Every country has its wedding traditions. Colombia is not without plenty of its traditions for matrimonial ceremonies.

While each wedding tradition is unique to the family and couple that practices it, there are general similarities that run throughout Colombian wedding traditions.

The most well known Colombian wedding tradition is the Serenata, or serenade.

The Serenata is a pre-wedding tradition in Colombia in which the groom surprises the bride with a serenade (this often happens after she has gone to sleep).

Often the Serenata involves a band and a surprise party with the friends and family of the bride and groom.

The band sings some songs, but the groom must also serenade his bride with songs of his own.

The Serenata can last all through the night, and often involves drinking copious amounts of aguardiente, the traditional Colombian liquor.

Tcherassi Hotel and Spa
Address: Calle del Sargento Mayor, Number 6-21, Cartagena, Colombia
Phone: + 57 5 664 4445

Tcherassi Hotel and Spa in Cartagena is one of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena.

The Tcherassi Hotel and Spa is cozy and intimate with just seven guest rooms.

The hotel was designed by the famous Colombian fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi.

As such, the hotel features excellent interior decor in whites and earth tones.

The Tcherassi Hotel and Spa also features a swimming pool and a spacious roof terrace.

The terrace is perfect for soaking up the sun away from the bustle of the street below.

Bogota is one of the best places in the world for buying emeralds, as Colombia has some of the most productive emerald mines anywhere.

You can get some amazing deals on emeralds in Bogota, especially since the Colombian peso is still rather undervalued versus many currencies.

Some store recommendations for buying emeralds in Bogota:

Esmerald Trade Center
Address: Av. Jimenez No 5 – 43, Bogota, Colombia
To buy emeralds at the Esmerald Trade Center in Bogota, tell a taxi to take you there and have it wait for you while you shop. The center is located in the heart of Bogota and you will find a lot of different stores where you can buy very nice emeralds.

Sterling Joyeros
Address: Centro Andino, Unicentro, and Santa Ana shopping malls
Sterling Joyeros has three stores in Bogota. They are known for their good quality and competitive prices for emeralds.

Arlop
Address: Cra 15 with Calle 88, Bogota, Colombia

Arlop has good prices for emeralds in Bogota and very reliable quality.

Pineda Hermanos
Telephone: 2577128
Pineda Hermanos is a good place for buying emeralds in Bogota. They do not have a store for the public, as they are wholesalers that deal in emeralds and diamonds. Call them if you are interested in the wholesale buying of emeralds in Bogota.

When buying emeralds, take a good quality emerald with you to compare colour. Only view the stone in daylight as indoor light can be intentionally deceiving.

You will know quality when you see it. The stone should have clear stunning colour at any angle.

There are a surprising number of casinos in Bogota.

Here are a few noteworthy recommendations for casinos:

Casino La Perla
Address: Laguito Parque Comercial Pierino Gallo L.2-5, Bogota, Colombia
Phone: +57-5-665-0573

El Ruba Casino
Address: Cl 31 64-100 C.C. Paseo de la Castellana, Bogota, Colombia
Phone: +57-5- 661-2540

Rio Casino Bocagrande
Address: Av. San Martan No. 5-145, Bogota, Colombia
Phone: +57-5-655-119

There is lots of great nightlife and bars in Bogota.

Anywhere in the Zona G is usually great Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Here are some favorites for nightlife and bars in Bogota:

La Carbonera in Bogota is a typical bar with many locals, open Thursday through Sunday. The place is usually very full and sometimes there are lines to get in. Dress nicely!

La Avenida del Arsenal (near the convention center) was very popular but has faded recently. Old City (Ciudad Vieja) has more discos now.

Babar in Bogota plays a wide selection of music.

Cartageneros Mister Babilla in Bogota is one of the hottest bars in the city. It is located on Avenida del Arsenal.

Maroma in the Zona ‘T’ is very good for dancing in Bogota.

There are a lot of new boutique hotels opening all the time in Cartagena.

It’s sometimes hard to keep track of which are the best of the boutique hotels in the city.

However, a few of the boutique hotels in Cartagena stand out above the rest for their quality and service.

Below is my list of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena.

Casa El Carretero

Finding the best restaurants in Cartagena takes time, but I’ve put together a list to help you get started.

