welcome to mojo travels and today we're
counting down our picks for the top 10
reasons to make colombia
your next travel destination are you a
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for this list we're looking at some of
the most compelling arguments for moving
colombia to the top of your bucket list
number 10 improved safety for some
colombia's reputation as dangerous makes
it a non-starter in terms of potential
destinations
but while the country may have a history
of violence modern-day colombia is a far
cry from the way it continues to be
depicted in popular media
over the last decade and a half
colombia's major population centers
like bogota kali and medellin have all
put in
overtime to reduce crime rates
especially violent crime
there are still some concerns along the
borders which travelers are discouraged
from visiting
but colombia is now by and large
considered safe
in fact industry insiders are predicting
that it's on track to be among the
trendiest it destinations in the coming
years
yes you should be cautious and mindful
of your surroundings but that's just
generally sound travel advice
number nine cartagena honestly it's not
hard to understand why colombia's travel
industry is predicted to have such a
bright future
take for example cartagena a city of
under 1 million people
located in the bolivar region cartagena
is an absolute gem
though the entire city is warm inviting
and vibrant it's the old town that makes
cartagena a must visit
boasting centuries-old colonial
architecture much of it brightly painted
the old town is jam-packed with historic
sites
but one needn't seek out these
attractions the old town is best
appreciated on foot at a leisurely pace
the whole thing is one big historic site
as evidenced
by its unesco world heritage status as
if the old towns
not reason enough to visit cartagena the
coastal city also boasts
some of the country's finest beaches
number 8 the natural splendor
colombia's cities are enchanting but the
country is also blessed with
breathtaking landscapes and natural
wonders
outdoor enthusiasts will be tempted to
spend a sizable portion of their trip
exploring colombia's national parks and
other protected areas colombia is
notable not only for its ample green
space
but also the high levels of biodiversity
if you've got time to spare a
cross-country trip will take you through
a wide variety of landscapes from the
dense rainforest of the amazon to the
andes mountains
to the deserts of tatakoa there's even
savannah
the colombian wilderness provides plenty
of beautiful photo ops
but there are also a few specific
natural attractions to stand out
these include the kanyo cristales or
rainbow river
and la cueva del esplendor or cave of
splendor
number seven las lajas as much as we
love
untarnished swaths of natural beauty
there is something to be said for
finding a triumph of engineering where
you least expect it
the santuario de las lajas is more than
just another church
it's a work of art further elevated by
the way in which it stands in contrast
to the surrounding landscape
spanning the guayatara river and canyon
las lajas or rather the national shrine
basilica of our lady of las lajas looks
like something out of a fantasy movie
built in the first half of the 20th
century las lajas might not be the
oldest attraction in colombia but it
more than makes up the difference with
curb appeal
it tends to get quite busy over the
weekend so if possible make this day
trip
during the week to avoid crowds number
six
coffee there are many countries that
pride themselves on the quality of their
beans
but few can back it up like colombia if
you're a coffee lover this place is
likely to feel like heaven on earth
not only will you have to go out of your
way to get a bad cup of joe but you can
also learn about the production process
it's all well and good to appreciate
coffee culture but what about the
culture of the place where your coffee
comes from
it's estimated that the coffee industry
employs a staggering half
million farming families in colombia and
in this world where seemingly everything
is mass-produced
there's something deeply satisfying
about the idea of an industry of small
producers it's actually something of a
necessity
colombia's coffee growing regions are
too mountainous for automated farming
that use heavy machinery
translation these farms are gorgeous
number five local hospitality while
you're enjoying that cup of colombian
coffee
don't be surprised if a local strikes up
a conversation with you
we certainly wouldn't recommend getting
in a car with someone you just met
and that goes for any destination but
talking to locals is a great way to
learn about a town
city or country tourism is an important
industry here and so
most people you encounter will likely be
happy to see you and genuinely want to
make sure that you're
enjoying your stay colombians are a
diverse group from a variety of ethnic
backgrounds but the one thing they all
tend to share in common is a deep sense
of pride
whether a local vendor the person at the
next table over when you sit down to eat
or just to pass or buy
the people you meet in colombia know how
to make travelers feel
welcome number four food
are you the sort of traveler who lets
your taste buds do the trip planning
if so this one's for you or rather your
taste buds
this is a country with proud culinary
traditions and many
many regional specialties to discover
many of the nation's most
iconic dishes may appear humble in
design but they're filling
flavorful and oh so satisfying arepas
for example are corn-based
flatbreads that can be served plain or
as a sandwich
stuffed with cheese and or meat bladder
preparation is hugely popular as a
street food
we suspect that you'll be tempted to get
some just about every day of your trip
another must try dish is bandeja paisa
this
impressive platter of food has long been
associated with farm life
you certainly need a farmer's appetite
to eat it it's sort of like the
colombian full english breakfast
including beans
rice chicharron chorizo ground meat or
steak avocado plantain
and a fried egg everyone does it a
little differently
number three nightlife there ain't no
party like
well pretty much any party you're likely
to go to in colombia
no matter how you approach it colombia
will inevitably get you having a good
time
the nightlife in the major cities is the
stuff of legend
the people here have a love of life
that's hard to deny
from nightclubs and bars to restaurants
there's seemingly no escape from the
music and dancing
after the sun goes down cities like
bogota and medellin get
bumping colombia also distinguishes
itself with its busy calendar of
festivals and events
during carnaval regular life is brought
to a screeching halt as
the locals unite in the street for days
of revelry the carnival of barranquilla
is considered second only to the
celebrations held in rio de janeiro
number two bogota if you're looking to
enjoy the aforementioned nightlife and
or festivals
bogota is the place you want to be
colombia's capital and most populated
city
bogota's offerings are many and varied
lovers of urban culture may be
interested to know that the city
decriminalized street art in 2011
transforming bogota into one big art
exhibit
the results are hard to argue with it's
truly inspiring
the city's modern skyline stands in
beautiful contrast to the andes
mountains in the distance
and this duality feels like it's made
its way into the very fabric of the
colombian metropolis
this is where you'll find colombia's
best restaurants and most high-profile
attractions
like plaza de bolivar as well as both
historic buildings and modern
architecture
number one the beaches considering
everything we've discussed in our video
today
your itinerary is likely already
starting to feel rather full
you could spend a month in bogota and
still be uncovering hidden gems on your
last day
the same goes for the country's vast
natural spaces
but truly the one thing that you cannot
miss when visiting colombia is the
coastline
do you like to be pampered on a resort
style stretch of beach complete with all
the amenities
you're spoiled for choice in this
country prefer to get off the beaten
track and find a more private beach
you can certainly do that too after all
colombia has hundreds of beaches to
explore
and with both pacific and caribbean
coastlines the country is uniquely well
positioned when it comes to all things
sun
sand and surf do you agree with our
picks
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