5 reasons to visit Colombia this year

As the snow flies in Michigan I can think of five reason why now is a good time to visit Colombia.

Sure the South American country is great to visit anytime. There you find unique museums such as the Gold Museum. you can encounter centuries old places with a rich history like Cartagena. Then there is fantastic food like ajiaco.

Reason #1 - Get out of the Cold. Bogotá, though 8,600 feet above sea level (30% higher than Denver,Colorado) has year round temperatures between 40 degrees and 70 degrees. The country’s second largest city, Medellin, averages around the high 70 degree mark. But we know when it is that cold in Michigan nothing beats going to a nice Caribbean Island. For that the country has San Andres and Providencia. An Australian friend of our visited the later over the Christmas holidays and did not want to leave.

Reason #2 - The American dollar is the strongest it has been against the Colombian peso in over six years. it was not that long ago that you received 1,600 pesos for your buck. But as of this writing the exchange is hovering at about 50% more or 2,400 pesos. Then throw in that Colombia is one of the least expensive countries to visit in the world. Your dollar really stretches here.

Reason #3 - See the real Colombia - Except for a few areas in Bogotá, Colombia has yet to populate itself with the gringo tourist traps that many other Latin American places have. This is the opportunity to see Colombia as it really is (that is if you venture out of the few gringolandia areas). What you will encounter are warm friendly people and a beautiful diverse land.

Reason #4 - Chance to get arts and crafts before the art is lost - In our travels to small towns we frequently find items not seen anywhere else. More times that we would like to hear, shop owners tell us the art of making the piece is dying. Young people do not want to learn the craft. You can get what can almost be a one of a kind piece of art.

Reason #5 - Check out where you want to retire - “What, retire in Colombia,” you ask. Yes, I know many gringos who have retired here already. Not to mention that International Living has named the country the seventh best place for Americans to retire.

Regardless of where you are the weather is pretty much the same all year. You just have to choose how warm you want to be. Bogotá is like an early spring in the Midwest of the USA. Cartagena and the Caribbean Islands of the country are sunny days with warm breezes in the evening. Then places like Eje Cafeterio and Medellin are in between those two.

The World Health Organization rates Colombia’s medical above that of the USA. During my recent visit to a heart center in Bogotá they told me they get many people from the USA every month. So come now and check out the country. See what place feels like home and purchase before others drive up the prices like has happened in other countries.

Michael is a former Michigander. For the last ten years he has lived in Colombia with his wife where they write about the country on their blogsite www.MichaelandGraciela.com