Colombia isn’t exactly a country where you want your kids running around unsupervised, but there are a number a locally-flavoured amusement parks and some lovely beaches which will surely please.

Mundo Aventura (Bogota)
Adventure World is perhaps the best amusement park in Colombia, with tons of fun and exciting rides for kids and adults alike. Adrenalin-pumping rides, roller coasters, bumper cars and water slides are just part of the line-up. There’s also plenty of places to eat and buy souvenirs (tel: +57 01 414 2700).

Parque El Salitre-Acuaparque (Bogota)
This was one of the first theme parks to open in Bogota, and remains one of the largest and most popular. There are many rides, picnic areas and other activities. The Dinosaur Park and Aquapark, with its giant heated wave pool are both big favourites (tel: +57 01 250 2524).

Parque Jaime Duque (Bogota)
This impressive outdoor park complex can be found 34kms north of Bogota and is a great place for an outing. Its large number of attractions includes dolphins, a merry-go-round, ghost train, as well as boats, karts and bikes. There are also a number of children-friendly museums on site, such as the Museum of Man, which is the largest cultural complex in the country. A monorail adds to the fun of whisking around the park (tel: +57 01 611 0945).

Colombia is one of the most stunning natural countries in South America, made all the better by the total lack of tourists. Diverse landscapes such as tropical beaches, lush rainforests and snow-capped Andean mountains make up the geography of this country. Most of the activities which visitors can enjoy involve nature, but there’s also bullfighting and football (soccer) if you want some cultural excitement.

Bullfighting (Bogota)
The impressive Plaza de Toros La Santamaria is a national monument built in the Spanish-Moorish style where Bogota’s bullfights take place. Bullfighting season runs throughout January and February, but smaller fights are held throughout the year. This is one of the favourite pastimes of Bogotanos, who come out in droves on Sundays at 15:00 to see the action. During the rest of the year, the venue hosts other important events such as concerts (tel: +57 01 334 1482).

Ciclovias (Bogota)
During the weekends and bank holidays, many of the main streets in the city are closed off to traffic which creates a giant cycling route. This allows the locals to come out and get some exercise by cycling, jogging, rollerblading and doing just about everything else in the streets without fear of being run over. The special route covers 81kms of city streets and passes through nine parks, where you can take a rest.

Parque Central Simon Bolivar (Bogota)
This leafy and interesting park is the largest in Bogota and the most popular with the locals. Thousands of people come here everyday to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. There are lakes, woods, walking paths and biking lanes. The park also has a massive area dedicated to special events, which happen frequently. It’s one of the best spots in Bogota to get a glimpse at local people enjoying life. During the day, the park is fine, but don’t venture here after dark.

The beaches of Tayrona National Park
Tayrona is undoubtedly one of Colombia’s highlights, with its stunning beaches set among deep bays and shaded by coconut palms. Some of the beaches in this protected park area have excellent coral reefs just offshore, making for great snorkeling conditions. The place is full of native wildlife as well. To get a taste of Colombia’s untapped tropical splendor, this is the place.

Colombia has some of the best cuisine in South America, stemming from its abundance of fresh produce from the interior and its wide range of seafood along the coasts. Most traditional dishes are simple yet hearty, with the aim of filling the stomach and in the higher elevations, warding off the cold. This is the beauty of Colombian cooking. You won’t find subtle French sauces or the exotic spices of the Orient, but the balance of sweet and salty flavours with a touch of heat makes the food remarkably satisfying.

The most traditional recipes include such staples as ajiaco and puchero, a wonderful menagerie of chicken, pork, beef, potato, yucca, corn, cabbage and plantain accompanied by avocado and rice. Much of the food is very low in fat and high in carbohydrates. Many Colombians like to start the day with santafereno, a steaming mug of chocolate served with a thick slab of cheese. The cheese is then melted in the chocolate before being consumed. Lunch is typically served between noon and 14:00 and restaurants open for dinner around 19:00. In the bigger cities, the more upscale restaurants stay open until past midnight.

Cartagena and Bogota have the most comprehensive dining scenes and will keep even the pickiest eater busy for days. There are over 1,000 restaurants listed in Bogota’s phone book and many of them are first-class establishments. There’s no need to have to settle for street cafés if you feel like splurging. In Bogota, the Centro Internacional district has a massive selection of restaurants and cafés, as well as shopping and hotels. The Zona Rosa is another popular area of Bogota packed with places to eat, drink and shop. Its residential feel gives it a special ambiance, especially at night as the many bars liven up.

Handicrafts in Colombia typically revolve around practical items which the locals can use in their daily life. Naturally, what seems commonplace for Colombians might appear intriguing and exotic for the average visitor, so you should be able to find a few local crafts which interest you. Handcrafted leather and woollen goods are very well-made, as they are specifically designed for life on the high plains. The hand-woven ruanas, or ponchos, are especially popular as the natural oils in wool make them virtually waterproof.

Another primary material used in many forms of Colombian crafts is straw. The tough native fibre, called toquilla, is used all over the country to make a staggering variety of things such as hats, handbags, shoes and even umbrellas. This material is durable and flexible, and has been used by Colombians for thousands of years. You can typically find these types of crafts at small shops in every town since they are actually used by the locals and not merely souvenirs. Columbia is also the world’s largest producer of emeralds and you can find some amazing stones here. While it’s usually safer to buy your gems from a reputable dealer, you can go down to the emerald district in Bogota, where you will find many men standing around waiting to pull out little white envelopes with emeralds in them. Although these men aren’t really gem experts, it’s a fun experience and you could just find a stone that’s worth the effort.

In Bogota, the shopping capital of Colombia, you can find a much greater range of goods for sale. Exclusive boutiques are scattered around the Centro Internacional district offering the latest Colombian styles, as well as plenty of handicraft shops. The Zona Rosa is another excellent area for shopping. If you want a more down-to-earth shopping experience, spend some time wandering around the traditional outdoor markets of the city.