Talking About Colombia

Christopher Baker in Colombia for National Geographic.

Proexport, the government’s office of tourism, investment and export promotion, predicts to close to 2 million tourists will visit Colombia in 2013.

The United States remains the largest source of international visitors, followed by Venezuela and Argentina. The most visited cities are Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellin.

In Bogotá, explore the trendy restaurants — my favorite is the kitschy-fun Andrés Carne de Res where the night usually ends dancing on tables — and the Gold Museum. Bogotá is also gaining fame for combining artistic ventures with other activities, like an art-gallery-hair-salon-bar, and for the worldly vibe of La Macarena neighborhood. One of my favorite activities in Bogotá is to stroll through colonial La Candelaria neighborhood and discover used books stores.

In Cartagena, explore de cobble-stoned streets of the colonial city where writer Gabriel García Márquez maintains a house. Or you can make the trip to Aracataca, Garcia Marquez’s Birthplace.

In Medellín, enjoy the modern architecture while taking a ride on the funicular. Or take one of several Pablo Escobar tours.

Near Pereira, in coffee country, lounge by the pool of a traditional coffee hacienda that doubles as a hotel.

In Tayrona National Park, marvel at one of the most biologically diverse areas of any coastal zone in the Americas: 200 species of birds, jaguars, monkeys, crystal-like green-aqua waters.