As Colombia is starting to draw in attention places like Cartagena, Medellín, el Tayrona, and Taganga are the new rave, and have made it to the top of everyone’s list.
However, as the country with the most biodiversity per square inch in the entire world, Colombia has so much more to offer! With the purpose of writing an ode to the beauty of the country, here are some underrated destinations that definitely deserve much more attention:
1. Providencia
San Andrés Island has become a popular destination for tourists and Colombians looking for a Caribbean getaway. However, its much smaller, much more beautiful neighbor, Providencia, is often ignored. While San Andrés has become a hotspot, Providencia has passed laws to protect its property and culture. This means that this tiny island keeps the lively spirits of its inhabitants, and its breathtaking beauty intact. Surrounded by the sea of seven colors, and protected by the peak that towers in its center like a wild green temple, Providencia is a truly magical place, and one of the most incredible islands on the Caribbean.
2. Caños Cristales
Often called the most beautiful river in the world, Caño Cristales captures the heart of its visitors with the five colors that paint its pristine waters. For part of the year, it is is an ordinary river, but from June to November it turns into a unique natural wonder. Its waters are turned green, blue, yellow, pink, and red by the algae that lived in its depths, transforming it into a river straight out of a fairytale.
3. The Tatacoa Desert
Hidden in the gorgeously diverse region of El Huila, the dessert is decorated with vast plains of orange sands and rocks. It houses a natural pool that helps campers cool off from the heat at day, and makes up for the cool nights with an uninterrupted view of the night sky freckled with stars.
4. El Cocuy National Park
El Cocuy is a frozen wonderland full of giant trees, snow-covered mountains, and beautiful lakes. It is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, and a favorite among Colombians. Foreigners, however, have not yet discovered its stunning landscapes, and countless opportunities for hiking.
5. The Pacific Coast
The Atlantic Coast -with Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta- gets all the local and foreign attention, leaving the Pacific Coast in the dark. The Pacific, however, is an incredible fusion of scents, flavors, and sounds. It has beautiful colonial towns, it is the birthplace of many of the country’s best musicians, offers some of the most delicious Colombian food, and is dotted with beautiful coastlines where you can watch the migration of whales.
This was a contest submission by Lucia Zapata from Unexpected Wanderlust.
Updated: August 25, 2015