A Day Trip Or Overnight Stay From Medellin - Santa Fe de Antioquia

 » photoset (33 photos) « A visit to Santa Fe de Antioquia makes a great day trip or overnight stay from Medellin. With well-preserved colonial architecture, old churches and cobblestone streets, there is much to be enchanted by in this small town just 57kms from the northern bus terminal in Medellin. More   date: February 2021

Fun At Morro Beach On The Pacific Coast In The South - Tumaco

 » photoset (22 photos) « Tumaco with its hot tropical climate is a magnet for beachgoers in the weekends and holiday season. Morro Beach (Playa de Morro) with a beachfront backed by a row of confortable hotels draws people to come from the closest cities like Pasto, Ipiales and Popayan to enjoy all that the coast has to offer. More   date: January 2021

Amazing Views From A 14th Floor Hotel Room - Barrancabermeja

 » photoset (27 photos) « According to Tripadvisor the number one thing to do in Barrancabermeja is go to the commercial center. Really? I'm not so sure about that. Yes, the hotels and shops are located in the commercial center and most sights are also around this area but I have a better idea about what to do in Barrancabermeja! Located 2hrs 30mins west from Bucaramanga, Barrancabermeja is Colombia's petrol capital and is situated on the banks of the Magdalena River. More   date: April 2021

University City With A Cool Climate, Churches & Museums - Pamplona

 » photoset (23 photos) « Pamplona with its cooler climate is a municipality that sits in the mountains halfway between Bucaramanga and Cucuta. A university city with a large student population and a pleasant place to spend the night to break the journey and see the sights. Pamplona was founded in 1549 and stands in the Valley of the Holy Spirit. More   date: April 2021

Hike To The End Of The World Waterfall - Mocoa

 » photoset (43 photos) « If there ever was a real hidden gem in Colombia then surely Mocoa must be it. Mocoa is usually overlooked by tourists who travel the main route north or south to or from Ecuador through Pasto and Popayan. It is well worth the effort to take a detour east from Pasto (5hrs) to get to Mocoa, then continue north up to San Agustin (3hrs 40mins), then west to Popayan. More   date: January 2021

Archaeological Parks & Ancient Hidden Megalithic Statues - San Agustin

 » photoset (35 photos) « Great mysteries await those who visit San Agustin with the largest set of religious funerary monuments and carved stone statues in South America. Over 500 monumental statues and megalithic sculptures carved in volcanic stone were discovered and uncovered during the 18th and 19th centuries. More   date: January 2021

Enjoy Nature In An Intense Tropical Rain-Forest Climate - Florencia

 » photoset (30 photos) « With a tropical rain-forest climate with intense heat - Florencia is a place people come to enjoy nature. The surrounding rivers, waterfalls and jungle enable tourist attractions for nature lovers in the corridor that connects the Andean region with the Amazon. More   date: January 2021

Hot, Sweaty, Tropical Climate - River & Nature - Neiva

 » photoset (55 photos) « Hot and sweaty, the tropical climate in Neiva located beside the Magdalena River south of Girardot and east of Cali. A city not usually visited while on the tourist trail in Colombia. However, you can get a quick flight here from Bogota with EasyFly which is what I did to start a leg of travel to some unknown places in the south of the country. More   date: January 2021

Tropical Paradise, Beaches, Diving & Snorkeling - Tolu / Tintipan Island

 » photoset (29 photos) « Tolu, a beach town easily accessible from Monteria, Cartagena and Mompos on Colombia's north coast is the gateway to Tintipan Island and other islands of the archipelago in the Gulf of Morrosquillo. Come here to enjoy sun, beaches, swimming, snorkeling, diving the coral reefs, shady palm trees, kayaking, walking, collecting shells and relaxing. More   date: November 2020

Visit The River Park - Parque Ronda del Sinu - Monteria

 » photoset (42 photos) « Monteria is often overlooked by travelers but is worth a visit to enjoy a stroll through the park beside the river and spotting some of the many iguanas, birds and other animals that live here. Monteria is also the perfect gateway to places like Tolu and Mompos and is easily accessible with flights from both Bogota and Medellin. More   date: July 2010, November 2020

