25 Photos That Will Inspire You To Book a Flight To Colombia
I met Valentina, a Palenquera, in the Old Town of Cartagena. Palenqueras are colorfully-dressed Afro Colombianas who sell fruits around CartagenaNowadays, Colombia is not quite like the show, Narcos, portrays it. It is a “country that is rising from the ashes,” according to a long-time expat I met in Cali. It certainly is – tourists from around the world have flocked to Colombia in recent years. This is largely due to the end of a 52-year civil war that devastated the country. Although poverty is still high, things are looking up for Colombia. Now is the perfect time to visit this vibrant country with tremendous natural beauty! I’ve compiled 25 photos that will inspire you to visit Colombia.
There are so many bucket list destinations in Colombia, but I only had a week to explore. I went to Cartagena and Cali – two cities that showcase Colombia’s diverse cultures, lifestyles, and landscapes. Cartagena is a mesmerizingly colorful city with Spanish-style architecture. It is on the northern coast of Colombia and surrounded by islands. Cali, on the other hand, is a small, sleepy city in the south, with a landscape of rolling hills, lush greenery, and sugar cane stumps. It is a perfect escape for nature lovers!
Related: How to spend 48 hours in Havana, Cuba
The best way to travel around Colombia is to fly. There are well-run airports and daily flights that connect the country’s major cities. You can also take a long-distance bus, but you may be on the road for a couple of hours. For shorter distances, you can normally just walk. Cartagena is a walkable city due to its narrow streets and enclosed Old Town. Cali is a hilly city so I got around with a taxi. Without further ado, here are 25 photos that will show you the amazingness of Colombia.
You may also like: How To Survive the El Totumo Mud Volcano in Cartagena
Let the inspiration begin…
Cali, a city in southern Colombia, has an otherworldly beauty. It is surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery
Cali is a great place to unwind and reflect. The hilly Valle de Cauca area are quiet and calming.
The people of Cali are the best thing about the city. Here I am with Yaneth, a woman who runs a nonprofit that tests low-income people for HIV. She cooks some amazing coconut stew and rice, too!
There are mangroves on the coast of Cartagena in an area called La Boquilla. Locals offer canoe tours of the natural surroundings daily.
After touring the mangroves, you can also learn about tricks for fishing from the fisherman in the area.
The El Totomu Volcano is a popular attraction in Cartagena, but it is not for the faint of heart. After climbing up the steep stairs to the top, you undress and go for a mud bath. It’s an experience like no other.
It’s hard to fully describe the experience of being in the mud bath. It felt lumpy and thick, yet cool and soft on the skin. Also, there are men inside who can give you a full body massage.WARNING:
If you choose to go for a mud bath, be sure you’re in tip-top shape and make sure to drink LOTS of water before! The heat was so unbearable that I passed out for a few minutes. Luckily, I felt fine after drinking water and taking a nap. Don’t make the same mistake I did!
Read my post, How To Survive Your Visit To El Totumo Volcano for the complete story and tips for visiting
The children of Cartagena are so adorable and curious!
It’s the tropics so, of course, one has to indulge in some fresh coconut juice.
Plaintains, rice, and seafood are some of the staple dishes in Colombia. They also have Arepas that you must try!
Isla Baru is one of the islands of Cartagena. It is a great spot to relax and play some volleyball
Esther is probably the most famous Palenquera in Cartagena. If you google Palenquera, her picture comes up plenty of times. She’s also all over social media. Sweet and savvy lady.
Admiring the gorgeous views of Cali from my Airbnb in Valle de Cauca
Another shot of me and Valentina. She really liked taking photos
Palenqueras having a chat in Old Town Cartagena. The image of the Palenquera has become the symbol of Cartagena.
Two words: tropical fruits. You can’t visit Colombia without trying at least a couple of these. I definitely recommend you try lulu, which is like a really sweet kiwi minus the hair
Hanging out outside a market in Cali. The markets are a great alternative to traditional restaurants. The food is super cheap and delicious!
An aerial view of Cali from the Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Statue
The Cristo Rey statue overlooks the city of Cali. It provides a good vantage point to get a 360 view of the city.
Just an ordinary street in Cali on a normal day
Old Town Cartagena is home to narrow streets and colorful colonial buildings
A statue of a woman at the center of a square in Old Town Cartagena
Being in a natural environment, Cali is home to many relaxing spas. They are also very cheap!
This is Colombian dragon fruit, one of the many types of tropical fruits in the country
Recommended travel resources
Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI Device
With portable WiFi, you can say goodbye to ridiculous roaming charges and SIM cards for good. I’ve been using the Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI device, called a Teppy, for a while and love the peace of mind it gives me. The Teppy provides 3G-4G WiFi for at least 6 hours and works in 100+ countries. In my experience, it lasts 9 hours. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. I even filmed a Facebook Live from a boat in the Atlantic Ocean using my Teppy. I can also use Google Maps, request an Uber, call my mom, and do tons of other things I couldn’t do before. A quick tip: turn off the device when you’re not using it so that the battery can last longer. Check out my complete review of Tep Wireless. Then use code SOMTOSEEKS to get 10% off your order.
Cabin Zero 36L Backpack
The Cabin Zero 36 L Carry-On backpack is my go-to travel bag. I almost never check in luggage so I need a carry-on bag that is spacious, sturdy, and comfortable. The Cabin Zero 36 L fits the bill, and I’ve been using the same one for almost two years. It’s great for long trips and also comes with a tracker in case it gets lost. Check out my complete review of the Cabin Zero 36L backpack.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner.com is my go-to website to search for flights. It’s hard to beat the prices! I’ve snagged a $24 direct flight to Milan, a $30 flight to Berlin, a $400 roundtrip ticket to Colombia, and a $500 roundtrip ticket to Japan. I’ve been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. I check the website along with the Hopper app to determine the best time to buy tickets.
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Somto Ugwueze
Hi! I'm Somto. Two years ago, I stopped making excuses, ditched my indecisive friends, and started booking flights. Today, I'm a full-time solo traveler on a mission to inspire young women to seek new adventures.
I love this! So sorry you passed out, but a mud bath sounds like it might be on my list!
Thanks Erin! Go for it! It’s a cool experience.