ColombiaWith dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and enchanting people, Colombia should be among the world's most attractive and intoxicating destinations. Unfortunately, the current guerrilla war, combined with ongoing activities of cocaine cartels, has made much of Colombia - dubbed 'Locombia' (the mad country) by the press - off limits to all but the most foolhardy travelers.
The good news is that it's still possible to enjoy Colombia's colorful swirl of myth and mysticism. As long as you avoid all overland travel and stick to major cities and touristed areas, pay attention to the news, and keep your wits about you at all times, you'll get a safe and healthy dose of what is arguably the most underrated travel destination on the continent.
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When to go
The most pleasant time to visit Colombia is in the dry season, but there are no major obstacles to general sightseeing in the wet period. Most Colombians take their vacations between late December and mid-January, so transport is more crowded and hotels tend to fill up faster at this time.
| FACTS FOR THE TRAVELLER |
| Full country name: |
Republic of Colombia |
| Area: |
1,141,748 sq km (440,830 sq mi) |
| Population: |
39,685,000 |
| Capital city: |
Bogotá (pop: 5 million) |
| People: |
58% Mestizo (of European-Indian descent), 20% European descent, 14% mulatto (African-European descent), 4% African descent, 3% African-Indian descent, 1% indigenous |
| Language: |
Castilian Spanish, plus over 200 indigenous languages |
| Religion: |
Catholic 95%, with the remainder a mixture of traditional, Episcopal and Jewish faiths |
| Government: |
Democracy |
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