Colombia: Pearl of South America Colombia - country with eternal spring between the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. There is much to discover despite the bad reputation, which the country possesses by civil war and drug trade. Surely there are regions with precarious security situations, but nevertheless journeys are possible in this country. You can find breathtaking landscape forms rich in animal and plant live, a climatic spectrum, that nearly consists all climate zones of this earth and friendly and helpful people. Lets go... The Caribbean coast from Cartagena to Santa Marta belongs to the most popular destinations of the people of Colombia. Cartagena, based 1533 was appointed of the UNESCO the world cultural heritage and was in former times point of attraction for pirates. It does not surprise therefore that one finds many attachment plants in and around Cartagena. In the centre the visitor admires the colonial architectural style as well as churches and places. A trip to the coral islands Islas Rosarios is worthwhile itself. On the travel after Santa Marta one crosses after Barranquilla, an industrial city, which admits for its carnival, the protected area Cienaga Grande, the delta of the Rio Magdalena. Santa Marta, based 1525, and thus oldest city of Colombia, is situated on the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is the highest coastal mountain of the world. The snow-covered summits of the Pico Colon and Pico Bolivar, up to 5775 meters over sea levels, are only 45 km away from the tropical beaches of the national park Tayrona. Santa Marta is therefore an ideal resort for high mountain discoveries and beach pleasures. It offers also trips to archaeological excavation places such as Pueblito and Ciudad Perdida. The Sierra Nevada is the homeland of 2 Indian tribes, the Kogis and the Arhuacos. In Santa Marta ended also the life of the most famous south American at all: Simon Bolivar, whose dream of a united Spanish-speaking nation was never carried out. Ocana, a province capital approx. 450 km south of Santa Marta in the province North Santander is the starting point to the stone forest Los Estoraques. Popayan, situated in the south of the country and 6 hours from the border to Ecuador was created 1537 by Francisco de Belalcazar and its a centre for education and religion with well received colonial architectural style. Here takes place a magnificent procession In the Holy Passion Week. Popayan is the starting point for Silvia, the market town of the Guambiano Indios, half-way to Cali, the capital of the Salsa music.   >> regard photos          >> info main-page