Below is a list of what I consider to be the best restaurants in Cartagena.

I’ve eaten at all of them, and they all had great local cuisine, good wine and cocktails, and friendly service.

My thoughts on the best restaurants in Cartagena are below.

La Vitrola

La Casa de las Palmas

La Cocina de Soccoro

The weather in Colombia varies depending on where you go in the country.

Coastal Weather in Colombia

The weather on the coast equatorial.

This means that the weather is hot and the climate tropical.

Because it is equatorial, the weather in Colombia doesn’t vary much with the seasons.

The weather shouldn’t be too much of a deciding factor in when you time your visit to Colombia’s coastal regions.

The rainy season on the Colombian coast runs from May to November, but varies with altitude.

Inland Weather in Colombia

Inland towards Bogota the weather is consistently cool throughout the year.

Due to its mountainous location and very high altitude, the weather in Bogota is perennially fresh, with cool days and cold nights.

The best time of year to visit Colombia is from December to March and July to August.

The best time to visit Colombia is mid-January to March as well as mid-July to August.

The weather is pleasant during these months, which makes it a nice time to explore the sights and do outdoor activities.

Many of Colombia’s festivals also take place at this time, so it’s a good way to get an introduction to Colombian culture.

Tourist crowds are relatively low during this period as well, which is an added bonus.

From late December to mid-January and from mid-June to mid-July are peak tourist times.

These times of year are best avoided if you don’t like crowds and high prices.

Because it is equatorial, the weather in Colombia doesn’t vary much with the seasons.

This means that it shouldn’t be too much of a deciding factor in when you time your visit to Colombia.

Many people planning to visit Colombian cities wonder if it is safe to visit Colombia.

Due to the turbulent history of Colombian government forces fighting the rebel movement FARC, Colombia used to be a destination that foreigners were urged to avoid for safety reasons.

Thankfully, the violence and kidnappings that once kept visitors to Colombia at bay are now a such a rarity that most of Colombia is very safe to visit.

People visiting Colombia are still urged to avoid rural mountain areas, but cities like Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin are all safe for visitors.

Aside from the petty crime that is common to every city, Colombian cities are safe as for tourism as other international cities.

Over the last few years, Colombian cities and the people living in them have started to feel much safer, and the atmosphere in Bogota and other areas is much more free and less fearful than in the past.

If you are planning on visiting Colombia, don’t let safety concerns get in your way.

Be smart and do your research before booking your trip, and use common sense when out at night or in less frequented parts of the cities.

Bogota Time Zone

The Bogota time zone is GMT -5.

This means that Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Bogota is five hours behind cities on GMT like London.

It is six behind European cities like Paris and Madrid.

Bogota is on the same time as cities like New York City and Miami.

The time zone in Bogota is called COT, which stands for Colombia Time.

The rest of Colombia is on the same time zone as Bogota.

Bogota City Guide

Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is a city great history and rich culture.

Visitors to Bogota can expect to be impressed by the city’s historic architecture, diversity of activities, and beautiful mountains.

Bogota was founded in 1538 by the Spanish conquistadors.

Its history is rich with tales of battles, gold, and cathedrals, and today visitors can take in much of Bogota’s history at its museums, churches, and many famous sites.

Bogota is a city surrounded by mountains, and no trip to Bogota is complete without a drive into the hills or a trip up Monserrate by foot or funicular.

If you hike, keep in mind that Bogota is at very high altitude, so make sure to bring plenty of water and pace yourself.

Bogota is also known for its restaurants and nightlife.

Whether you dine at Andres Carne de Res or stay closer to town at Club Colombia, Bogota has no shortage of restaurants, bars and clubs.

Whatever your pleasure, Bogota can keep you busy for weeks.

But if you don’t have unlimited time, try to spend at least four days in Bogota to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

1. Visit the Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar

2. Go shopping for the high-quality emeralds that Colombia is famous for

3. Hike or take the cable car or funicular up to Cerro de Monserrate

4. Visit the Bogota Gold Museum (Museo de Oro)

5. Taste local specialties like ajiaco

6. Drink aguardiente (but not too much…remember Bogota is at high altitude!)

7. Drive up into the mountains above Bogota for great views of the city

8. Visit the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira

9. Explore Bogota’s old town

10. Have dinner and dance the night away at Andres Carne de Res

101 Park House Hotel
Address: Carrera 21 N. 101, 10 Bogota, Colombia
Phone: (57-1) 6000101

The five star 101 Park House hotel in Bogota is one of the best hotels in Bogota.

