Santander, north-east Andes · Colombia
Colombia's prettiest town, a hushed grid of whitewashed houses, stone streets and canyon views, with the Camino Real to Guane and adrenaline in San Gil.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0
Barichara is often called the most beautiful town in Colombia. Set on a ridge above the Suárez river canyon in Santander, it has kept its colonial character almost untouched since its founding in the 18th century. Its name comes from a word meaning a place of rest. Whitewashed houses with red-tile roofs line cobbled streets, and the local pale sandstone is used for paving, pillars and churches.
The town is small and quiet, and a day's exploring takes in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a stone church, the Chapel of Santa Bárbara with views over the canyon, and artisan workshops that make paper, ceramics and embroidered goods. The Camino Real, a stone trail built by the Guane people and used by the Spanish, runs about 9 km to the village of Guane, a pleasant 2- to 3-hour walk.
Nearby San Gil is Colombia's adventure sports capital, with white-water rafting, canyoning, paragliding and caving. Barichara is a good place to relax between these activities, and it is about six or seven hours by bus from Bogotá, so it suits a longer itinerary.
Why visit
Barichara is a peaceful, photogenic town with an easy walking trail nearby.
White walls, stone streets.
To the village of Guane.
Paper, ceramics and embroidery.
Over the Suárez valley.
Rafting and canyoning at San Gil.
Main attractions
Everything is within walking distance.
A 19th-century stone church with a large square in front, the town's heart.
Tip Visit at dusk.
A small stone chapel on a quiet street.
Tip Photogenic in the morning.
White walls, blue doors and stone pavement.
Tip Get lost on purpose.
A 9-km stone trail to the village of Guane.
Tip Walk in the morning.
A tiny village with a museum of archaeology.
Tip Take a taxi back.
Viewpoints over the canyon.
Tip Sunset.
Things to do
Barichara is for walking and browsing.
To Guane.
Tip Bring water.
Paper and ceramics.
Tip Buy direct.
On the Fonce river.
Tip Book a reputable operator.
Near San Gil.
Tip Listen to guides.
From a mirador.
Tip Bring a jacket.
Hormigas culonas, fried leaf-cutter ants.
Tip If you dare.
Local food
Santander's food is bold.
Fried leaf-cutter ants, a regional snack.
Where to try it Shops and restaurants.
A local speciality.
Where to try it Restaurants.
A hearty soup.
Where to try it Traditional restaurants.
A sausage of rice and offal.
Where to try it Market.
Tropical fruit.
Where to try it Cafés.
Accommodation
Stay in a colonial house.
Transport
Barichara is reached via San Gil.
The town is small.
When to go
Barichara is warm and drier in these months.
Dry.
Wet.
Drier.
Wet.
Worth planning around: Rainy months for hiking.
Itinerary
The town and the trail.
Streets and crafts.
Hike.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
Yes.
Bus to San Gil, then a local bus.
About 9 km to Guane.
Two.
For adventure sports.
December to March.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Barichara, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Boyacá, Andean highlands, Colombia
A perfectly preserved colonial town three hours from Bogotá, with the huge Plaza Mayor, whitewashed streets, Iguaque hikes, waterfalls, fossils and wineries.
Don't miss Standing in the vast Plaza Mayor, a cobbled square the size of several football pitches, with the town's white walls and red roofs around it.
Explore Destination — Villa de LeyvaCundinamarca, Andean highlands, Colombia
Colombia's capital at 2,640 metres, with La Candelaria's colonial streets, the Gold and Botero museums, Monserrate, street art, restaurants and the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral.
Don't miss Riding the cable car to the Monserrate sanctuary for a view over the vast city.
Explore Destination — BogotáAntioquia, Aburrá Valley, Colombia
Colombia's innovation city, with Comuna 13's street art and escalators, Plaza Botero, Metrocable rides, Parque Arví, El Poblado's restaurants and a mild climate all year.
Don't miss Riding the Metrocable up to the hillside neighbourhoods, with the whole valley spread out below.
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