• Cycle or skate along car-free roads in central Bogotá: on Sundays and holidays from 0700 to 1400, 121km (75 miles) of the capital’s streets are transformed into ciclovías (cycleways) (website: www.idrd.gov.co).

• Dive into the tropical waters of the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve around San Andrés and Providencia, home to a multitude of fish and coral species. Other diving hotspots include the Islas del Rosario and Tayrona National Park.

• Raft the rapids on the Rio Negro in Cundinamarca and Fonce or kayak through the Chicamocha canyon in Santander.

• Climb the snow-capped Nevado del Ruiz: the 5,400m (17,717ft) peak is one of five permanently white-tipped volcanoes in Los Nevados National Park (website: www.parquesnacionales.gov.co). Guided treks are available from Manizales.

• Head off-road on a motorbike or 4-wheel drive vehicle: Colombia’s rugged terrain is ideally suited to driving enthusiasts seeking a muddy challenge.

• Warm up those hips for some serious salsa dancing. The hot-blooded city of Cali (website: www.cali.gov.co) is one of the world's top destinations for salsa.

• Take a jungle tour into the Amazon basin, which covers almost one-third of Colombia’s territory. Boat trips depart from Leticia to the nearby Amacayu National Park and often include visits to Indian tribes.

• Stay on a coffee farm: over 300 haciendas offer lodging to tourists and can arrange walks through the coffee fields as well as horse riding, fishing, mountain biking and trips to local villages.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.