COLOMBIA, SOUTH AMERICA  -  TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION  GUIDE
CALI, IBAGUE, MANIZALES & QUIMBAYA

COLOMBIA TRAVEL GUIDE:

Colombia Travel Advice For Visitors   by Tom Fisher

Western tourists and visitors will probably want to fly in by plane to Bogota, which is the capital. Depending on the itinerary, it's also possible to hop over by plane to other destinations like Cartagena, Cali or San Andres. Visitors entering from Ecuador or Venezuela can come in by bus or car, and those coming from Panama can take a boat.
Safety-wise, visitors don't have all that much to worry these days. Metropolitan zones are about the same as any other city in Central & South America. Visitors should take standard precautions such as avoiding a tough neighborhood after dark and not heading off solo into isolated regions.

The real draw for visitors is the variety of the destinations and the natural beauty. The choices range from Bogota's flesh pots to the Salsa clubs in Cali and the Carnival in Barranquilla, among others. Visitors can spend many days & weeks enjoying all this, not to mention the tropical rainforests, majestic humpback whales in the Pacific, and the pristine beaches and coral reefs near Caribbean coast islands like San Andres, Santa Catalina and Providencia.

Speaking of which, scuba diving is one of the premier attractions here that draw in large number of visitors from all over the world. As mentioned above, visitors can explore the underwater marine life on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. There are some destinations on each coast that are famed for their excellent dive spots.

San Andres and Providencia probably offer the most popular dive spots on the Caribbean coast. Isla Gorgona and Malpelo Island on the Pacific Coast are quite famous and popular among both tourists and expert divers. Visitors need to choose from amongst these locations based on their taste for adventure, diving skill and travel logistics.

So for example, a visitor planning to head out to San Andres can reach it directly by air even though it is 700 km away from the mainland. Another plus point here is that since the coral reef is really long, tourists and divers can enjoy the dive spots and attractions of Providencia & Santa Catalina along with San Andres.

The biggest attraction is, of course, the famous 'sea of seven colors' which is a good indicator of the diversity of marine life here.

Pacific coast divers at spots near Malpelo Island or Isla Gorgona tend to be more adventurous. A trip here involves a flight to Guapi from Cali, followed by a boat ride to the island. Crystal clear and cold waters await divers, along with whale sharks and hammerheads. Isla Gorgona is an especially tourist-friendly place with nature tours, whale watching and beaches, and a history as an old prison island like Alcatraz.

To end this healthy dose of Colombia travel advice on a general note, visitors are advised to consider longer stays. It's not possible to drive-thru or jump from one airport to another over a quick weekend. Every destination has to be considered as a mini vacation by itself that needs to be explored and enjoyed at its own sweet pace.

Also read: Colombian Coffee - The Best in The World

The National Agricultural and livestock Park (Spanish: El Parque Natural De La Cultura Agropecuaria), PANACA, is located 7 km west of the main township. The 47 hectare park contains a variety of interactive exhibits, including more than 200 species of animals. Along with the National Coffee Park in Montenegro, the theme park is one of major tourist attractions of the department.

Colombian Coffee - The Best in The World   by Wesley Johnson

However, with the advent of specially grown coffees, environmentally sustainable coffees, organic and fair trade coffees, Colombia is working hard to upgrade its image and become the world's premiere source for high-quality, gourmet coffees.

Types of Beans Grown in Colombia
Almost all the coffee beans grown in Colombia are 100 percent Arabica beans. The Arabica bean is low in caffeine and acidity and are best grown in rugged, mountain terrains.

The Arabica bean is the most popular bean in North America, thanks to its superior taste and how well it lends itself to a classic, American medium roast.

Washed Arabica

Colombian coffee beans go through a washing process. This wet processing purifies the beans, takes out some of the acidity and gives the coffee a stronger aroma and richer taste, making it ideal for the coffee lover.

Coffee Growing Regions in Colombia

The two largest coffee-growing areas in Colombia are the central region including Armenia, Manizales and Medellin and the eastern, more mountainous area closer to Bogota and Bucaramanga.

Major Carriers of Colombian Coffee

Most standard, store brands will have Colombian coffee. However, many will also blend these with beans from Brazil, Africa or other Latin countries. To ensure a brand is 100 percent Colombian, look for the Juan Valdez logo and 100 percent Colombian certification.

Organic and Fair Trade Farming in Colombia
Thanks to consumer demands, a number of coffee plantations in Colombia are working toward a triple seal certification. The Triple Seal is the highest level an organic farmer can obtain and requires first that the farmer meets the USDA organic cultivation standards.

Next, the grower must create a natural shade grown coffee plantation. So, instead of relying on artificial shades or screens, the grower must plant and grow a natural, plant-based canopy.

Finally, the last seal is granted by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and Rainforest Alliance. This seal is dependent on how the coffee plantation affects the natural habitat around it both now and in the future.

Many Colombian coffee growers are also moving toward fair trade practices to stay competitive with the international coffee market. Remember, coffee is a volatile commodity, so staying in tune and on top of customer demands is crucial to growers and manufacturers remaining competitive in the java business.