Colombia

Types of trips: Cultural, Educational, Geographical, Adventure, Exploration

Best known for: Coffee, Emeralds, Diverse Ethnicities/Culture/Nature

Why Go?: Colombia has pretty much everything South America has to offer - from mountain ranges and Caribbean beaches to the Amazon jungle and ancient ruins, this vibrant and multicultural country will educate groups of all shapes and sizes in many areas. 

Fact File

Population: 48,000,000

Capital: Botoga

Language(s): Spanish

Ties to the UK?: Good relationship, popular travel destination

Landscape: Varied terrain, including the Andes mountain range, Pacific and Caribbean coastal regions, low grassy plans and rainforest. 

Climate/Seasons: Generally, May - November is the wettest time of year with flooding sometimes occurring in October and November. 

When to Go: The best time to visit is from December to February when the weather is sunny and warm pretty much throughout the country!

Reasons to Visit: Biodiversity, cultural experiences, scenery

How to Get There: There are many international airports in Colombia you can fly to - air travel is definitely the best way to get there from the UK!

Places to Go: Gold Museum, El Coq, Museo Botero, Barefoot Park

Famous People: Juan Manuel Santos, Sofia Vergara, Fernando Gonzalez Ochoa,  Shakira, Juanes

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Monserrate, Lake Guatavita, Rosario Islands

History: Very diverse, with Spanish colonisation, immigrants from Europe and the Middle East and the native population all influencing the country heavily

Architecture: Bolivar Square, Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira

Culture: Many strong Latin American cultural elements, with other influences from Europe, Africa, Native America and the Middle East 

Sport: Tejo, Football, Roller Skating, Baseball, Boxing, Weightlifting

Events: Blacks and Whites Carnival, Manizales Carnival, Ibero-American Theatre Festival

Watch Out For: There are some areas it is advised people do not travel to due to some local unrest - always check the current status of an area before your journey

Medical Issues: Some vaccines and boosters are recommended for visits to Colombia - check here for a good general overview, but always talk to a doctor.