HERE ARE 11 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE MAKING YOUR WAY DOWN TO "THE GATEWAY TO SOUTH AMERICA".
Colombia had always been high on our travel bucket list. But it wasn't until a perfect storm - Covid-19, time zone requirements, and cost of flights - made us finally book two one-way tickets and head down to the colorful country.
We showed up in Cartagena without doing much research or really having the slightest inkling of what Colombia would be like. Luckily, it only took us a couple of days to get in the swing of things and start to get an idea of what makes Colombia so unique and so special.
Below are 11 things to keep in mind when planning your own trip to Colombia, "the gateway to South America".
1 | The Weather Changes by Elevation, Not by Season
This was definitely something we had to get used to. For starters - and we 100% blame this on the USA school system - we thought because Colombia was so close to the equator that it would be dreadfully hot year-round. Turns out, that is very far from the truth.
The temperature and weather patterns are entirely dependent on where you are in the country, and more specifically, your elevation. For example, Bogota is downright cold (the hottest month is March at an average temperature of 58° F/14.5° C, while the coldest month is December at an average temperature of 54° F/12° C). But that is because Bogota sits at 8,660 feet or 2,640 meters above sea level (in fact, it is the third highest capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia and Quito, Ecuador).
But if you go down in elevation to a city like Medellin (4,905 feet or 1,495 meters) you will find the weather to be downright pleasant year-round (think mid-80s). Or if you are looking for very warm temperatures head all the way down to Cartagena, which sits along the Caribbean Coast. There you will experience very hot and humid weather (average temperature is 89° F or 32° C and 90%+ humidity).
EXPLORE MORE | THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO CARTAGENA
2 | The Country is Incredibly Biologically Rich
Now, this is something that really blew us away: Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world behind Brazil - a country 10x its size! As of 2016, over 55,000 species were registered in Colombia, of which almost 10,000 of them (or nearly 1/5) were endemic - meaning they are only found in Colombia.
While the country is ranked second in biodiversity overall, it ranks first in the number of orchids and birds, second in plants, amphibians, butterflies and freshwater fish, third in species of palm trees (including the world's tallest palm tree, the Wax Palm) and reptiles. It also holds the fourth position in the biodiversity of mammals.
One of the best ways to explore this biodiversity is by checking out one of the country's 59 national parks, which range from the high Andes to volcanoes, deserts and all the way to tropical coasts and coral reefs.
GOOD TO KNOW: Colombia is one of seventeen megadiverse countries in the world.
EXPLORE MORE | COLOMBIA'S 6 BEST NATIONAL PARKS
3 | There are A Ton of Adventures to Be Had
While the country has definitely become quite popular with international travelers in recent years - and digital nomads especially - there are still a ton of places to explore and adventures to be had off of the Gringo Trail.
WHAT IS THE GRINGO TRAIL
While it is not exactly a set “trail”, the common tourist circuit through Colombia usually involves the cities of Bogota (common to fly into), Medellin, Guatape (located right outside of Medellin), Cartagena, Tayrona NP/Santa Marta and if you have extra time, maybe Salento or Cali.
If you are like us though, you will likely be looking to head off the Gringo Trail, not only in order to save a few bucks but to have a better chance of having a real, authentic Colombian experience. And of course to do some incredible adventuring.
SOME GREAT PLACES TO EXPLORE INCLUDE
| Armenia/Filandia: these two cities are located very close to Salento but are a lot less busy. You also have the chance to explore Los Nevados National Park, one of the most insane places we have ever been, as well as the famous Cocora Valley, home to the world's tallest palm tree the Wax Palm.
| San Gil: a small city in the Andes mountains famous for its wide array of adventure sports (canyoneering, hiking, whitewater rafting, paragliding and rock climbing). Plus, you can also explore nearby Chicamocha Canyon and ride one of the longest cable cars in the world.
| Neiva: another small but very well-located town in southern Colombia that is full of outdoor adventures. One of the biggest draws of this city is the nearby Tatacoa Desert, the second largest arid zone in Colombia. The desert occupies more than 330 square kilometers and is renowned for its rich deposits of fossils.
EXPLORE MORE | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIKING IN COCORA VALLEY
🏥 TRAVEL INSURANCE
For adventurous digital nomads (including those looking to explore more off-the-beaten-path places), we highly recommend signing up and using SafetyWing for all your travel medical insurance needs (including COVID-19 coverage). And don’t worry, policies can still be purchased while already abroad.
4 | Riding Buses is a Must
If there is one easy and efficient way to get around Colombia it is by bus. Seriously, riding the buses - which range from luxury overnight buses to simple 12 seat mountain trundling metal boxes - is the quickest, cheapest and most straightforward way to get around the country.
Plus, the buses go practically everywhere - including small out-of-the-way villages and far-off mountain trailheads - and cost very little. The easiest way to catch a bus to your desired destination is to head down to the town bus terminal, which can be massive in larger cities (Cartagena, Medellin) or just a one room shack (like in Salento). The bus terminals are usually marked on Google Maps or Maps.me, or if they are not, just ask the locals.
