Colombia Off The Beaten Path

  Iglesia Pedro Claver dome from port at...
by richiecdisc
 
  • Iglesia Pedro Claver dome from port at dusk
      Iglesia Pedro Claver dome from port at...
    by richiecdisc
  • one of Colombia's stunning churches
      one of Colombia's stunning churches
    by richiecdisc
  • Iglesia de San Felipe Neri's impressive facade
      Iglesia de San Felipe Neri's impressive...
    by richiecdisc
  • Iglesia Roque late afternoon
      Iglesia Roque late afternoon
    by richiecdisc
  • Ship picking up a pilot next to the lighthouse
      Ship picking up a pilot next to the...
    by grandmaR
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Colombia

1.

Zipaguira   Bogotá

Zipaguira, Bogotá

 5 Reviews  Zipaquira is an unassuming small town about 50 kilometers north of Bogota and would most likely not be visited by anyone aside from its star attraction, a salt mine of all things. But this is no... 

 See All 41 Off The Beaten Path in Bogotá

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The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

by traveldave

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is an isolated mountain range in northeast Colombia that rises abruptly from the Caribbean Sea. Attaining an elevation of about 18,700 feet (5,700 meters), the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta make up the world's highest coastal range. In fact, this is the only place in the entire Caribbean region where snow is visible. The tallest peak is either Pico Cristóbal Colón or Pico Simón Bolívar. Surprisingly, it is either one of these peaks that is the tallest in Colombia, and not a peak in the Andes Mountains, as one might think. The remoteness and ruggedness of the terrain make access to the mountains very difficult, so the true elevations of these peaks has not yet been determined. The mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta cover an area of about 6,564 square miles (17,000 square kilometers) and are entirely surrounded by lowlands on...

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Isla de Salamanca National Natural Park

by traveldave

Isla de Salamanca National Natural Park comprises a narrow coastal barrier between the waters of the Caribbean Sea and Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, a large, shallow, saline lagoon. The lagoon lies east of where the Magdalena River empties into the Caribbean Sea, and the varied habitats formed by the riverine estuary and the brackish waters of the lagoon combine to create an important area for many forms of wildlife, many of which are endangered.The 217-square-mile (562-square-kilometer) park was created in 1964 to protect the area's coastal mangroves and abundant bird life. The flora of the park is dominated by 29,653 acres (12,000 hectares) of mangrove swamps made up of three species: red mangrove, white mangrove, and black mangrove. The park also contains areas of tropical dry forest and riparian forest. Forms of wildlife recorded in the park include 33 species of mammals, 98 species...

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wildlife

by richiecdisc

One of the big surprises of Colombia was the wildlife, especially with regard to birds. With minimal effort, we saw a great variety of birds and it was very easy to get close enough to them for great shots. It is a tribute to Colombia's other great scenery that I have not used many such photos in this overall Colombia page but wanted to remind anyone going to Colombia to certainly bring a good zoom lens and get ready for some great birding as well as seeing a host of mammals and lizards as well. What did we see? Monkeys, lizards, wild horses, toucans, and too many types of hummingbirds to count. Where? The best spots were Tayrona National Park, Salento and its surroundings, La Ciudad Perdida trek, El Cocuy National Park and oddly enough quaint little Barichara where we spotted our first Motmot, one of the most stunning birds either of us had ever seen.

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Güicán

by richiecdisc

While Güicán lacks much of the charm of its nearby rival El Cocuy as a gateway town to enjoy the splendors of El Cocuy National Park, it does have a few attractions worth checking out if you are in the region for an extended time. It also serves backpackers who want to literally walk into the National Park and do the trek in a clock-wise direction as it is closer physically to that part of it. As home to the local U'wa people, it offers a different glimpse into the area as well.

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Laguna de la Cocha

by richiecdisc

At twenty kilometers long and five kilometers wide, Laguna de la Cocha is not only a huge but also a stunning lake. The name cocha means lagoon in the native Quechua language. With a backdrop of rolling verdant hills, this mist-enshrouded gem features an idyllic island perfect for boat excursions. That this very island is home to an evergreen cloud forest that warrants its being a national park only adds luster to an already irresistible package. The thoroughly atmospheric affair is perhaps the top attraction of nearby Pasto even though it's a good 45 minutes away by taxi, the only way to get there by “public” transportation.

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Silvia & the Guambianos

by richiecdisc

A great side trip from Popayán is is: Silvia is an unremarkable mountain town a mere fifty kilometers northeast of Popayán. This distance is a mere geographical one as it is worlds away with regard to what you will find as a person exploring. Though in a picturesque setting, there is little that would draw visitors here if not for a weekly descending of the Guambiano people who largely inhabit the surrounding region. This indigenous group is noted as the most traditional of all Colombian “tribes” and their traditions express themselves most obviously in their colorful clothing and style. But there is more to the Guambianos than meets the eye even if few will learn anything about them or perhaps even care to. For it appears the reason for a trip here is mostly to take photos, not so much of the town, but of the people whose appearance garners attention for Silvia in the first place.

