Colombia
Photos and story by Aaron Riggins
“The only risk is wanting to stay.” Colombia’s government agency responsible for promoting tourism took a chance on this honest and daring marketing slogan. Colombia is a self-aware country, aware of its perception resulting from a tumultuous time decades ago. While still healing, the politcal climate and safety have improved drastically and now is the moment for Colombia to shine. This self-awareness extends to an endless supply of natural beauty and culture to be explored.
A country with roughly a ninth of the land area of the United States has reason to be so confident. It packs almost 2000 miles of coastline spanning two bodies of water, the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The maritime region alone provides travel opportunities to keep a tourist busy for weeks. Head to the Pacific region for whale watching, leatherback turtle spotting and biodiverse mangrove forests. The Caribbean coast is home to Cartagena, an internationally known historic city with world class hotels and beautiful colonial architecture. Just a few hours away lies Santa Marta, the oldest city in South America and second in the Americas. It’s modest colonial center is a perfect jumping point for relaxing on the sand, scuba diving off the coast of nearby Taganga or hiking along the beaches of the stunning seaside paradise of Tayrona National Park.
Head inland for innovative urban centers like Medellin, home to the only Metro system in the country and a public transit cable car connecting the once dangerous and removed impoverished
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