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You can use ground or air transportation. You can visit the website of some airlines like Avianca, Lan, Viva Colombia, or discover the terrestrial terminals that are located in different parts of our country.
Investment levels vary annually in a positive manner due to trade agreements with the countries, business wounds, etc. In the Invest in Colombia website, you can extend this information.
We have a wide portfolio of sectors that might interest you. Visit ProColombia and find out everything you need to export colombian products.
No. Our climate depends on therman floors, which vary according to the position of each of our cities. So when you travel the country, you can find temperatures higher than 30°C or even temperaturas below 0°C.
Of course! Our country has strived to end the security problems it has been presenting for several years. The current peace process and the tourism figures that increase year by year attest to a remarkable improvement.
There are some countries that require a visa to enter Colombia, most of which are Asian and African countries. Get to know them in detail here.
You must know certain requirements and you must have lived a certain time in Colombia, which may vary according to your country of origin. Visit the Website of the Chancellery and learn about all the requirements.
You can approach the Colombian embassy in your country or the consular office. There they will indicate the documents that you need for this procedure and will give you the orientation you are looking for. If you do not know where these entities are located, the Chancery Website will help you find them.
Colombian health and medical institutions enjoy worldwide prestige and recognition. If you are interested on having access to their services, get the information you need in our website and find the advice you are looking for you medical tourism trip.
In the moment someone enters Colombia, no vaccines are required, but depending on the destinations inside the country there may be some recommendations.
The cultural richness and biodiversity guarantee that the 365 days of the year will be full of parties, fairs and events in any corner of the country. To know what to do in each of the main cities you can visit the tourism websites of Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Cartagena.
The official language in Colombia is Spanish. However, thanks to our ethnic diversity, we also have 65 indigenous languages, two are original from Africa and the Rom Language of the gypsies.
Each Colombian city has something different to offer. Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena, for example, are some of the cities that receive the biggest amount of tourists each year. Visit us and discover the reason why they all stand out in the country, the region and the whole world.
The GDP of 2015 was 3,1%. Some of the country’s most important economic sectors have positively influenced their annual growth. Know your current status on the DANE Website.
The Colombian peso or COP. The entity in charge of its control is the Bank of the Republic and in its Website you can find the different currencies and bills that are circulating at the moment.
Colombia’s geographical location allows you to reach it through land, sea and air. Our ports, airports and terminals are strategically located for the convenience of those who visit us. Visit www.colombia.travel for more information to plan your trip.
Have you ever stopped to think about the greatness of the world around us?
Have you ever stopped to think about the greatness of the world around us? This can certainly be found in Colombian beauty: in its landscapes and in their communities, as each place here offers unique experiences. To be part of, to admire, and to experience the diversity of our nature and culture is a gift to treasure, so it’s up to us to recognize, empower, and take care of it.
This country we wish to introduce you to isn’t just one of the most beautiful in the world, but it also stands out thanks to its warm, friendly people a hidden charm that takes us beyond beauty and that reflects the way cultural and historical differences give life its color and flavor.
Hence, let us delve into the Contemplation, Comprehension Conservation guide, as we explore what makes Colombia one of the most magical places on earth. We believe that this is an essential tool to learn how to explore one of the most biodiverse nations on the planet. Keep reading and discover more about what Colombia, the country of beauty, has to offer.
Colombia benefits greatly from its geographic and climatic diversity, resulting in numerous ecosystems where cultures and natural species coexist. Let us show you just a glimpse that’ll inspire you to begin exploring.
Water is an essential part of life and Colombia has the privilege of counting on this variety of alpine tundra ecosystem. Paramos (or Andean moors) stores roughly 80% of the water in the country, and it's from them that most of the nation’s rivers are born.
At least 50% of the world’s paramos are in Colombia and house a plethora of endemic flora and fauna, such as the guardian of this ecosystem: the spectacled bear. The biggest paramo in the world is Sumapaz and it's located near Bogotá, the capital of the country.
A visit to a paramo can be a unique and fascinating experience. As protected areas, it’s important to follow regulations and respect the natural environment during your visit. Here are a few of the most prominent paramos to explore in Colombia:
Colombia’s beaches are the best representation of the union between land and sea. These are the ideal destination for those seeking to rest in the middle of crystal-like water and white sand.
The country is fortunate enough to be bathed by two major bodies of water: the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Besides, Colombia has beautiful islands, such as San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina.
On one hand these ecosystems are key to tourism and economic development, on the other they are home to several protected natural worlds filled with endemic and migratory species.
Colombia's beaches are the preferred destination for both foreigners and locals seeking relaxation, cultural diversity, and engagement in various recreational and sporting activities. Blessed with coasts bathed in different shores, it’s crucial to respect protected areas and conserve coastal life. Here are a few beaches you can enjoy:
Places like the Colombian Amazon and the Chocó department in the Colombian Pacific bear witness to the extraordinary richness of flora and fauna housed within the country's jungles and forests. This vital ecosystem, deemed an essential lung for human life, accounts for at least 15% of Colombia's forest areas. Tropical rainforests are filled with wildlife while also acting as water and air purifiers.
The ancestral heritage of these spaces endures today, thanks to indigenous communities and Afro-Colombian populations who safeguard and harness the resources provided by nature. It's crucial not to leave permanent traces in these ecosystems and to grasp that our visit should have minimal impact as we revel in the beauty of the jungle and rainforests.
