www.colombiaunlimited.com http://www.colombiaunlimited.com Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Exploring The Diverse Heritage of Colombia http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/14/exploring-the-diverse-heritage-of-colombia/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/14/exploring-the-diverse-heritage-of-colombia/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=14 Columbia in South America is quickly rising in popularity as a travel destination. For many years it was completely unsafe to travel there, because of the internal conflicts and drug wars. Today Columbia s much safer to travel in, and gets over a million tourists per year with that number steadily rising.

Columbia has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of historical interest to travelers, including the fortifications surrounding the old city of Cartagena. Its beaches are also a large attraction. For the Eco tourist there is Tayrona National Natural Park with beautiful ocean views at Arrecifes Beach, the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Catalina and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria Mountains. From the mountains to the Amazonian rainforest, Columbia is a country of many natural wonders and has several national parks to visit. Many tourists enjoy the the historic district of Bogot, known as La Candelaria. There are numerous colonial towns; such as Villa de Leyva, Las Lajas Sanctuary, Santa Cruz de Mompox, Santa Fe de Antioquia, and Popayan. Many festivals and carnivals are held each year including; the Festival of the Flowers in Medellin, the Barranquilla Carnival, the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto and the Ibero-American Theater Festival in Bogot.

Cruise ships are once again making port in Cartagena and Santa Marta. However, it is recommended when traveling between Columbian cities to fly, rather than use the roadways, for your personal safety. There are many convenient airports in Columbia.Related Article : Caribbean vibe in Cartagena – Cartagena, Colombia

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/14/exploring-the-diverse-heritage-of-colombia/feed/ 0 How To Travel Safely In Colombia http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/11/how-to-travel-safely-in-colombia/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/11/how-to-travel-safely-in-colombia/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=13 No matter where you travel, you always want to keep safety in mind. If you have a trip planned to Columbia and you’re looking for safety tips, here are some to consider!

Bring someone with you: Consider bringing a friend or family member with you. Traveling alone anywhere can be dangerous.

Tell people your plans: Before you leave for your trip, make sure you tell people where you’re going, where you’re going to stay and give them all the details just in case something happens.

Contact number: Always have a phone number someone can contact you at. Also, be sure to call someone back home daily so they know where you’re at and what you’ve been doing.

Check dangerous places ahead of time: Like any place on the globe, there are dangerous areas. Before you go, be sure to check out which areas are shady and which ones aren’t. Avoiding a dangerous area, especially one that has a lot of walking access should be avoided. Downtown ghettos are usually where the crimes are at.

As you can see, there are some great safety tips you may want to consider. Safety is always a top priority no matter where you go in life.

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/11/how-to-travel-safely-in-colombia/feed/ 0 The Ins and Outs of Traveling In Colombia http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/08/the-ins-and-outs-of-traveling-in-colombia/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/08/the-ins-and-outs-of-traveling-in-colombia/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=12 Colombia is a large diverse South American country. It has a population of 45,925,397, which is also the second largest group of Spanish speaking people after Mexico. The country has been tormented by internal conflict, which has deterred people from traveling there. Travelers can read this article and learn some tips for survival in Colombia.

The Cities

Colombia is a developing country with several major cities that are safe for tourist to explore. Bogota, which was once the world’s murder capital is now a great city for tourist to visit.Didn’t catch that? This explains it. Other popular cities include, Medellin, Cartagena and Leticia.

Transportation Colombia has well maintained national highways, which connect drivers to neighboring countries. There are international airports and public transportation in the cities. Visitors should avoid hailing cabs off the street and only use the ones that are marked yellow.

Rural Areas

Although Colombia has experienced a decline in crime, travel in the rural ares should be avoided. Armed paramilitary groups and drug traffickers have been known to kidnap foreigners. If it is necessary to travel to these areas, Spanish knowledge is recommended.

Colombia is a wonderful country to visit as long as caution is exercised. Petty theft is common, but rarely do tourist become victims of violent crimes in the major cities. Travelers should use this advice before taking a trip to Colombia.

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/12/08/the-ins-and-outs-of-traveling-in-colombia/feed/ 0 Colombian Food to Check Out http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/10/31/colombian-food-to-check-out/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/10/31/colombian-food-to-check-out/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/?p=10 If all you know about Colombia you learned from watching “Traffic” or “Blow” on Direct TV, you’ve got another think coming! It’s a culture rich in history and pride and if the Colombians know how to do one thing right, it’s food. Here are a few of our favorite Colombian dishes you should learn more about.
Abborajado: It’s a mouthful to pronounce but this sweet and savory treat is one of our favorite delicacies from Colombia. It consists of plantains, split and stuffed with cheese then fried until melty and golden. Yum.
Changua: It may sound weird rolling off the tongue and described on a menu but boy, is it tasty. This national dish consists of sweet, hot milk soup with a floating poached egg and sometimes corn, if you’re lucky. It’s traditionally for breakfast but we’ll eat it anytime.
Hot Chocolate: “Hey, that’s American,” you say! Not so fast. Drinkable chocolate was actually first cultivated by the Mayans and the Colombians know how to do it thick, small and just a little bit spicy. You only need one cup.

