“Say goodbye,” the man in uniform smiled at me.

My heart skipped a beat, stereotypes of Colombia racing through my head, until I realised that the immigration officer was merely being friendly and polite and wishing me a pleasant stay; linguistic shortcomings had confused the issue.

I had allowed prejudice and preconception to get the better of me. Perceptions can linger for many years despite actual circumstances changing. Colombia is a case in point. The reality on the ground is very different from the headlines.

Some facts: Colombia is the size of France and Spain and has a greater variety of birds than North America and Europe combined. Its fauna varies from the keen sighted praying mantis to the rare spectacled bear. It is the only Latin American country with a coastline on two oceans – the Pacific and Atlantic.

Yet all that the majority of us know of Colombia is that it is the world’s largest producer of cocaine and beset by problems that one would associate with such a dubious honour.

It is an image not without justification but one that needs clarification and a little updating. The country and its people are not all about drugs. Yes there are parts of the country – as with many countries around the world, not least our own – that are not safe. But conversely there are many parts – and remember what I said in the previous paragraph in reference to its size – that are safe, friendly and welcoming.

Some of Colombia’s gems include Ciudad Perdida, San Augustin and the country’s capital, Bogota, awash with buzzing markets, quality museums, forward-looking locals and visionary architecture. However the jewel in the crown must be Cartagena, arguably the most beautiful city in Latin America.

Cartagena began as a warehouse for gold, silver, emeralds and other local treasures looted from the interior by Spanish colonialists. Unsurprisingly word of Cartagena’s wealth quickly spread attracting legendary pirates such as Hawkins and Drake who attacked and besieged the city. The Spanish response was to build an eleven kilometre wall and the impressive fort of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas on San Lazaro hill. It took nineteen years and 44 million ounces of gold to build the fort and its imposing 150 metre high wall. The fort is masculine and brutish, its steeply angled, ramp-like paths take you up to the top of this bare, brutal edifice from which an outsize Colombian flag billows out. The fortifications now attract rather than repel visitors; but for me the real attraction of Cartagena is the feminine wiles and charms of the old town.

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Taken from the mural, near the historic centre of Cartagena, Colombia.

Help answer the question about colombia travel

Changing currency in Colombia, travel question?
I am from Unites States born and raised. I am obtaining a passport to meet a friend in Colombia. Do I trade currency at airport when I get there? Or before I go do I trade? Is passport only needed for the air travel? I just have a feeling I am overlooking some aspect of traveling to a different country. Anyone with experience traveling let me know any obvious things that someone who doesn't travel may overlook. Thanks

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Steppes Travel specialise in holidays to Colombia, China holidays and South Africa safari.

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