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I've been traveling to Colombia at least every 3 - 4 months for the last 5 years... It's an awesome country..... Don't let anyone scare you about the drugs and rebels (people who tell you that are people who have never been to Colombia)... Colombia is like any country you travel to... you need to take the same measures to ensure your safety as you do in Mexico or even Ecuador (I've traveled extensively to them as well).

Anyhow, to answer your question on places to see. Since I'm not sure where you will be I'll list my favorite places/cities in order:

A)

- Medellin: This is my favorite city because it's beautiful as well as fun. They have a metro, pueblito paisa, outside the city you can go to the piedra del penol (worlds largest rock. it has an amazing view), and there is plenty to do with the night life and good eateries.

- Bogota: The capital city is beautiful. The museum de oro, the historic colonial district and you should venture out on a tour to the Cathedral of Salt it is definately not to miss (on your way back stop and eat at Andres Carne De Res. It is some of the best steaks you will find). Also you can see the capital from Mt Serrat.

- Cartagena: This place is awesome if you like colonial architecture. The beaches are ok for hanging out becareful in the water as the undertow is rough. Your best bet is to take a tour to the islands of rosario (Islas de Rosario)... the tours usually include a visit to the acuarium and a private island or the island of Baru.... the waters at the islands are carribean blue and awesome for snorkeling.

- Cali: Cali is always fun but it's gotten a bit rough over the last few years.

B) What to do to prepare for your vacation.

- Since you don't say where you're planning to go you should pack for all weather. Couple pairs of jeans, shorts, sandals, walking shoes, light jacket and shirts. Bogota can be cold at night, but the climate is similiar to Los Angeles. Medellin is warmer than Bogota and Cartagena and Cali are hot and humid.

C) Food is great wherever you go. Colombian food is mainly meat and potatos so you probably won't have any issue's.... but be adventurous and try everything.

Music is awesome and it's tropical - Merengue, Salsa, Vallenato, Cumbia, etc. Have fun.

Festivals - remember that 7/20 is independence day.

I love Colombia... the people are great and friendly, the food is fantastic, the culture is marvelous..... I love it so much I married a Colombian woman. ;)

Don't let anyone scare you... Colombia is safe as long as you use your common sense and are aware of your surroundings. That's the same advice I give to anyone traveling to any country that is not the USA.

PS. Feel free to email me if you want to chat further.

John.

Only way other than flying is to take the bus. The buses in Mexico are very nice and comfortable as well as safe and cheap. I do not know if all those thigs can be said for the buses in central America. Or, you could take the bus part way, then fly. You would need to speak at least survival Spanish, and be a wise, observant, confident traveller. Many people do take the buses to central America. Go to the central bus station i n Cancun and ask about schedules and fares. Some bus companies have websites, but info at the bus station will be most current. Be sure to take either a 1st class or luxury bus. Luxury fares are a little more, but the buses are fabulous. Have a great adventure. Just saw the other answer...you do need to be wise and careful, just like you wouldc anywhere. But I am an American woman living in mexico and I and others I know travel all over by bus and have never had a problem. The buses in Mexico are definetly safe. You need to see what they are like in Central America. In Mexico, there are security checkpoints along the highways, and the buses are boarded and checked to be sure everything is ok.

Are you visiting only 1 city or are you giong to be visiting multiple cities? You should probably tell us specifically where you’re going so we can help you better, but I’ll try anyways.

In Bogota there are museums and stuff. Visit Museo del Oro, Monseratte, Plaza Bolivar. Stick to the neighborhoods of La Candelaria, Zona Roja, Parque 93, Santa Barbara, in the north. On the carribean coast, Cartagena and Santa Marta are beach spots. Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) is near Santa Marta and you can take a helicopter ride up to visit it. San Andres y Providencia are islands off the carribean coast, you can fly there. Lay on the beach, go snorkeling, wahtever. Cali and Medellin are party towns, so be prepared to party like a colombian.

Most people don’t speak english so try to learn as much spanish as you can.

I think that the answer from John (Zonadiva) is great. Like John, I married a Colombian woman, and I have made many trips to Colombia, although John's visits are more recent than mine. I've got photos of Colombia posted on Yahoo's Flickr, which can give you a taste of this beautiful country.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbouchard/sets/721575...

I think you should go to Cartagena if you are looking for a really place to relax. Bogota is more cultural, like museums and things like that, the beaches are in Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres y providencia( beautiful cities of course), if you want more action, like dancing, that would be Cali and Medellin...Colombia is very beautiful, there are millions of things to do..it's a safe place, dont be scared i bet you will love it

Probably the most important thing you need to understand ahead of time is that the Chupacabra - a Latin American cryptid - is threatening our great nation's soil. Be wary. Though the Chupacabra has been spotted in the Caribbean primarily, this evil succubus has been running amok in Mexico for some time. I have no doubt that this goat murdering varmint is spreading fast like a cancer to the rest of the Americas. Protect your goats from this beast!

D) Precautions.

When traveling to and from a country like Columbia, which is often drug related, pack and handle your own luggage to and

from, or you may end up carrying someone elses drugs for them. If you are searched, the drugs are yours and you'll be charged. Also watch your "passport" or someone else may be flying to the USA, and you'll be sitting at the US Embassy.