Both the Amazon and Chocó regions have several breathtaking places to visit. Here are some recommendations:
In the Amazon:
In Chocó:
Colombia is rich in cultural heritage with colonial cities, archaeological sites, and ethnic populations (Indigenous, Afro-Colombians, Raizales, and Rom) that render each part of the territory unique.
The country's geographical and climatic variety has allowed for a singular diversity in each region, all characterized by both distinction and unity. Around 65 indigenous languages are spoken in Colombia, over 1,025 rhythms exist, and 12 products bear a protected origin seal. Every year, hundreds of fairs and festivities celebrate the country's culture and traditions.
The guide Contemplation, Comprehension and Conservation is an invitation we extend to you to travel, marvel at Colombia's attractions, and commit to protecting them. By embracing environmentally friendly practices and respecting local cultures, you contribute to preserving Colombia's natural and cultural legacy for future generations.
When you explore Colombia and revel in all that the country offers, you're discovering 59 national natural parks; experiencing diverse climatic zones; being captivated by beaches, forests, jungles, and other ecosystems; and immersing yourself in cultures with a unique charm. Come and discover Colombia, the country of beauty.
If you’re reading this, you’ve surely either been here already or are hoping to visit one day.
Maybe you even grew up here, in a country that doesn’t need any filters or special lighting to shine for what it is – that very same country that dazzles and fascinates you every single day. We know that, being back and just admiring the mountainous backdrop to the city, or letting the way the waves caress the sand soothe you makes you realize that life in Colombia is utterly marvelous, and nothing could ever replace it.
You’ve looked around and felt like the land and the people you’re a part of are unique and unrepeatable, that they, like you, have made the ground you all share beneath your feet part of a paradise like no other.
And if you didn’t grow up here, you’re certainly planning your visit now – be it the first or one of many – to the country that everyone’s talking about. The one where music manifests itself in over a thousand rhythms that accompany myriad birdsongs above, the one where culture and history permeate and embolden everything we do. Here, you’ll find us in every dish we cook with love, in every delicately made handcraft, in everything that reflects how we wield our past and enjoy the present to build a bright future.
Just as we wove paths and carved furrows, caña flecha our trusty ally below the tropical sun, we crafted butterflies and other figures in gold and silver threads, developing the famous filigree of one of the most magical towns in the country: Mompox. These forms of artistic expression go well beyond recent memory and are reminiscent of the gold pieces and monoliths created by ancient cultures such as the Muisca and San Agustín peoples.
Each word holds up a mirror we can see ourselves in. In some places you’ll be greeted with a warm “¡quiubo, pues!” and in others with an amicable “¡ole, mano!”, or perhaps with an “ajaa” or a “¿ma’wçxaga?” – the latter two, words unique to this land. The former is a “hello” that comes deep from our soul, from the time before the world knew us as Colombia, from the sacred Wayúu site that is the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The latter comes from the Nasa people and their home in the Colombian Massif, reminding us of our origins and infinite ancestry. Here, a simple "how are you?" can span eras, cultures, and sensibilities – perhaps as many as peoples and cultures have made Colombia their home.
This is the beauty we inhabit: the beauty of rivers whose waters resemble flowing rainbows and that we care for and preserve every day as the world heritage they are the beauty of the sprawling rainforests and moors that let the world breathe and that we lovingly protect together. This is the beauty we can all feel, one that inspires those born here and those who one day fell in love with this land alike. It’s Colombia, the country of beauty.
That’s exactly what we’re here to tell you all about: the beauty that needs no filters nor Photoshop, and that’ll never be done justice by a cellphone screen, because it needs to be lived and enjoyed in all its splendor. We’re talking of those beautiful destinations brimming with history that await you, of the currulaos and marimbas that rumble in the Pacific, and of the stories told by well-sung vallenatos accompanied by unbridled accordions.
This is our beauty: one that goes beyond Tik Tok trends or mere “instagrammable” spots. A beauty that reminds us every day who we are and why. One that speaks to Colombian souls and greets in nearly seventy different languages all foreigners who, once in our country, already feel like siblings to us.
The talent of our people is what drives the development of the entire country, for, no matter what challenges we may face, we do so with that incomparable "berraquera gene" of ours. Our beauty changes every day, because we find new ways of interpreting it, of admiring it, and we embrace them forward thinkingly. So, this is our invitation: come visit (and maybe never leave?) and bear witness to what it means to live in Colombia, the country of beauty.
The Sound of Music: Traditional Colombian instruments
Ancestral mountains: a journey through the coffee of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Discover the Colombian Massif and its riches
Colombia is a country of open doors, both for businesses from all over the world who have an interest in growing with us, as well as for Colombian ones who wish to position the unique seal of national goods and services across the global market.
The beauty of Colombia begins with said doors, which are wide open for those who seek to discover the value of Colombian talent and dive into a dynamic economy that is committed to sustainable development. The national industry is constantly transforming in order to provide the absolute best the human and natural wealth of our country has to offer, thus creating new opportunities for those who seek to do business with us and join in on this transformation. Here are 5 of the aforementioned opportunities to do business that stand out at a national level.
The country is bathed by two oceans and mighty rivers that cover a huge part of its territory, which is in turn made up of regions that receive continuous, powerful sunlight throughout the year and enjoy strong wind currents that course through its three mountain ranges to also reach its plains and rainforests. These geographic conditions are themselves a great opportunity for the sustainable development sought in terms of energy transition in Colombia, which is supported by all sectors of society, not only out of a desire to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, but also because of the country's great potential to become one of the main producers of renewable energy and green hydrogen worldwide. The country has been able to wield the opportunities offered by the beauty of its geography and has therefore advanced in policies that promote sustainable investments and facilitate the development of businesses in Colombia related to these matters.
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, which has allowed for the massive development of its agricultural industries. Although the country is famous for the quality of its coffee, it also stands out for the production of exotic fruits, such as goldenberry and gulupa, which can only be cultivated in certain territories and with careful processes. This industry’s development has turned it into a massive business opportunity and has allowed products such as Colombian cocoa to gain recognition as some of the best in the world, rendering it highly sought-after in the most sophisticated markets. All of this is boosted by talented and driven Colombian farmers – people who have dedicated their lives to caring for and understanding the land that yields fruits that, with their flavors, colors and textures, greatly embody the beauty of Colombian biodiversity.
People are what make Colombia a nation brimming with beauty and opportunities. None of the goods or services offered by the country could’ve reached the global market without the powerful history behind them. Colombians are that history – they’re the hidden beauty that renders goods and services of Colombian origin truly unique anywhere. Colombian talent has turned national industries into global hard hitters. Creative minds that power the country have managed to position its music, web development, and fashion, among lots of other industries, quite highly in the world stage. Working with this kind of talent is a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to boost their business both in and beyond the country, confident that they’re in the hands of committed, qualified professionals who pour their skill and hard work into fostering progress for all.
The Colombian economy is one of the largest in the region. Its domestic market of over 50 million people includes a mostly young population and has developed 5 main business centers located in cities with more than one million inhabitants, such as Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Cali. This thriving population is in part driven by the country's strategic location right in the heart of the Americas, where Colombia acts as a gateway to South America and a bridge between the hemisphere’s countries. Thanks to this, the national economy has achieved more than half a century of continuous growth, which has in turn allowed it to stand firm in the face of new global challenges and become an opportunity hub for any executive seeking a stable and growing market for their businesses.
Every year, national investment and exports figures break the country’s historic records. News of multinational companies interested in entering Colombia is now routine and new business opportunities become available month after month. This has been boosted by Colombia's trade agreements with more than 60 countries, which allow it to reach approximately 1.5 billion consumers around the world. In addition, incentive policies and agreements put in place by the governing authorities render investment and business development profitable and easy. The opportunities the country poses are wide and diverse. Colombia's intention is to allow anyone to find its beauty in its growth and its business ecosystem for investments and exports. The business fabric has been developed so that various sectors of the national and global economy have a clear path to success within the country.
These are just 5 of thousands upon thousands of opportunities that Colombia has in store for those who wish to grow with a beautiful and sustainable country. Beyond its geography, its biodiversity and policies make Colombia a great, appealing country, with wide international recognition. This is a nation inhabited by people that infuse their talent, diversity, and history into everything they do. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and discover here what makes Colombia the country of beauty.
This is Colombia, the country of beauty Contemplation, Comprehension and Conservation: Discovering and Protecting Colombia, the Land of Beauty Why invest in Colombia
From the tropical beaches of the Greater Colombian Caribbean to the snow-capped mountains of the Western Colombian Andes, there's something for everyone here. Discover history and culture.
Few are the trips that really make us find ourselves. Those in which getting on a plane and landing in an unknown destination becomes, from the first step we take, an unexpected adventure, one in which every experience we live transforms us: every contact with nature, every new friend we make along the way, every moment we save in a photo and every new flavor we taste. Colombia, a country where 6 different regions invite us to a dance of cultures, flavors, music and history, is undoubtedly the ideal destination to have one of those trips. And before we invite you to imagine it, we want you to live it in Finding Encanto, a web series in which you’ll travel hand in hand with 6 travelers, and experience with them their 6 quests throughout Colombia as they discover what the true charm of our country really is.
A plane ticket, a personal quest and an adventure waiting to be lived. That is the premise of a journey that will change the lives of 6 travelers who travel to Colombia with one question in mind: "what, in fact, is 'encanto'?" They’ll find the answer by exploring the musical tradition of the Greater Colombian Caribbean, the ancestral flavors of the Colombian Pacific, the incredible nature of the Colombian Amazon-Orinoco, the art-filled streets of the Western Colombian Andes, the infinite paths to explore the Eastern Colombian Andes, and the mysticism that embraces the Colombian Massif.
These are 6 stories in which you’ll discover there are many destinations to visit in Colombia that are far from common, as you travel through them hand in hand with a photographer, a chef, a muralist, a DJ, a sportswoman and a writer who, as you’ll realize as they guide you on their adventure, are as incredible as the destinations you’ll discover episode after episode.
From the pages of magazines like National Geographic to the mind-blowing Colombian Amazon-Orinoco, Andy's journey becomes a quest for the pic of a lifetime. This North American nature and adventure photographer held nothing back as he delved deeper and deeper into our biodiversity and culture. With or without rain, on horseback, by Jeep and with his boots on, Andy saw exotic animals with his own eyes, from the capybara, which by the way is his "spirit animal", to several species of birds and the elusive anteater. But, in addition to the natural wealth of our country, he also had the opportunity to experience llanero culture, meet true Colombian cowboys, a cowgirl who taught him what it means to live in el llano, and then, with capachos (the traditional maracas of the region) in hand, he lost his fear of dancing and ventured to feel the rhythm of llanero music.
The murals of this Mexican artist bear testimony to her talent and her heritage, from the walls in her colorful and native Mexico, to walls and streets that she’s filled with color and history in Europe, North America, and Latin America. This time, Adry seeks to leave a testimony of her first trip to Colombia in one of the most emblematic landmarks of the Western Colombian Andes: Medellín’s famous Comuna 13, a neighborhood and a community that, through each pigment, reflects a history of social and cultural transformation through art. For Adry, the trip was a journey through tradition and modernity, coffee plantations, and the aroma of fresh brews, which allowed her to learn about the process, from bean to cup, of our flagship beverage. But, in addition to tasting coffee, she discovered Santa Fe de Antioquia, one of the most beautiful colonial towns of the region, and strolled streets full of history, to later venture into one of the oldest traditions of Carmen de Viboral by creating her own pottery and ceramic handcrafts. She then returned to Medellín and met the person who would inspire the mural that now adorns la Comuna 13.
A world-famous award-winning chef from Ghana travels to the Colombian Pacific to create a full menu with 5 different dishes. But along the way, and with each ingredient, she discovers the close connection that exists between Africa and Colombia: how the herbs that grow in her garden also grow in ours, and how each bite makes up a strand of the invisible thread that unites us. Selassie's journey begins in Cali, at the La Alameda gallery, one of the most popular markets in the city, where the taste of sancocho opens the door to the flavors of the Pacific. From that first taste, her mission to build a unique recipe takes her to San Cipriano, to fish in the Pacific Ocean in the port of Buenaventura, to taste the traditional viche to the rhythm of marimbas, and finally to build a masterpiece that honors the connection between our country and her native Ghana.
Music is a fundamental part of our lives, it’s a way of telling stories beyond language and connecting with others, a way of enjoying life all the more. This is something that renowned British DJ Olliver Williams, better known as 'The Busy Twist', feels down to his bones. For him, this trip to the Greater Colombian Caribbean will be the opportunity to connect the Caribbean tradition with every beat of his music, the opportunity to discover those ancestral sounds of our region, the songs that are history, the dances that explode in color and the unmistakable sound of the ‘alegres’, a typical type of drum. This was a journey that began with the melody of the ‘gaita’ (a traditional Colombian flute), perhaps the most iconic sound of the cumbias, and with a dance of colorful dresses that move and light up the place to the beat of the drums. These rhythms led Ollie to explore another of the region's ancestral instruments: the voice of its people. With these melodies, with the voice of the ancestors and the countless sounds captured by our traveler in the jungle, on the beach and in the streets, 'The Busy Twist' set to work to create a song that would unite everything heard, everything learned, the spirit of all the characters met during his trip and that, in the end, would make the crowd dance during an incredible party by the sea.
Running, rafting, biking, climbing, hiking... these are not only sports, but also a way to connect with ourselves on another level. Maria Solis, a North American athlete and founder of 'Latinos Run', travels to the Eastern Colombian Andes to discover what those new paths that can be traveled on two wheels, at high altitudes, and along rivers are. For many years, Maria has seen sport not only as a vehicle to explore herself, but also to explore the world. So, on her journey, her mission was to open up those paths for others to follow, whether on foot across the region's moors, on horseback through the grasslands, by bike through the many highlands and mountains that make up the landscape, or even by raft down the rivers and rapids that bathe it. This was a journey of body and mind, in which the incredible landscapes were the scenery, the people and guides of Maria were the warmth that cannot be missed, and the adrenaline was the final touch to an unforgettable adventure.
In the Colombian Massif, there’s a belief across indigenous communities that has passed down generations: the spirit of the jaguar lives in its people and roars strong through the magic and traditions of their ancestors. Gabi Martínez, a Spanish writer, travels to this region to embark on a mystical journey in search of the jaguar. This writer's mission took him from the World’s End Waterfalls to a journey into the past, between the rivers, the jungle and the monoliths of San Agustín, where he traveled the ancestral paths to see for himself how the indigenous cultures of the region lived, how they connected with nature and with their inner jaguar, until he was able to see in the eyes of the feline the undeniable mysticism that the Colombian Massif embodies.
6 regions with unforgettable landscapes, ancestral traditions and an immeasurable natural and cultural richness, 6 fascinating stories that’ll make you vibrate with emotion, 6 characters that’ll take you by the hand to experience unique journeys, 6 chapters in which you’ll also feel the warmth of the people who welcome you no matter where you come from, that there’s no destination like Colombia, that there’s nothing like its charm, that it always awaits with great adventures in store.
If you want to take a look at the pic Andy had been looking for all his life, admire Adry’s mural that adorns Comuna 13, taste the recipe created by Selassie, walk the routes discovered by Maria, listen to the song created by Ollie, and find out if Gabi met the jaguar, you can't miss any of the exciting episodes of Finding Encanto here:
Did you know that the famous Colombian singer hDid you know that the famous Colombian singer hates to wake up early and is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations? Get to know her better with some of these facts!
Shakira is one of the most beloved Colombians around the world and a great ambassador across borders. Her hip movements and unforgettable voice have left a trace on every corner of the planet. However, even if everybody knows her, there are some things only a few people know about the star, and we want to fill you in.
1. Shakira, like most human beings on Earth (that’s what we’ve been told), hates to wake up early. If it were up to her, she’d schedule every “morning” recording session at around 11 am at the earliest.
2. The singer has been through a lot, which has given her an endless source of inspiration for her music. In fact, her album and eponymous song ¿Dónde están los ladrones?(Where are the thieves?)was named after losing the lyrics for her next album in a robbery.
3. In one of those harsh moments, her father took her to see one of the poorest neighborhoods in Barranquilla, her hometown. This lesson shaped her into one of the most important Colombian philanthropists.
4. Besides being a famous singer and songwriter, Shakira is also well known as the founder of the Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) and as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 2003.
5. Her full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. Her first family name is of Lebanese origin and the second is Catalan, which makes her a great example of the rich cultural heritage and diversity of her home region, the Greater Colombian Caribbean.
6. The singer has a keen sense of smell: she affirms that she does better at recognizing someone by their smell rather than their face or name.
7. One of Shakira’s hobbies is working with clay. Many of the objects she has made are exhibited in her house as part of the decoration.
8. Did you know that Shakira missed her chance at the school choir? The director dismissed her, suggesting that her voice “sounded like a goat.” With millions of copies sold, and a couple of world records broken, her teacher’s vision became true: she’s a true G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time). What goes around comes around!
9. Building a career in the music business is always tough. You must try your best and work hard to achieve your goals, and Shakira is no exception: her first two albums, Magia and Peligro, were a disappointment for her. In fact, these two records are not recognized by her as part of her official discography and were discontinued.
However, even though these were not exactly hits, a huge opportunity came up for her: Sony, her record label, asked Shakira if she wanted to be part of Nuestro Rock, an anthology of Colombia’s greatest rock ballads. If so, they needed Shakira to select a song. The artist took her chances and composed and recorded a brand-new song for the album: “¿Dónde estás corazón?”, her first successful single. That’s why this song isn’t featured in any of her studio albums!
10. Shakira is a perfectionist. In fact, she works so hard, that sometimes she suffers of impostor syndrome. Yes, despite her incredible success, Shakira has experienced this condition, which reminds us that she’s human, too!
11. Did you know that Shakira’s favorite place to listen to music is inside her car? Full blast and windows rolled up, this is “the ideal place to talk to God, to talk to myself, to try to understand,” according to an interview published by The Guardian.12.
12. Shakira likes Japanese anime! We don’t know where this interest came from, but she owns it wearing Saint Seiya caps and another anime-related items on the streets. Her son, Milán, loves One Piece and other anime shows. Maybe it was him who introduced her to this world, who knows.
13. Remember Laundry Service? This was Shakira’s first worldwide hit. The album was recorded in Spanish and English and, despite some criticism, mostly for her accent while singing in English, it was a remarkable success. “Whenever, Wherever” changed everything for her for good.
14. Shakira has many influences. Just for ¿Dónde están los ladrones? the artist “numbers Led Zeppelin, Mexican mariachi, and Lebanese music among its influences”. Besides these genres and artists, Shakira has shown her love for Alanis Morrisette, The Police, Janis Joplin, The Cure, Madonna and many more through her own music. No doubt she’s a melomaniac!
15. Her music session with Bizarrap has taken over YouTube. In fact, it’s already clear that the goddess of Latin pop is also the goddess of the platform: just 24 hours after its release, its video reached more than 50 million views. This makes the collaboration the most played song and video by a Hispanic artist on the platform, a title previously held by J-Balvin and Nicky Jam with their song “X”. This, and many Guinness records broken with this hit song, shows just how powerful and talented the G.O.A.T from Barranquilla really is!
16. Shakira is an example of the extraordinary talent our country is capable of spawning and is definitely one of Colombia’s greatest ambassadors around the world.
If you liked these fun facts and think the world should know them too, don’t hesitate to share this article!
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Find out how you can have the best Colombian-style Valentine’s Day, as well as some fun facts about Colombians when it comes to celebrating love.
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day date ideas? If you are, you came to the right place—here’s the opportunity to surprise your special one with an incredible Colombian-style date. Romance hits different here in Colombia, and, for that reason, we celebrate it big time, in our own very lubby-dubby way. Here, in Colombia, love is always in the air and our charm will help make this day and celebration all the more unforgettable.
Although we’re big on love, Colombians don’t actually celebrate Valentine’s Day all that much here we have “Día del Amor y la Amistad” (Love and Friendship Day), and we don’t usually celebrate it in February, but on September 16th (there is, however, an increasing number of people joining in both celebrations). If you’re thinking adding a Colombian spice might do the trick, here are some terrific tips for the perfect date. Let’s get our “cita a la colombiana” on wherever you are!
Colombians are really passionate people. We love to express how we feel and how much we love everybody, and we’re willing to show it with lovely and thoughtful gestures. For Saint Valentine’s, we’d surely do everything possible to make our special someone feel like there’s no-one like them in the world. Kick off your Colombian-style date with a beautiful “made in Colombia” present.
We love gifts. We see it as a means to convey love, care and respect, and we take it as a fantastic opportunity to show how well we know the other person. That’s why whenever we get the chance to give a present to somebody we care for, we take it, and Valentine’s Day is, of course, a great chance to do it.
But even though the gift is important, we care less about the price tag than we do about the meaning. Colombians love feeling that every gift is a well-thought-out one, a recognition of loved ones’ hobbies or their most precious motivations. So, if you want to have an impact, you should give that special someone something with meaning that shows you know them to the core. What about giving your loved one an artifact crafted by our ancestral indigenous peoples? Thanks to Artesanías de Colombia, you can purchase stunning traditional garments, jewelry and other fashion articles worldwide. They’re fabulous—even Oprah's got her own!
Another possibility for the more stylish ones is our Colombian fashion. Our country is well-known for being home to lots of great world-renowned fashion designers. Wondering about what to buy? Worry not, there are plenty of options for all tastes. Designers like Silvia Tcherassi, Adriana Castro, Esteban Cortázar, Hernán Zajar and many more are sure to have what you’re searching for. Beyoncé and Victoria Beckham, just to name-drop a couple high-profile celebrities, wear Colombian designs.
Whatever you decide is the best choice to go with, there's something that’ll go perfectly with any pick: trusty-old flowers. Our country is world-famous for our stunning flower diversity, and you’re guaranteed to charm your loved one with any of our beautiful varieties.
Choose wisely, though—not every flower means the same: red roses are for your “special one” (they represent love and respect), while white roses are for friends or someone you sympathize with. For us, every flower has a history and a meaning. Now, never get gladiolus! This blossom represents respect for someone who has passed away recently. Unless you know your loved one’s favorite flower, red roses are the perfect go-to. Trust us when we talk about flowers, here in Colombia we don’t just grow them, we even hold a festival in their honor.
Oh—and don’t forget the chocolates! You’ll definitely win them over with a taste of Colombian chocolate, one of our most precious delicacies. When it comes to cocoa, here in Colombia we know best. Not only do we grow the highest quality, but we also make with it the best chocolate you'll ever have. You can find some of our top brands anywhere in the world, especially those that have been awarded for their quality and flavor.
Okay, so you’ve got the gift covered: now you have to decide what to do. If you, like most Colombians, think there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal, we’ve got you covered. Among our countless recipes, we recommend some of our easy-to make hits (sorry about classics like ajiaco, but there are ingredients you’ll find nowhere but here): how about a delicious “arroz de camarón”? Or a Colombian Pacific shrimp ceviche? Try our amazing “arroz atollado” and spice it up with a classic cocktail with a traditional twist: a “lulada mai tai”! And remember: Colombians love to cook while listening to music. Put those jams on! For dessert, grab some "merengón" or "desamargado". Or go with both, they’re delicious.
If you really want to go all-out Colombian-style, it’s time to seduce your partner with some salsa steps! But if salsa proofs to be a bit too hard, there are a lot of great Colombian “moves” and dance steps to learn: vallenato, champeta, and reggaeton are some of our favorite rhythms. Give them a try!
Oh, and if what you’re thinking of is a Valentine’s getaway, boy do we have options for you!
If you’re both road-trip lovers, there are plenty of options for a romantic highway getaway. Beautiful landscapes and lovely starry nights await. Here you’ll find lots of glampings or traditional hotels near colonial towns or ancestral places in a variety of climates and temperatures just a few of miles from each other. Adrenaline-junkie couples can have a blast by skydiving, rock-climbing, hiking, rafting, kitesurfing and so on.
Our country is full of great experiences to live and these are just a few.
If you’re looking for the best sunset ever, some of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches await you. Whether on the shores of the lush Colombian Pacific, or along the vibrant coasts of the Greater Colombian Caribbean (that’s right, we have both!), the sun and summer magic will make you two fall in love all over again.
But Colombia is so much more than just sun-kissed tropics. You could visit our Eastern Colombian Andes, a region rich in colonial architecture and magnificent mountain landscapes where the weather is always chill. In Bogotá, you could visit stunning museums (traditional and modern alike) and enjoy the Colombian nightlife.
Now, if you do happen to be in Bogotá, not all tourist attractions are couple-friendly. If you’re superstitious and want to get married, avoid Monserrate! It may be one of Bogota’s most beautiful spots (a unique viewpoint over the city from atop its iconic eastern mountains), but according to superstition couples who summit it together will see their relationship go downhill.
The Colombian Massif is another great destination. Here, you could visit exotic places like the Tatacoa Desert, or the beautiful White City of Popayán. Besides being one of Colombia’s most interesting places, there are a lots of great hotels and experiences to choose from. Other tourist spots like San Agustín, a mystic archaeological park will light that explorer spark and the Colombian Pacific’s Cali, one of Colombia’s most appealing cities and home of salsa await you too.
Half of our territory is covered by a region loved by travellers seeking to live a unique ancestral and natural experience: Colombian Amazon-Orinoco. This is a place full of native heritage and nature, home to many of Colombia’s indigenous peoples and our famous pink dolphins.
If none of these suit you, the Western Colombian Andes will surely do the trick: here you’ll find some of the greatest museums and parties in Colombia—what a mix, right? Medellín embodies this perfectly: the city of Fernando Botero—one of Colombia’s greatest painters—and silletero culture (remember that whole flower festival deal? That’s them) is also home to ridiculously good restaurants, clubs, bars and nightlife. And if cities aren’t for you and your SO, perhaps a coffee-mountain getaway is the best retreat you’ll find lots of lovely ones all over the region.
