Colombia: hidden wonders and the Rainbow River

Bogotá rises at 2,600 metres on the Andean plateau, a vast and contrasting metropolis that is Colombia's political, cultural and economic heart. Its historic core is La Candelaria, a maze of cobbled streets and brightly coloured colonial houses where museums, universities and literary cafés cluster. At its centre lies Plaza de Bolívar, framed by the Catedral Primada, the Palace of Justice and the Capitolio Nacional. A short walk away stands the famed Museo del Oro, home to an extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian goldwork, and the Museo Botero, which gathers the rotund works of the great Colombian artist. Monserrate hill, reached by funicular, rewards visitors with a spectacular view over the sprawling city at the foot of the Andes. Bogotá is also dynamic and modern: the Zona G is full of fine dining, the Zona Rosa of nightlife, while on Sundays the ciclovías close the streets to traffic for cyclists and families. The cuisine ranges from ajiaco, the capital's chicken-and-potato soup, to specialities from across the country that converge here. Between altitude, art and creative energy, Bogotá reveals itself as a complex and captivating capital, the gateway to all of Colombia.

La Macarena is the gateway to Caño Cristales, nicknamed the "river of five colours" for the extraordinary shades of red, yellow, green and blue that aquatic plants lend its waters during certain months of the year. Set in the eastern Llanos, on the edge of the Sierra de la Macarena, this remote spot offers one of South America's most astonishing natural spectacles. Excursions lead among waterfalls, crystalline pools and rock formations, in a setting of untouched nature. The village is an essential base for visiting the river responsibly. Between impossible colours and wilderness, La Macarena is a dream for nature lovers.

Santa Marta is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Colombia, founded on the Caribbean coast at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, the world's highest coastal mountain range. Its seafront and compact old town make an ideal base for exploring a region of extraordinary natural variety. A few kilometres away lies Tayrona National Park, with beaches framed by jungle, while the indigenous villages of the Sierra preserve age-old traditions. The El Rodadero district offers serviced beaches and seaside life, while nearby Minca, up in the hills, draws nature lovers, birdwatchers and coffee enthusiasts. Santa Marta is also the starting point for the trek to the Ciudad Perdida, the ancient stone city hidden in the forest. Between sea, mountains and history, it is one of the most captivating gateways to the Colombian Caribbean.

The route follows the coastal road that crosses cities, villages, and tropical landscapes along the Caribbean coast. Cartagena de Indias unfolds along Colombia's Caribbean coast as one of Latin America's best-preserved colonial cities, a fortified port that for centuries guarded Spain's New World treasures. Its heart is the Ciudad Amurallada, a walled old town enclosed by mighty limestone ramparts now strolled at sunset, when the sky glows orange over the Caribbean Sea. Within the Centro Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pastel mansions with timber balconies spill over with bougainvillea, shady squares such as Plaza Santo Domingo and Plaza de los Coches invite a pause, and stern colonial churches line the streets. The Getsemaní district, once working-class and now the city's creative soul, throbs with murals, salsa bars and courtyards alive late into the night. The skyline is dominated by Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the largest Spanish fortress in the Americas, while La Popa hill offers sweeping views over bay and islands. Cartagena is also a gateway to beaches, from the high-rise strand of Bocagrande to the crystalline waters of the Islas del Rosario, reached by boat for days of sea and snorkelling. The cuisine blends Caribbean and African flavours, from coconut seafood to the arepas de huevo sold on street corners. With its music, warmth and timeless architecture, Cartagena remains one of the continent's most seductive destinations.