Colombia's capital city, Bogotá sits perched high in the Andes at 2,598m (8,521 ft.). Most travelers stick to the city center, in neighborhoods such as the Zona Rosa, or La Candelaria, the oldest part of town and an important stop for its historical value. Bogotá's strange allure is played out in its colorful, chaotic street life, and its contrasts -- such as glitzy skyscrapers and colonial buildings, upscale communities and poor slums -- are startling. Walking the city streets is part of the attraction, but for safety reasons, be sure to have your hotel hire a reliable guide to accompany you. Highlights in Bogotá include the Museo del Oro, one of the best pre-Columbian museums in the world, and the Iglesia de Santa Clara and the Iglesia de San Ignacio, two splendid colonial churches.
Thankfully, one of Colombia's best and most beautiful attractions, Cartagena, is still relatively safe for travelers. (Some take a direct flight to Cartagena, avoiding Bogotá altogether, and many international cruise ships make a stop here.) Cartagena sits on the Caribbean coast and is a wonderfully picturesque, walled-in fishing village of pastel-painted buildings, fine cathedrals, and plenty of Spanish colonial architecture and 17th-century forts that allow you to steep yourself in history. The white-sand beaches are sublime, the restaurants are excellent, and lodging comes in all styles and prices.
Two other safe destinations (because they are offshore islands) are San Andrés and Providencia. These sun-kissed Caribbean islands have attracted tourism for their beaches, which are lapped by crystal-clear water and offer great snorkeling, fishing, and boating opportunities. The islands are actually closer to Nicaragua, and can be reached by a flight from Bogotá or San José, Costa Rica.
