Must See

The Amazon Basin

Covering nearly a third of Colombia's land, the dense tropical forest has few roads and is inhabited by Indian tribes. Travellers should explore via Leticia, with well-developed tourist facilities on the banks of the Amazon near Brazil and Peru. Trips into the jungle of Amacayu National Park can easily be made from there.

Bogota

Blending Colombian tradition, Spanish colonial influence, and a liking for North American attitudes, the capital has a number of historical landmarks to visit, including the Capitol Municipal Palace (congress building), the monumental neoclassical cathedral (the Capilla del Sangrario) on the Plaza Bolivar, and the Gold Museum.

Caribbean Coast

With a 1,600 km Caribbean coastline, most hotels are found near Santa Marta, one of the first Spanish cities founded in South America. Modern hotels and fashionable white sandy beaches draw the crowds, and provide a base to explore the coast.

Beyond the resort (35 km south) is the Tayrona National Park, an area of deep bays, coral reefs and beautiful beaches shaded by coconut trees, making it one of the country's most popular parks.

Cartagena

This ancient walled fortress city, founded in 1533, is unique to South America and is probably the country's most fascinating city. Any visit requires several days to savour its beauty. Take a romantic tour in a horse-drawn carriage, explore the labyrinthine streets or join a cruise to the Islas del Rosario, an archipelago of about 25 small coral islands.

San Andrés and Providencia

The islands of San Andrés and Providencia are located nearly 500 km (300 miles) north of the Colombian coast. San Andrés was once the headquarters of the pirate Captain Henry Morgan, the scourge of the Caribbean. The tropical waters of the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve around San Andrés and Providencia are home to a multitude of fish and coral species.