Colombia

It is a sad fact that Colombia, crowning the continent of South America, is probably one of the least desirable tourist destinations on the planet, having earned a reputation for violent civil unrest as well as being the haunt of criminal ‘bounty’ kidnappers, drug overlords and gangsters. As a result both the US State Department and British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to Colombia. This unfortunate situation denies all but the most intrepid travellers and tourists access to what is undoubtedly the most diverse destination in South America with its shabby, colourful towns, Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Andean valleys, Amazonian jungle, and wide plains.

The country’s equatorial rainforests clothe the river valleys, riddled with magnificent airplants, vines, creepers and brilliant flowers and birds. The Los Katios National Park in Choco contains hundreds of species of plant and animal life that have yet to be listed. The country’s jungles also hide wondrous archaeological treasures, like the ancient city of La Cuida Perdida and the monuments, tombs and burial mounds at San Augustin and Tierrodentro.

Colombia is a gem of a destination yet to be mined by modern travellers as it slowly struggles to throw off its undesirable reputation and share its gifts with the world.

Travel guide content sourced from wordtravels.com