Colombia: Colonial Splendour & Tropical Charm
Once upon a time, Colombia seemed off limits to all but the most intrepid of travellers. Not any more. The future looks altogether different for this exciting, exuberant country where you’ll find dreamy Colonial cities, Amazonian rainforest and sprawling coastline, all rocking to an irresistible cumbia rhythm.
Why go in 2017
Colombia made headlines in late 2016 when the government and FARC rebels finally signed a peace deal after decades of civil war. Colombians - a fiercely proud and disarmingly hospitable bunch - are seizing this opportunity to showcase the country’s best side. Go now before everyone gets in on the idea and prices go up.
Insider tip
For something truly unique, start in Cartagena and take the winding road (via car and boat) to the sleepy town of Mompos on the Magdalena River. This otherworldly Colonial masterpiece was the inspiration for Macondo in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s 100 Years of Solitude.
When to go
An equatorial location means Colombia has a broadly tropical climate. However, this is a vast country with hugely varying altitudes and conditions differ markedly from one region to the next. The coastal region in north of the country has a rainy season from May to November. The Andean region has two dry and two wet seasons - December to March and July to August are the driest.
See all of Travelzoo's 2017 Wow Destinations