Colombia – The Paradise of South America

After the dark decades of civil issues of drugs and violence, Colombia has positively come out of those inhuman activities reinstating itself as among the favorite destinations of South America. Drugs still hold, but the violence is completely out ensuring safety and peace. In its bad times, people said, ‘if there was no violence and drugs, Colombia is quite fascinating to be a paradise.’

Like any other holiday destination, here too, you can find sights such as modern skyscraping buildings, nightclubs, beautiful beaches, jungle walks, colonial cities, historic ruins, mountain trekking, scuba diving, and with more and more to the big plans. Some of its specific offers include Amazon safaris whale watching, and coffee plantations. The spirit of the nation is alive resides in the mountains of the alpine cities such as Bogota and in the small cities of the Zona Cafetera.

No wonder where you go, you will always feel like coming back here once again.

Colombia South America Tourist Attractions

Bogota

Bogota is the capital seeming as the Latin America’s urban city. Tight protection, infrastructure projects, and cleanliness drive are giving a new look to the city. The main destination from where you can go anywhere in the country, the city keeps you engaging within it for days due to ideal churches, worth visiting museums, green parks, high peaks, and cultural programs.

• Atlantis Plaza:
  This is the beautiful plaza offering the contemporary cinema complex.

• Camarin del Carmen:
  Located to the south of Palacio de San Carlos, this is a superb colonial building that was once a Carmelite convent. Currently, it is a cultural center holding 500-seat auditorium that has theater, cinema, and other shows.
• Capilla del Sagrario:
  Also known as the Sagrario Chapel, this chapel was built in the second half of the 17th century. Here, you can see its well-maintained mannerist-baroque façade exhibiting the best of arquitectura santafereña. In addition, the chapel has a Mudejar vault and six big paintings by Gregorio Vásquez.
• Capitolio Nacional:
  Located on the south of the Plaza de Bolivar, this is a stone building of neoclassical style marking the seat of Congress. Its construction started in 1847 A.D., but was not over until 1926 A.D. because of many political uprisings.

• Casa de Nariño:
  Located beyond the Capitolio Nacional, this is a neoclassical building seeming to be a palace that was made at the advent of the 20th century. Formerly, this was the official residence of presidents since 1908 A.D. However, in 1948 A.D., it was damaged soon after the murder of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán. Later, it was restored in 1979 A.D.
• Catedral Primada:
  This is a monument marking the location of the first mass after the city’s foundation in 1538 A.D. Initially, the church was a small thatched building after which on 1556-65, it was made into an extensive building that crumbled down soon. In 1572, the church witnessed its third construction that too was damaged by the earthquake of 1785. Today, what you see is the construction of 1807 to 1823.
• Cerro de Monserrate:
  This is a worth visiting place where you need to catch a teleférico (cable car) or funicular until the top of Cerro de Monserrate at 3160 m. This is the mountain that dominates the city center and provides you with spectacular views. On its peak, a statue of the Señor Caído (Fallen Christ) that has many miracles associated with pulls many locals fro pilgrimage on Sunday early morning.

• Donación Botero:
  Here, you will find some beautiful works of the famous artist Fernando Botero whose gave away his 123 works – paintings, drawings, and sculptures. In addition, you can also glance at the works of international artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Miro, Dali, Renoir, Matisse, and Monet.
• Edificio Lievano:
  Covering the complete west of Plaza de Bolívar, this is the French-style home of the Alcaldía (mayor’s office) made between 1902 and 1905.

• Iglesia de La Concepción:
  This is the second most ancient church after San Francisco in the city. Highlight here is the remarkable Mudejar vault brought from Seville.
• Iglesia De La Veracruz:
  Due to the burial land of many heroes of independence, this church is called the National Pantheon.
• Iglesia de San Diego:
  This is a beautiful white church belonging to a Franciscan monastery in the 17th century.
• Iglesia De San Francisco:
  This is the most ancient church of the city whose construction was completed in 1556 A.D. Simple form outside; its interior is on the contrary intricately adorned. The main attractions here are the remarkable 17th century gilded main altarpiece, which is the largest one in the city, the Mudejar decoration of the ceiling, and altarpieces. This religious place is always crowded by the devotees.

• Iglesia De San Ignacio:
  Once the largest church during the time of Jesuits and the most beautiful one, this church is now among the lavishly ornamented ones that offers beautiful artwork including colonial paintings.
• Iglesia de Santa Clara:
  This is an impressive colonial church now represented as a museum. Built between 1629 and 1674 belonging to the Poor Clares Convent, the church is a single-nave building crowned with a barrel vault with motifs. Paintings, statues of saints, and altarpieces of 17th and 18th centuries adorn the walls.
• Iglesia del Carmen:
  This church was opened in 1938 and is the best example of an imposing architecture. Highlights here are the stained-glass windows and a mosaic of the Virgen del Carmen.

• Iglesia La Tercera:
  This is worth visiting for its superb stone facade and altarpieces of walnut and cedar.
• Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis:
  These are botanical gardens with varied national flora belonging to different climate zones found in gardens and greenhouses. To come here, catch a bus that goes to the airport.
• Mirador Torre Colpatria:
  This is 162 m towering skyscraper of 48 storeys whose atop offers you a bird’s-eye view of the city and a complete look in all directions. Its construction was completed in 1979 A.D.

• Museo Arqueológico:
  This is an Archaeological Museum that offers you a huge collection of pottery belonging to the major pre-Columbian sect of the nation. This shows the skill of highly talented ability of art found in local Indian cultures. This museum is in the Casa del Marqués de San Jorge that is a wonderful 17th century rejuvenated mansion exhibiting the good example of local colonial architecture, arquitectura santafereña.
• Museo de Arte Colonial:
  Opened in 1942 in a grand 17th century building once a Jesuit college, the museum exhibits paintings, sculptings, furniture, silverware, books, and documents belonging to the colonial era.
• Museo De Arte Moderno:
  Inaugurated in the 1980s and sitting in a contemporary airy building, this museum lays emphasis on different visual arts ranging from painting to photography that belongs to the period from the 20th century until date. This museum holds temporary exhibitions on display wherein all rooms frequently keep exhibitions of various national and foreign artists.

• Museo de Trajes Regionales:
  Here, you can explore the wardrobes of various areas of the nation.
• Museo del 20 de Julio:
  This is the Museum of Independence located in a colonial house also known as the Casa del Florero. Located on the corner of Plaza de Bolívar, this spot marks the event of July 20, 1810 when the Creole revolted against the Spanish rule. In this remembrance, you can glance through a memorabilia including documents, paintings, and personal objects along with a milestone of independence.

Best Time to Visit Colombia

December, March, July, and August

Colombia Accommodation

• Casa Platypus – $40
• Hotel El Virrey – $58
• Hotel Estelar Suites Jones – $108
• RoyalPark Metrotel – $110