Casa Belle Epoque

When I told friends I was going to Colombia they immediately warned of guerrillas, drug barons and violence. This may have been true a few years ago, but Colombia felt safer to me than many other Latin American countries I've visited. It's a beautiful country with very warm, welcoming people. 

JB

Barichara and the walk to Guane. Also the village of Raquira.

RH, London

Highlight: Cartagena: as romantic a destination as I had hoped.

DG, Sheffield

Highlight: The beauty of Cartagena's streets. The historic district of La Candelaria in Bogota. And finally standing in the main square of Villa de Leyva.

TF, Wakefield

Our favourite organised trip was probably Cocora Valley. Absolutely stunning and the trek was tough, but well worth it. Our guide knew a lot about the wildlife and flowers too

MB, Oxford

Very hard to say which was the most memorable: flour and shaving cream fights in San Agustin on New Year's Eve; stunning views of the Magdalena, both in the South and the North (including the ferry crossing and river boat tour in Mompox);

WR, London

San Agustin (was the highlight)...which was superb.

DB, London

Highlight?: Difficult!  As a general tourist, probably the Salt Cathedral, bur personally the return to Pereira after 42 years!

JPM, London

Highlights?: Salt cathedral at Zipaquira, Communa 13 in Medellin and the thermal springs in Purace NP

DC, Tarporley

Highlights?: Coffee region and Tayrona, lovely people everywhere 

JM, St Albans

From the trips arranged by JLA, we both found the Amazonas region wonderful. It was quite emotional seeing the Amazon River for the first time and floating around the tributaries, watching the birds and the monkeys. The fruits in Colombia were amazing and we enjoyed all the different juices. Another memorable part was the drive from Pereira to Medellin where you drive along the ridge with in places amazing views down into the valleys on both sides.

MD, London

Highlight?: The local knowledge of the guides and their willingness to adapt to our needs. We were taken to places that were not part of the schedule. E.g. Local restaurants

SD, Esher

it was all very good For me, Colombia stands out as No.1 (I hoped it would be, even before I set off, and it was)

FD, Sandwich

Loved it all!!

A trip with JLA is a trip with the local experts. They can respond quickly to challenges such as FCO advice not to visit an area and know the local people who can make the holiday really memorable. One other comment about Colombia - the people we encountered, of all ages, in the streets, shops, hotels etc were friendly, welcoming and the most polite I have met anywhere in the world!

HR, Brentford

Highlight?: San Agustin statues for me, Cartagena for the kids.

AGB, London

Highlights? La Mar and Andres carne de res restaurants in Bogota - both quite different but amazing; the salt cathedral; Villa de Layve (although it's a long way there and back for what's really a day); Guatape - stunning; Cartegena - a fantastic place to hang out, could have stayed another day or two; island - very relaxing, felt very empty even though full, could have done one more day.

JS, Abingdon

The whole trip was really enjoyable, the amount of wildlife (turtles, crocodiles, armadillo, anteater, monkeys etc etc!) and scenery we saw met all expectations. All well organised and minor problems were resolved quickly.

HT, Cardiff

Overall we had a wonderful holiday in Colombia and were very pleased we decided to visit this beautiful country. Colombia offers a huge variety of choice for travel, from the mainland to the islands and everywhere we went the Colombian people were extremely friendly and helpful. At no time did we feel in danger and safety for all visitors was obviously a priority for the Government.

AW, Aylesbury

Colombia was superb. A wonderful variety of scenery and cultures, and people trying their hardest to live normal lives and welcome visitors very genuinely

JK, Basingstoke

Highlight: Tayrona National Park trekking and meeting the local community in nature environment.

JS, Harrow

Colombia is a fascinating country with very friendly people. It is opening up to tourism, after years of conflict, and offers the prospect of an exciting, varied and economic holiday. 

JH, Chester

Thank you for providing this fantastic trip to a country where so many are still hesitant to travel to. Colombia is a diverse, beautiful, vibrant and amazing country to visit. I felt welcomed and safe at all times, Colombia’s people eagerly waiting to share their culture and country with those who care to visit.   

LH

Highlights?: I cannot really think of anything that wasn't memorable. Perhaps my overriding memory is of the friendliness and helpfulness of the ordinary Colombians I encountered.

DM, Nottingham

In terms of places, we liked Villa de Lleyva, Medellin and Cartagena and very much enjoyed Punta Faro but what struck us was the friendliness of the Colombian people that we met, their courtesy, good driving habits, lack of hassle etc

AR, London

It was a superb trip, I don’t think our feedback really conveyed how much we enjoyed Colombia particularly. It really exceeded our expectations. Los Llanos was super superb.

SM, Helensburgh

Our first visit (to Colombia) has stimulated a desire to return to experience more of this beautiful, friendly and welcoming country

GG, Banf

Stunning!

Our two weeks in Colombia were extraordinarily stimulating on every level, from the warmth and friendliness of the Colombian people to the fertility of the countryside and its fascinating geology and topography, the extraordinary stone monuments created by different Indian cultures and the fine detail of their craftsmanship in gold, platinum and copper, to the amazing legacy of the Spanish conquistadores, and the energy, vitality and sophistication of Colombia today. The programme Tom Manchester devised was well conceived to introduce us to so many aspects of this richly diverse country. Although, or perhaps because, soldiers and police are much in evidence, we never felt at all nervous, or in the least concerned about our own safety. Our programme included four nights in Cartagena, two in Villa de Lleyva, three in San Agustin, and a total of four in Bogota, used essentially as a stopover on three occasions with one full day for exploring the city. We would strongly recommend all four places to anyone visiting Colombia, whatever else they might also wish to do.

JM, London

Enjoyed every aspect of our trip to Colombia. Fourteen years ago when we first visited the country we felt slightly on edge due to security situation. This time we experienced a very different feeling as we travelled around. Everyone we met seemed eager to show their country in a positive light and we sensed a population very proud of what their nation has to offer.

JE, Sunbury On Thames

San Agustin and Isnos were amazing expereinces: cultures I knew nothing about and memorable sites and monuments.

DG, Sheffield

Highlight?: The coffee region and Cartagena were both spectacular to visit. Mompos was lovely and worth making the effort to get to.

IR, London