Colombia Must Dos

Colombia is my favorite country I’ve been to, and there are so many wonderful things to do.  But with that being said, here are Colombia’s must dos:

Night life in Getsemani

• Experiencing the nightlife in Getsemani is a must and it will be some of the most raw and authentic night life you will witness. Wander the iconic and character filled streets of the Getsemani in Cartagena and end up in Plaza de la Trinidad where you can mingle with the locals, buy a beer from a vendor, watch the street performers and try some local cuisine from the street vendors.

Guatapé and El Peñol

• You will most likely to visit Guatapé and El Peñol if you are staying in Medellín and if you are, it is a must. Book a tour to the colourful and historic pueblo of Guatapé and the rock of Guatapé, El Peñol.  In Guatapé, grab a coffee and stroll through the picturesque and colourful streets.  You will then take a boat ride through the Guatapé Lakes and observe the blue water and even some previous properties of Pablo Escobar.  Then get ready to climb 650 stairs to the top of El Peñol for the stunning panoramic views of the region.

Paragliding in Medellín

• Take in the wonderful views of Medellín and the surrounding mountains from above and get an adrenaline rush while your at it. Oh and by the way, don’t concern yourself with the safety standards in Colombia.

Visit the beaches of Cartagena

• Spend the day right in Bocagrande, a beach neighborhood in Cartagena full of hotels and restaurants. Or for more pristine beaches, take a tour to the Rosario Islands, a beautiful archipelago of islands, where you can visit Bora Bora Beach club or Playa Blanca.

Comuna 13

• Once one of Medellín’s most dangerous barrios, Comuna 13 is a barrio full of graffiti and colourful street art. Comuna 13 is home to the worlds largest outdoor escalator.  Buy souvenirs, local drinks and cuisine from the locals, take photos with the graffiti, ride the escalator or take the cable car over the comuna for a birds eye view.

Tayrona National Park

• Hike through the lush rainforest of Tayrona National Park, observe the indigenous population cutting down coconuts and end up in one of it’s iconic beaches such as Playa Cristal or Cabo San Juan. The sand is white, the water is crystal blue and surrounded by lush flora and fauna.  At Cabo San Juan, observe the white sand and double beaches from the top of the hammock hut at on the hill jutting out and separating the two beaches. As you hike through the rainforest stop and observe the breathtaking views of the crystal blue water. You’re starting point from Parque Tayrona will likely be Santa Marta or Taganga where you can have some fun partying through the night.

Eat Bandeja Paisa

• Fill up on some traditional Colombian food with this local platter from Antioquia (where Medellín is situated) and give your taste buds what they’ve always been craving for. Bandeja Paisa consists of two Colombian sausages, ground beef, chicharron, rice, beans, plantain, avocado, a small amount of sald, an arepa and topped off with an egg.  I had this twice in Medellín, once at a small local shop and at a bigger chain restaurant called El Rancherito.  Both times it was tremendous and one of my favorite dishes of all time.  When I was in Panama, I came across a Colombian restaurant, and you can bet I ordered the Bandeja Paisa.

Cocora Valley

• If you are staying in Cali or Bogota, take a trip to Salento and through the cloud forest to the Cocora Valley to see the worlds tallest palm trees. It will make for some epic Instagram photos and apparently the coffee is amazing.    Unfortunately, when I went to Colombia the first time, I didn’t get a chance to go, but my friend who I travelled with went and said it was amazing.  It is on my bucket list and is a must to return to see it.

Hang with the locals!

• The above attractions are great, but the best part of Colombia is the locals. Of everywhere I’ve been in Latin America, and the world for matter of a fact, Colombians are some of the friendliest, helpful, and most fun people I’ve met.  Practice your Spanish, help them practice their English, and mingle with the locals over some beers while listening to salsa and reggaeton.  It will be an experience you’ll never forget.