Bogota, the nation's capital, is vibrant and culturally diverse, and, like most Latin American cities, it is also full of contrasts, an undeniably fascinating metropolitan mix of poverty and wealth, order and chaos. After the pulsating Colombian capital, travelers usually head to Cartagena, legendary for its colonial splendor, and the Caribbean coastline for a few days of relaxation. The daring sometimes also choose to venture beyond the safety of the coast and big cities to explore Colombia's mountains and rainforest. While certain areas are considered safe, travelers should always check with local law enforcement to confirm the current status of areas outside the regular tourist circuit.

There are in fact many tourists that do still travel to the capital, Bogota or to the legendary resort town of Cartagena and the duty-free offshore island province of San Andres. Most visitors enjoy a fascinating, exciting and trouble-free experience and usually make the trip as part of an organised package tour.Bogota's altitude means it is cool year-round, but the best time to visit is in the dry season from December through March. July and August are also relatively dry, while the worst of the rains come in April and October. The bullfighting season (Feria Taurina) is in January and February.

Despite its beautiful mountains, rainforest, and beaches, handsome cities, and captivating people, for most, Colombia remains off limits because of the ongoing, 40-year-old war between government, guerilla, and paramilitary forces. If you decide to visit Colombia and take appropriate security precautions, you will almost certainly be pleasantly surprised by how smoothly life runs in this exotic and complex country.

Urban Colombia centres on Bogota, home to about 20 percent of the country's inhabitants. This ancient city was the pre-Columbian capital of the Chibcha Indians and remains a blend of old and new, teeming with Spanish colonial buildings and plazas alongside modern skyscrapers. Beggars rub shoulders in the streets with smartly dressed business people, while mule trains wind their way through the traffic jams.