Colombia

Colombia is a physically varied country in the tropical climate zone. It has all the resources for a thriving tourist industry and is better located to take advantage of North American and European markets than many other South American destinations.

The Colombian government has been promoting its offshore Caribbean and Pacific islands as diving destinations, which may be perceived as being quite separate from the internal political situation. There are many mainland attractions that could be developed: the Andes provide spectacular scenery, there are attractive colonial towns such as Antioquia, Cartegena and Popayan, though the latter was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1983. Cartegena was fortified by the Spanish in the mid-16th century and the old city (inside the massive walls) retains much of its 16th-century character. The main site for Colombia's pre-conquest culture is San Agustin (now an Archaeological Park). There are large stone statues thought to date from the 6th to 13th centuries and manmade burial caves (with wall paintings) at Tierradentro. At present, 65 per cent of Colombia's tourists come from other South American countries. The country is made up of mestizos(58%), whites (20%) blacks (4%), mixed black-indegenous(3%), and indegenous(1%). Some 90% of the population is at least nominally Roman Catholic, and literacy high at 92.5%. Spanish is the official language, though English is an official language on the island of San Andres in the Caribbean. Coffee, coco and emeralds are the major exports from the Columbia.

If ever a country has a serious image problem, then it's Colombia. Despite the fact that it's perhaps the most beautiful country in Latin America, with mountains, Caribbean and Pacific beaches, pro-Colombian ruins and a vast swathe of the Amazon.

Top Attractions :

San Agustin : Ponder the mystery behind the seven-metre statues at Colombia's most famous archelogical site.

Donacion Botero : A most famous museum, in Bogota contains more collections of modern arts as well as the work of Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

Museo del Oro : This museum is generally regarded as the best gold museum, worth much more than just one visit.

Ciudad Perdida : Located in the mountainous jungles near the Caribbean Coast, is one of the largest Pre-Hispanic city.

Tierradentro : A funeral site renowed for dozens of underground burial chambers, unique in the Americas.

Cartagena : The old port on the Caribbean Coast, South America's most amazing colonial city, and a must for every visitor.

Colombian nightlife is exciting and fun, and there are plenty of night spots to suit all guises. Diving in Colombia is good , operated by professionals and among the cheapest you can get anywhere in the world. The most pleasant time to visit is between December and March or in july and August.

There is a constellation of places to stay in Colombia, from large cities to the smallest villages. There are actually so many places that the problem is not finding a hotel, but choosing which one to stay in. By and large, hotels are reasonably safe places, but precautions and common sense are always applicable. The best choice of top-end hotels is in Bogota and Cartagena. There are so many love hotels designed for couples.