The fishing village of Taganga, close to Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast, is fast becoming a favorite of divers traveling in the region.

While the diving is excellent, the prices are equally attractive - a four-day open-water PADI course for US$200 is very reasonable.

Elsewhere in Colombia, it's possible to snorkel at the Islas del Rosario (near Cartagena) or off the islands of San Andrés and Providencia.

At San Andrés, don't miss La Piscinita, a natural cove where thousands of fish swarm and eat bread straight from the hands of swimmers.