San Andrés, Bogotá y Cartagena

About the destination:

More than forty superb diving spots, some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and a deep blue sea that twinkles green and lilac in the sun. Throw smiling and generous people full of sabrosura into that mix, and these are just some of the charms of Providencia, Santa Catalina and San Andrés islands in the Colombian Caribbean.

Visitors delight in the crisp sea breeze, coconut-laden palms and white sandy beaches that frame the glorious sunsets on these paradise islands. The welcoming and carefree smiles of the islanders makes this the best place to spend a summer vacation.

San Andrés island sits 700km from the Colombian coast, a pearl in the ocean that combines the influence of Englishmen, Africans, Spaniards, pirates and corsairs in a culture full of sabrosura, that moves to the irresistible sound of reggae. It is the ideal place to dive, practice watersports and eco-tourism or just kick back and relax.

Excited visitors first spot San Andres’s famous sea of seven colors from the airplane before diving in to discover the colorful fish and corals. Following a morning on the beach, and an afternoon wandering the island’s fabulous duty free shopping, the night comes alive with music and dance, completing a perfect day in the ideal place to enjoy a Caribbean vacation.

Vacations in San Andrés are full of excitement and adventure. Visitors can explore a pirate’s cave, dive down to the coral reef or shop for fantastic bargains. They’ll certainly hear the islanders speaking in creole, a mixture of Elizabethan English, Spanish, and African dialects. They speak modern English and Spanish too.

The bringing together of diverse cultures that makes San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina so fascinating has left its mark on the islands’ music. Both night and day are brought to life by the beats of reggae, reggaeton, raga, soca, calypso, merengue, salsa and vallenato. All are the sounds of the land of sabrosura.

About the destination: Declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 1984, Cartagena de Indias is quite possibly one of South America's most beautiful city. Facing the Caribbean Sea to the west with Cartagena Bay to the south, the city is Colombia's top travel attraction. The city encapsulates all the charm of Spanish colonial architecture. The old town of Cartagena is immaculately preserved, with numerous beautiful plazas, churches and old buildings to marvel at. Walking down its picture-perfect streets is just a delight. Stroll along an enchanting maze of cobbled alleys and admire the Spanish colonial buildings including the Palace of the Inquisition, the Clock-Tower and the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas. Eating out is another form of entertainment in Cartagena, with countless choices of new and exotic flavours in its local and international restaurants. Cartagena offers all the enchantment of its history and it is considered one of the greatest cultural treasures in the Americas.

About the destination: Colombia's cosmopolitan capital city Bogotá, with a population about 8 million people, is located at an altitude of about 2640 m in the Andean Highlights. This gives it constant spring like weather. Bogotá is not only a getaway for travel throughout the country but also an interesting city to explore. It has an attractive old quarter, La Candelaria, ia a mixture of old and modern with beautiful old colonial buildings and palaces, bohemian cafés, art galleries and theatres and some excellent examples of modern, futuristic architecture. The city is known for its collection of pre-Columbian gold art, splendid colonial churches, great museums such as the superb Museo del Oro, considered one of South America's best museums. Bogotá offers visitors everything that a modern city can give, including a vibrant and diverse cultural life. El Centro is filled with shops, offices, cafés and a financial district. Most of the best hotels, restaurants, cafés, boutiques and nightclubs are located in Zona Norte. Day trips from Bogotá include a trip to Zipaquirá, where you will find the impressive underground cathedral built out of a salt mine. Another interesting place to visit is Monserrate, which offers a fantastic views over the city