Although Colombia has long overcome the majority of its issues surrounding drugs and unsafety, many are still hesitant to visit due to the country’s reputation. Today, however, Colombia is booming and as beautiful as ever, making it an optimal travel destination. Here’s why:
1. The Food
No surprise here—the Stanford Foodie transcends the boundaries of the San Francisco Bay Area! Colombian cuisine is comes in many forms and is actually quite different from the types of Latin American food (eg. Mexican food) that most Americans are familiar with. Typical Colombian dishes include…
Aborrajadas
Bocadillo (guava candy) and cheese sandwiched between two fried plantains, then battered and deep-fried.
Ajiaco
Chicken soup with potatoes, corn, sour cream, capers, and avocado.
Arepas
Thick, round breads made from cornmeal, sort of like Colombian tortillas, often topped with butter and salt.
Arroz con Coco
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Rice cooked in coconut milk with a secret ingredient (Coca Cola), commonly served alongside fried fish in coastal towns.
Arroz con Leche
Rice pudding topped with cinnamon.
Bandeja Paisa
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A platter of ground beef, chorizo, beans, plantains, avocado, fried egg, and more.
Café
Colombian coffee is considered some of the best on the planet. Colombia has the third highest annual average coffee production in the world, and coffee fanatics should make sure to visit la Zona Cafetera (the coffee area), which has theme parks dedicated entirely to coffee.
Empanadas
Stuffed pastries typically filled with beef, chicken, or cheese.
Fruit and Fruit Juice
A multitude of tropical fruits you’ve probably never heard of (lulo, guanabana, granadilla, curuba, maracuya) along with fresh fruit juice readily available at nearly any household or restaurant.
Patacones
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2. The Music
While I’m sure you’ve already heard of Shakira, other fantastic Colombian musicians include Juanes, Carlos Vives, Santiago Cruz, and Fanny Lu, among many, many others.
Shakira
Songs worth listening to: Suerte and Ojos Así
Juanes
Songs worth listening to: La Camisa Negra and A Dios Le Pido
Carlos Vives
Songs worth listening to: Volví a Nacer y La Tierra del Olvido
Santiago Cruz
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Songs worth listening to: Desde Lejos and Si No Te Vuelvo a Ver
Fanny Lu
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Songs worth listening to: Fanfarrón and No Te Pido Flores
Dancing is also a huge part of Colombian culture, as most people are expected to know dances such as salsa, merengue, bachata, and cumbia, all of which are very popular at parties and social events.
3. The Sports
Colombians are extremely passionate about fútbol (soccer, that is), and it had been a while since our national team had been successful until last year's 2014 FIFA World Cup. Thanks to the efforts of star players such as #10 James Rodriguez, Colombia made it to the quarterfinals and hopes to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Rodriguez also won the golden boot for scoring the most goals (6) out of anyone in the 2014 World Cup.
Colombia has also been very successful in cycling due to athletes such as Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Urán. Quintana, who is only 25 years old, came in second place in the 2013 and 2015 Tours de France and first in the 2014 Giro d'Italia. Similarly, Urán placed second in the 2013 and 2014 Giros d'Italia.
4. The Landscape
Colombia’s landscape is both stunning and diverse, as it is considered to be one of Conservation International’s 17 megadiverse countries and contains everything from big cities and small towns to Caribbean islands and mountainous terrain. Here are a few spots worth checking out:
Amazonas
Bogotá
Cartagena
Islas del Rosario
La Guajira
Medellín
Tayrona National Park
Villa de Leyva
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Zona Cafetera
5. The People
Quite simply, Colombia is considered one of the happiest places on earth! Despite past troubles and turmoil, Colombia is a country full of joyful, loving, and hardworking people who are eager to welcome you to our beautiful part of the world. As a Colombian-American, I want YOU to visit my country of origin and see how far it has come.
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