• Looking for El Dorado (Bogotá): The myth of El Dorado began upon the discovery of a golden raft topped by tribal chieftains from the Muisca culture, which is now the centerpiece of Bogotá’s Museo del Oro. The impressive collection contains more than 55,000 pieces of gold art created by pre-Columbian cultures like the Calima and Zenú.
  • Tasting Exotic Fruits (Cali): Colombia has some of the most special tropical fruits you will ever see. At Cali’s Galeria Alameda, see table after table filled with colorful fruits like carambola (star fruit), curuba (banana passion fruit), or the citrusy lulo.
  • Eco-Beaching (Caribbean Coast): Opt between a hammock, tent, or a luxurious yet eco-friendly cabin while sunbathing on the sands of Parque Nacional Tayrona. When you tire of coconut palms, hike into the jungle to a pre-Columbian ruin or search for endangered wildlife.
  • Tasting Coffee in the Zona Cafetero (Medellín & the Eje Cafetero): Colombian coffee is known all over the world, but in Colombia the best comes from the Eje Cafetero, a coffee-growing region located in and around the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío. Aside from just producing the beans, many fincas in the region have also become country inns.
  • The Trail of Magical Realism (Caribbean Coast): Immerse yourself in the world of Nobel Prize–winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez, who based much of his work on towns in Colombia. See the town of Aracataca where he was born; Cartagena, where he lived for many years; and the Magdalena River, which inspired some of his greatest work.
  • Walking Beneath the World’s Largest Palms (Medellín & the Eje Cafetero): In the Valle de Cocora, the palma de cera, or wax palm, stands as much as 60m high above the misty green hills. The setting for Colombia’s national tree, amid grasslands and cloud forest, makes for a remarkable scene that you won’t soon forget.
  • Breaking a Sweat in Cali’s Salsa Clubs (Cali & the Southwest): If you want to learn salsa, there’s no better place the Cali, the world’s capital. The dance originated here, and Caleños often dominate world championships. Test your game in the city’s salsa clubs and schools.
  • Carnaval in Barranquilla (Caribbean Coast): Outside of Rio, the biggest Carnaval celebration is held at this bustling Caribbean port town. The debaucherous 4-day festival includes masked parades, street dancing, and more cumbia than you’ll be able to handle.
  • Exploring the Amazon Jungle (Amazon & Los Llanos): Leticia, Colombia’s tiny foothold on the Amazon River, is a jumping off point for isolated ecolodges, visits to indigenous communities, and wildlife-seeking expeditions.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.