A land of diverse landscapes, cultures, and attractions, the South American nation of Colombia is a tourist dream.

The only country in the region with two oceanic coastlines, Colombia offers visitors the opportunity to explore Caribbean beaches, tropical rainforests, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Colombia’s equatorial location allows for a biodiversity that few countries can match: from the sun-drenched Caribbean sands to the verdant hilltops carpeted with coffee in the Coffee Zone. Further uphill, you reach Bogotá, Colombia’s bustling capital and the third highest capital city in the world. A few thousand meters higher, you’ll find snow-capped peaks, high-altitude lakes, and the rare and unique vegetation of the páramos. The Andes then give way to the Llanos, a 550,000 km² strip of tropical grasslands shared with Venezuela, teeming with biodiversity.

In addition to its stunning terrain, the country is also home to ancient archaeological sites such as Ciudad Perdida, the ancient Tayrona capital, one of the most mysterious ancient cities on the continent, probably surpassed only by Machu Picchu.

It also boasts historic and charming cities where it seems as if time has not passed since the colonial era. Evidence of this is provided by the extraordinarily well-preserved old town of Cartagena, the well-preserved town of Barichara, the tranquil Mompós, and the captivating Villa de Leyva. Colombia’s landscapes, with beautiful and photogenic towns, are among the best-preserved on the continent.