Backpacking in ColombiaIf you are looking for a genuine taste of South American life, you want the true off the beaten track experience - and you are prepared to exercise caution - then Colombia truly is a magical place. It is also the case that – especially in recent years – if you stay well clear of known trouble spots and spend some time in the capital, Bogota, then there are very few incidents of trouble with backpackers. So, do think carefully about what you want out of your backpacking trip – Colombia isn’t for everyone – but if you do go then rest assured, you will be rewarded by one of the most beautiful countries in South America.
Where is it and what’s there?Colombia is the only place in South America to share its border with a non South American Country. The – by South American standards – tiny strip of Panama latches on to the western side of the country and attaches it to Central America. Its continental neighbours are Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast and Peru and Ecuador to the south.Bogota is centrally located and is – as with many of its counterparts – at altitude. The north and the east of the country are dominated by the Andes, and the country is lucky enough to share its coasts with two separate oceans. To the east of Panama the coast is the tranquil Caribbean Sea, while to the west its coast is in the more exposed Pacific Ocean. ClimateColombia is equatorial and, at sea level, has a tropical climate with a ‘wet’ wet season! The capital is at 2600m so has a temperate climate of around 20° year round. Essentially the climate is dictated by the altitude, the higher you go the less tropical the weather becomes, and – if you get it right – many towns and cities have a pleasant spring-like climate 52 weeks a year.Getting there and visasYou can enter Colombia by pretty much any means. If you are on an extensive backpacking tour and Colombia is your first port of call after Central America, then you may well fancy arriving by boat – which is a relatively straightforward trip from Yaviza in Panama.If you are flying in, then most of the main cities have airports and there are good international and continental links. You can also catch a bus from Venezuela or Ecuador to most of the main cities in Colombia. Travelling into the country from Peru or Brazil is not advised as this takes you through the more dangerous southern part of the country. Similarly, if you are in any of the countries neighbouring Colombia and close to the border then you should exercise extreme caution – or better still simply avoid. You can get a 90 day visa free on arrival. Extensions and multi-entry tourist visas are available but, to be honest, 90 days should be more than enough. Getting aroundBy far the safest way to travel around Colombia is to make use of the efficient domestic airlines. These are very safe and – if you are planning on travelling any distance – definitely worth considering.The bus network is also extensive and generally safe – check up to date security warning before you travel and make sure you know which areas to avoid. There are different grades of buses, and be aware that you cannot really pre book buses, you need to know when your bus goes and be ready to buy your ticket on the day. Walking around after dark anywhere in the country is not advised. If you’re in Bogota and heading out for the evening, then get a taxi home. Things to Do while backpacking in ColombiaAs it is not a ‘mass tourism’ or popular backpacking spot, Colombia does give you a chance to experience South American culture at its least diluted. There are organised tours and activities and, although you‘re best off sticking with tour companies, you will find that the country feels very real and there are definitely less places to buy the t-shirt or take ‘that’ photo.• Bogota. Colombia’s capital is massive. With a population of around 8 million, it is a ‘proper’ capital city and the hub of the country. There is plenty to see - both stunning scenery and some genuinely interesting museums and historical sites. And there’s plenty to do, the capital has some great restaurants and bars and – providing you have your route home planned – you should get out there and enjoy!
• Coffee plantations. Colombia is famous for its coffee, and most plantations now supliment their coffee income through offering tours and accommodation at their plantations. A great way for caffeine heads to see where their hit comes from, and also a fantastic and safe way to really get under the skin of the country. • National Parks. Colombia has world class national parks with plenty of outdoor options: from climbing, to kayaking to trekking. There are organised activities throughout the parks, and many Colombians spend their weekends enjoying what the parks have to offer. Again, plenty of very safe and less ‘tracked-out’ options than elsewhere in South America. • Cali. Colombia’s third largest city is the birthplace of South American Salsa. With the music exported here from the US in the 1960s, Salsa became integral to this city and is still going strong today. Check it out and have a lesson! • Reclaim the roads. Central Bogota is strictly ‘car-free’ on Sundays and on holidays. Hire a bike or grab a skateboard, and cruise around the empty streets with the thousands of others Colombians who take advantage of the extra space for a day. Whether or not to ‘do’ Colombia is a perennial problem for backpackers. Nobody likes to feel as if they’ve missed out on seeing every aspect of a region, but equally safety must be a priority. As we’ve stressed, you simply can’t go backpacking in Colombia with the same attitude that you can elsewhere and you must be constantly aware of possible dangers. But, the country is definitely safer than it was 10 years ago, and there is always good information about which areas to avoid. So – do consider making it a part of your backpacking exploits – but don’t take your decision to go lightly. O, and Enjoy!
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