Colombia

Bold and beautiful, Colombia is a destination which possesses all the charms of South America in one place. Whether you’re looking for pristine Caribbean beaches, lush Amazonian rainforest, or cosmopolitan cities full of brightly painted, historic buildings and throbbing nightlife, you’ll find it all (and more) in Colombia.

The country has been a popular destination for backpackers for many years, so there’s a well-worn “gringo trail” encompassing many of Colombia’s most famous hotspots. These include the cultured capital of Bogotá, known for its fabulous museums and world-class street art; Medellin, which entices digital nomads from all over the world thanks to its fast Wi-Fi, lively nightlife and coffee culture, and innovative buildings which include the sleek shards of the Espana Library; and the cobbled streets of Cartagena, a stunning colonial city set on the country’s Caribbean coast. For breathtaking archaeological ruins, head north to Ciudad Perdida, Colombia’s “lost city”. Slightly more off the beaten track, the city of Mompox served as inspiration for Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s seminal book, ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’. For a taste of local party culture, head to the annual, hedonistic Barranquilla Carnival, one of the largest carnivals in the world.