San Augustin - E

San Augustin

Von Popayan nach San Augustin

SAN AGUSTIN

San Agustin is recognized as the Arqueological Capital in Colombia, this is a quiet place, you can go there from Pitalito (40 min) or from Popayan (4.30 h) by bus.

We got the second one because we came from Ecuador and Ipiales. The road was built in the middle of a National Park (mas informaciòn del parque aquì), there is no concrete there and if you are lucky, you can see the landscape, we enjoyed the beauty of this humid jungle but we were not able to photograph because our driver went too fast.

In San Agustin you will find a really quiet and clean village, there are two tourist offices, some hotels and hostels and depending on the time you arrive, people will be offering different tours, like jeep tours to show important scenery, horses to ride to different places where you will see many different statues of many different types, some of them look like animals some like humans or a mixture of both.  It is a special place, the statues are 3000-6000 years old. It is not necessary to be an archaeologist to feel the energy and enjoy the history of these magnificent statues.

The tours by jeep go to the river Maddalena, to family operated sugarcane factory, to the biggest waterfall in the surounding and to smaller archaeological parks you cannot reach by foot easily.

the most beautiful cities of Colombia - E

On our jorney we visited 

Cartagena, it is said to be the most beautiful city of Colombia.

Stadtplan Cartagena

As you can see on the map, the old center of the town is situated  well strategically on a promontory. The old fortification is still there, small streets with wonderful houses, well kept, a lot of balcony plants that let you forget you are in a narrow town. 

Popayan, is said to be the second most beautiful city of Colombia.

To see both cities on a trip it was necessary to book a flight because of the distance. You can take the bus too, but you really need a lot of time and we did not want to invest that amount of time.

If you can shorten your backage to 6 kg or less the flight is not so expensive. There exists a cheap airline in Colombia with very low prices. Ideal for people who can give up the luxury of food and backage on a flight.

The center of Popayan surprises with white houses and black windows, doors and balconies. Narrow streets, parks, everything full of life.

There are only few streets without traffic, that is sometimes unconfortable in the narrwo streets. On the other hand hotels at all prices is a big plus.

In the park there are always events for free.

San Cipriano - E

Cali - San Cipriano

On the way from Cali to Buenaventura you pass by San Cipriano, you should stay at least 1 day and night..

If you are coming from Cali you need tell to the driver that you will get out in “Cordoba”. Cordoba is a small village with lots of big cars and there many big trucks that transport produce.

When you get off the bus you will be met by some boys who will take you to SAN CIPRIANO, they will ask you for 10.000 COP but you can offer to pay 5.000 COP if you wish, which is quite like 2 US dollars.

The trip to San Cipriano is an adventure: you can travel in a trolley, made out of a wooden platform and a motorbike in the front, you are pulled through the jungle on rails which clatter and shake. the motorbike encounters the oncoming traffic as it travels along the tracks., you then must get off wait for the traffic to go and then get back on, as the picture shows.

In San Cipriano each house is a hotel, people earn a living by taking in tourists. Here you will enjoy an experience living with a family from this area. All the rooms are very small and there are not other choices if you choose to stay here.

Some prices: Room for two: 70.000 COP or 30 US dollars. This can be negociated.

                    Lunch 12.000 COP or 5 US dollars.

Ok, you may think why would I want to visit this place?.

The answer is the river, this is the clearest water I have ever seen, it is sparkling clear and fresh enough for you to drink:))

Like in any place, you will have people trying to sell you tourist tours and places to visit, but it is your choice whether you elect a tour with the guide or you do it alone with the brochures to guide you.

The people in San Cipriano are basically African people, it is said that many years ago a black community decided to go into the jungle to save their lives and their culture. this is why they are so far from the other cities and towns.

The river and San Cipriano are part of a forest reserve. they are a closed community but open for tourists.

We hope you enjoy your time there as much as we did!