Colombia

Colombia , officially the Republic of Colombia, is a fascinating country in South America known for its rich culture, diverse landscape and warm hospitality. It is located in the northwest of South America and borders the Caribbean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ecuador and Peru to the south and Venezuela and Brazil to the east.

Facts Colombia

  • Colombia’s geographical diversity is impressive: from the majestic Andes that criss-cross the country to the lush rainforests of the Amazon basin and the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean coast.
  • The capital of Colombia is Bogotá , a lively metropolis located at over 2,600 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest capitals in the world.
  • Colombia is a melting pot of different cultural influences, which are reflected in the country’s music, art, cuisine, festivals and traditions.
  • With over 50 million inhabitants, it is the third most populous country in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico.
  • The official language in Colombia is Spanish, but there are also a number of indigenous languages spoken by the indigenous population groups.
  • Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It is home to a variety of animal and plant species, including many endemic species.
  • The country is rich in natural resources such as oil, coal, gold, emeralds, coffee and tropical fruits.
  • Colombia is the fourth largest economy in Latin America. The most important economic sectors are mining, agriculture, energy, services and tourism.
  • It has a rich and complex history marked by indigenous cultures, Spanish colonization, slavery, political conflicts and drug trafficking.
  • Colombia has a long civil war behind it and is actively working on a peace process to resolve the long-standing conflicts between the government, rebel movements and paramilitary groups and consolidate peace in the country.
  • In recent years, Colombia has developed into a popular travel destination with diverse landscapes, historic cities, a lively cultural scene and friendly people.
  • The official currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP).

Sights Colombia

  • Cartagena de Indias – The historic city on the Caribbean coast is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, the fortress walls and the charming alleyways of the old town.
  • Tayrona National Park (Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona) – The national park on the Caribbean coast offers a breathtaking landscape with tropical rainforests, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
  • Medellín – Colombia’s second largest city has developed from a turbulent past into a thriving metropolis.
  • Bogotá – The capital of Colombia is the cultural and economic center of the country.
  • Cocora Valley (Valle del Cocora) – This valley in the Coffee Triangle region is famous for its majestic wax palms, which are among the tallest palm trees in the world.
  • Coffee Zone (Eje Cafetero) – This region in the center of Colombia is the heart of Colombian coffee cultivation and offers spectacular landscapes, picturesque villages and the opportunity to visit coffee plantations and experience the coffee production process.
  • San Agustín – The archaeological site in southern Colombia is known for its huge stone sculptures from pre-Columbian cultures. The site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel time Colombia

Colombia is located in the tropics and has a wide range of climatic zones due to its diverse geographical features.

Caribbean coast

The Caribbean coast near Cartagena or Santa Marta is warm and humid all year round. The dry season lasts from December to March and from June to August. The rainy season is usually from April to May and from September to October.

Pacific coast

The Pacific coast of Colombia near Buenaventura is very humid all year round with heavy rainfall. The rainy season in this region lasts from May to November.

Andes region

The Andean region of Colombia, including Bogotá , has a temperate climate with relatively cool temperatures that are fairly constant throughout the year. The dry season in this region usually falls in the months of December to March and July to August. The rainy season lasts from April to June and from September to November.

Amazon rainforest

The Amazon rainforest in Colombia near Leticia is warm and humid all year round. There is no pronounced dry season, but rainfall can decrease slightly in the months of June to December.

Events Colombia

January 1: Año Nuevo (New Year)
January 6: Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men)
February/March: Carnaval (Carnival) – One of the biggest carnival celebrations in Latin America in Barranquilla
March: Día de San José (Saint Joseph’s Day) – Patron saint of Colombia
March/April: Semana Santa (Easter)

Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)
Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
Sábado Santo (Holy Saturday)
Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday)

May 1: Día del Trabajo (Labor Day)
May: Ascensíon del Señor (Ascension Day)
May/June: Corpus Christi
May/June: Sagrado Corazón (Pentecost)
July: San Pedro y San Pablo (Peter and Paul)
July 20: Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Independence from Spain in 1810
August 7: Batalla de Boyacá – Commemoration of the battle of the Colombian independence movement of Boyacá on August 7, 1819
August: Asunción de Nuestra Señora (Assumption of the Virgin Mary)
October: Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) – Celebration of cultural diversity to mark the arrival of Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492
November: Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day)
November 11: Día de la Independencia de Cartagena – Cartagena’s independence from Spain in 1811
December 8: Inmaculada Concepción (Conception of the Virgin Mary)
December 25: Navidad (Christmas)
December 31: Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve)