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Colombia - Caribbean Coast Destination Guide

Cartagena:

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Cartagena is the tourist destination of Colombia and one of the best in The Caribe. This historical capital is a grand bay surrounded by islands and lakes and is definitely the favorite destination of Colombia. Its well preserved architecture, narrow streets and beautiful colonial houses with wooden balconies create a romantic atmosphere with many plazas, bars and restaurants to pop into for an evening drink before a night out on the town.

Cartagena is also perfect for exploring the many beautiful islands which surround the beach. The magnificent beaches of Baru and Rosario are famous for their white sands, as well as their many water-oriented sports and ecological activities. If visiting Cartagena in March, the Festival Internacional de Cine is wonderful as different countries compete in a number of categories which cover film and television.

One can also visit La Plaza de los Coches where African slaves were bought and sold, as well as The Museum of Modern Art, The Museum of Gold and The Palace of the Inquisition.

Santa Marta – Magdalena:

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Santa Marta is the capital city of Magdalena and is situated 904km from Bogota. This city is one of the most popular tourist zones in Colombia, as well as being the oldest city built by the Spanish. Its excellent tourist infrastructure, colonial buildings and many beaches make it an ideal tourist destination.

The area is also well known for its ecotourism, archaeological and adventure tourism. While in the city, visit the infamous aquarium and the grand hacienda where Simon Bolivar died. Just north of the city is the beautiful fishing village of Taganga and the Parque Nacional Tayrona. The climate is superbly hot but the cool sea breeze in the evening cools the city and makes for splendid pre-dinner strolls.

While visiting the area, take a drive to the Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – where snow-capped mountains and rainforests meet the eye. The park covers an area of 400 000 hectares and its landscape covers woodlands, hills and jungles and is perfect for ecotourism. One can view the danta, squirrel and the condor from the park.

Tayrona National Natural Park:

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Tayrona National Natural Park is situated 34km from the city of Santa Marta and is a protected region in the northern Caribbean region. The park covers an area of 150km² and presents a diverse range of both fauna and flora which are endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.

The park contains some 108 mammals and 300 species of birds, which make it a must see destination for any bird and animal lover.

Typical residents of the park include the black howler, the deer, over 70 species of bats, and the white eagle. The majority of the park is covered in virgin tropical forest and there are more than 350 types of algae and 770 species of plants. El Zaino is the main entrance to the park and takes you to magnificent beaches, coral reefs, mangroves and mountains. The park holds outstanding beaches, is a must for bird enthusiasts and holds the Macchu Picchu of Colombia: La Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City).

La Ciudad Perdida, built by the Tayrona Indians 900 years ago, is also located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and is simply one of the most spectacular places in South America. From within the jungle, one can witness terraces, roads, bridges and staircases built by prehistoric cultures, as well as over 300 archaeological locations which have been established along the coast and in the jungle.

Take a three day hike to visit the city and while the oppressive heat and mud-soaked jungle present some obstacles, the sheer beauty of the place makes it well worth the effort.