Itineraries - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 22

ATLANTIC
OCEAN

CARIBBEAN
SEA

VENEZUELA

PACIFIC
OCEAN

COLOMBIA

BRAZIL

ECUADOR

0 200

PERU kilometres

COLOMBIA AND VENEZUELA

9 Trails to Machu Picchu Discover less
expensive and less crowded alternative Inca
Trails deep in the imposing jungle. See p.763
G Cusco As much of a hub as Lima and closer
to many of the country's highlights - though its
plazas, museums, restaurants and nightlife
certainly stand on their own. See p.739
H Lake Titicaca Whether you visit the
Uros islands on the Peru side or the sacred
Isla del Sol in the Bolivian section, you're
certain to be awed by the high-altitude lake.
See p.786 & p.179
I La Paz Now this is what an Andean capital
city should be: delightfully situated high up in
a canyon, full of interesting and inexpensive
places to eat, drink and stay, and with an
undeniable energy all its own. See p.165
J Sucre The o cial capital's beautifully
maintained colonial architecture accounts for
the nickname “White City”, but don't overlook
this pretty town's excellent bars. See p.200
COLOMBIA AND VENEZUELA

2 San Agustín A crazy array of monolithic
statues, with a lovely mountain landscape
serving as a backdrop. See p.554
3 Cali This might be Colombia's most fun
and freewheeling city, with plenty of salsa clubs
and streetlife to balance out the sober array of
churches. See p.548
4 Medellín From Cali you can travel up to
Medellín - an attractive, modern city that's had
quite a makeover in the past decade - via
Colombia's coffee country. See p.535
5 Cartagena The jewel of the Caribbean coast,
a gorgeous colonial city and a must on any
Colombia trip. See p.515
6 Parque Nacional Tayrona Beautiful
beaches, lush flora and pre-Columbian ruins
are the highlights of this pristine coastal park,
accessed from Santa Marta. See p.528
7 San Gil Colombia's best spot for adventure
sports is known for its white-water rafting,
but you can also try out paragliding, kayaking,
abseiling and more in the mountains north of
Bogotá. See p.510
8 Villa de Leyva Under an hour from San Gil,
this is a thoroughly unmodern and relaxed
colonial town; from Villa de Leyva or San Gil
you can loop back to Bucaramanga for buses to

1 Bogotá Colombia's densely packed,
cosmopolitan capital divides opinion, but is
a worthwhile first or last stop for its colonial
architecture and raucous nightlife. See p.495