By this point you can’t possibly have no clue what to do this Valentine’s Day. A unique experience awaits you however you decide to celebrate it. Give it a try, let yourself and the person you’re celebrating with feel yellow butterflies in your tummies while living the experience of García Marquez’s home!
Guía para pasar 48 horas en Cartagena
Un recorrido por las playas de Colombia según tus necesidades
¿Qué hacer en Medellín durante 48 horas?
Recorrido por La Macarena, un barrio en medio del centro cultural de la capital colombiana
One of the most beloved products of our country is found in the Colombian Massif, on the slopes of the Laboyos Valley and its surroundings. It’s the coffee of Huila, a delicacy that today employs 74% of all farmers in the department for its production. Here, coffee of Colombian origin has found a fertile home in the mountains of Huila alongside yucca crops, fruit trees, sugarcane and bananas.
But what do we mean when we talk about coffee of Colombian origin? Well, a variety of unique flavors, nourished by the volcanic soil and the combined work of thousands of families in the area, render this coffee a unique, wholesome experience. Since Huila isn’t just the birthplace of the Magdalena River, but also produces some of the best coffees on Earth, we wouldn’t want you to miss the opportunity to taste it.
What makes a certain coffee special goes beyond the richness of the land in which it’s grown: it lies too in the hands that carefully craft its production. The coffee growers of Huila undertake this process with great care and upholding traditions. For them, coffee is much more than a mere crop: it’s an expression of farmer identity and vital commitments.
Thousands of stories are told around Opita coffee. Around the mid-20th century, cultivation of it was mostly carried out by farming families in plots ranging between 1 and 2 hectares. Knowledge surrounding coffee was passed down as a family heirloom, a legacy that was learned at home through artisanal techniques and concepts. Although tradition remains, new developments have come to build upon it.
Huila's coffee industry has developed unique coffee-growing techniques, which are shared through cooperatives and associations. Their effort transcends the mere cultivation of the bean, as there are at least 83,000 coffee-producing families committed to environmentally sustainable production and the improvement of living conditions of the coffee-growing population. An example of this is the commitment of associations such as Amurcafé in their effort to heighten the recognition of the role of female coffee growers and to achieve greater gender equality.
Huila's coffee crops are truly special: they grow bathed by waters that feed the Magdalena, Colombia’s most important river. On the slopes of the Andean massif grow different aromatic crops with distinct flavors, such as cocoa, various fruits and sugarcane. These plants grow near the coffee plantations, leaving an incomparable trace: they adorn the beans with special nuances and notes.
In Huila, coffee is grown on farms mostly between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level. Although the majority of these are “high-altitude coffees" (between 1,700 and 2,000 meters), the variety of soils and their proximity to different crops and minerals allow for incredible notes to be achieved. Examples of this are Pitalito, Acevedo, Suaza, Garzón and La Plata, municipalities where the flavor is most cultivated. There, we find Arabic varieties such as Típica, Borbón, Tabí, Caturra and Castillo, as well as others that prove harder to come across, such as Geisha and Maragogype.
It’s no coincidence that Huila is home to some of the best specialty and soft coffees in the world. One of the most talked-about brands in this regard is SOCA, winner of a 2020 Monde Selection award for its exquisite coffee. According to the jury, SOCA is an ideal product, its rich sensory characteristics, in addition to its excellent ingredients and production process, were decisive for the Opita brand to take home the gold.
By 2021, 12 producers from Huila were finalists for the Cup of Excellence, one of the most prestigious international competitions that award coffee quality. Beyond these recognitions, Huila coffee is a Colombian wonder: Diego Campos, our very own 2021 World Barista Champion, cultivates one of the most delicate and soft cups in his farm, El Diamante, near La Plata.
Another connoisseur of the myriad benefits Huila grants is none other than Hugh Jackman. The world-famous Australian actor chose the wonders of this volcanic and mineral-rich land to produce his very own coffee brand, Laughing Man Coffee.
Whether in plain sunlight or flirting with the clouds, Huila knows a thing or two about coffee: it makes a unique experience out of it thanks to its lands and traditions. Microclimates, rich soils, Andean waters, a wholesome culture and a true passion for coffee can be pressed into a flavor that the entire world hails as some of the best you’ll ever taste.
Before keeping on reading, we recommend you serve yourself a good cup of Colombian coffee, ‘cause if there’s one thing we’re sure of, it's that this journey will be rendered all the better by enjoying one of the beverages that best showcase the beauty of Colombia. Now that we're ready, let's recap a bit of history about one of the most consumed beverages around the world, beaten only by water and tea. The coffee plantation-filled mountainous landscapes of Colombia manage to immerse us in a world of aromas, textures and flavors that perfectly match the traditions across the country's coffee regions. To begin our adventure of truly discovering Colombian coffee, it is essential to learn how this product first arrived in the country. Let's go back to the 18th century, when Jesuit priests introduced to the land this magic elixir, and inadvertently gave the future national coffee industry its first boost. According to legend, there was a priest in what today is the Norte de Santander department who made his parishioners plant coffee as a penance. The decades went by and the crops grew. The possibilities soon became evident and, in 1835, the first sacks were exported from the very same department of Norte de Santander. A great start towards introducing Colombian coffee to the world. As the country’s foreign commerce grew—and motivated by the idea of conquering the world with the taste of Colombian coffee—exports in 1870 reportedly increased from about sixty thousand sacks to six hundred thousand. This managed to showcase the country’s remarkable exports potential. By 1927, coffee growers, united by common expertise and a hope to guarantee their benefits and rights in the industry, founded the FNC (National Coffee Growers’ Federation), recognized at the time as the largest NGO in the world. With the aim of positioning Colombian coffee by highlighting its properties and remarkable quality, as well as by modernizing and improving growing processes, the CENICAFÉ research center was later founded in 1938. This journey amounts to a generational passing on of knowledge, tradition, and passion. The hidden beauty of Colombian coffee is found in its history it’s been 300 years of building an identity and sharing a cup of coffee rendered unique by its aroma, body, and flavor.
That's right, it’s a recognition that, in addition to being tasted in every cup we drink, is strongly supported by our current possession of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) seal, which reaffirms the fact we offer a very high-quality product. One could say this is thanks to the talent of Colombian farmers, who have developed a highly technical production process as well as to natural conditions, such as the ideal altitudes and stable temperatures, which allow us to grow the best soft coffee in the world.
This beverage not only accompanies the soul, but it also reinvigorates it. Our coffee has unique, diverse origins and produces profiles that can be identified across different regions of our country.
It’s time to take this coffee tour to the department of Antioquia, in the Western Colombian Andes, which yields coffee with a fruity aroma, medium acidity, with a balanced medium body that is characterized by being a smooth beverage with sweet notes and a slightly fruity and herbal aroma. A bit technical, right? But that’s what it’s all about: being able to identify the very coffee that in the long run might become our favorite.
At this stop, in the Eastern Colombian Andes, we find ourselves in the land where Independence first stirred. It offers us coffee with a pronounced aroma, medium acidity, and a medium-balanced body that is characterized as a beverage with herbal notes. Perfect to take a break at any time of day.
The Cauca department, an ancestral land of the Colombian Massif with multiple natural riches, offers us coffee with a pronounced aroma. This is complemented by having medium-high acidity and a medium-soft body. Such are the characteristics of a silky and sweet beverage with fruity notes and strong caramel aromas.
And we’re at our last stop. If you like coffee with a very strong aroma, you can find it in the department of Huila, in the Colombian Massif. In addition to having a medium-high acidity with a medium-balanced body, it’s characterized as a smooth, balanced beverage. Unfortunately, our journey reaches its end here—for now. This is the knowledge of generations that have put their work, love, and passion into maintaining a very high quality coffee, the one you’ll surely appreciate all the more each morning from now on, and one that’s truly worthy of showcasing the beauty of Colombian culture around the world..
Discover "The Book of Warmth: A gift from Colombia to the world" Discover the Colombian stories that tell why it is the most welcoming country in the world
If there’s one thing that makes us stand out as the most welcoming place on Earth, it has to be our warmth. It’s a word all Colombians carry in their hearts and that has become synonymous with our people, with the best of Colombia. That very warmth lives in our customs and traditions, in that instinctive smile we give when we greet someone, and in the way we offer a warm cup of coffee to all those who visit our home.
Colombian warmth is what makes visitors of any country feel welcome across our regions. Regardless of our numerous accents or the fact we have as many ways of calling them “friend” as we have climates, all those who visit become a part of our family and are made to feel right at home.
That’s our essence, what makes our hearts beat, and, wanting to better understand it and share it with the world, we decided to dig deeper. Which is why we decided to head right to the source of it all: Colombians and our stories – we knew that was where we’d find the answer.
That’s where The Book of Warmth comes from: a compilation of over 40 stories as told by our own people, made possible by a team of journalists and photographers that journeyed across our country to meet with them, capture their words, and finally bring this book to life the way we intended: as a testimony to our warmth before Colombia and the world. More than a mere anthology, than profiles or descriptions, every story within this book offers a unique view into Colombia and its regions.
Beyond stories and experiences, beyond showcasing the wealth, and regional and ethnic diversity of the Colombian territory, this is a collection made up of those who reflect on a daily basis what being Colombian truly means – greeting warmly all those who reach our shores, bringing to life the flavors and expressions taught to us by our grandparents, getting to know our own heritage and charm in order to share it with others, or simply showcasing the warmth of our country through something as wholesome and universal as music.
Across its pages, every new story threads virtues and dreams together with each character’s smile. Word by word, a part of them has been laid down in this book to greet the entire world with they’re eager to open wide the doors to their homes, talents and lives and welcome inside all those who wish to learn more.
We are all The Book of Warmth
The ultimate goal of this book, however, isn’t just to showcase our distinctive warmth, but to extend an invitation to get caught up in the welcoming spirit of Francisca, Elida, Daniel, Humberto, Gabriela, of all Colombians who make up this book and who make us a proud, joyful people.
These are our stories – a mere handful out of the millions upon millions that warm up every day in Colombia. This is the result of a tireless quest to better grasp the very warmth that defines us, and an open invitation to whoever reads this from across the screen, no matter where they may be, to let themselves experience the most welcoming place on Earth.
Time to start off this journey – if you’d like to learn more about our warmth, our people and the stories they have to tell, you can read or download The Book of Warmth.
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Even though we can feel it in every greet, every smile, every welcome and every cup of coffee we share, we wanted to understand it better. This is why we went out in the search for Colombian Warmth, and we went straight to its source: our people, those who carry it in their hearts. These their stories.https://youtu.be/NEqAFSBGNhs
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