10 Ways Colombia Stole My Heart
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Taking a Latin dance class in Santa Marta at the Masaya Hostel
1. Salsa Dancing Everywhere
The one thing in the world that I love just as much as traveling is dancing. As the type of person who has trouble sitting still, I appreciate cultures that weave shaking their hips and twisting their feet into everything they do. Colombia is home to one of these cultures. While every hostel I stayed in offered free salsa classes, going out to clubs allowed for easy opportunities to meet locals and have them help me perfect my salsa. Even in sit-down restaurants I’d see people dancing salsa, and I loved working off my dinner by joining them.2. Adventure Abounds
If you enjoy getting active, there are many opportunities around Colombia. While from Cartagena I took a weekend trip to hammock camp, jungle hike and snorkel in Tayrona National Park, Medellin allowed me to try paragliding for the first time. In Bogota, I took a street art-themed bike tour around the city and hiked three kilometers (1.8 miles) to the top of Monserrate. There’s no shortage of ways to explore the beautiful landscapes and cities that litter this country.3. Futbol Fever
I always wished I could be one of those cool girls that loved to watch sports; however, while I play soccer, I was never able to understand the point of watching strangers tackle each other or kick balls around. Until I went to Medellin. Watching a Medellin futbol (soccer) game is like being in a techno club with some very energetic, angry people who are out for blood. There is so much energy in the crowd — nobody sits aside for halftime — and everyone chants and fist pumps nonstop (even when players fall and injure themselves).Day trips to places like the amazing El Peñón de Guatapé are easily accessible on a budget — even by 90-minute taxi!
4. It’s Budget-Friendly
One of the hardest parts of coming back to NYC from Colombia was not being able to take inexpensive taxis everywhere I went. For most Western travelers, Colombia is an inexpensive destination where you can stretch you dollar far to have an array of memorable experiences. To give you an idea, at a medium-priced restaurant for an enormous meal with a glass of wine I spent on average about $15 including tip. There are also more inexpensive restaurants for those on tighter budgets. Moreover, a hostel cost about $12 a night, while a 20-minute cab ride cost about $7.5. It Surprised Me
Unfortunately, Colombia deals with a number of negative stereotypes, from being the capital of cocaine to having a large amount of violent crime. While I’m not saying drugs aren’t prevalent there (they are) and that you shouldn’t watch your back and what neighborhoods you’re in, I was surprised how safe I felt — even in Bogota, which is a dangerous city — and how friendly the people were. Despite a part of me expecting to feel too unsafe to meet locals or venture too far from my hostels, by the end of the two-week trip I genuinely felt like Colombia was a place I could live one day.6. Free Fun
There are some really great free activities to enjoy in Colombia. For one, most of the major cities offer free walking and/or bike tours, such as Bogota Bike Tours in Bogota and Real City Tours. Moreover, in Medellin there are the Botanical Gardens, the Metro Cables (free to a certain point) for beautiful views and Plaza Botero, with its 23 disproportionate Fernando Botero statues. In Cartagena, I recommend wandering the Old Town and admiring the colorful (mainly) Colonial-style architecture before crossing the wall and enjoying a beer on the beach. When in Bogota, stroll through Parque Simón BolÃvar with its gardens, bike paths and library before heading to some of the free museums, like the Museo Botero or the National Museum. Basically, there is a lot of really awesome things to do in Colombia without spending a dime.7. Great Hostels
I’ve written about how amazing backpacking South America is, with one reason being the continent has great hostels, typically with lots of amenities. In Colombia it’s no different, as the country is full of social hostels that make it easy to make friends — especially for those traveling solo — and explore the best of the city. Some hostel recommendations from the trip include Casa Kiwi in Medellin, Masaya Hostel in Santa Marta and Bogota, and El Viajero Hostel in Cartagena.On many tours, guides and guests on spoke Spanish, giving me an opportunity to practice my language skills.