Melgar - City of Colombia

Melgar is a Colombian town located in the Department of Tolima, 109 km southwest of Bogotá. The first settlement was called "Cualamana", later change to "Villa de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia. In 1601 its name was changed to "La Candelaria", given by Captain Juan Lopez de Herrera. It was the site of an ancient Amerindian village that belonged to the Panches.

It is known in Colombia as the "City of the Swimming Pools" or the "Sea of Swimming Pools" because of its more than 5000 swimming pools. It is a major inland resort, which the people of Bogotá visit on weekends to flee the capital's cold weather for the warm climate of the valley. Visitors to this town either own or rent a villa that includes a pool in such communities as VerdeSol.

The city is home to several military bases as well as Club Militar's "Las Mercedes" resort, which is a kind of country club with water slides, swimming pools, dance club, golf greens, hospital and a restaurant. The club also holds special events such as a Christmas Eve party.

Several dance clubs and bars can be found in Melgar such as the Oasis Bar which features foot pools that you can take off your shoes and dance. As is common with Latin clubs not all bars serve mixed drinks but instead require you buy a bottle of alcohol for the table instead. This is no exception in Melgar however if you wish to drink a beer you just need to buy a bottle.

Melgar is located 1 hour north of Ibagué which is the capital city of Tolima. Tolima is one of the 32 departments of Colombia and is the department in which Melgar also resides.