For North Americans heading south, Colombia is becoming an increasingly popular choice. Given all that this diverse country has to offer, it’s not difficult to see why.

Second only to Ecuador among South American nations this year, Colombia has an incredibly low cost of living; according to IL Colombia Correspondent Michael Evans, a couple can live comfortably on just over $2,400 a month.

What’s more, Colombia boasts one of the finest and most affordable health care systems in the region, a factor that has seen large expat communities sprout up in cities like Bogotá and Medellín.

“You can get health-care treatment comparable to that in the U.S. in any large or mid-sized city,” says Michael. “In a 2014 survey, 18 Colombian medical institutions ranked among the top 45 in Latin America. According to the World Health Organization, Colombia actually has better health care than the United States or Canada.”

There’s no shortage of things to do, either. And accessing the country has never been easier, thanks to an increase in direct flights from the States.

“Even small towns have community swimming pools and tennis courts, and some major cities have golf courses,” says Michael. “In Colombia, you can go hiking, white-water rafting, paragliding, mountain climbing, spelunking, swimming, water skiing, and scuba diving. Colombia is the second-most biodiverse country on the planet. It has beaches, jungles, deserts, and a few steamy volcanoes. You’ll never get bored in Colombia.”

internationalliving.com