Colombia trip | Historic self-drive through Colombia

The department of Antioquia is situated in north-western Colombia and stretches across the majestic Andes Mountains. It boasts a diverse cultural heritage, remarkably picturesque landscapes and historic architecture. Antioquia is renowned for its gold, coffee, textile and flower industries and has developed the country’s second-largest economy.
It is home to the city of Medellín, which serves as the region’s capital and boasts the impressive, unmissable Museo de Antioquia, showcasing works by Fernando Botero, a famous Colombian artist. Visit a coffee plantation and enjoy a cup of locally grown, freshly roasted coffee; discover the charming town of Santa Fe de Antioquia with its colonial buildings, tamarind sweets and winding cobbled alleys; and enjoy a weekend break in Guatape, a seaside resort on the shores of the Penol-Guatape reservoir.

Medellín is a city located in northwestern Colombia and is also known as the city of eternal spring due to its favourable climate. Despite a notorious past (Medellín was the hometown of famed drug lord Pablo Escobar), Medellín today is a must-see for city lovers. Vibrant, modern, and in full bloom. A hotspot in South America. The famous artist Fernado Botero is also from Medellín. Many of his artworks can be admired in the city's museums. You will also find some of his statues in the city.

Walking through the cobbled streets of Guatapé in the Antioquia district of Colombia, you may think you have taken a step back in time. This picturesque village, surrounded by green hills and freshwater lakes, tells its own story through beautiful pastel-coloured paintings that adorn the lower half of most buildings. On weekends, the waterfront promenade bustles with local vendors selling art, food and souvenirs. Boat trips are offered, while adventure lovers can take a ride on the Cable Vuelo, a canopy-zipline across Lake Guatapé, or climb El Peñol, the massive mountain for which the city is famous.

The name Bogotá derives from Bacatá which is a residence of the Muisca Indians. The city is located high up at around 2,600 metres. Because the city is far from the sea, it was not immediately obvious that it would become the capital of Colombia. Initially, therefore, the city grew slowly. Later, many Colombians moved from the countryside to the city in search of a better economic situation. Today, Bogotá is Colombia's most important centre politically, financially and culturally. As such, it is a modern, growing metropolis with many high-rise buildings in the centre and surrounded by suburbs with mostly low-rise buildings. For travellers, the extensive colonial centre and the lively district of 'la zona rosa', where most restaurants, shopping centres and clubs can be found, are the ideal starting points to explore the city. Be sure to visit the city's gold museum, undoubtedly one of the most interesting museums on the continent. For great views of the city, catch the cable car up Monsterrate Mountain.

Cartagena is undoubtedly Colombia’s best-known destination. Few cities capture the imagination quite like this one (Cartagena is generally ranked alongside Cusco and Ouro Preto as one of South America’s most beautiful colonial cities). Within the city’s fortified walls, everything has remained intact, just as it has been for centuries. The magnificent squares, cathedrals and mansions in Caribbean pastel colours offer visitors a ‘postcard-perfect’ scene. The famous Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez wrote in his memoirs: ‘When I first visited Cartagena, I couldn’t suppress the feeling of being reborn’.
Beyond its fascinating setting, the city also offers plenty of a lively atmosphere. Shops, restaurants, bars, terraces, salsa clubs and so on. A place every traveller simply must visit at least once. From the city, you can also organise lovely boat trips, for example to the Rosario Islands.

Villa de Leyva is a colonial town and is even regarded as one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Colombia. Villa de Leyva is situated in a high valley at an altitude of approximately 2,144 metres, where fossils from various periods have been found.The picturesque cobbled streets eventually lead to the Main Square, where, alongside the church, there are also many restaurants.
This is Colombia’s largest central square and the only one in the country not named after the freedom fighter Simón Bolívar. You’ll also find plenty of shops selling handmade art and other items. There are also several attractions in the vicinity of Villa de Leyva. For example, if you have enough time, you can visit a fossil museum or go to the astronomical observatory dating from the Muisca culture. If you’re a fan of waterfalls, you might also want to visit the La Periquera waterfalls. This is a group of seven waterfalls.

