heard stories of shop owners closing up for the day so they can act as a guide for travellers wanting to explore the town.
Cartagena
Once you’ve finished exploring Mompós, why not head to the beautiful Caribbean beach resort city that is Cartagena. It’s around 500km away so it will take some time getting there, but what awaits you is definitely worth it!
This really is a destination that has something for everyone, whether you fancy sunning yourself on a tropical beach, want a night out on the town, feel like splurging some of your hard earned cash, or just want a change of scenery, you’re sure to be happy with Cartagena.
As well a sprawling metropolitan behemoth, you’ll also find the charming old walled city (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which is particularly beautiful at night-time when it’s lit up.
The city basks in year round balmy temperatures, but it’s a good idea to avoid the rainy season – when Cartagena gets around 5 inches of rain per month – which is between late March and May and then again during October and November.
Ciudad Pérdida (The Lost City)
Around 300km east of Cartagena there lies a hidden gem that it will take you a 6 day return trek to see: Ciudad Pérdida (or ‘The Lost City’). It’s quite literally lost in the middle of the jungle near to Santa Marta amidst some truly spectacular scenery that will make you feel like Indiana Jones as you try to reach it.
With its elevated view and stone terraces, it’s reminiscent of a scene from Peru’s Machu Picchu and words simply just do not do it justice.
To reach the lost city you’ll need to trek through around 20km of stunning jungle scenery (even crossing a couple of rivers) and you might even get the chance to meet one of the indigenous tribes who call the jungle home.
Amazon Rainforest
If you enjoyed getting lost in the jungle trying to find Ciudad Pérdida, why not travel to Leticia which is the capital of Colombia’s Amazonas region. It’ll take you a few days to make it there from the Santa Marta area on the north coast, but no visit to South America could be complete without visiting the Amazon Rainforest.
To experience the rainforest at its best, why not splurge some cash on a stay in a jungle lodge (you should be able to arrange this in Leticia) or take a trip in a 4×4 which is also a brilliant experience (don’t forget to take a map though…)
It’s best to avoid the area between July and August though as this is the rainy season!
If the above has tempted you to add Colombia to your itinerary don’t forget to do your research before you travel to see if you need any vaccinations or anti-malarial medication, and make sure you invest in a good travel insurance policy to cover you for a variety of eventualities and give you that extra peace of mind.
