photo by Rubi Florez via Flickr
The face of Colombia is changing rapidly and long gone are the days of Pablo Escobar and the infamous drug cartels of Medellin and Cali. Since Escobar’s death in 1993, Medellin has been going through positive economic changes with new locally owned museums, open air cinemas, boutiques and more, giving the city a new image. And with the introduction of the Metro system in 1994, getting to all these beautiful shops and parks has been easy and a sense of community has been stitched together along the years that makes Colombia truly shine.
Need the proof? Travelers ranked Medellin as the number one travel destination on the rise in South America and Cali also makes the top ten list.
photo by MGA73bot2 via Creative Commons.
So What’s Hot in Medellin?
When visiting Medellin, there are definitely some top neighbourhoods that you should check out that will keep you smiling from ear to ear. The first is El Poblado. It’s a bit touristy but while in Rome you gotta do some of the touristy things. The reason why it’s a big tourist area is because it houses the best hostels, nightclubs, restaurants and bars in the area. It’s the perfect scene for hip travelers.
If El Poblado is a bit too fast paced, nearby neighborhood Patio Bonito is worth checking out. This neighborhood is home to the party crowd with eclectic cafes and bars at your disposal. This area is also known as the digital hub where young working professionals congregate.
Not a scenester? Check out Laureles where you’ll see the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, the stadium where the local soccer teams play. There are also some laid-back sport bars nearby for post-game merriment.
And if you’re a history buff, then El Centro is where it’s at. Best seen during the day, El Centro offers travellers the Botero Park, Casa de La Memoria, Antioquia Museum and many many more local treasures.
photo by Chinmayisk via Creative Commons
So What’s Hot in Cali?
For starters, check out the Barrio San Antonio. Why? It has some of the hippest cafes, bars and gastro pubs in the whole area. And after you grab a bite, why not head to a salsa bar. After all, the seductive dance is what put Cali on the map. There are lots of salsa bars in the area where travelers can join in on the fun but if you’re more of an observer than a participant, that’s OK too. Either way, it’s a must-do or must-see while in Cali.
And for those who are more of nature enthusiasts, Cali has the best butterfly farm in the country –Mariposario Andoke – which houses fifteen species of exotic butterflies that will make any naturist’s heart melt. And if you’re still looking to spy bigger animals, the Zoologico de Cali is also a must-visit – especially if you’re a flamingo fan as they take care of a huge Andean pink flamingo community on premises.
Why Wait?
The best time to book your Colombian adventure is now especially if you want to be ahead of the scene. Contact the Colombia travel experts for a customized trip and your friends will be envious of your Instagram feed, guaranteed.