Attractions of Colombia

Colombia's capital is set at an altitude of 2,600 metres and is a city of impressive colonial architecture, interesting museums and a vibrant cultural scene. The colonial part of the city is known as 'La Candelaria' and is characterised by colourful old buildings, some fine museums, restaurants and ‘chocolaterias’. Some of the most impressive historical structures are located around the vast Plaza de Bolivar including the Catedral Primada de Colombia, San Bartolome College, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal's Palace, the Congress Building and the Presidential Palace. The Gold Museum has a fine collection of pre-Hispanic handcrafted gold items. A cable car up to Mount Monserrate provides fantastic views of the city and is the site of a 17th century church and place of pilgrimage.

Villa de Leyva is a small town north of Bogota that has been exceptionally well preserved to make it one of Colombia's colonial treasures. Lying in the Andean foothills, the town of 4,000 people is characterised by cobblestone streets, whitewashed colonial buildings and handicraft shops. The town is centred around the Plaza Mayor, one of the largest town squares in Colombia, which includes the church and many fine museums. Close to Villa de Leyva lies the Muisca Observatory, El Infiernito, used in pre-Hispanic times by the native Muisca Indians as an astronomical observatory and a place of worship. The observatory comprises thirty cylindrical stone monoliths and was used to plan planting seasons and harvests.

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia and soon became one of the three most important Spanish ports in the West Indies along with La Habana and San Juan de Puerto Rico. It was used to export gold and silver from the mines in New Granada and Peru back to Europe and import goods and slaves - the only city along with Veracruz in Mexico authorised to trade in slaves. To protect the city from attack by pirates, a vast system of fortifications was developed in the 17th century which today surround the old city and constitute the most complete example of this type of military architecture in the New World. The historic attractions in the San Pedro quarter include the Church of Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Pedro Claver, in addition to the imposing Castle of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress and the Convent of La Popa, built on a hilltop overlooking the city. Elsewhere in town, the narrow streets have colonial buildings characterised by heavy wooden doors and balconies while Los Bovedas, previously a row of old dungeon cells, today house charming boutiques and tourist shops.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena

Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City, is located near Columbia's northern coast 40km south-east of Santa Marta. It is one of the largest pre-Hispanic cities discovered in the Americas, built by the Tayronas between the 11th and 14th centuries. The Tayronas were wiped out by the conquering Spaniards and the city disappeared underneath the jungle vegetation until it was rediscovered in 1975. There are about 150 stone terraces which were used as foundations for buildings which have been well preserved. Ciudad Perdida can only be reached on a 6 day round trip trek from El Mamey on organised tours from Santa Marta. At an altitude of up to 1,300 metres, the uphill trek can be tiring in the heat, in addition to the muddy paths, creeks to wade across and possibility of guerrilla activity in the area.

The Spanish colonial city of Santa Cruz de Mompox was founded in 1540 and was a key commercial centre and transport hub linking traffic and goods between the interior of Colombia and the port of Cartegena. The town is very well preserved with many of its buildings still used for their original purpose providing an excellent example of a Spanish colonial city of the period.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox

The National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro bears witness to a now vanished northern Andean society that existed in this region between the 6th and the 10th centuries. The site is notable for its hypogea, or underground burial chambers, up to 12 metres wide and decorated with motifs that reproduce the internal decor of homes of the period. There are also some remarkable stone statues of human figures carved from volcanic stone revealing a culturally wealthy and complex society.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: National Archeological Park of Tierradentro

Dating from the 1st to the 8th centuries, the group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in the San Agustín Archaeological Park is the largest of its kind in South America. The 300 or so sculptures depict gods, warriors and mythical beasts in abstract and realist styles. The site includes platforms, terraces, mounds and a temple-like architecture which reflects a complex system of religious beliefs.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: San Agustín Archeological Park