Colombia - Highlights
Bogotá is Colombia's cultural powerhouse, centred around the National Museum and Gold Museum. The work of artist Fernando Botero, famed for his "fat people", is well represented in his native Medellin.
A visit to Bogotá's Gold Museum ( Museo del Oro) climaxes in a vault housing a breathtaking display with thousands of pieces of shimmering pre-Columbian gold. The National Museum has an inspirational collection of modern Colombian paintings, while Medellin's Museo de Antioquia is home to the largest collection of Fernando Botero artworks in the country.
Cartagena, with its fortified, walled old town and cool breeze blowing in off the Caribbean is a UNESCO world heritage site, as is San Augustín, home to a large group of mysterious megalithic sculptures. The Parque Tayrona national park has 35km of unspoilt, jungle coastline and palm-fringed, white sand beaches.
The Parque Nacional del Café theme park offers a fascinating coffee exhibition, nature walks and rides, while Panaca Agricultural Theme Park is home to abundant flora and fauna. Soak up the sun on Parque Tayrona's pristine beaches or picnic in the Valle de Cocora beneath towering palmas de cera, Colombia's national tree.
Visit Bogotá's Gold Museum on Sunday when admission is free. On Sunday mornings, a cycle route, known as the ciclovia, sees an extensive network of Bogotá roads taken over by cyclists and pedestrians and is a pleasant way to see the city and check out its inhabitants.
Get yourself in the party mood with Whenever, Whatever by Shakira, start to throw a few moves to La Camisa Negra by Juanes and surrender to the intoxicating salsa rhythms of La Noche by Joe Arroyo.
