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Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
The full name of the city – Santiago de Cali – is a homage to saint James, whose name in Spanish means Santiago el Mayor. His memory is celebrated on 25th July, the day when city was founded.
While ordering taxi, choose the one that is associated in official organization, you will be sure that your order will be registered. Also make sure that taxi driver started a meter.
Your visit in Cali can’t be completed without a trip to Juanchito Salsa. Over there you will find the most popular places to learn salsa, and also many bars and clubs with other types of music.
Cali – or actually Santiago de Cali – is a capital of the Colombian department Valle del Cauca, and also the most populated city in the south-west part of the country and the fastest developing centre in field of economy in this region. On the western side of the city there are mountains - Farallones de Cali, whereas on its eastern side flows the river Cauca. Temperature for most part of year is around 25 – 30 Celsius degrees.
The closest airport is located less than 20 kilometres from the city. Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragón handles international flights and is the third airport in the country when it comes to number of served passengers. From Cali you will get there easily via highway, that has been modernized in recent years to facilitate access to the city. You can take bus or taxi.
Among places you have to visit in Cali, the church Iglesia la Ermita definitely has to be named. That beautiful sanctuary located by park Los Poetas, makes the more impression, as it is situated in the surrounding of simple, modern buildings. Make sure to see it in person, it looks like taken out of a fairy tale.
Hungry? The city offers vast choice of local titbits. Try, for instance, pandebono – Colombian cheese bread or buñuelos – small donuts, most frequently filled with white cheese. If you are thirsty, look for guarapo – refreshing drink, which main ingredient is sugar cane juice with addition of lemon juice and ice. Popular snacks are blackcurrant, sold in papers, often bepowdered with salt.
If you are interested which restaurants are recommended by tourists – we are glad to answer. One of the most popular places is Platillos Voladores at Av. 3 Norte 7-19, where you can try Colombian cuisine. Other worth recommendation restaurant is Lenos & Carbon in Centro Comercial Chipichape, that offers south American cuisine, dishes from barbecue or steaks.
Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
One hour drive south from Barranquilla there is a small, inactive volcano. Wooden stairs lead up to its top. A crater is filled with mud, in which for a fare of a few dollars one can swim till his fill’s.
SCADTA, the first airline established in the America, was founded in the town of Barranquilla in the year 1919. The airline is operative till this day under the brand Avianca, that consociates a lot of national airlines in the Latin America.
In districts located far away from the city’s centre, a sewage system is a luxury. If during sightseeing of Barranquilla you will get caught by rain, better enter a bar, grab something tasty to eat and wait out rain.
A huge city, in which for four days each year citizens drop all responsibilities and throw themselves into the whirl of carnival fun. Among high, modern buildings there are plenty of cosy, one-storey houses. This is Barranquilla – the city of contrasts and exquisite food.
This Colombian city by the Caribbean Sea is one of the biggest in the country. Even though it was granted charter in 1813, there are notes claiming that Indians lived there already in 1533. The city’s port with time has become one of the destinations for immigrants from Europe, especially during world wars. Thanks to marine trading, the city got nicknamed the Golden Gate of Colombia.
You will get to know this region best, if you start your visit from Museo del Caribe. You will see house tools and equipment of ancient folks inhabiting that region, get to know history of European conquests and see what animals live on the bottom of the ocean. You will hear local music and learn about culture of this place.
The city is known for good amusement. This is where the Carnival de Barranquilla takes place, one of the most important folk feast in the country, which roots go back to the 19th century. Celebrations start four days before the Holy Week. From Sunday to Wednesday the city is paralyzed. Crowds go out on the streets to dance, sing and admire colourful processions. The Carnival of Barranquilla is on the UNESCO world heritage list.
Cuisine of Barranquilla is a mix of tastes of the whole world. Dominating is Creole cuisine, but there are also dishes of Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian, French, Italian and Spanish cuisines. Characteristic for Colombia fast food bar is called frutería, a place where deep fried snacks are served with freshly squeezed out juices. You can find them on every corner street. If you step by Los Compadres, make sure to try empanadas – pies filled with beef, chicken or cheese or papas rellanas, which are balls from potatoes with beef filling. Of course everything is fried. Luckily, the neighbourhood of the Atlantic Ocean and a river means that lovers of fish won’t be hungry. The choice is vast.
Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
Pereira lies in one of a few places with micro climate in the world. From one spot, where it is warm and dry, to another, where it is humid and cold, you can walk in 10 minutes.
In Pereira there is climate with pleasant temperature and fresh air, which is not typical for South America. Due to this fact, it is often compared to Swiss towns in the Alpes.
In the city there is a zoo founded in 1959, which is considered to be one of the most important in Colombia and the whole South America. In Zoológico Matecaña you can admire 150 species of animals.
Pereira is the capital of the Colombian department Risaralda, situated in the western part of the country. This department is located in the region Paisa, famous for its specific alternation of Spanish language (español antioqueño).
The city is located on the foothill of the Andes, in the neighbourhood known for manufacturing coffee, whose quality was recognized by UNESCO (Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia). Coffee that grows in that place is considered by many experts as the best in the world. Pereira is a perfect base for trips to two reservations - Parque Ucumarí and Santuario Otún Quimbaya.
Pleasant information concerning the city is surely the fact that it is relatively cheap compared to the rest of Colombia, as well as that it is on top of the list of cities, whose citizens feel safe in their neighbourhood. The city is full of life, mainly due to the fact that one fourth of inhabitants are students as many public and private schools are located there.
Pereira is still an underestimated destination, by locals it is called the city with eternal spring. It is situated in a valley surrounded by the mountains, average temperature there is around 22 degrees and stays on the same level the whole year round. Climate is perfect for spending time outside – there are plenty of restaurants, specializing in various cuisines of the world, where you can spend pleasantly the evening.
Where to go to eat? If you want to try dishes of South American cuisine, go for instance to Aly Torres by Carrera 12, 2-62. Fans of Italian cuisine can be recommended La Trattoria by Carrera 17bis 21abis 04, where great pastas with seafood are served. A good choice will be a dinner at Lenos y Parrilla at Carrera 12 2-78, where you can try steaks of very good quality. If you don’t want to spend on a given day too much time for dining, go to bar Sayonara at Avenida 30 De Agosto 41 - 84, where you can eat tasty and quickly.
Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
When the evening approaches, musicians gather on the beach. Local bands earn money by playing for tourists, but there is nothing to wonder at, since they do it really well. And who wouldn’t like to dance on the beach?
Colombians, as most Latinos, are not fond of keeping distance. Men shake hands to greet. Whereas women or woman and man kiss each other on right cheeks.
What is really attracting tourists to Santa Marta, are marvellous views – on sunny day, lying on the Caribbean beach, we can admire snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada.
One of the oldest, founded by Europeans, cities in South America. The town is located at the foot of Sierra Nevada, and was founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas. Why in that spot? Locals had a lot of gold, that they didn’t consider as valuable. Spanish were robbing them and sending the haul to Europe. Quite quickly though, the role of the most important colonial town was taken over by Cartagena.
The huge asset of Santa Marta is the beach. Though it is humble as for Caribbean standards, it requites with numerous attractions. When you get bored with sunbathing or jumping though waves, you will have plenty to choose from. Diving, swimming with dolphins or water sports with a huge dose of adrenaline, will give you entertainment for many hours. If you prefer more calm relax, we recommend a walk – in the seaside treetops you will see amazing birds.
Staying in Santa Marta, make sure to visit Lost City – a place built around 700 years before the civilization of Tairona, slain by colonizers. You can walk through ancient squares, roads and channels, see old stairs and foundations of houses, that were built from clay and straw. If you are fascinated by archaeology, you will also like a visit at the nature reservation Taironaka. It has partly restored houses of Indians. Step by a museum, in which there is a collection of artefacts gathered on local areas.
If you are only just planning your trip, book a stay in Santa Marta on the verge of August and September. Since 1989 the International Theatre Festival has been taking place there, during which you can see plays by both Colombian and foreign troupes. These are accompanied by concerts, mainly of folk music.
Splendid local cuisine is something the Caribbean is famous for. No different it is in Santa Marta. The closeness of the sea provides fresh deliveries of amazing fishes. Try swordfish, bream or mackerel. Dishes are served mostly with rice, manioc or green, yellow bananas.
Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
The full name of the city, San José de Cúcuta, was invented in 1793. It means literally Saint Joseph from a house of goblins. Second part of the name comes from language of autochthonic people of this area, Barí.
During hot days, even shade of trees growing alongside almost each street is too little to feel relief. Take a walk by boardwalk alongside a river – locals are eagerly spending time there, resting from heat.
If you are there during Christmas holidays, make sure to visit a clock tower, that has become the symbol of the city. On the occasion of holidays, it is lovely floodlit.
The city located by border with Venezuela, one of the biggest in the country. In the way of urban development from Cucuta extracted two other cities. It was in Cucuta, where for first time constitution was created, on base of which the Republic of Colombia was established.
First settlement was established there before Hispanics discovered this area for Europeans. Development of the city started only in the first half of the 18th century. A village, thanks to its strategic location for trade, developed quite quickly and became a town.
The battle of Cucuta of 1813 was one of the most important events in history of Spanish-American wars for independence. The battle, that lasted barely a few hours, launched a great campaign of Simon Bolivar. Under his command 400 men defeated 800 soldiers of general Ramon Correy.
If you happen to get there in first week of August, make sure to go to Festival Internacional de la Frontera, an international festival with parades, gigs and dances till morning dawn. By the way, you can buy on stalls products of local craftsmen.
On the turn of months October and November in Villa del Rosaria, 5 kilometres south from Cucuta, there is taking place Cachama Festival, which is a feast of fish pacu – from piranha family, that is bred in village Juan Frio, and is very popular in the whole country. During festival you can taste traditional dishes.