Discover & Explore Boyaca - Duitama, Paipa & Sogamoso

 » photoset (52 photos) « Boyaca is a nice region in Colombia north of Bogota where there are many small towns and medium-sized cities to discover and explore. Duitama, Paipa and Sogamoso are 3 such places. Other places in the region worth visiting include Tunja, Zipaquira, Villa de Leyva and Guatavita. More   date: September 2020

Post Covid-19 Lockdown Travels In Colombia - Pereira

 » photoset (16 photos) « Located roughly halfway between Manizales and Armenia and not far from Salento, Pereira is a city where you can stop-off to spend the night to break the journey. Don't go too far out of your way to visit the city, it's not that exciting really. Yeah, it's part of the coffee region but this is a city not coffee country, go to Salento or Jardin instead! Pereira does have a good variety of food around the city, more variety than you find in most parts of Colombia except Bogota and maybe the Boyaca region. More   date: September 2020

Things To Do In Colombia's Hidden Gem - Jardin

 » photoset (67 photos) « Jardin in many ways is similar to Salento but more off the beaten track. A pretty little town with colorful wooden buildings, balconies and doors and surrounded by nature. There is plenty to do and see in and around Jardin including nature walks, bird-watching, relaxing with a coffee or eating a large fruit salad at the park, tasting the local trout or just wandering the streets doing photography. More   date: September 2020

Birdwatching At Tinamu Birding Nature Reserve - Manizales

 » photoset (60 photos) « After 3 weeks on the road backpacking in Colombia I was excited to arrive in Manizales. I knew I wanted to do something special but I didn't know exactly what yet. However, it didn't take long to work out what I would do, after some internet reading and research. More   date: May 2018

Famous Cathedral - Basilica del Senor de los Milagros - Buga

 » photoset (25 photos) « Buga is a place you may likely pass through if you're traveling up from southern Colombia or heading south from the coffee region, the city sits roughly halfway between Cali and Armenia. In many ways Buga is a junction to different parts of the country with Route 40 heading westward to Colombia's main port city of Buenaventura where I had arrived from (2hrs 30mins by bus). More   date: May 2018

Beaches & Port City On The Pacific Coast - Buenaventura

 » photoset (46 photos) « Should you go to Buenaventura? Really, it depends if you want to or not, depends if your father asks you if you have been to the Pacific coast of Colombia and your answer is no, so I came here. I knew Buenaventura was a place 'your not supposed to go, not really a tourist destination, dangerous etc', but this makes it a little more intriguing in some ways. More   date: May 2018

Famous For Beautiful Women, Nightlife & Salsa Dancing - Cali

 » photoset (108 photos) « I traveled through the night, firstly from Ibague to Armenia (3hrs 30mins), waited 90mins and then continued from Armenia to Cali (2hrs 30mins). It was good to be back in Cali and this time I aimed to do and see some new things! I visited Cali Zoo and really enjoyed photographing all the amazing and beautiful animals that are here. More   date: June 2010, July 2012, May 2018

Preserving The Musical Heritage Of Colombian Folklore - Ibague

 » photoset (46 photos) « Colombia's capital of music, Ibague, located west of Girardot (90mins by bus) and north-east of Cali was the next stop on my travels around the middle of the country. Known as the capital of music for its Music Conservatory founded in 1906, it's quite probable that Ibague produces some of Colombia's finest musicians because the children here learn to play an instrument from a very young age in order to preserve the musical heritage of Colombian folklore. More   date: May 2018

Take A Magdalena River Excursion With Richard - Girardot

 » photoset (38 photos) « Tripadvisor says that in Girardot you should visit the cathedral, the commercial center, the swimming pool, the train park and the plaza. Well sorry Tripadvisor, have you even been to Girardot? Obviously not! If you want to swim at the pools or see the train park, these are the only things worth doing from the above list and I have some better alternatives for things to do in Girardot. More   date: May 2018

Spanish Colonial Town With A Lake & Sacred Lagoon - Guatavita

 » photoset (53 photos) « Between a bullfighting ring and the Tominé Reservoir sits the small town of Guatavita with its whitewashed buildings and red-tiled roofs some 70kms north-east of Bogota. The reservoir, completed in 1967 flooded the original town of Guatavita and the new town was built on higher ground. More   date: May 2018

