Maybe the two countries are separated by a huge ocean and a couple continents, but the two cultures have a lot in common. Hey, you’re super friendly? We’re super friendly! You like to dance? We like to dance! You like spicy food? We really like spicy food. Apparently we should hang out.

Colombia has a bad reputation for not being safe, but those problems are pretty much in the past. After going through this list of amazing reasons why you should make Colombia your next destination, you’ll agree with their tourism slogan (which is so good, we’re wondering why we didn’t think of it first!): “the only risk is wanting to stay.” Here’s hoping Egypt follows the same path.

1. Coffee!!! We couldn’t help but start the list with coffee, which may or may not show our addiction to the liquid power we love so much. But come on, Colombian coffee? Do we even need to continue?

2. Absolutely incredible food. AKA, tamales. Yum. Full stop.

Tamal4

3. The self-proclaimed best dancing in Latin America. Check out this video and you’ll believe them. The city of Cali even has its own style of salsa dancing. Those foot moves are sweet AF!

4. Colombia is one of the happiest countries in the world. It was ranked the happiest on the Barometer of Happiness and Hope in 2013 and 2014.

5. It’s the most biodiverse country in the world after Brazil. Colombia ranks second out of only 17 “megadiverse” countries in the world. Get this, about 10% of the world’s species live in Colombia. That’s legit.

6. You could see pink dolphins. And a million other things that live in and around the Amazon, like toucans, monkeys, anteaters, and anything else in your wildest, adventure-loving dreams!

pink dolphins

7. Has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. Can’t decide which beautiful view you want? Colombia has both.

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8. If you want to see snow, Colombia’s got it! That’s right, you can go skiing in the South American country at El Cocuy. Count us in!

El Cocuy

9. The cities are overflowing with culture! Interesting fact: the bustling city of Medellin used to be run by drug lords until the early nineties, when the government reclaimed it. Now it’s a top choice for visitors!

10. And there’s lost cities you can hike to through the jungle! There’s a trail to Ciudad Perdida, which compared to the infamous Machu Picchu, is the trail less traveled by, but looks super sweet.

Colombia_CiudadPerdidaPNNSierraNevada_AndrewDier

This list could go on with all of the attractions both in and out of the cities in Colombia, but we think you get the point. Time to start planning a vacation!