Colombia is one of the most naturally diverse and beautiful countries in the world: beaches, mountains, jungles, deserts…Colombia has it all. But you don’t need to take my word for it: here are 10 stunning photos which perfectly illustrate the magnificent diversity of this country (all photos by Chris Bell, unless stated otherwise):
La Guajira is a remarkable coastal desert on Colombia’s north coast, bordering Venezuela. It’s surreal landscapes and desert Caribbean beaches make it a Colombia highlight.
Colombia is lucky enough to contain within it’s borders sections of the largest rainforest on earth, the Amazon. Teeming with life, the Amazon River and rainforest represent one of the most important ecosystems on earth.
Rising from the Caribbean sea, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta contains more endemic bird species than anywhere in Colombia. It is a unique environment: a coastal, jungle covered mountain range with 5,000 meter snow-capped peaks. The Lost City can also be found in it’s depths.
This large arid area can be found in Huila Department. With strange rock formations, and world-class stargazing, the desert is a surprising landscape to many people who visit Colombia.
Tayrona National Park, like the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, is on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. A truly Jurassic Park-like environment, the park is comprised of jungle-covered mountains meeting boulder-strewn white-sand beaches. Paradise.
El Choco makes up a vast part of Colombia’s other, Pacific, coastal region. Vastly different from the Caribbean, El Choco is one of the wettest lowland places on earth. However, in spite of this inhospitable nature, the region is massively diverse, with humpback whales, leatherback turtles and over 500 species of bird calling it home.
In the lovely countryside of Boyaca Department, near the colonial town of Villa de Leyva, are these stunning azure lakes. Whilst perhaps not as grand as certain sights in Colombia, this lovely countryside is indicative of the beauty of the central Andean region. They’re mighty cold, though…
The gigantic wax palms of the Cocora Valley are Colombia’s national tree, and a truly unique spectacle. The countryside of the Coffee Triangle is some of the most lush and verdant in South America, and the Cocora Valley is a great place to hike and observe the variety of flora and fauna native to Colombia.
Colombia also contains many gorgeous islands within it’s waters: Providencia, near to San Andres Island, and to the coast of Nicaragua, is perhaps the most wonderful. Crystalline blue waters, a coral reef teeming with life, and clean, fresh air makes Providencia a once-in-a-lifetime kind of destination.
The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy mountain range is a national park in Boyaca Department, on the Venezuelan border. The 5 day trekking circuit through the park takes in giant, snow-capped Andean peaks, glacial lakes, and some of the only glaciers in the north of the continent. There are condors, spectacled bears and pumas too, although you might only see them if you’re lucky.
So there you go, hope you enjoyed seeing the diversity that Colombia has to offer. To see more gorgeous pictures of Colombia you can visit our Instagram page here.
Chris
