Capital: Bogotá

Language: Spanish

Currency: Colombian Peso

Colombia has the second largest population in South America and has destinations for all tastes and desires! In the capital, Bogotá, visitors can find the Museo del Oro, which contains the largest collection of objects from pre-Colombian America. There are plenty of other museums and parks, like Parque Jaime Duque.

For history lovers, one of the most exciting locations is Ciudad Perdida, also known as Teyuna. Recently discovered, Teyuna, which is in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, is the archaeological site of an unknown people that lived 650 years before the Incan Machu Picchu.

Geography

Located in the north of South America, Colombia is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, the northwest by Panama, the south by Ecuador and Peru, the east by Venezuela, the southeast by Brazil, and the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Climate

The climate of Colombia is characterised by being tropical, presenting variations such as tropical rainforests, savannas, steppes, deserts and mountain climate. Below 1,000 metres in elevation is the warm altitudinal zone, and about 82.5% of the country’s total area lies in the warm altitudinal zone. The temperate climate altitudinal zone located between 1,001 and 2,000 metres is characterised for presenting an average temperature ranging between 17 and 24 °C.

The cold climate is present between 2,001 and 3,000 metres, and the temperatures vary between 12 and 17 °C. Beyond lies the alpine conditions of the forested zone and then the treeless grasslands of the páramos. Above 4,000 metres, where temperatures are below freezing, the climate is glacial, a permanent snow and ice zone.

Culture

Colombia constantly creates new customs to keep its culture unique, crafting magnificently together its European, African, and indigenous roots with festivals, food, and more!  Captivating thousands of visitors travelling here every year, it blends its many varied roots, wowing those who come to its shores.

Gastronomy

All this especially manifests in the gorgeous Colombian food!  With a rich mix of Spanish and indigenous ingredients blended into African, Arab and Spanish preparation, the principal ingredients include pork, potatoes, beans, corn, chicken, rice, and soup!

To make your trip that much tastier, be sure to try patacones, a snack made with fried plantains, or any other local dish made with corn, a vegetable that powers the nation.