TOURISM IN COLOMBIA

Tourism in Colombia is regulated with the functions of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia government, sometimes in association with the implementation of politics of the Ministries of

Culture and Finance to promote the

country's

economy and

an employment

generation for

Colombian

society.

The government's emphasis on tourism is done in seven sectors, sun and beach and is on the shores of the Pacific or Atlantic, or on the pacific , rivers, lakes and ponds; exalting history and culture, agro tourism, ecotourism and adventure sports . With the cultural framework fairs and festival´s and departmental capitals to promote local economic development potential sites ´like Capurganá, Bahia Solano-Nuquí, Nemocón and Vaupés.

Main cities of tourism

Cartagena, Vaupés, Bahía

Solano Nuquí, Eje cafetero,

Santa Marta, San Andrés y

Providencia, Medellín.

Over time, Cartagena has developed its urban

area, preserving the historic and becoming one

of the most important ports in Colombia, the

Caribbean and the world as a famous tourist

destination.

Main tourist sites Santuario del señor caído de Monserrate (Bogotá), Acuario de Medellín, La Cocotera (Cartagena de indias), Parque de los Poetas (Cali), Mariposario Andoke (Cali)

Castillo de San Felipe de Bajaras

El Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a military

fortress in the city of Cartagena de Indias built by

the Spanish during the colonial period in what is

now Colombia. It was the largest of the Spanish

forts built in the Americas. Construction began in

the year 1536 with the name of Castillo de San

Lazaro, enlarged in 1657.

Baru “Playa Blanca”

These white sand beaches are in the south of Cartagena. This place is almost 2 hours away from the city and can be reached by bus, car or boat. Playa Blanca offers the most beautiful sea of Cartagena, with blue and green hues. The particularity of this beach is that it is fairly deserted by their remoteness from the city and hotels.

COMMERCE

Cartagena has a rising

commercial vocation, to be

tourist destination, the city

offers a wide range of shops

where they are recognized

chain stores, department

stores, international franchise

and specialized trade areas.

ECONOMY

Cartagena has a strong

economy multifaceted

because it has a diversified

production structure in sectors

such as industry, tourism, trade

and logistics for international

maritime trade is facilitated due

to its strategic location on the

Caribbean Sea to the north and

South America in the center of

the Americas.

MUSIC

Long before the widespread

"champeta" Cartagena has

distinguished itself as the cradle of

great musicians and source

various musical expressions. It is

considered by some the leading

original music culture Cartagena

today, named for more than 20

years, which is then translated to a

type of dance and finally to a

musical genre.

B a h í a

It is one of the best preserved natural areas of the country because of its isolation. The forest dominates the landscape and because of the high rainfall is amazing biodiversity. It highlights the immense beaches, freshwater streams and the beauty of the forest to meet the sea.

S o l a n o – N u q u í

Economy The economy is produced by artisanal

and sport fishing, farming and

agriculture in small-scale

Tourist sites It is considered one of its kind to contain a variety of ecosystems, ranging from the ocean to the jungle. Framed by the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of the Serrania del Baudo, is estimated as one of the most biodiverse national parks not only in Colombia but in the world.

SAN ANDRES Y PROVIDENCIA

San Andres y Providencia

Economics Department of San Andres and Providencia is based mainly on tourism and trade; daily come to the islands several aircraft from different Colombian cities and some from abroad, in search of relaxation and rest, the above activities are complemented by own agriculture and subsistence fishing, which is insufficient to supply the islands and this makes the interior of the country must import most of the food for daily consumption, both natives and tourists.

Festivities Carnival Coco: Starts in the month of November 27

to 30, marks the birthday of San Andrés and carry

out a "Reign of Coco" contest in which several

countries participate in the Atlantic Coast and

neighboring islands. To this is added the Green

Moon Festival (The green moon festival) largely

devoted to reggae and calypso music. Carnival is

also celebrated coconut to celebrate the birthday

of San Andrés.

V A U P É S

The beauty of its natural scenery and

rich wildlife offer some attraction,

including unique species of fauna

and flora.

V a u p é s

Vaupés Department bases its economy on agriculture and mining.

The climate is warm Vaupés department humid with average temperatures in the region above 27 ° C.

Vaupés has retained its natural beauty, perhaps because they are in the heart of the Amazon jungle, without any land to connect you to the rest of the country.

ECONOMY Activity economic is largely agricultural,

with the main crops manioc and sweet

cassava, maize, plantain, yam and wild

fruits. Inside are exploited mineral

resources like gold and you can find the

ilmenite, tantalum and coltan in a small

percentage of content

Artisanal Craft production in Vaupés was formerly used for each family household. Each group has a product that differentiates it from the other, hence, the need for exchange of products to complement its usefulness and respond to different priorities. Thus the barter system allowed a simultaneous change of products depending on the needs of each group. Currently the products are not only exchanged but sold at a price which reflects the amount and quality of the products.

Santa Marta Santa Marta is located in one of the most beautiful bays in the world and is home to a rich land in its historical potential, ecological and tourism that make it one of the most desirable cities in the country and the all the continent.

Tourist sites The tourist sites in Santa Marta

as El Rodadero, Parque

tayrona, Castillo de san

Fernando, La catedral, Café

del parque House indigena,

Museum Chairama and the

others.

Festivities Among local cultural events

include The International Theater

Festival of the Caribbean, the

Feast of St. Agathon (Home of

the Carnival), the Festival of the

Sea (July 29 to August 4)

celebrating the Virgen del

Carmen (July 16)

Gastronomy The cuisine of Santa Marta was created

around factors like: Your location on the

Caribbean Sea, the variety of climates of the

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the cultural

mix of indigenous, Spanish and African.

As in the entire Caribbean region of Colombia

are common seafood, fritters, egg arepas,

enyucados, yam and coconut candies. For

example, in Taganga, a small fishing village,

you can find several restaurants serving

delicious dishes based on exotic seafood.