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Panama City, Panama
The capital city is full of life and rich history. If you’re looking for a great
place to start your 5 weeks in South America, then you’ll definitely want to
check out what Panama City has to offer. Here, there are plenty of museums and
sites that allow you to immerse yourself in the culture and history.
- From Panama City: Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour
- Panama Old Town
- Presidential Palace
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Bocas del Toro, Panama
Located on Isla Colón at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal, Bocas del
Toro is a tropical paradise with plenty of off-the-beaten-path adventures for
travelers who enjoy a bit of solitude. Within its five provinces are 27
villages, each with a distinct local flavor.
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Panama City, Panama
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Cartí Sugtupu, Panama
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San Blas Islands, Panama
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Cartagena, Colombia
Home to a colorful walled old city and a vibrant nightlife, Cartagena is an
especially popular destination for young travelers. Many hostels lie within
walking distance from historic attractions, such as San Felipe Castle, which
dates back to 1533. In-the-know backpackers head to Calle del Reloj for
inexpensive meals served on paper plates by enterprising locals. After dinner,
take a stroll through Plaza de los Coches and marvel at its full roster of
horse-drawn carriages.
- Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar
- Cartagena City Walls
- Calle Santo Domingo
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Santa Marta, Colombia
Located at one end of Parque Tayrona, Santa Marta’s Old Town is a jumble of
colorful buildings that date back to Spanish colonial times. The city’s bohemian
district is called Barrio de Getsemani—getsemani means joyful in Kogi language.
There are two beaches here: one on Cabo San Juan and Playon Chico.
- Santa Marta: Multi-Day Trek to The Lost City
- Parque de Los Novios
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Riohacha, Colombia
This small town has a cute historic center, complete with art galleries and
cafes. It’s also situated near stunning Playon Chico Beach, which is surrounded
by palm trees and offers breathtaking views of Santa Marta—the point where
waters from both Pacific and Caribbean meet. Playon Chico is said to be one of
Colombia’s most beautiful beaches, but expect it to be crowded during peak
season (November through April).
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Uribia, Colombia
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Cabo de La Vela, Colombia
Cabo de La Vela is a remote desert village on Colombia’s northern tip. On the
Caribbean Sea, tranquil El Cabo Beach is known as a destination for kitesurfing.
Just northwest of town, El Pilón de Azúcar (Cerro Kamachi) hill has sweeping
coastal views. Uribia, a town to the south, is a cultural hub for the indigenous
Wayúu people. The bird-rich cloud forest of Macuira National Park rises from the
desert to the east
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Buritaca, Colombia
If you’re new to adventure tourism, look no further than Buritaca for an ideal
introduction. Buritaca National Park, part of Tayrona Park, is one of Colombia’s
smallest but most accessible protected areas. Located on northern coast of
Colombia along Caribbean sea, it is part mountainous jungle and part white sand
beach.
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Santa Marta, Colombia
- Parque de Los Novios
- Basílica de Santa Marta
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Medellín, Colombia
Once you land in Medellin, make your way to Parque Arvi (Arvi Park). It is easy
to find using public transport. It is a beautiful park with lots of cafes and
restaurants. After that, I recommend visiting one of Medellin’s many museums,
which cover topics ranging from art to history and culture. If you enjoy hiking,
don’t miss El Peñol.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Local Guide
- Lleras Park
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín
- Berrío Park
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San Gil, Colombia
You’ll find everything you need for a rockin’ good time here! The city has an
up-and-coming live music scene, great restaurants and nightlife options, and
plenty of outdoor adventures. You can choose to hike through to one of its peaks
or take a quick ride up Cerro De La Media Luna for 360-degree views.
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Barichara, Colombia
If you’re looking for a place with magical beauty, check out Barichara. Located
just south of Barrancabermeja, just off Highway 40, travelers are treated to an
astonishing array of color. The forest here is dense with rich green foliage
against brilliant white limestone hillsides. The town itself is built within one
massive cliff face—it feels as if you’re strolling through a massive art museum.
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Bogotá, Colombia
Colombia is a country with rich history and stunning natural beauty. In Bogota,
you will be fascinated by two contrasting examples of each: visit El Museo Del
Oro to view its vast collection of pre-Colombian gold, and walk through La
Candelaria, one of its most historic and traditional neighborhoods, to visit
Museo de Antioquia and Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
- Bogotá: Colombian Coffee Tour with Farm Visit and Tastings
- La Macarena District
- National Park