In Cartagena, the layout of the fortifications tells the story of the defense of natural harbor entrances and the bay. At Bocachica, the southwestern harbor entrance, stood San Luis and San José, San Fernando, San Rafael and Santa Bárbara. Inside the bay stood Santa Cruz, San Juan de Manzanillo and San Sebastián de Pastelillo. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas dominates the city to the east and protects access to the Cabrero isthmus.

These sites do not represent an interchangeable series of individual structures: their locations describe different sections of the defenses—from the harbor entrance through the interior of the bay to access to the isthmus. Those interested in cultural heritage can also explore Cartagena through the relationships between the fortifications and their surroundings.

Cultural Heritage as a Living Landscape

Colombia’s Coffee Cultural Landscape showcases a different kind of cultural heritage. It is a living production landscape made up of six areas, incorporating 18 urban settlements. The focus here is not a single structure, but a cultural landscape in which production and settlements belong together. Compared with Cartagena’s fortifications, the focus shifts to a different context: a living production landscape rather than the spatial layout of a bay.

High-Mountain Landscapes and Trails in Los Nevados

Los Nevados National Natural Park protects high-Andean wetlands, forests and páramo, as well as the snow-capped volcanic peaks of Nevados del Ruiz (Kumanday), Santa Isabel (Poleka Kasue) and Tolima (Dulima). The nature attractions range from diverse habitats to these named peaks. In the Cisne-Poleka Kasue and Otún sectors, visitors can hike and mountaineer; opportunities are also available to observe birds, geology, animals and plants.

If you plan to visit these sectors, check the current access and operating requirements before your trip. This keeps your plans grounded in the specific options available on site, rather than assuming uniform conditions based on the national park’s general description.

Two Routes in El Cocuy National Natural Park

The Ritacuba Trail leads from the entrance at an altitude of 4,000 meters to the edge of the glacier at Pico Ritacuba Blanco near El Divino Niño. Another trail in the same national park begins at 4,000 meters near La Plazuela, passes through the El Hotelito sector and reaches the glacier’s edge at Pico Púlpito del Diablo. The trails differ in their destinations and the sections described for each.

The section of the Ritacuba Trail within the park is about 5,000 meters; the total distance is 7 km one way and 14 km round trip. The trail via La Plazuela and El Hotelito measures about 4,500 meters within the park, with a total distance of 7.8 km one way and 15.6 km round trip. So, the overall route to Púlpito del Diablo is longer, while the section within the park is shorter. Check current trail conditions and requirements for authorized routes before your trip.

Coastal Ecosystems and Cultural Heritage Along the Way

The Cañaveral-Arrecife Trail, “La Ruta del Conocimiento,” passes through coastal ecosystems. Along the trail, there are areas for cultural heritage interpretation, natural viewpoints and excellent opportunities to observe wildlife and plants. For travelers interested in nature and cultural heritage, the route brings together different themes without reducing the landscape to a single focus. In contrast to the high-mountain trails described above, this route focuses on coastal ecosystems and viewpoints.

A Clear Limit on Visits

A different visitor restriction applies to Chiribiquete National Park: tourism is not permitted within the national park. When choosing experiences in Colombia, this restriction should be clearly distinguished from the hiking and nature-observation opportunities described above.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cundinamarca, Bolívar, Valle Del Cauca, Antioquia, Santander, Huíla, Casanare, Atlántico, Magdalena, Norte De Santander, Risaralda, Caldas, Tolima, Boyacá, Quindío, Chocó, Cedro, Tabatinga, Nariño, Meta, Cesar, Cauca, Caquetá, Córdoba, Aguamansa, Sucre, San Andrés and Providencia, El Islote, Amazonas, Arauca, La Guajira, Guaviare, Vichada, Putumayo, Bogotá, Guainia and Vaupés.