Situated in a residential area of the city, the hotel is in a quiet neighborhood in the north of Bogota.

With an open atrium surrounded by floors of hotel rooms and suites, the lobby area of 101 Park House hotel is home to a lounge, restaurant, and bar that are always busy (but not too busy!) with visitors and business people.

The rooms at 101 Park House hotel are spacious and have all the luxury amenities including flat-screen televisions, air conditioning, a fully stocked mini bar, and toiletries.

Breakfast is included in most room rates at 101 Park House hotel, and it consists of a buffet of fruit, pastries, and hot food as well as cereal and yogurt. Juices, coffees, teas, and milk are all available to drink.

The staff at 101 Park House hotel are friendly and helpful in arranging transportation, restaurant reservations, and activities.

The hotel has cars and drivers to take you to all of Bogota’s attractions as well as those further afield.

Hotel Agua
Address: Calle de Ayos No. 4-29, Centro Historico e Isla Baru, Cartagena
Phone: (5) 6649479

Hotel Agua in Cartagena is a great boutique hotel in the historic center of the walled city of Cartagena.

Hotel Agua is situated near the cathedral and amongst the emerald shops in the city and is a great location for exploring Cartagena.

Hotel Agua has a large reception area with a lounge.

The high ceilings and oversized furniture lend a colonial feel to the entry area.

The guest rooms on the upper floors are full of all the luxury amenities one would expect from a boutique hotel in Cartagena.

Hotel Agua boasts of a gorgeous rooftop pool and deck area that is perfect for the hot afternoons in Cartagena.

The staff at Hotel Agua are friendly and accommodating, and add all the little touches that makes a stay so memorable.

Andres Carne de Res is not just a restaruant in Bogota.

It’s an experience that cannot be missed by anyone visiting the city.

Even if you only have one day, Andres Carne de Res should be at the top of your list of things to do in Bogota.

Andres Carne de Res is a restaurant serving up some of the best steak in Bogota.

It’s also a huge labyrinthine space full of bars, dance floors, and big wooden tables.

The decor at Andres Carne de Res is as cluttered and kitschy as it gets, and even the menu comes in a big box with a jack-in-the-box-like handle that you wind in order to read it.

Food at Andres Carne de Res is mainly steak, but there are enough different options for meat and sides that you could spend weeks there without eating the same thing twice.

The wine list at Andres Carne de Res is long and the cocktails are strong, and everyone ends up dancing the night way after they’re done eating.

The Salt Cathedral in Bogota is located 25 miles outside of the city in Zipaquira. To get from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral, there are several options:

Trains from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral

Trains leave Bogota for the Salt Cathedral in the morning and return in the afternoon, so it’s easy to make a day of the excursion by train. From the train station by the Salt Cathedral, you can either walk up the hill or take a taxi to the cathedral.

Taxi from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral

It’s difficult to find a taxi driver that is willing to drive from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral, so you’re best off using a car and driver from your hotel. The journey takes about an hour and the driver will wait for you while you tour the cathedral, then take you back to Bogota.

Bus from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral

Buses leave the outskirts of Bogota for the Salt Cathedral, and are a less expensive way to get from the city to the cathedral. The bus is a good way to get from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral if you are on a budget.

The Salt Cathedral (Catedral de Sal in Spanish) is an underground cathedral in an old salt mine near Bogota.

The cathedral is located 25 miles outside of Bogota in the town of Zipaquira.

The Salt Cathedral is a must see on any visit to Bogota, religious or otherwise.

Getting from Bogota to the Salt Cathedral is easy and can be done by several different modes of transport.

Cartagena is a city of beautiful colors, rich history, and great nighlife. Visitors to Cartagena can expect to be dazzled by Cartagena’s beautiful architecture, rich culture, and vibrant energy.