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/10/31/colombian-food-to-check-out/feed/ 0 Exposing Yourself To The Wonders Of Colombian History http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/23/exposing-yourself-to-the-wonders-of-colombian-history/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/23/exposing-yourself-to-the-wonders-of-colombian-history/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=9 Hearing about Colombia history is quite captivating, but being exposed to the history of Colombia is incredibly awe-inspiring. The land of Colombia, during the pre-Colombian era, was inhabited by nomadic farmers or primitive hunters who were indigenous people. Moreover, after gaining independence from Spain, Colombia experienced a wide variety of uprisings and civil confrontations. In addition, Colombia changed its name a total of seven times.

One thing for sure, Colombia’s cultural traditions are immensely diverse. The various groups all come well-equipped with unique accents, customs, cultural adaptations and social patterns. Furthermore, these groups are all broken down into three separate cultures: the coastal regions, the interior and the countryside. Every now and then, sharing a common goal, these three cultures of distinct groups would come together. The one goal they shared and found the time to unite for was only during sporting events, elections and beauty pageants.

The country’s detailed interiors inside their churches are reflections of the Renaissance and Medieval churches found throughout Spain. The larger cities’ newer buildings are built with modern designs and various adaptations of the Baroque style. In general, Colombia is a fine country that has successfully made a name for itself in this world.

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/23/exposing-yourself-to-the-wonders-of-colombian-history/feed/ 0 Finding Your Way Around Colombia’s Cities http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/20/finding-your-way-around-colombias-cities/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/20/finding-your-way-around-colombias-cities/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=8 Finding your away around while in Colombia can be a difficult proposition. Adequate preparation can prevent getting lost in Colombia. Getting lost in an unknown country is every tourists worst fear.
Learning to interact with the locals in Colombia is essential. This means knowing some of the Colombian language. Take the time to learn the basic essentials of the language before making the trip. or you could find yourself with a significant language barrier. Translation books are a good way to learn the language before visiting and are a helpful resource while visiting.
Plan where you will be going in the country before visiting.Never heard of this before? Get up to speed here. Research how you will be getting places and make plans to get there. This can include getting a rental car or using public transportation. While its good to know where you are going and when, don’t allow a stringent schedule to interfere with enjoying your vacation in Colombia. Just having an idea is good enough.
Buy maps of the local areas you plan on visiting in Colombia. Use a map to trace your route while traveling through a city so that it isn’t difficult to find your way back. Wandering around is fun until you have no clue how to get back.

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/20/finding-your-way-around-colombias-cities/feed/ 0 Exploring The Impressive History of Colombia http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/16/exploring-the-impressive-history-of-colombia/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/16/exploring-the-impressive-history-of-colombia/#comments Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=7 The history of Colombia goes back way before the landings of Columbus and the other Spanish explorers. Hunter-gatherer societies existed there at least 12,000 years ago, and more advanced cultures were in place sometime after 1000 BC. The Spanish finally arrived around 1500, as Vasco Nez de Balboa and others began the conquest of the region. The Spanish ruled the area for three hundred years, grouping Colombia with Venezuela and Ecuador in the Viceroyalty of New Granada. The Spanish were finally driven out of Colombia in 1822, by rebels under the leadership of Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Paula Santander. Internal political disputes led to the separation of Venezuela and Ecuador from Colombia in 1830, and in 1903 the region known as Panama separated to form an independent country under the influence of the United States. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Colombia experienced political stability, but that ended in 1948 when the assassination of a presidential candidate provoked a civil war that came to be known as La Violencia. The civil war ended by 1958, initiating an extended period period of cooperation and reform. Powerful drug cartels came into being in the 1970′s, but have since declined in power as Colombians regained control of their country.

]]> http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/16/exploring-the-impressive-history-of-colombia/feed/ 0 Discovering The Impressive Cuisine of Colombia http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/14/discovering-the-impressive-cuisine-of-colombia/ http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/2011/07/14/discovering-the-impressive-cuisine-of-colombia/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.colombiaunlimited.com/&p=6 No traveling experience is complete without experiencing the local cuisine. Eating at chain restaurants should only be a last resort when so many luxurious, satisfying, and exciting new foods are waiting to surprise the palate of each traveler’s mouth. Colombia will not disappoint.

Each region has varying traditional cuisine, like anywhere in the world. Consistencies do exist; they love to eat meat, eat an arepa as bread with many meals, and typically enjoy a very sweet dessert. It is also common to find variations of chorizos and empanadas in most regions, as well as the sweet treat of manjar blanco. All of these must be sampled.

Colombian cuisine often combines variations of vibrant spices with rice, vegetables, beans, and meat. The tamales are the perfect example. They may be steamed in leaves like their Mexican cousins; however, they are not the same.

In the coastal regions, you are more likely to find a greater variety of fish, seafood, and lobster. These staples are often served with a rich coconut sauce. It is also more prevalent to find fresh fruit on menus and on the streets near the coast. However you choose to participate in the culinary delights of Colombia, you will not be disappointed.

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