Insight Guides Colombia (Travel Guide eBook)

Insight Guides

• Publisher: Insight Guides
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781786716354
• eBook ISBN: 9781786717740
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Travel

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Colombia has finally shed its former reputation and is now fulfilling its potential as one of the world's most interesting and unique travel destinations. Safer than ever, Colombia is home to whitewashed colonial towns, a staggeringly large amount of bio-diversity, parts of the Amazon Rainforest and Andes Mountains, idyllic beaches on both its Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and lively, modern cities. Be inspired to visit this wonderful country by this brand new title, a comprehensive full-colour guide to this fascinating and dramatically beautiful country.

Inside Insight Guide Colombia:

A brand new title by our expert Colombia author, Chris Wallace.

Stunning, specially commissioned new photography that brings this breath-taking country and its people to life.

Highlights of the country's top attractions, including the cultural hotpot of Bogota, the palm-fringed beaches on the Caribbean coast, and the stunning colonial old town in Cartagena, in our Best of Colombia.

Descriptive region-by-region accounts cover the whole country from the rainforest in the deep south, to the idyllic beaches in the north and everything in-between.

Detailed, high-quality maps throughout will help you get around and travel tips give you all the essential information for planning a memorable trip, including our independent selection of the best hotels and restaurants.

Language

Traveling to Colombia is an enriching experience, no matter your level of Spanish. However, the more you do understand of the language the easer your time in the country will be. Not only that, but being able to communicate with locals on a conversational level will make your Colombian getaway more rewarding than you could ever imagine. Obviously it’s not realistic to expect those with little or no prior knowledge of Spanish to learn in a short time. However, using some language tapes and/or taking some classes before your trip is highly recommended. Even just knowing the basics can mean the difference between a pleasant experience and a frustrating one. Be aware that if you intend to take formal classes at an accredited learning institution in the country, you will need to obtain a student visa. Some helpful language-learning resources include:

Amerispan (1334 Walnut St, 6th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; tel: [phone]; www.amerispan.com; Mon–Thu 8am–2pm, Fri 7am–1pm EST) offers Spanish immersion and volunteer programs throughout Latin America, including in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín.

Cactus Language Travel Holidays (tel: [phone] (UK); tel: [phone]; www.cactuslanguage.com) offers Spanish language courses often c...

Table of contents

• Colombia’s Top 10 Attractions
• Editor’s Choice
• Introduction: Where Reality Meets Magic
• Land and Environment
• Decisive Dates
• Pre-Columbian History
• Colonial Rule
• Independence From Spain
• Modern History
• Colombianos
• Religion
• Art and Literature
• Food and Drink
• Wildlife
• Insight: Amazonian Wildlife
• Sport and Leisure
• Music and Dance
• Insight: Salsa Dancers
• Traditional Crafts
• Adventure Sports and Activities
• Introduction: Places
• Bogotá
• Medellín
• Antioquia
• Santander
• Zona Cafetera
• Cartagena
• Insight: Colonial Architecture in Cartagena
• Caribbean Coast
• Insight: Caribbean Beaches
• Valledupar
• Guajira
• San Andrés
• Cali
• Chocó
• Amazonas
• Transportation
• A–Z
• Language
• Further Reading