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Pasto

by richiecdisc

Pasto may not be on the average tourist to Colombia's top agenda list but it is not without considerable charm despite a less than perfect climate and it being somewhat isolated from the rest of the country. It does however have a great position to “catch” those traveling from Ecuador to Colombia or vice-versa. It appears much of its poor reputation stems from those forced to spend a night en route to somewhere else, no doubt on a tight time schedule. If given even a cursory investigation, the town reveals itself to have quite a few stunning churches, great day trips into the stunning nature that surrounds it, and some pretty fine eating too. Let's not forget its gorgeous setting if you are lucky enough to see the sun while there. It may not be the most Colombian of towns and it definitely has some Ecuadorian overtones if the latter is not on your itinerary. Perhaps it's not worth going...

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El Cocuy

by richiecdisc

El Cocuy is not likely to be on most travelers' itineraries of Colombia unless they are particularly keen on trekking. While this may stunt its touristic overtures to become mainstream it bodes well to maintain its authentic Colonial flair which stands out even in such a stellar natural setting. For make no mistake, all of the tourism that does funnel through this serviceable gateway town is centered around the mountain massif that is El Cocuy National Park with most of those being Colombians of the tourist bus crowd. While true that most of them see only a glimpse of the impressive mountains that are amongst Colombia's biggest, it is a lot more than most non-native backpackers venture forth for. To be fair, the area was more or less off limits due to guerrilla activity that spanned 15 years or so starting in 1985. Add to that its relative isolation from the most popular of the country's...

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Valle de Cocora

by richiecdisc

Valle de Cocora is a gently beautiful area full of rolling green hills and towering wax palms, the reason for the area's protection. Though rural at the lower elevations with farmland the dominant feature, once you climb into those hills the jungle terrain makes such things a more arduous option. Geographically next to the Los Nevados National Park and its powerful volcanoes, one would have to walk for a couple days to reach them though it is entirely possible by sleeping in refugios along the way. The more typical hike is a half-day one that takes you to high elevation cloud forest and through strands of the wax palms that make the area famous.

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Las Lajas

by richiecdisc

If you are in the need of a miracle, look no further. Spanning one gorgeous gorge sits the neo-Gothic Santurio de Las Lajas is an other-worldly sight especially at night. Though the original church in this spectacular location was built in 1803, this lovely incarnation dates back to the early mid-1900s and took nearly 20 years to complete. Certainly, its stunning location had something to do with the lengthy construction time but make no bones about it, this is one church where setting and architecture vie for top honors in just why you came. To be honest, this is the reason why we came to the far south of Colombia in the first place and though we found a few gems along the way, we were not disappointed with Las Lajas though the “town” that is its gateway leaves a lot to be desired.

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Unique Places in Colombia

Top 3 Hotels in Colombia

Embassy Suites Hotel Bogota-Rosales  Bogotá

 2 Reviews and 86 Opinions  Hotel location was perfect. 30 minutes from airport, Great location, with Great reaturant accross... 

 Hotels in Bogotá

Casa El Carretero  Cartagena

 109 Opinions

 Hotels in Cartagena

Cali Plaza  Cali

 8 Reviews and 65 Opinions  My husband and I stayed at Cali Plaza Hotel while visiting family in Cali. We enjoyed the hotel an... 

 Hotels in Cali

509 Hotels in Colombia
 
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Reviews and photos of Colombia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Colombia sightseeing.

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Colombia
  1. Bogotá Off The Beaten Path
  2. Cartagena Off The Beaten Path
  3. Cali Off The Beaten Path
  4. Santa Marta Off The Beaten Path
  5. Barranquilla Off The Beaten Path
  6. Isla de San Andrés Off The Beaten Path
  7. Medellín Off The Beaten Path
  8. Parque Tayrona Off The Beaten Path
  9. Medellín Off The Beaten Path
  10. Popayán Off The Beaten Path
  11. Villa de Leiva Off The Beaten Path
  12. Salento Off The Beaten Path
  13. Manizales Off The Beaten Path
  14. Bucaramanga Off The Beaten Path
  15. Taganga Off The Beaten Path
  16. Cartagena Off The Beaten Path
  17. Ciudad Perdida Off The Beaten Path
  18. Mompós Off The Beaten Path
  19. San Agustín Off The Beaten Path
  20. Armenia Off The Beaten Path
  21. Pasto Off The Beaten Path
  22. San Gil Off The Beaten Path
  23. Cocuy Off The Beaten Path
  24. Capurganá Off The Beaten Path
  25. Tunja Off The Beaten Path
  26. Manzanillo del Mar Off The Beaten Path
  27. El Cocuy Off The Beaten Path
  28. Tabio Off The Beaten Path
  29. Ráquira Off The Beaten Path
  30. Pereira Off The Beaten Path

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Popular Regions in Colombia

Departamento de Cundinamarca Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Bolívar Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Magdalena Off The Beaten Path  Intendenciade San Andrés y Providencia Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Valle del Cauca Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Antioquia Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Atlántico Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Boyacá Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Cauca Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Quindío Off The Beaten Path  Departmento de Santander Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Nariño Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Caldas Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Huila Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de La Guajira Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Chocó Off The Beaten Path 

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Q:  Hola Travelers - I'm planning a three week trip to Colombia. What is the cheapest way to fly from Bogota to Cali, from Cali to... 

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A: bookmarking 

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