For years backpackers have been put of
Colombia by tales of danger, but with increasing security, Colombia is
now back on South America's backpacking route. As a backpacker, you'll
find budget hotels throughout the country, and those with time to spend
could easily spend up to two months travelling the main sites.
There's a few places of legendary status for
those backpacking in Colombia. Top of the list is Park Tayrona, where you'll
either be camping or sleeping in a hammock on the beach. Park Tayrona
is a great place to hang out for a few days, weeks or even longer. The
beaches are quite spectacular and the place has quite a chilled, even
hippy-ish vibe.
Adventure backpackers will head to Ciudad Perdida,
Colombia's "Lost City" - it's a five day hike through the rainforest to
spectacularly situated ancient ruins. You'll either be camping or
sleeping in hammocks for the journey. Nearby Taganga is a fishing
village that the best option for staging trip to Ciudad Perdida.
Another popular backpacker hangout is San Cipriano, which is not
far from Cali in the South
of Colombia. The gravity powered train journey there is highly
memorable, the locals are friendly and the town is a great place to
chill out and swim in rivers for a few days.
Backpackers will invariably also visit
capital city Bogota, and
the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena.
If travelling overland, a great stop off point to split up this long
journey in colonial San Gil,
Colombia's adventure sports capital.
The male backpackers who might be reading
this should definately check out Cali
and it's amazing salsa based nightlife and stunning local women.
See also the related section on the cost of travel to Colombia.
Those who are backpacking onwards to other
countries will find practical advice here about how to go about
crossing over into Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru or Brazil. See the section
on Pasto if you plan on
backpacking into Ecuador. See the section on the border crossings with
Venezuela if you're going the opposite direction. You might
alternatively consider the days long boat journeys along the
Amazon river into Peru or Brazil.