The Zona Cafetera is the coffee region of Colombia. This area produces almost half of all coffee within Colombia. There are small family plantations to large-scale coffee plantations that together cover almost the entire area. It is recommended to definitely visit a plantation here. Besides the coffee national park, where you can learn a lot about the region's coffee, you can also do some fantastic hiking or horseback riding here. On a horseback ride, you can visit the mountains with their snow-capped peaks in Los Nevados National park.

The university town of Pereira is situated in Colombia’s famous coffee region. The town is usually used as a base from which to explore the colourful town of Salento. The region is characterised by a stunning landscape of lush, green rolling hills, dotted with coffee plantations where some of the world’s finest coffee is produced. As well as the National Coffee Park, where you can learn a great deal about the region’s coffee, there are also fantastic opportunities for walking or horse riding. Furthermore, the surrounding area is home to the relaxing thermal springs of Santa Rosa and San Vicente.
Pereira itself also has its own charm, with its coffee culture, nightlife, a number of fascinating museums, state-of-the-art shopping centres, and some interesting sights, such as the Bolívar Desnudo Monument and the viaduct built in honour of former President César Gaviria. This modern city has so much more to offer than just its delicious coffee.

Suesca (meaning ‘the rock of the birds’) is particularly characterised by its steep rocky cliffs.
It is therefore known as Colombia’s premier climbing village, less than an hour and a half’s drive from Bogotá. These ‘Suesca Rocks’ are a natural and cultural heritage site of great importance to the country. With three kilometres of high cliffs offering five hundred climbing routes, climbing enthusiasts will be kept busy for a while. There are also other activities on offer, such as horse riding, bird watching, a visit to the hot springs, and a variety of walking routes.

Honda is known as the 'City of Bridges' with more than 40 bridges over a network of rivers. Because of its ideal location along the river, this city once served as a launching pad between the Caribbean coast and the city of Bogota in the hinterland. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities such as viewing the city's impressive colonial architecture, exploring the winding alleys of the historic cobblestoned "Calle de las Trampas", strolling across the Navarro Bridge and attending the annual Carnival Up.

Tobia in the Cundinamarca region is just a 2-hour drive from Bogota. It is a small atmospheric village in the mountains and paradise for extreme sports enthusiasts. There is so much to do in Tobia. You can go on a beautiful hike here, part way through the river, whitewater rafting and abseiling from a waterfall. Nature is beautiful. The mountains are mountainous with forests and you can see many birds and butterflies here.

The Bocaya district stretches across the Andes Mountains and borders Venezuela. It is known for its charming villages, lush landscape and peaceful countryside. There is a collection of picturesque colonial villages, including Villa de Leyva; famous for its white buildings and pebbled streets. Other highlights of this district include: a visit to Lake Tota, Colombia's largest lake; a hike across Paramo de Oceta, known for a wide variety of alpine tundra; and a visit to El Cocuy National Park, which features imposing snow-capped peaks, glacier lakes and highland heathland. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Mongui; the most beautiful village in Bocaya.

Spreading down inland from its coastal capital of Cartagena, the Colombian department of Bolivar lies in the north of the country. In Magangue, take scenic ferry rides along the river, explore colonial architecture and learn about the art of gold filigree, before heading towards the historic Santa Cruz de Mompox; or explore the lush Botanical Gardens in Turbaco to meet parrots, frogs, and monkeys. In the capital, meander through thirteen kilometres of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, dance the night away on a party bus or learn to salsa at one of the many clubs, or while away the day sunbathing on gorgeous beaches or watching fishermen bring in their catch. See 280 species of birds at the Wildlife Sanctuary Los Colorados, or delve into Colombian heritage by visiting the house of Rafael Nunez, four-time president and composer of the national anthem.

The northern Andes, located in the heart of Colombia, has spectacular snow-capped mountains and lush rolling hills dotted with fertile farmland. This picturesque area has a rich history and culture and an incredible natural environment. Visitors can look forward to exploring the varied ecosystems in the Northern Ades, including the wet forests of Chocó, the Magdalena Medio rainforests, the upper peaks of the Paramillo and sea level mangroves. The incredible landscapes attract countless adventure sports enthusiasts, who come to this part of Colombia to hike, climb, raft and paraglide; and discover picturesque colonial villages with quaint cobbled streets and clay tile roofs.