Thanks to a strategic location and varied topography and climates, Colombia is a country in which it is possible to practise a wide range of activities. The northern Caribbean coast offers idyllic conditions for any number of exciting water sports and is characterised by a host of modern beach resorts. For culture enthusiasts, the country has a rich historical legacy which includes some interesting pre-Hispanic remains, many of which lie within easy reach of the capital, Bogotá - itself displaying some wonderful examples of colonial architecture. A system of thirty-four national parks as well as a growing number of nature reserves provide endless possibilities ranging from climbing or mountain biking in the Andes to bird-watching and fishing in the Amazon.


Archaeology
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to a number of Indian communities as well as one of South America's most important archaeological sites, the remains of more than 200 urban settlements of the extinct Tayrona civilisation, an advanced Colombian indigenous culture that inhabited the region for centuries. Lying in the north part of the Sierra Nevada are the much-visited ruins of Cuidad Perdida (The Lost City), the most important centre of the Tayrona culture, founded between 500 and 700AD. The site covers 400 hectares and consists of a complex system of buildings, paved footpaths, flights of steps and perimetrical walls which link a series of terraces and platforms. Other important attractions for archaeologists include the pre-Hispanic town of Pueblito, situated in the Tayrona national park; Bogotá's renowned Gold Museum, which houses some 36,000 pieces of pre-Columbian gold objects; and San Agustín, an ancient village located in the spurs of the Andes to the south of the department of Huila, where statues, stone carvings, monolithic sarcophagus and petroglyphs are among the fascinating remains.


Mountain climbing
The rugged terrain of the central, eastern and western Andean mountain clusters in Colombia provides excellent ground for rock climbing as well as high-altitude mountaineering. A popular spot for rock climbing is the village of Suesca, located just a few miles from the capital, Bogotá. Meanwhile, for mountaineers, national parks, volcanoes and impressive snow-capped peaks await. Among the country's best climbs are Nevado del Ruiz and Nevado de Tolima (Los Nevados national park), and the Ritacuba Blanca and Negra (Sierra Nevada del Cocuy). For rock and ice climbing, the Nevados and Cocuy clusters offer some technical challenges.


Hiking & trekking
Colombia boasts over 11,000 miles (18,000km) of indigenous trails which offer perfect settings for peaceful hikes. These paths were regenerated during Spanish colonial times and are located mainly in the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyacá and Santander. Hikes range from a few hours long to several days and can be found in a variety of landscapes such as lakes, deserts, hillsides and wetlands. Among the national parks that offer hiking trails are the Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada in the Caribbean region, Gorgona Island in the Pacific Ocean, the Amacayacu park in the Amazon and the Puracé, Iguaque and Los Nevados parks in the Andes. A popular trek is the trail that leads through cloud forest to the one of the country's most important archaeological sites at Cuidad Perdida (see above).


Ornithology
Colombia boasts the largest number of bird species in the world. Examples include the roseate spoonbill, green kingfisher, sharp-tailed ibis, yellow warbler as well as a variety of parrots and macaws. The country offers a wide variety of habitats ranging from the east- and west-facing slopes of the Andean mountains to the vast open Llanos plains and the Amazonian rainforest. Good spots with easy access include the Tayrona and Los Nevados national parks, some routes through the eastern Llanos and the area around Leticia in the heart of the rainforest, near the border with Peru.


Scuba diving
Scuba diving is practised on both Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, although the former is more developed. On the Caribbean, dive sites include Taganga near Santa Marta, the Rosario Islands, Barú near Cartagena de Indias, Capurganá near the Panamanian border, and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia. On the Pacific seaboard, boats generally head for the Gorgona and Malpelo Islands but the fishing village of Bahía Solano on the mainland is the main destination. This region of the Colombian Pacific is rich in underwater marine life such as whales, sharks, stingrays and turtles.