Cartagena, on the Colombian coast of the Caribbean, served as the main administration center for the Spaniards during the colonial period. The colorful historic center with its 400 year old colonial houses is what inspired writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Bogota is the capital of Colombia and one of the largest cities in Latin America. The city’s cultural center is the cobblestone historic downtown La Candelabra. Most of Bogota’s attractions are in this area such as Plaza de Bolivar, the Gold Museum, and the Botero Museum. Monserrat Hill is also frequented by visitors for its panoramic views of the city.
Zipaquira is a town about 50km from Bogota and is a place of pilgrimage in Colombia. The town is made famous by its the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, which is an underground church built within the tunnels of the salt mine 200 meters underground. Many years before the main cathedral was built, the miners have already carved numerous sanctuaries and prayed for protection everyday before starting work.
Salento is a sleepy town in the northeast of Colombia. The peaceful town becomes filled with tourists on weekends and holidays, using it as a base to visit the nearby Valle de Cocora, as well as the coffee plantations in the region.