Underground Salt Cathedral With Fantastic Light Show - Zipaquira

 » photoset (37 photos) « Through a brightly illuminated red tunnel into pitch black corridors illuminated by crosses, this is the first stage of the journey to what could well be the worlds most amazing underground light show! It's none other than the one-of-a-kind Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira built 180 metres underground in an unused salt mine and it's the light show that makes this place so special. More   date: May 2018

Iconic Cobblestone Town, Terracotta House & Nature - Villa de Leyva

 » photoset (104 photos) « Villa de Leyva is a place I had heard a lot about over a period of several years before deciding I would visit myself. It's one of the must-see destinations in Colombia! Villa de Leyva is a 16th century colonial town where all its original architecture is intact - a town of whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, art shops and galleries, museums, good restaurants and many activities in and around. More   date: May 2018

City of Colonial Churches & Food Culture - Tunja

 » photoset (37 photos) « I headed north from Bogota (3hrs 30mins by bus) to get to Tunja on my way to Villa de Leyva. I wanted to have a good look around the city and not just pass through. Tunja has a nice array of colonial buildings highlighted by a number of churches. You'll no doubt discover that Tunja also has some interesting street food, some good restaurants and street corners selling fresh fruit and creamy sponge cake. More   date: May 2018, September 2020

Top 6 Things To See & Do In The Capital - Bogota

 » photoset (83 photos) « Bogota is a huge city, the primary difference from the other places in Colombia that I have visited is that it is much colder, especially at night! It is the most colonial of cities I have been to in Colombia. North of Bogota are some great and popular destinations, they being the colonial town of Villa de Leyva, the salt cathedral in Zipaquira, the Spanish style town of Guatavita and Tunja - a place of interesting street food. More   date: May 2011, Jul 2013, Nov 2014, Sep/Oct/Nov 2020

I Have Lived Here For 8 Years - Taganga

 » photoset (56 photos) « 2008-2021 I have been in and out of Taganga many times and I have spent over 8 years in total living in the village. A time of playing, relaxing and in general having an easy-going life. Back in 2008 the first time I came I spent 2 and a half weeks in Taganga and had an excellent time enjoying a holiday after being on the road for a while. More   date: Aug 2008, Jul 2010, Feb 2011, Jul 2012, Jul 2013, Nov 2014, Sep 2015, Jul 2016, Aug 2017, Jul 2018, Jan 2020

Sleep In Hammocks Or Go Camping - Tayrona National Park

 » photoset (12 photos) « Some friends and I took a boat from Taganga to Tayrona National Park, it takes only 40 minutes and is a real fun ride! We had stocked up on non-perishable groceries the day before at the big Exito supermarket on the main street of Santa Marta - cans, liquids and packets of things. More   date: August 2008, October 2012

Home Of The Vallenato Music Festival In April - Valledupar

 » photoset (26 photos) « Valledupar is situated in the north-east of Colombia only about 25kms west of the Venezuelan border, it's a lively and colorful city and also is the home of the Vallenato Festival of music! If you visit Valledupar from Santa Marta it is around 4hrs by bus. More   date: November 2014

A Jeep From Santa Marta To Cool Mountains - Minca

 » photoset (23 photos) « Twice while living in Taganga fishing village, my friends and I have traveled up into the mountains to Minca. It's 1hr southeast of Santa Marta and 600m above sea, the temperature is several degrees cooler than down on the coast. Minca is a welcome break from the heat! Jeeps and small buses will bring you here from Santa Marta Market. More   date: October 2012, December 2020

There Can Be 100's Of Flamingos Here - Camarones Flamingo Sanctuary

 » photoset (23 photos) « The flamingo sanctuary in Camarones is located about 15mins south / west of Riohacha on Colombia's north coast. I came to Camarones on a day trip from Santa Marta nearly 3hrs west, bus $6USD each way. I was with 2 friends, we got out of the bus at the military checkpoint on the main highway and each took a motorbike taxi through the township to the lagoon for $1USD. More   date: March 2013