Do you know that Cucuta is one of the most green cities of Colombia? Despite high level of urbanization, it managed to have preserved a lot of greenery. After an earthquake, that in 1975 destroyed a vast part of Cucuta, the city was rebuilt with attentiveness to use every single metre of free space to plant trees. And so many streets are parks are now adorned by acacias and almond trees. The most beautiful of them is the Avenue of Lights.
When you miss sport, step by Ecoparque Comfanorte. You can use there swimming pools with slides and artificial waves, as well as rent canoes or play beach volleyball.
Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
The beginnings of the city weren't easy. Mountain terrain for many years has been accessible only for people and mules. The first asphalt road was built in 1927.
Originally the city was named in the honour of Carlos Holguin, the president of Colombia back then. It was changed to Armenia after massacres involving Hamidian and Armenian Genocide, to commemorate their memory,
In the evenings, step by La Esquinita de Pele, a vibrant local eatery on the crossroad of Carrera and Calle 17. It has a collection of more than 4000 vinyl discs.
The founder of the city was Jesus Maria Ocampo, widely known as Tigrero (the killer of tigers), due to its love for hunting for wild cats. He arrived there in 1889 and for 100 pesos in gold bought the land. He built the trading centre and sold the land to other settlers. In that way in a few months number of citizens grew to one hundred, which allowed to officially establish a city.
You can realize that citizens of Armenia love jeep, if you come there in February, when you can witness one of a kind parade of jeeps – Yipao. Those vehicles came to the city after the Second World War. They were supposed to help residents of difficult, mountain area in moving around and transporting goods. Nowadays, vehicles are richly decorated, painted in extravagant patters and filled with goods to the breaking point. The parade is divided into a few categories, among others, transport of people, coffee, agriculture products, furniture.
You can see attachment to tradition and get a real lesson of Colombian folklore during beauty contest Chapoleras. Ladies are dressed in traditional gowns to gather coffee from the end of 19th century. The competition is accompanied by dance shows.
Armenia is a great starting point for people hiking on high, challenging mountains. Barely 30 minutes by car to the north of the city starts the National Park Los Nevados, where the highest peaks of central Colombia are situated. With height of even 4500 metres above the sea level, mountains are covered by snow all year round. In the city you can use services of a guide, who can securely lead brave men by the mountain range.
When you get hungry, go to a restaurant Balcon del Quinidio, that is situated on 10 km Via Armenia Pereira. In eagerly visited by Colombians spot you can eat home-made, cheap dinner. Additionally, the view is breath taking. If you fancy some fish, make sure to visit situated 30 km to the north of Armenia town Salento, famous for perfectly prepared river trout.
Official language: Spanish
Time zone: UTC -5
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
The boardwalk on which you can find everything you might need. The trading street, where you can buy souvenirs, eat tasty dinner, and in evenings have fun in night club.
To rest from the city’s hustle and bustle, go to Ronda del Sinú on the eastern bank of the river. This is a recreational park, where freely live iguanas and monkeys.
Having almost half of millions of citizens city is considered as one of the ten most important ones in Colombia. It is referred to as La Perla del Sinú – the pearl of the river Sinú.
Probably first people on this area were Indians Zenú, that used to live by the riverbank. The Spanish settlement was established in 1777 by Antonio de la Torre y Miranda. He called it San Jerónimo de Buenavista, to commemorate Saint Jeronimo, but citizens preferred the name Monteria.
In the beginning Monteria was located on the eastern part of the river. Miranda moved it to the western side. But as early as in 1803 the town was burnt by indigenes. Citizens moved it again to the eastern side. In recent years, once again the western part has become popular to live in.
There are two ways to get through the Sinu river. First one, obviously, is getting taxi or bus to pass through an enormous bridge. Second way is much older and characteristic for Monteria. You can use planchones – covered, wooden raft, that moves from one bank to another and looks like tram – they are attached to ropes, stretched between two banks. We recommend to travel on such raft at least once.
It is best to move around through the whole city by motorbike taxi. Except on Tuesdays. That day, as part of environment protection policy, motorbikes are forbidden to drive. Upon taking taxi, remember to first ask for price, that can be negotiated. In night taxis are much more expensive
One of the most beautiful colonial monuments of Monteria is the cathedra San Jeronimo. Details are highlighted with gold colour. The whole building is painted in white. On each of four sides of a tower, that can be seen from afar, there is a clock. Interiors are quite humble. For holidays the Cathedral is beautifully illuminated.
Cheaply, quickly and tasty you can eat in Pasta e Salsa at Carrera 4. They served Italian cuisine – ravioli, pastas and soups. The choice isn’t vast, but dishes are fresh and filling. Whereas eating in Freeminds Gastro Bar is an original culinary trip. Classical pizzas or burgers in unusual form or with unique ingredients – you can definitely eat healthy there.