Colombia’s Pacific Region: A Must-Visit Paradise
Since the start of Expo 2020 Dubai, people from all over the world have been descending on the site of the latest edition of the world exposition, the biggest of its kind during this pandemic era, to take part in the historic mammoth event. Among the 192 country pavilions featured in the event, the Colombia Pavilion is a crowd-puller– attracting visitors of diverse nationalities who want to discover the country, considered the gateway to South America,and explore what makes it highly culturally and geographically diverse.
When visiting the pavilion, people are acquainted with Colombia’s heritage and history while being immersed in numerous activities that will help them experience the country’s macro-regions and their respective historic sites, spectacular landscapes and off-the-beaten-track adventures, among others.
Colombia’s Pacific Region is particularly popular among tourists who love nature. Located on the nation’s western, Pacific coast, the 83,170-square-kilometer region stands out due to the unique contrast between its beaches’ dark sand and thick green foliage, the spirited rhythms of the currulao music, and its breathtaking sceneries.
The must-visit paradise, which is bounded bythe Gulf of Urabá in the north and Ecuador in the south, is known to have high humidity and precipitation. The region also covers part of the departments of Nariño, Cauca and Valle de Caucaand the whole of Chocó Department.
Its famous Bahía Solanotown attracts visitors from all over the world as well. Tourists visit the town to discover its jungle, coral, mangroves, and diverse animal life, as well as find migratory bird species, turtles, and the majestic humpback whales that travel from Antarctica between July and October to give birth in the Pacific Region’s warm waters.
Apart from Bahía Solano, the region’s other top attractions include Nuquí beach, which is an ideal venue for water sports, snorkeling, and ecotourism activities; the Tumaco municipality, the pearl of the Pacific whose culture is heavily influenced by African culture and that of the indigenous communities based in the El Morro, El Bajito, and Bocagrande beaches; and lowland forests and waterfalls.
The Pacific coast is renowned not only for its traditions but also for its music that reflects the area’s African heritage, which is celebrated during the Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival. The festival is held annually in the city of Santiago de Cali. As for the region’s delicious cuisines, some of the most popular are aborrajado de pescado (battered fish), crab empanadas, quebrado, and los huevos de piando.
Considered as one of the world’s most diverse areas, the Pacific Region is ready to captivate any tourists who are willing and eager to visit its shores.