All along the coast, when recounting some strange occurrence, a local will undoubtedly say the village, “pues, es un Macondo” (well, is a Macondo). The original Macondo, though, is a town deep in the heart of plantations: Aracataca. It was here Nobel-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez was born and raised on the tales of his grandmother. The Arabesque church was where he was baptized. A few short blocks away is the Casa Museo, his childhood home (Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m., Sunday and holidays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Entry by donation). The Casa del Telegrafista (featured in some of Gabo’s works) is at Calle 9 5-30. The railway station awaits the Ruta de Macondo train. Next to it, Remedios lies upon an open book, yellow butterflies dancing around her. If you want to stay in Aracataca for a while and check out why it is Macondo, there are several basic inns. Catequeros are friendly—and great storytellers.

(Altitude: 40 m / 131 ft, Population: 28,535, City Code: 5)