Officially named Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spanish explorer Pedro de Heredia. Its history is rich with tales of pirate battles, castles, and cathedrals, and today visitors can take in much of Cartagena’s history at its museums, churches, castle, and other famous sites.

Cartagena is also a city for walking. Whether its getting lost in the walled city’s narrow streets or taking a stroll along the city walls, Cartagena’s bright colors and beautiful flowers are in bloom year round.

Cartagena is known around the world for its restaurants and nightlife. Whether you dine at La Vitrola or have a sunset cocktail at Cafe del Mar, Cartagena is bursting with energy every night.

Its proximity to the Islas Rosarios makes diving in Cartagena a great activity for those wanting to get out of the city. Daily dive and snorkel expeditions leave from Cartagena and offer world class coral reefs and marine life sightings to divers.

Whatever your pleasure, Cartagena can keep you busy for weeks. But if you don’t have unlimited time, try to spend at least five days in Cartagena to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

La Vitrola Restaurant in Cartagena
Address: Centro Cll 33 #2-01 Calle Baloco, Cartagena
Phone: 664 8243

La Vitrola restaruant is generally accepted as being the best restaurant in Cartagena and the wider coastal area.

The restaurant is packed nightly with locals and visitors alike.

La Vitrola restaurant is famous not only for its great Colombian food, but also its impressive live music.

La Vitrola restaurant gets booked up quickly.

Have your hotel call for reservations in advance so you won’t be disappointed when you get there.

1. Visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas on the hill above the walled city in Cartagena

2. Walk along the city walls for great views of Cartagena and the Caribbean Sea

3. Tour the Gold Museum to learn about Cartagena’s history

4. Take a horse and carriage ride through Cartagena

5. Visit the Modern Art Museum to see the works of some of Cartagena’s famous artists

6. Have cocktails at sunset at Cafe del Mar on the city walls

7. Visit the Palace of the Inquisition

8. Wander through the colorful streets in Cartagena’s walled city

9. Have dinner at the famous La Vitrola restaurant in Cartagena

10. Go diving in the Islas Rosarios

The best dive company in Cartagena is Dolphin Dive School S.A.

Dolphin Dive School has an office in Cartagena where staff can help you choose a diving or snorkeling excursion in the Rosario Islands.

You can also have your hotel arrange your trip with Dolphin Dive School for you.

Daily diving boats leave from the Marina Todomar in Dolphin Dive School’s boat and take visitors to the school’s island in the Rosarios.

Dive gear is piked up there, and groups are taken to various reefs for some of the best diving in the Rosarios.

Dolphin Dive School makes sure that there are ample dive instructors are on hand at each dive to teach beginners and supervise experienced divers and snorkelers.

Lunch is served in Dolphin Dive School’s lodge on the island, which also has overnight facilities for visitors who book a multi-day dive excursion with Dolphin Dive School.

Day visitors are taken back on a boat in the late afternoon and arrive in Cartagena in the early evening.

The best place for diving in Cartagena is in the Islas Rosarios, or Rosairo Islands off the coast of Colombia.

The Islands are a protected wildlife park with great opportunities for diving and snorkeling.

Diving in Cartagena and the Islas Rosarios is famous for its hundreds of species of coral, myriad fish populations, giant crabs, sea turtles, squid, sharks, and other marine life.

Boats leave Cartagena for the Islas Rosarios from the Marina Todomar.

Diving companies in Cartagena such as Dolphin Dive School run daily or overnight diving boats to the islands.

All diving levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome, as is snorkeling.

Casa El Carretero in Cartagena
Colombia Reservations: +57 (300) 660 4475
US Reservations: +1 (415) 508 3927
UK Reservations: +44 (0) 20 8144 1785

Located just off the colorful Plaza de la Trinidad in Cartagena’s Getsemani district, the hotel Casa El Carretero is one of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena.

With a lounge and kitchen on the ground floor, three guest rooms on the first floor, and a pool and deck on the roof, hotel Casa El Carretero is small enough to feel like a home, but has all the amenities of a luxury hotel.

The staff at hotel Casa El Carretero is warm and friendly, and cooks up great breakfasts of fresh fruit and local specialties.

They are happy to make dinner and activity reservations for guests, and are helpful in assisting with plans.

