One of my favorite countries, Colombia is a country of contrasts, where Andean peaks, lush coffee farms, tropical beaches, and dense Amazonian jungles coexist. Few countries in the world offer such a variety of climates and landscapes within a single border, making every region feel like a different world. Long burdened by violence and instability, Colombia is now one of the most exciting and rewarding places to explore in Latin America.

Eventually separated from the Viceroyalty of Peru (Mexico City and Lima being the main Spanish administrative centers in its New World colonies), New Granada with its capital at Santa Fe de Bogota included today’s Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama and served as a commercial bridge between the North and the South of colonial Spain. It is here, where after a heroic and legendary struggle, the Great Liberator, Simon Bolivar, established the independent Gran Colombia in 1821. Colombia’s modern history has been shaped by ongoing conflicts between conservative elites and grassroots movements, from La Violencia in the mid-20th c. to the long guerrilla war with the FARC. The rise of cocaine cartels in the late 20th c., particularly under Pablo Escobar, added another layer of turmoil. Yet, despite the scars of its past, Colombia has seen increasing stability in recent years, with peace agreements and economic reforms reshaping its future.

Colombia is a democratic republic with a history of polarized politics, shaped by the long-running conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and leftist guerrillas. While the peace process with the FARC has brought relative stability, other armed groups continue to operate in certain regions. Corruption and social inequality remain pressing concerns, with political debates focused on economic reforms, security policies, and land redistribution. Foreign investment has been increasing, especially in infrastructure, but there are persistent challenges related to governance and security.

Historically reliant on coffee and bananas, Colombia’s economy has diversified significantly. Oil, mining, and manufacturing have become dominant sectors, while tourism is rapidly growing. The illicit drug trade remains an issue, influencing both domestic politics and international relations. Despite these challenges, the country’s major cities—Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali—are hubs of innovation, and foreign investment, particularly from China, is fueling large-scale development projects.

Colombians are known for their warmth, friendliness, and strong regional identities. The culture is deeply influenced by a blend of Spanish, Indigenous, and African traditions, with noticeable differences in attitude and speech between the Caribbean coast, the Andes, and the Amazon. While Colombians are famously hospitable, there is also a lingering wariness due to the country’s turbulent past. However, for travelers, Colombia is one of the most welcoming places in Latin America.

Colombia’s artistic legacy includes renowned figures like writer Gabriel García Márquez and painter Fernando Botero. Music and dance are central to national identity—salsa dominates in Cali, while vallenato is the soul of the Caribbean coast. Medellín’s urban transformation has made it a cultural hub, with street art, music, and fashion playing a prominent role. Indigenous traditions remain strong in certain regions, particularly in the Amazon and Sierra Nevada.

Colombian cuisine is diverse, reflecting the country’s varied geography. Bogotá’s ajiaco santafereño, a hearty chicken and potato soup, is a must-try, as is the bandeja paisa from Medellín, a massive platter featuring beans, rice, meat, plantains, and an egg. The country is also known for its tropical fruits, with an incredible variety available at markets like Paloquemao. Fresh seafood is abundant on the coasts, particularly in Cartagena and Santa Marta.

Affordable and just emerging from decades of civil conflict and guerrilla wars, Colombia is quickly becoming the most popular backpacker destination in Latin America, especially as countries as Costa Rica and Peru have become more expensive. There are mountains everywhere and it rains quite a lot. Bogota is on the cool side, is enormous but has an excellent cultural offering (the Gold and Botero museums, studding ornate Baroque churches), food, drink and party scene, and many towns to visit around with warmer climates. Medellin is the main draw for expats and digital nomads due to its temperate climate, an excellent infrastructure and an exciting night life and food scene. El Eje Cafetero is not far, with Salento as the main destination (but it can get rainy and cold). Cartagena is the tropical colonial capital of Colombia, crowded year-round but offering beautiful Caribbean beaches (warmer than those in Santa Marta) and high-end restaurants and accommodations. Cali is hot and salsa is literally everywhere. Bucaramanga has an ideal warm tropical climate year-round surrounded by stunning lush mountains but isn’t developed for tourism yet. Barichara, voted the most beautiful town in the country, a few hours from Barichara, is my favorite - a small preserved colonial town in the mountains with an ideal climate year-round, both dry and tropical at the same time. Letitia at the (non-existent) border with Brazil and Peru is a quaint town and a starting point for the Amazon exploration (I really liked pedestrian and cute Puerto Nariño). But the best of all is, of course, the people – friendly, chatty, helpful and curious, with distinct regional cultural differences blending Spanish, indigenous and African influences. It’s really hard to get bored or feel lonely in Colombia.

Colombia is affordable but vast—getting around takes time, and buses, while comfortable, can be slow. Bogotá’s altitude makes it much cooler than expected, while Medellín offers near-perfect weather year-round. Cartagena is stunning but crowded, and the beaches further away from the city are better. Be prepared for diverse climates, from the chilly mountains to the humid jungle. Above all, engage with the locals—Colombians are some of the friendliest and most engaging people you’ll meet. And yes, take advantage of the endless variety of tropical fruit and try the ajiaco santoferreño, my favorite.