3 Best Sights in Southwest Colombia, Colombia

One of Colombia's truly enjoyable nature outings is the Jardín Botánico del Quindío, an enormous complex of botanical gardens outside Armenia. The highlight here is the mariposario, a butterfly-shaped butterfly house. It's home to about 1,500 butterflies, representing 50 different species. Roam the expansive botanical gardens and pay attention to the diverse species of orchid that grow in Colombia. Don't miss the seven-story lookout point, a great place to spot many of the 120 species of birds that call this region home. A cafeteria and souvenir shop round out the offerings here. Most of the exhibits here are labeled in English as well as Spanish, and bilingual tour guides are happy to show you around.

Tour companies deposit you at the Vereda de Cocora, an area with small restaurants and a kiosk where you can grab food or equipment (like rubber boots, available to rent, for the frequently muddy paths ahead). The quickest path to the most popular viewpoint is a 20-minute walk that takes you past a private farm, which requires a small fee to visit, before weaving upward towards the mist-shrouded volcanic peaks of the PNN Los Nevados. For a longer hike, head through a blue gate past the kiosk and follow a circular path that leads through luxuriant farmlands, cloud forests, and over wooden suspension bridges. Watch for a small hummingbird sanctuary—it serves a thick hot chocolate that will bolster you for the last few hours.