Colombia The Ultimate Travel Guide: A Compass For Your First Trip

To ramp up a smooth itinerary to Columbia, the Columbia travel guide can rescue you a lot. Even though you are not good at Spanish, do not fear! 

Although Columbia is not a favorite country to travel to, you should discover it at least one time in your lifetime. If no one in your family or friends has ever visited it yet, it would be better to use the Columbia travel guide.

 

An overview of Columbia 

From steppes, desserts to mountains and rainforests; Columbia provides an array of terrains and sightseeing. The country is also a famous destination of the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, as well as Andean highlands. 

Climates, locals, and wildlife are also popular diversities.  Located on the near equator, Columbia has a tropical climate all year round. In other words, dry and rainy seasons are their main weather. Thus; mountains, savanna, and rainforests are the most common landscapes. 

Language

Colombians use modern Spanish. It is different from Spanish in Spain. English is not a widely popular language in this nation. So, it would be better to prepare a basic level of Spanish initially. Or you can find a local guide for help. 

Currency 

Colombian Pesos (COP) is the official currency in this country. Besides Pesos, US dollars are also accepted over the nation. This is a small difference from other countries on the continent.

Debit or credit cards (EFTPOS) are also accessible in many cities. Nonetheless, big department shops, supermarkets, hostels, and luxury hotels are taken up. In general, a charge is an extra amount when you pay along with EFTPOS (approximately 5%). It would be considered to keep cash in your wallet in any case. 

ATMs are obtainable in Columbia to withdraw cash. BBVAs enable you to withdraw without paying extra fees. These ATMs won't even charge additional fees for a foreign card. Nevertheless, you can withdraw less than 300,000 COP. 

Climate

Besides the tropical climate, Columbia also has cold weather in some highlands. Columbia does not have constant seasons. The rainy period is also the winter season in this nation. They have different types of terrains and altitudes when compared to other countries around the globe.

Best time to start your trip 

Due to being located on the equator, Columbia has steady temperatures every month. The country has two main seasons only (dry and rainy). The dry season comes from December to March. However, the Andean region is a little bit different. July and August are the dry seasons.

The rainy season is also amazing in two regions. Andes Mount happens between May and July while the Caribbean coast has rains from September to October. Does Columbia have tourist peak time? Yes, it is. 

December through February is the period of travelers. Semana Santa is also a local holiday and any attraction is crowded. Prices of accommodation and flights are extremely expensive. 

Local cuisine in Columbia

Buñuelos is a widespread local food in Columbia. This is a kind of cake with deep-fried corn and cheese inside. Locals make the cake in small balls and relish in their breakfasts. Arepas are also a favorite dish for Colombians at breakfasts. Thick corn tortillas are made with cheese. People can enjoy it with butter and scrambled eggs.   

Tamales are a unique breakfast for those who live in Bogota. It is cooked with chicken, veggies, chopped pork, and eggs. Sometimes, they steam banana leaves and roll up hot chocolate. When traveling to Columbia, you could discover other food to have in-depth culture through your stomach, tongue, and smell. 

  • Ajiaco: a type of soup that has local potatoes, avocado, corn, sour cream, chicken, and capers. 

  • Lechona: a specially roasted pig with peas, and onions. Add spices and rice around the dish to awaken all senses. 

  • Fritanga: grilled meat and fried intestines of a cow. People eat a full of a plate with manioc, arepas, and plantain.                    

  • Empanadas: a fabulous snack in Columbia as well as South America. You could find it in Spain and Portugal. Fried meat or potatoes and many fillings are everything in this dish. 

 

  • Churros: fried dough is churros. Try it with sausages, arepa, beef, and eggs. Then, a cup of hot chocolate might begin your energized day. 

 

Destinations to add in your list at first

In the past, Columbia was not a good destination to travel to. This is because the country has serious crime and other problems, so it is not a safe place. The good news is that the state recognized the downsides and re-created them all. Today, Columbia has appeared on the tourist map. 

Bogotá 

Bogotá is the capital and the heart of Columbia. This is the reason most travelers start their journeys from this destination. Sometimes, local residents call Bogotá - the Athens of South America. Founded by Spanish people, the city was the first image of ancestors in the 1500s. Nowadays, this is the biggest city in Columbia and the continent.

Thanks to the location in the Andes region, the places have tons of attractions to explore. Botanical gardens, cultural events, vibrant nightlife, and gold museums are symbols of the town. Do not miss La Candelaria because this is the historic center, having special churches and cafes.

Tayrona

Tayrona is another spot that you should spend time discovering. This is a national park of Columbia with a wide range of plants and species. Bring your notebook and magnifying glass to reach how beautiful swamps, forests, and scrublands are. 

Apart from ecosystems, the national park has a lot of beaches inside. Yup, it is a small tourist kingdom for visitors to indulge in. Coconut palms and deep bays absolutely create an oasis.  

Tayrona is also a perfect place for adventure lovers, where they dive in hiking and snorkeling to come across wild animals and diverse pieces of archeology.

San Agustin

To learn about the ancient civilization of Columbians, San Agustin is a good option. This is a town with stunning terrains and archeological sites. Some people do not know San Agustin since it is not prominent on the tourist map.

Surprisingly, the town provides a huge source of monoliths, petroglyphs, sarcophagi, and so on. Welcome to a home of an ancient civilization in South America! The pre-Incan culture is an example for us to study how giant ancestors are.

San Andrés and Providencia archipelago

These two islands are located on the Caribbean coast and near Nicaragua. White sandy beaches and palm trees make San Andres alluring in sightseeing. There are 7 colors in marine life, so take time to snorkel and dive in.

Unlike other Caribbean islands, accommodations are budget-friendly. To save money for strolling, taking local school buses is an excellent idea. 

Final Words

In any footprint to Columbia, you need to have someone to tell you where to go and when to plan. However, when you have no one to support, think of the Columbia travel guide. It will show you how to land off a country in Latin America without any hitch.