Silvia is one of the most rewarding day trips from Popayán, offering a glimpse into a very different side of Colombia. Nestled in the Andes about 60 km northeast of the city, the town is best known for its large Indigenous Misak (also known as Guambiano) community, whose distinctive traditional dress, customs, and weekly market have made Silvia one of the country’s most … [Read more...]

Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park protects one of the largest stretches of tropical rainforest on Colombia’s Pacific coast, where dense jungle, mangrove channels, rivers, and the Pacific Ocean meet. One of the most popular ways to experience the park is by boat, allowing you to reach places that are inaccessible by road while exploring its rich wildlife and dramatic … [Read more...]

Puerto Nariño is a small riverside town in Colombia’s Amazonas Department, about 75 km upstream from Leticia along the Amazon River. Founded in 1961 and later developed as a planned settlement for Indigenous communities, it’s widely known for its strict ban on motor vehicles—movement happens on foot, by canoe, or by small river boats. The area is home mainly to Ticuna and … [Read more...]

Arví Park is a large protected area on the eastern edge of Medellín, stretching across the highlands above the Aburrá Valley. Known for its cloud forest ecosystem, it combines preserved natural terrain with marked trails, picnic areas, and scattered cultural sites linked to pre-Hispanic routes and rural traditions. Despite its size, access is straightforward, especially via the … [Read more...]

While enjoying a pizza on our first evening in Villa de Leyva, we struck up a conversation with a friendly local man, Pedro, at the next table. Before long, he offered to take us on a day trip to a nearby town he described as especially pretty. We happily agreed. A couple of days later, we met up and began driving westward out of town. It was only along the way that I learned … [Read more...]