10 Reasons Why Colombia Is the Next Mexico

It's Extremely Affordable

Colombia is very affordable when it comes to airfare, transportation, food, accommodations, and drinks. The current exchange rate (as of October 2015) is 3,000 pesos to $1 USD and your dollar will go pretty far. Average meal prices at restaurants are just below $10 USD, with higher-end dining options not exceeding more than $15 to $20 USD (even for a filet). Bottled water averages $1 USD and domestic beer will cost you around $3 USD.

Though accommodation prices vary by type of property and location, you can expect to spend significantly less than in the U.S. or Europe. You can easily find an upscale hotel room in major tourist spots and cities for well under $200 USD per night and more budget-friendly options under $100 USD per night. If you're really looking to save, hostel prices can start as low as $10 USD per night.

Domestic flights within Colombia are inexpensive as well—Avianca Airlines offers convenient (and short) internal flights averaging under $100 USD one way, making a multi-destination trip easy. Flights from the U.S. East Coast are cheaper than flights to Europe as well, averaging under $500 USD round-trip between JFK and Bogota.

(Photo: Colombian peso via Shutterstock.com)

It's a Quick Trip for Most

Flights from New York City (JFK) to Bogota are five hours, and the trip from Miami is only three hours. From Los Angeles, the flight to Bogota is seven hours. There are direct flights from New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and Washington D.C. to Bogota. There are also direct flights into Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Cali, and Armenia from the U.S.

Look for direct flights between the U.S. and Colombia on United, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Avianca, LAN Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and VivaColombia.

Flights within Colombia are short and easy, with flight times between Bogota and popular destinations Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta, and Cali all around one hour.

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(Photo: Plane landing via Shutterstock.com)

It's Culturally Rich

Colombia has a longstanding reputation as unsafe and politically unstable, but right now, it's actually the complete opposite. For the past three years, the largest rebel group, FARC, and the Colombian government have been in peace talks, resulting in decreased violence and an increase in tourism. Security measures implemented in 2006 have also dramatically increased safety for foreigners and citizens alike. The once war-torn country has blossomed into a vibrant destination with cosmopolitan cities, traditional cuisine, plentiful museums, gorgeous beaches, and abundant wildlife (much of which is unique to South America).

(Photo: Ashley Rossi)

It Has Beaches for Every Style

The nearly 2,000 miles of Colombia's coastline makes the country a heavy hitter among Caribbean beach destinations. From massive dune beaches at Punta Gallina to forests that lead to vast sandy coastlines in Tayrona National Park, the country is at no loss for prime beach real estate. Still not satisfied? The archipelago islands of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina boast reefs, cool island vibes, and private shorelines.

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(Photo: Beach in Colombia via Shutterstock.com)

Its Cities Are Worth a Visit

From the coffee trails of Medellin to the old city walls of Cartagena, Colombia's major cities offer experiences you won't find anywhere else. Bogota, Cali, Medellin and Cartagena are Colombia's four major cities, and each has its own flavor and specialty.

Bogota, the country's capital, is filled with colorful street art. It's also where you'll also find the country's main political buildings, as well as museums—including the Gold Museum which has the world's largest collection of gold. A little over an hour's flight from Bogota sits Cali, the salsa capital of the world, with fierce dance floors and sultry flair. Medellin—the former hometown of Pablo Escobar—was named 2012's "Innovative City of the Year" for its MetroCable, which connects the surrounding rural mountainous areas to the city. Medellin is also the place to go for famous Andean coffee. Cartagena, on the Pacific Coast, boasts a totally different vibe—it has a modern developed city (much like Miami) contrasted by a historic city center that still sits inside its original protective walls.

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(Photo: Ashley Rossi)

The Food is Fabulous

From arepas (ground corn dough, usually served with cheese) to ajiaco (a heavy, potato-based soup), Colombian food is traditionally South American—and fantastic. Colombian food varies by location—seafood is plentiful on the coasts by Cartagena and Santa Marta, and you'll find more traditional food (mostly meat and heavy soups) in Medellin and Bogota. Universally, you'll find rice and plantains served with most dishes.

Don't forget the drinks. In addition to a few great domestic beers, Colombia is famous for its aguardiente ("fiery water"), which is 60 percent alcohol and only $6 USD a bottle. In Bogota you can also find chichi, which is a version of moonshine.

Coffee and tea is celebrated here, and you'll find dozens of cafes serving Colombian coffee from the Andean region of Medellin. If you want to act like a local, ask for "café tinto" or stiff black. Tea drinker? Bring back some coca tea, made from coca (yes, those kind of coca leaves; but the tea is legal) leaves—it has calming effects and is used as a remedy for altitude sickness and a variety of digestion problems.

RELATED: World's 10 Best Cities for Coffee

(Photo: Ashley Rossi)

There Are Great Tour Options

Colombia is the perfect country to see with a tour group. Whether it's a private or small-group tour, you'll appreciate having the guidance and knowledge of a local who can give you recommendations, arrange transportation, and speak the language.

Some Suggestions: G Adventures offers one to two week Colombia-only touring trips that take you through the country's major spots, including Tayrona National Park. Times Journeys (tours by the New York Times) offers an artistic and cultural trip focused on the coffee region in Medellin and the culinary scene in Cartagena.

RELATED: Why I Hated Group Tours (Until I Tried One)

(Photo: Sierra Nevada Tour in Colombia via Shutterstock.com)

The Sights Are Unique

From a mud volcano bath up the coast from Cartagena to flamingo-populated lakes in Camarones (a town named for the shrimp that attract both flamingos and people), to a Salt Cathedral over 650 feet below ground in a mine a few hours' drive from Bogota—you'll never be bored in Colombia. And don't forget the hundreds of beaches along its coastlines and Pacific islands that make it a Caribbean beach destination too.

Avid hikers shouldn't miss Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City) of the Tayrona People—they mysteriously disappeared, similar to the ancient Maya in Tikal—the trek can be done with a local guide or tour, and typically takes between 3 and 5 days.

(Photo: Salt Cathedral Zipaquira
via Shutterstock.com)

The Weather is Good

Colombia's climate varies greatly by location—Bogota and Medellin (also known as the "city of eternal spring") are milder with cooler nights, while coastal towns like Cartagena and Santa Marta are hot and humid year round. You'll have guaranteed beach weather, since even in the rainy season, storms only last a few hours. As an added bonus, Colombia is protected from hurricanes (there's only a five percent chance of a hurricane in any given year), making it an ideal Caribbean destination from late spring through late fall during hurricane season.

(Photo: Ashley Rossi)

Nature Is Everywhere

With its prime location between two oceans and its mountains and jungles, Colombia boasts inspiring biodiversity and wildlife. There are over 53 protected parks in Colombia that attract more and more visitors every year. From frolicking dolphins and coral reefs off the shores in Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park, to a nearly 18,000 foot volcano in Los Nevados, to glacial lakes in Chingaza, there are dozens of options for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

More from SmarterTravel:

• What I Packed: Multi-Climate Trip to Colombia
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• 9 Reasons Why Vietnam Is the New Thailand

Ashley Rossi traveled to Colombia courtesy of G Adventures. Follow all of her adventures (big and small) on Instagram and Twitter.

(Photo: Ashley Rossi)