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The most transformed city in Latin America and the Caribbean's most beautiful colonial port.
Medellín was the world's most violent city in the 1990s. It is now the most innovative in Latin America — cable cars connect previously inaccessible hillside comunas, the metro is the best on the continent and the food and nightlife scene rivals any in South America. This transformation is Colombia's greatest story.
Cartagena is the Caribbean counterpoint — the best-preserved Spanish colonial walled city in the Americas. Beautiful and increasingly touristy, but the candy-coloured buildings and 11km walls earn their reputation completely.
The Medellín cable car comunas, the outdoor escalators in San Javier and the urban renewal story are some of the most inspiring examples of city transformation in the world.
The Eje Cafetero coffee region — Salento, wax palms in the Valle de Cocora and coffee hacienda tours — is the most beautiful landscape in Colombia and 4 hours from Medellín.
Cartagena's 11km colonial walls, the Castillo San Felipe and the preserved historic centre are the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas.
The MetroCable, Botero sculptures, the transformation story and excellent food scene.
The walled city is beautiful. Getsemaní next door is more authentic and much cheaper.
The most beautiful landscape in Colombia — Salento and the Valle de Cocora wax palm forest.
Colombia is much safer than its reputation — normal urban awareness applies in all cities
The Medellín cable car is included in the regular metro ticket — an extraordinary affordable piece of infrastructure
Ask specifically for specialty coffee in Colombia — the best is exported, but third-wave coffee shops in Medellín are excellent
Ciudad Perdida trek must be done with a licensed operator — the trail passes through restricted territory
Cartagena's Getsemaní neighbourhood is more authentic and 50% cheaper than the tourist walled city
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Curated activities worth booking in advance — via GetYourGuide.
MetroCable, Commune 13 street art and the Escobar-to-innovation story.
Colonial fortifications and Spain's most important Caribbean port.
The complete coffee journey from cherry to cup on a working estate.
The jungle trek to the 900-year-old Tairona city.
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