Rooms at Casa El Carretero have large beds and bathrooms, as well as flat-screen televisions, air conditioning and fans, and balconies overlooking the surrounding neighborhood.

Room rates at the hotel Casa El Carretero are US$165 a night for a single and US$265 for a suite.

The entire house can be rented for US$595 a night (US$1,000 a night from December 20-January 8).

Hotel Casa de las Palmas in Cartagena
Hotel Address: Getsemani, Calle de las Palmas No. 25-51, Cartagena, Colombia
Hotel Phone: 6643 630 – 6641 765
Restaurant Address: Calle de la Aguada No. 25-46
Restaurant Phone: 6601 628

Located in Cartagena’s up and coming Getsemani district, Hotel Casa de las Palmas is a quiet guesthouse on a residential street in Cartagena’s historic walled city.

Hotel Casa de Las Palmas, run by Martha Estrada, is a glorious throwback to old Cartagena.

The decor is out of 1950’s Havanna and has an intimate feel that makes the visitor feel like they are a million miles from home.

The restaurant at Hotel Casa de las Palmas, with indoor and outdoor seating, is a hidden gem.

It is one of the best restaurants in Cartagena but one that only the locals seem to know about.

The rice with chicken dish is suberb, and the prices are lower than most others in the city.

La Cocina de Soccoro restaurant in Cartagena is one of the city’s top restaurants.

Serving up great food for 25 years, the restaurant is thriving under the management of Gustavo Ortiz Rodriguez.

Located right across the street from the Centro de Convenciones, Cartagena’s Modern convention center, La Cocina de Soccoro serves up traditional Colombian cuisine and great drinks.

The rice dishes are particularly flavorful, especially the rice with chicken and the rice with prawns.

La Cocina de Soccoro has two floors and a bar area, and often plays American sports games on the television on the ground floor.

Google Maps is now availalbe for Colombia.

Google Maps Colombia has road and street maps of major and minor cities and towns in Colombia.

Aguardiente is the general name for booze of high alcohol content, meaning “fiery water”, or, literally “burning water”.

This drink is really popular in Colombia. Aguardiente Cristal is one of the most famous brands there. It’s anise flavor will definitely give you quite a burn. Enjoy shots with your friends!

After being the set of the Princess Bride years ago, Cartagena’s fame in the filming word has fallen.

The Miami Herald covers a new and hopeful trend to the contrary:

Cartagena Regaining its Former Cinematic Luster

This historic port city, which once claimed to be the filmmaking center of the Caribbean, looks to rebuild its cinema and tourism industries.

BY JOSHUA GOODMAN

CARTAGENA, Colombia – Even if you’re not a location scout, it’s difficult not to become entranced by the timeless beauty of this Caribbean port’s heavy-stone ramparts and trove of Spanish colonial architecture.

But despite a sharp drop in murders since law-and order President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002, Colombia’s well-earned reputation for violence nearly cost Cartagena the chance of being featured in the film Love in the Time of Cholera. The best-seller novel on which the film was based was set here by Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Read more on Miami Herald

Bogota is built on a standard city grid layout.

Carreras (streets) are abbreviated “Cr” or ‘K’.

They run parallel to the mountains from South to North.

The calles (also streets) run perpendicular to the Carreras from east to west.

The word calles is often shortened to ‘C’, “Cll” and “Cl”.

Avenidas (abbreviated Av.) are usually larger main streets.

Most are numbered and larger ones have common names such as Avenida Bolivar.

Each address in Bogota consists of a sequence of numbers, for example: Calle 16 # 2-43.

This indicates that the building on Calle 16 is about 43 long steps (i.e., yards) from the corner of Carrera 2 to Carrera 3.

Some of the best beaches in Colombia are on the country’s Carribbean coast.

The absolute best beaches in Colombia are in Santa Marta.

Santa Marta is located on the Carribean coast of Colombia.

The beaches in Santa Marta have mostly domestic tourists, so there aren’t any touts or vendors there.

Cartagena has some nice beaches as well.

Cartagena has many foreign tourists (mainly Americans), which unfortunately means that there are a lot of touts and vendors on the beaches.

Better beaches are located in the Rosario Islands near Cartagena.

The water is clear and while the sand areas are small, they are usually protected from touts and vendors.