Family holidays to Colombia

Colombia’s lofty capital sits on the Sabana de Bogotá plateau, over 2500m above sea level. At first sight, all your pre-conceptions will be confirmed: it’s an enormous, sprawling city and, apart from the surrounding green hills, seems far from pretty. But if you’re with older kids, it’s worth digging a little deeper – even just for a day or two.

• Visit La Candeleria, the city’s historic district, for colourful colonial architecture and a remarkable collection of 17^th century churches.
• Spend an evening on Plaza Bolívar: traffic’s stopped from 5pm and the streets and squares are filled with musicians, performers and food stalls – everything from llamas to locals will amaze kids.
• Don’t miss: Museo Nacional de Colombia; the 360˚ view from Mirador Torre Colpatria; the Zipiquirá Salt Cathedral.

If you only visit one Colombian city, it should be Cartagena. Often said to be the loveliest city in the Caribbean, the walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its 11km long ramparts are fun to walk (at least a little of) with kids.

• Bocagrande, south of the walled city, has a wide choice of family holiday accommodation.
• Make a point of touring the city’s endless plazas, they’re where to see city life at its most local and lively.
• Explore the historic quarter on foot, the maze of cobbled streets and colonial buildings is Cartagena’s biggest attraction.
• Don’t miss: the Palacio de la Inquisición; Plaza de los Coches and Portal de los Dulces; the 17^th century cathedral on Plaza de Bolívar; Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.
• For Caribbean beaches, catch a boat to the Islas Rosario for a day. This archipelago of 27 tiny islands lies just south of Cartagena Bay. Playa Blanca on Barú is good for families. Several islands also have eco-lodges and small, independent hotels.
• Cartagena has temperatures averaging 30˚ year-round and is driest from November to late April.

Santa Marta’s the oldest city in Colombia and one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, but stunning beaches rather than colonial heritage are the attraction here. If visitors aren’t descending to laze around on the white, white sands, they’re more than likely heading in the direction of Parque Nacional Tayrona or trekking to Ciudad Perdida in Sierra Nevada Santa Marta.

• The Playa Blanca area to the west of the city centre’s good for resort hotels and family holiday apartments.
• The best beaches by far are in Tayrona National Park, 45 minutes east of Santa Marta.
• Santa Marta has typically Caribbean weather with average temperatures of 30˚ year-round, most sunshine from November to March and highest rainfall in July and August.

Over 150km² of tropical jungle, white sand beaches and protected marine reserve, Tayrona National Park is Colombia’s best known conservation area and one of the most popular places to visit in the country.

• Tayrona’s eastern coastline is the park’s most accessible area and the best beaches are: Cabo San Juan de Guia; La Piscina for swimming and snorkelling; and Arrecifes for sunbathing (strong currents make swimming here dangerous).
• There are several campsites around the main beaches and a few basic holiday lodges.
• Visit the ancient Tayrona village of Pueblito; a well-marked hike from Cabo San Juan.

Closer to Costa Rica than Colombia, the tiny Caribbean islands of San Andrés and Providencia have a unique culture, Raizal, and the main language spoken is Creole-English. Both are popular with visitors for gorgeous white sand beaches and outstanding coral reef diving and snorkelling.

• Direct daily flights from Bogota to San Andrés take two hours and the island’s coast is trimmed with beach resorts and hotels.
• Providencia is smaller, more traditional and sits on the world’s third largest coral reef.
• San Andrés is popular for duty-free shopping, boat trips to iguana-rich Johnny Cay, fresh seafood, snorkelling and round-island cycling.
• Temperatures between 27 and 30˚ year-round, sunny and dry from November to April.