It’s now been almost 2 months since we left Colombia. Yet, when I look back on all of the beautiful pictures and video footage we got while we were travelling there, I can’t help but feel this deep sensation of gratitude and joy within my heart. I didn’t have many expectations about Colombia (I had way more about Cuba and you can read how that turned out: here). However, after having spent a whole month there, I can honestly say that this country has left a big impression on me, and for many different reasons. Today’s post is dedicated to all of the beautiful people we met in Colombia, old and new friends. You guys truly made our experience unforgettable and we will always be grateful for your hospitality and all the memories we shared together <3. This is only one of the reasons: Why Colombia Will Always Have a Special Place in My heart ….

If you have never been to Colombia before, there are a few variables that you should consider before planning your first trip there.. But I’ll talk more about that in another post.

Today, it’s all about why this country truly stole my heart and why I would definitely come back for a visit!

Here are the reasons:

Why Colombia Will Always Have A Special Place in My Heart

Feeling on top of the World, on top of Monserrate, near Bogota. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

1. It was the first country I visited in South America

South America is so big and there are sooo many countries worth visiting: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru,.. just to name a few. These were all on my list. Yet, I ended up visiting Colombia first and I have to admit it was not necessarily my first choice. Indeed, I didn’t know much about Colombia. Sure, I knew a few people from Colombia but I had no specific expectations. I was simply open to the experience. And boy, was I in for a treat! We saw so much diversity in Colombia’s culture, nature, landscapes, cuisine, and people. Colombia, you did amazing at introducing me to South America <3.

Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

2. We had the BEST guides

With our friend & guide Wilson, showing us his city: Cali. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

Originally, our plan was to do what we love to do when we travel to a new country: immerse ourselves in the culture by staying with locals and volunteering for local organizations or local individuals. This time around, it was a bit different. We realized that we pretty much knew some friends in each region that we decided to visit and so we made sure we had an open schedule to spend as much time with them as possible. Once again, this was the BEST decision EVER!

Bogota with our host and friend Carlos – on the farthest right side of the picture.

Thanks to our friends, we discovered another side of Colombia: the intimate and not-so-touristy side of it. Thanks to them, these are some of my favourite memories:

• Visiting a salt mine in Nemocon (though I got claustrophobic towards the end)
• Taking private salsa classes in Cali
• Horse-back riding in the mountains of El Retiro (north of Medellin) at night! (again a great memory now but I was very scared during the experience :p)

Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

• Conversing with an old lady, while sipping on hot chocolate in Guantavita
• Watching a salsa championship in Cali, for free!
• Tubing in the jungle river of San Cipriano
• Hiking El Tablazo, near Chia ( a few hours away from Bogota)…

Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

These are just SOME of the memories I am able to take away with me thanks to the best hosts ever. Big thank you to: Carlos, Mateo, Wilson and Angela & Jorge for making our time in Colombia simply: Un-forgettable!

3. So many local dishes to try!

Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

Disclaimer: if you ever travel to Colombia, please know that each region has its own set of special dishes! The foods you may enjoy in Bogota or Medellin, you will not necessarily find in Cali or Cartagena! So make sure that wherever you go, you are fully present and you enjoy it to the max.

That being said, the Colombian cuisine is VERY different from the foods you would find in Mexico (the country I visited right before arriving in Colombia). So, initially, I was  a bit disappointed by the Colombian dishes since I expected just as many spices and flavours as in Mexico. Indeed, Colombian food is much milder in flavours. However, I quickly adjusted and if you don’t enjoy overly spicy food (as they have in Mexico), then you will LOVE Colombia. After my initial disappointment, I was able to find a few delicious foods there. My favourites were:

• Ajiaco (typical chicken and corn soup in Bogota)
• Bandeja Paisa (typical dish in Medellin but you can also find it in Bogota)
• Champus! (this one is a drink but I LOVED it!! – typical in Cali!)
• Empanadas (typical all over Colombia but my favourite ones were near Bogota)
• Arepa de choclo (Arepa is a type of thick corn flat bread – my favourite one was the chocolo or choclo flavour – it is made with a naturally sweeter tasting corn)
• Lulo (a citrus-like fruit I enjoyed a lot in Cali)
• Patacones (fried green plantains… I enjoyed the best ones in Bogota)

And that’s my list for you… But there are of course so many more dishes to try, so have fun discovering the Colombian cuisine!

 4. The Colombians

In Cartagena. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

Just as their country changes from one region to the next, so do the Colombians. And that, to me was simply fascinating! The people living in Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena are all so different. They are greatly influenced by their geographical locations, cuisine, history, cultures and the Nature that surrounds them. Yet, they all share a common trait: politeness and warmth. I keep a great memory of the Colombians I met and interacted with, especially in Cali and Medellin (due to my own personal experiences in both cities) ;).

5. The adventures & activities

Trying some rock climbing while hiking in Cali, Colombia. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

As I mentioned earlier, Colombia is a country that has a LOT to offer in terms of food, nature, music, dancing and.. activities! You can go horse-back riding, hiking, swimming, sunbathing on a beautiful white sand beach, tubing, sky-diving, paragliding,… Just to name a few. Whatever you are thinking of, I am sure you can find it in Colombia and for a fraction of the price too!

About to paraglide over Medellin. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

For example: we got to go paragliding over the city of Medellin for only $60 (with our pick-up and drop-off chauffeur included). This is SUPER cheap. In Australia, I also went paragliding, only it costs me $180 AUD (and that was a special price). So again, you can see the difference. Most activities in Colombia are either extremely cheap or very affordable.

6. The weather

Wandering El Tablazo … Photo credit: www.dmainterncional.com

Just like the adventures, there is a type of weather for EVERYONE in Colombia! You like mild to cooler temperatures, go to Bogota. For hot and tropical heat, go to Cartagena. For hot but not too tropical, go to Cali and finally for an eternal Spring weather (as they like to say in Colombia), go to Medellin where people say it is always the perfect weather, haha. I will let you discover that for yourself…

Playa Blanca, near Cartagena. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

See? I have a LOT of reasons: Why Colombia Will Always Have a Special Place in My Heart. Again, this post is dedicated to all of the wonderful people we met, to our dear friends and fabulous hosts and to the Colombians.

Nos vemos <3.

Admiring the sunset in Cartagena. Photo credit: www.dmainternacional.com

Sarah.