The Caribbean region of Colombia is recognized by its beaches, colors and warm weather. The people’s friendly personalities merge with a culture that vibrates with the musical notes of cumbia and vallenato. Check out the top 3 experiences we recommend you can’t miss when you visit this tropical paradise, that are not your typical recommendations:
1. Explore the enchanted Tayrona national park
This impressive national park, which is one of Colombia’s most renowned natural treasures, lies at the Caribbean coast near to Santa Marta. It has some of South America's loveliest coastline and is dotted with beautiful beaches, swamps, forests, and mountains in close proximity. Actually, Colombia’s higher peak is located here, in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with 5.775 meters over the sea level, at just 42 kilometers from the coast, being also the world highest coastal range. Due to this, a stunning variety of flora and fauna represents diverse tropical eco systems between the mountain and the sea. It consequently boasts fascinating wildlife such as howler monkeys and iguanas and more than 400 species of birds. This is the ideal place to enjoy the Caribbean beaches with a plus of history, sport and nature.
Insider tip: This magical place is also home of several indigenous communities, which descend from the Tayronas and have declared this place as world’s bellybutton. The Lost City or the Pueblito Chairama, are part of the living legacy of these ancient people that you might visit during your trip as hiking tours.
2. 1. Minca: Coffee and birds
Perched 600m high up in the Sierra Nevada above Santa Marta, Minca is a small mountain village famous for its organic coffee, incredibly varied birdlife and – perhaps more importantly – much cooler temperatures than on the scorching coast below. The town, which until a few years ago could only be reached via a dirt road, is delightful, surrounded by thick cloud forest and soaring mountain peaks.
The small town of Minca is two hours away from Santa Marta, however, to get to the natural attractions you need to go up a bit more. Our experiences here include a full day from Santa Marta to visit a coffee hacienda and a beautiful waterfall; or a three-day experience focused on birdwatching.
Insider tip: If you are really interested in birdwatching El Dorado lodge up in the mountains of Minca is your go-to place. Amazing homemade food, specialized guides and a very good service characterize this hidden place. Make sure to book the kogihabs, even though you have to walk 10-15 minutes to get to the rooms, these accommodations that want to simulate the ecohabs of the kogis are the perfect place to relax, disconnect and enjoy the most beautiful view that makes you feel you’re sleeping on the clouds.
3. Feel Colombia’s African roots in San Basilio de Palenque
Uepa! Kumo bo tá? Means "Hello, how are you?" in Palenquero, the only Spanish-based Creole language that is still spoken in the Americas by just 3,500 people in San Basilio de Palenque, a small town located 50 kms southeast of Cartagena which has kept alive their customs and traditions for more than 300 years. Founded at the end of that century by small populations of African slaves who escaped the Spanish regime and settled in the mountains of the San Jacinto’s range, this community has a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down orally from generation to generation. Its vast and ancestral knowledge earned in 2008 the declaration of UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
You can visit this interesting town if you have a full free day in Cartagena, share with the locals, learn about their culture, listen to their wonderful music and participate of a cooking lesson with a local chef who has an award-winning book. If you don’t have enough time to visit the town, make sure to see and support the “Palenqueras” all over the city: black women in colorful dresses expertly balancing bowls of tropical fruit on their heads. Being direct descendants of the world’s first free African slaves, the Palenqueras represent an incredible feat of human resistance, the respected figure of courageous, hard-working mothers, and a still living and thriving Afro-Caribbean heritage. The women of Palenque raveled themselves into the history of Cartagena and transforming the Palenquera into one of the biggest Colombian icons.
Insider tip: San Basilio de Palenque is birthplace of amazing music as well. We recommend the following artists or bands: Son Palenque, Batata y su Rumba Palenquera, el Sexteto Tabalá, Las Alegres Ambulancias, Las Estrellas del Caribe, Louis Towers “El Rasta”, Viviano Torres “Anne Swing”, Charles King “El Palenquero Fino”, Kombilesa Mí and Franklyn Tejedor “Lamparita”, creator of Mitú.
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