Activities Include Paragliding, Horsetreks, Hiking & Rafting - San Gil

 » photoset (34 photos) « After spending the night in Bucaramanga, it took around 90mins to get to San Gil in a shared van the next morning. It's a nice trip down with scenery of the great river Rio Chicamocha on the righthand side. 20mins north of Aratoca is park Parque Nacional del Chicamocha where cable cars take you up into the hills for fantastic views. More   date: July 2013, April 2021

30mins From San Gil The Jewel Of Colonial Towns - Barichara

 » photoset (32 photos) « Just 30mins by bus from San Gil is a magical place called Barichara, an old colonial town that is so pretty, so perfect, like something from a fairytale, except its real. Barichara was originally founded in 1705 and is in flawless condition due to care and tasteful restoration work over the past decades. More   date: July 2013, April 2021

Climb 659 Stairs Up The Rock & Lake Tour - Guatape / Penol

 » photoset (131 photos) « I had a great opportunity to travel down to Guatape and Penol from Santa Marta on budget Colombian airline Viva Colombia with a friend to stay on his houseboat on the lake for 6 nights, the return ticket was only around $85USD. Guatape is very close to Medellin and despite the fact I lived in Medellin for 5 months in 2010 I never visited Guatape during that time. More   date: December 2013

What To Do On The Hot Coast - Santa Marta

 » photoset (51 photos) « The extremely hot city of Santa Marta on the north coast is Colombia's oldest city founded in 1525. I have been here many times - in 2008, 2010, 2011/12/13/14/15/16/17 and have spent over 5yrs living and having fun in nearby Taganga, just 10 minutes away. More   date: Aug 2008, Jul 2010, Feb 2011, Jul 2012, Jul 2013, Aug 2014, Jul 2016, Aug 2017

Step Back In Time To The 16th Century - Mompos

 » photoset (49 photos) « Mompos, it sounds mysterious and it's off the beaten track. Step back in time to a place that hasn't changed since the 1600's. With a beautiful historic center spread out along the riverfront. Explore the enchanting streets where you will find many old but well-kept churches and buildings. More   date: July 2010, November 2020

Things To Do In The City Of Eternal Spring - Medellin

 » photoset (64 photos) « My most recent time in Medellin in 2018 after arriving from Manizales was another good experience in the city and I did some new things! On one side of the famous Plaza Botero where all the bronze sculptures are is the Antioquia Museum (Museo de Antioquia). More   date: Sep 2008, Jul-Dec 2010, Nov 2014, May 2018

I Went To University To Learn Spanish - Universidad EAFIT Medellin

 » photoset (15 photos) « I wanted to improve my Spanish while living in Medellin in 2010 so I checked out some universities. I visited 3 universities to see what they offered in language courses and decided I would enrol at Universidad EAFIT which is in Poblado and close to where I was. More   date: August 2010

Don't Miss The Famous Church On The Bridge - Las Lajas / Ipiales

 » photoset (20 photos) « Crossing the Colombian border from Tulcan in Ecuador is a straight forward process. From the bus terminal in Tulcan take a taxi to the border town of Rumichaca for around $3USD. Go to the immigration office on the Ecuadorian side for a passport stamp and walk across the bridge into Colombia for more passport procedures, very simple and safe. More   date: May 2010, Jul 2011, Jul 2012, Sep 2020

Named After The Barbacoan People Of Carchi Ecuador - Pasto

 » photoset (43 photos) « I have passed through or stayed in Pasto a few times. Arriving from both the north and south through amazing terrain from the border with Ecuador or Popayan northward. Pasto is actually named after the Barbacoan people across the border in northern Ecuador! Outside Pasto's bus terminal you can see quite a few hotels over towards the right - a few minutes walk away. More   date: Jun 2010, Jul 2011, Jul 2012, Sep 2020, Jan 2021

My Least Favourite Stretch Of Road In The Country - Pasto to Popayan

I have traveled the road between Pasto and Popayan 4 times now, twice up, twice down, it is my least favorite stretch of road in Colombia. The first time I travelled to Popayan was on an overnight bus from Pasto in the south, it took less than 5hrs because of the way the bus driver drove - overtaking at any opportunity. More   date: Jun 2010, Jul 2011, Jul 2012, Sep 2020

A Photographers Playground, The White City - Popayan

 » photoset (35 photos) « I have visited and stayed in Popayan 3 times - 2010, 2012 and 2020. Popayan is known as the 'white city', like Arequipa in Peru and Sucre in Bolivia because of the color of the stone that the buildings are contructed of. It is pleasant to stroll around the streets and take it all in and there are some obvious things to take photos of and also, if you have an artistic eye, some not so obvious things to photograph. More   date: Jun 2010, Jul 2012, Sep 2020

Visit The Coffee Park, Panaca, Filandia And More! - Armenia

 » photoset (39 photos) « 2014 Over 4yrs since my 1st visit to Armenia back in 2010 I returned and spent 3 days really getting to know the area outside the city. This was a family holiday complete with a baby too! My girlfriends cousin lives here and drove us around the area in his car, places like Quimbaya, Salento, Circasia, Filandia, The Coffee Park, Panaca and Panaca Animal Farm. More   date: June 2010, November 2014

Valle de Cocora Wax Palms & Coffee Farm Tour - Salento

 » photoset (49 photos) « Salento located 30-40 minutes from Armenia or Pereira is the heart of the coffee region. The countryside along the way is beautiful and green with rolling hills and lots of trees. Salento is located inside Los Nevados National Park. I had read online that The Plantation House was a good place to stay. More   date: Jun 2010, Nov 2014, Sep 2020

An Historical Gem With Many Things To Do & See - Cartagena

 » photoset (121 photos) « 2016: Wow, 6yrs since I was last in Cartagena! Nothing has changed much, it's still as hot as hell inside those old city walls (the cool coastal breeze just can't find a way in it seems) and it's still as mindblowing, as well-kept and as awesome as I remembered it from my other visits in 2010 and 2008. More   date: Sep 2008, Jul 2010, Aug 2016

Things To See Around The City - Bucaramanga

 » photoset (23 photos) « Not the most attractive city I have seen, quite industrial, but it has some interesting things to see like markets, parks, churches and monuments. The place I stayed at was on a street full of budget hotels and nearby were many shops that sell shoes. More   date: December 2010, July 2013, April 2021

6hrs To Travel 200kms By Bus - Bucaramanga to Cucuta

 » photoset (19 photos) « You wouldn't think it would take 6hrs to travel 200kms, but with the condition of the road between Bucaramanga and Cucuta it certainly did. Much rain in Colombia in 2010 had caused many mudslides and problems on this road. The problems with the road are mainly at the Bucaramanga end and the Cucuta end, the middle part is fairly OK and offers some spectacular views. More   date: December 2010

Border Crossing To San Antonio - Cucuta to Venezuela

 » photoset (26 photos) « From Bucaramanga on a rough road I came to Cucuta on my way to Venezuela. I stayed in a budget hotel right across the road from the bus terminal. In the afternoon I went into the center of town to find a branch of Citibank because their ATM machines allow you to withdraw larger sums of money than the other banks. More   date: December 2010, April 2021

Amazon Rainforest Gateway to Colombia, Peru & Brazil - Leticia

 » photoset (58 photos) « 2016: I spent the night in Leticia after flying up through Manaus from Rio de Janeiro to get back to Colombia where I live. Later in the year I arrived in Leticia by river from Iquitos - Peru and spent the night. I was lucky to see a local parade and I made some new photos from around town. More   date: Feb 2011, March 2015, April 2016, Oct 2016

One Of South Americas Best Carnivals - Barranquilla Carnival

 » photoset (24 photos) « I spent a day at the carnival in Barranquilla. I was staying in Taganga and went on a bus as part of a group, the cost was $60,000 pesos ($33USD). I went with a special tour organised by the tour office next door to the police station in Taganga. It included the return trip and some fun and giveaways on the bus on the way there. More   date: March 2011

Heading To The Venezuelan Border At Paraguachon - Santa Marta to Maicao

The bus journey from Santa Marta to Maicao or in the opposite direction and continuing on to the border town of Paraguachon in Venezuela can take anywhere between 3hrs 30mins to 5hrs. It depends how many times you are stopped at police checkpoints along the way. More   date: March/April 2013, August 2014