There's no shortage of fabulous flavours to tantalise your taste buds in Columbia, a land where the fabulous cuisine is heavily influenced by many places including Spain, Africa and the Caribbean. The arepa is a flat, unleavened patty made of ground corn or flour which can be grilled, baked, boiled or steamed and coconut rice is a staple side dish you'll discover as part of dishes across the land.

The bandeja paisa is Colombia's unofficial national dish which consists of rice, plantain, minced meat, arepa, avocado, chorizo, black sausage and fried pork rind. Ceviche is a seafood dish, made with fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices, which is very popular in the coastal regions of Colombia, while Sancocho is a traditional Colombian stew which often includes pork, chicken or beef. Empanadas are a tasty treat to enjoy on the go, which are similar to a Jamaican patty and can be stuffed with a variety of fillings.

Postre de Natas is the most famous dessert in Colombia which is made with milk that has been boiled several times, before mixing with eggs, raisins and syrup. Meringue pavlova which has been topped with strawberries or other fresh fruit is another popular choice. Aguardiente, an anise-flavoured drink made from sugarcane is the country's much-loved traditional tipple.

Colombia is considered a great place to visit all year round, but there are distinct variations in temperature between the country's lowland and highland areas. Nights in the highlands can become very chilly, while the lowlands enjoy a tropical climate year-round, with little temperature variation. The Caribbean coast part of the country is particularly appealing for most of the year, with temperatures staying around 33°C. April to June and August to October see the most rainfall in Colombia, but it's still a perfectly acceptable time to visit, with crowds and prices tending to be lower at these times.
A great time to have fun on the beaches is during Columbia's high season in March, when you'll enjoy plenty of warm and sunny days. July to August is also an option for beach games and water sports action, although you can expect some rainfall. If you are keen to explore the Colombian Amazon then June to December are ideal months to visit, with less rainfall and ideal conditions for navigating trails and observing wildlife gathering at water sources. December to April is a good time to visit Columbia's main city Cartagena, with very little rainfall experienced.

You won’t struggle to find exciting things to see and do during your cruise adventure in captivating Colombia. You’ll discover everything from incredible cultural attractions and big city thrills to breathtaking natural wonders and amazing wildlife. Fantastic museums, ancient ruins, vast national parks and glorious beaches are among the delights which will take your breath away.The capital city Bogota, founded in 1536 and nestled high in the Andes Mountains, oozes cultural charm, with historic churches, colonial street and an enthralling gold museum among its many attractions. The imposing coastal metropolis Cartagena is home to a multitude of attractions including Clock Tower Monument, the fountains of Plaza de Bolivar, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Plaza de la Aduana and Convento de la Popa, a magnificent convent at the highest point in the city. Columbia has something to capture the imagination of all travellers. Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, an old church 200 metres underground in a salt mine; hike into a rainforest to see the incredible archaeological ruins of Ciudad Perdida or marvel at Cocora Valley, home to the world’s tallest wax palms and a blissful haven for wildlife living in its enchanting cloud forest.
Other superb attractions in this awe-inspiring land include Las Lajas Sanctuary, Monserrate, Caño Cristales, Botero Museum, Tatacoa Desert, Parque Explora, Monumento Torre del Reloj and Castle Museum. Colombia also boasts many sprawling national parks including Los Nevados National Park, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, El Cocuy National Park and Chiribiquete National Park. The country also boasts a plethora of dreamy paradise islands which are certainly worth a visit including the Rosario Islands, San Andrés, Múcura Island, Isla Grande, Johnny Cay and Barú Island. Popular outdoor pursuits in Colombia include canyoning, paragliding, white water rafting, bungee jumping, caving, rappelling, hiking, mountain biking, kiteboarding, ziplining and scuba diving.