Attractions of Colombia

Manizales is a major centre of coffee production in Columbia and is surrounded 'Eje Cafetera', or Coffee Country, a region of lush green valleys and coffee plantations producing Colombia's main export. Here it's possible to visit a local plantation to learn about the cultivation, collection and threshing processes, stay on a local finca (or ranch) and experience this key part of Colombian culture amidst beautiful scenery.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia

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

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

Los Katios National Park is located in north-western Colombia near the border with Panama and is an area of exceptional biodiversity with many endemic plants, over 450 species of bird and 550 vertebrate species. Covering 720 km², the park comprises two sections - the mountains of the Serrania del Darien in the west covered by tropical rainforest and the floodplains and swamp forests of the Atrato River in the east.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Los Katíos National Park

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

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is located 500km off Colombia's eastern coast and includes Malepo Island and the surrounding marine environment. This undisturbed environment provides a critical habitat for endangered marine species including short-nosed ragged-toothed sharks, hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, whale sharks, giant grouper and billfish. The dramatic underwater rock formations and the diversity of species make this one of the top diving sites in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary