Sí sí señores, I do have a Colombian stamp in my passport; however, my knowledge is based on a little over a week where I celebrated my 40th birthday hiking to the Ciudad Perdida (Colombia's version of Machu Picchu). So in order to provide you with the best of adventure travel advice for Colombia, I called up a peer adventurer, Thomas Espuete.
Give it up for Thomas and his post, Colombia and the Four Elements!
Traveling is a fantastic opportunity to add extra seasonings to your daily life. Time seems to be slower because your brain is recording new experiences, you receive many doses of Dopamine as rewards, and you get new stories to tell for the next family dinner.
I found that the easiest way to get these spicy sensations was to regularly change your environment.
And with 2 coastlines, more than 50 protected areas, 10% of all the species on earth, and the Ande mountains, Colombia is a perfect playground for your next adventure.
Let's find out 4 different environments. I'm sure you will enjoy.
Diving in Capurgana
Did you know Colombia is one of the cheapest places on earth to dive? And you can do it from a little paradise on the Caribbean Coast near the border with Panama.
The lush vegetation of the Darien Gap surrounds Capurgana. To arrive there, you have to take a 2 hours boat from Necocli or fly from Medellin. In this little town, where everyone knows everyone, life goes on without paying attention to the rest of the country.
For less than 150$, you can dive 4 times at Dive and Green (An official PADI Diver Center). And go for a coco loco cocktail on the beach, a good book in a hammock or a walk in the jungle when you’re not underwater.
Tips: Water visibility is better from April to September.
Hiking in Cocora Valley
Colombia is well-known to host the highest wax palm trees in the world. The trunks are so thin compared to their size (up to 60m high) that I wonder how they can resist the wind.
From Medellin, take a 6 hours bus to Salento. It's a colorful colonial town in the coffee region where Willys (jeeps) leave every day.
The Cocora Hike gives you the opportunity to wander 4-5 hours in a green universe, between giant trees, colorful hummingbirds, and monkey bridges.
And it only costs 3$ (Colibri house entrance included)
Paragliding above Chicamocha Canyon
San Gil is THE place to be if you're looking for extreme sensation. Between rafting on the Suarez river, bungee jumping and paragliding above the famous Chicamocha Canyon (third deepest in the world), there are activities for every taste.
I've done the paragliding twice, and the view above the canyon is jaw-dropping. Price is around 60$ for 30 min/flight (Transport included)
San Gil is between Cartagena and Bogota. It's a perfect stop if you plan to travel by bus in Colombia. Or you can fly to Bucaramanga (2 hours away from San Gil).
Contemplating the desert of La Guajira
La Guajira is the largest desert of Colombia. This unfriendly environment belongs to the Wayuus, an indigenous tribe that has never been conquered by the Spanish conquistadors.
From Uribia, you can travel to Cabo De La Vela. The city, in the middle of the desert, is famous for its perfect kitesurf conditions. And it also the starting point to discover Punta Gallinas, the northernmost point of Colombia.
The contrast between the colors, the unique landscapes, and the quietness of the desert gives you the impression to be lost on another planet.
You can book a tour to Punta Gallinas from Santa Marta, Rioacha, Uribia and Cabo de la Vela (Cheapest). Prices are from 50 to 250 $ - It depends on where you start the tour.
**Post contributed by adventurer, Thomas Espeute. During his globetrotting trip, Thomas fell head over heels for Colombia and quickly realized that a lot of the information about the country is either missing or not quite accurate for us travelers. Thomas then started his epic blog, Tomplanmytrip to help all travelers to discover the secrets of Colombia.**
