Colombians have a reputation for warmth and good humor. This reputation is true, and is also one of the positive aspects of traveling in Colombia.
Terra Colombia has conducted interviews with Colombian friends and partners , which are transcribed in this article.
Ana, Terra Colombia guide in the Café region
Hello Ana, could you briefly introduce yourself?Hi! My name is Ana Zuleta, I’m a guide in the coffee region and an artist. I was born in Bucaramanga but moved to Pereira in the coffee region at a very young age. I studied art in Bogotá and then specialized in Paris, where I also learned French. After living in Cali for a few years, I moved back to Pereira with my daughter 9 years ago.Where do you like to travel in Colombia?I really like the Pacific coast: Cali and Buenaventura are very pretty places, but it’s especially Nuquí that I like. I love everything about it: the landscapes, the people, the atmosphere…. The whale watching trip is really great. It’s a very green and exuberant region.Which region of Colombia would you like to visit that you don’t know yet? Guajira, theAmazon or Caño Cristales… It’s very difficult to choose a destination in Colombia, because there’s so much diversity that you want to visit everything. I think it depends on each person. Whether you want to take it easy on the beach, or be more active, there’s something for everyone in Colombia!If you had to choose 3 words to describe Colombia, what would they be?Diversity, exuberance and gaiety.
Julio, tourism entrepreneur
Hello Julio, could you briefly introduce yourself?Hello, my name is Julio Casa Diego, I’m 40 years old and I run a tourism business in Medellín. I was born, raised, studied and lived all my life in Medellín, in the Antioquia region. You could say I’m 100% « paisa » (the name given to the region’s inhabitants). I’ve traveled all over the world, but I’ve never had the urge to move anywhere else.Any advice for foreign visitors to Colombia, or particularly to Medellín? Colombia is a country that welcomes tourists with open arms. It’s a country where there’s a lot to discover. For example, nature is luxuriant and the flora is of great diversity. Colombians are also very open, and if you go to them to ask for information, they’ll be delighted to help you. You could say that almost all Colombians are tour guides.What’s your favorite part of Colombia?Honestly, I really like my city. Medellín has a great climate all year round. It also has a very strong identity and history. So I’d say my favorite region in Colombia is Antioquia!3 words to describe Colombians?Colombians are mostly like their country: resilient, generous and warm. Also, sharing is something that represents Colombians in their way of being.
Sébastien, receptionist at a Terra Colombia partner hotel
Hello Sébastien, could you briefly introduce yourself?I was born in Paris of Colombian parents who arrived in France some thirty years ago. I did all my schooling in Paris, but came to Colombia every year to travel and visit family. After high school, I decided to move here to begin my studies as a steward. When I finished my studies, I was hired at the Patio del Mundo boutique hotel as a receptionist, while waiting to find a steward position with an airline.So you have family in Colombia?Yes, I have part of my family in the coffee region, in the town of Pereira. The other part of my family is in France. At home in France, my parents spoke Spanish all the time, so I grew up with a dual French-Colombian culture. It’s worth noting that the Colombian community in Paris is very large, and I was much more immersed in the Colombian world than in the French world in Paris. It’s also what prompted me to come to Colombia on my own to study. If you’re going to live the Colombian way, you might as well do it here!What does your job at the hotel involve, and what do you enjoy?I really appreciate the freedom I’m given in terms of my approach to guests. The concept of our establishment is to welcome visitors, not as customers, but as friends of the family. They have to feel at home, and I try to do everything I can to make that happen by accompanying them from the moment they arrive. That’s why the welcome is so important. I show them around the house, ask them questions about themselves and their travel plans, and try to advise them as best I can.And 3 words to describe Colombians?I’d say 3 words that are linked to each other and that for me represent the vast majority of the Colombian population: endearing, welcoming, generous.
Interviews in 2019
If you’d like to discover Colombia and meet our Colombian friends,you can contact one of our experts here to request a tailor-made trip:
