Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria infamously ruled the streets of Medellín, Colombia, until his death in 1993. For many long grueling years, Colombians lived in constant terror from violence caused by the drug cartels. The drug-lord’s international fame has increased in recent years thanks to Netflix original series, Narcos. However, today, Medellín is reviving and thriving. Continue reading “True Stories of Pablo Escobar and a Cop Who Fought Against Him.”
Pronounced Med-ay-een, Medellín is (in my humble opinion), today’s greatest Latin American city.
When I talk about how much I enjoyed Medellín, I often get surprised reactions. “Isn’t it very unsafe?” People still associate this vibrant city with its dark drug trafficking days under the rule of Pablo Escobar. Until recently, this city was considered a dangerous place. But big changes are happening in Medellín! For several years now, the city has a thriving flow of tourists. Sadly, parts of the city are still living in extreme poverty, and the effects of the past are still quite visible. But the energy and revitalization are hard to deny. I highly recommend a visit. Be part of what helps turn around the no-longer-relevant reputation, and help Medellin spark it’s economy with your visit. I promise, you will have a blast! Continue reading “Medellín ~ 6 Ways To Have A Blast In Today’s Greatest Latin American City”
This place is a little out of the way from the typical beach resorts where most who vacation in Colombia go. But if you head to the southwest of Colombia there are incredible treasures in store. San Augustín’s stunning landscapes and Archeological parks were among the most memorable stops along my two month Colombian adventure.
If you love traveling to lesser-known off-the-beaten-path places and have an affinity for history and ancient mysteries, then San Augstín should definitely be on your list of adventures. Continue reading “Visiting San Augustín, Colombia”
Two millennia before the Inca would exist to create Machu Picchu in Eastern Peru, the Nazca people ruled the deserts 197 miles (317 km) to the West. The region is scattered with ruins, leaving behind clues to this ancient civilization. Continue reading “Nazca, Peru”
First of all, Machu Picchu is amazing. Even if your tour is as terrible as mine was. No matter how you choose to do Machu Picchu, you should choose to do Machu Picchu.
With that said, I would do it very differently with the hindsight I now have. Continue reading “How Not To Do Machu Picchu”
For my final day in Bolivia, I wanted to take a closer look into the region’s ancient history. Tiwanaku is the site of a once thriving Pre-Columbian civilization that died out long before it’s discovery by Spaniards in the mid 1500’s. Continue reading “Tiwanaku, Bolivia”
From Sucre (click to read about my time in the city), it is possible to venture out of the city to visit breathtaking mountainscapes. I debated between hiking to see dinosaur footprints, or rock paintings. I opted for the rock-painting hike, but I would have done both if I had more time. Continue reading “Pumamachay and Incamachay”