What to see in Popayan and around
Popayan
Popayan: the White City
Popayan makes the best base to visit all the Southern region of Colombia as it is close to all of its highlights.
Popayan itself is an interesting and attractive colonial city also called “the White City” as all the beautifully restored houses in its historic center are painted in white. It is a Unesco City of Gastronomy, a Colombian National Marvel and its Semana Santa, a Unesco Masterpiece of humanity.
Around
Silvia
Silvia is a village one hour away from Popayan. Tuesday is a good day to visit as that is when the market takes place and hundreds of “Guambianos” meet in town. You can as well visit them in their indigenoous villages around (any other day of the week), rent a horse or enjoy a delicious lunch of trout.
Purace Volcano
Puracé Volcano is a dormant volcano (4,650m) which is easily accesible from Popayán. The trail is easly to follow and not too difficult.The only things that you will need is treking clothes (warm and rainproof) and lots of energy.
Purace National Park
Colourful thermals springs, condors and other fauna, a vast extension of páramo, waterfalls, lonelyness, great views to 9 volcanoes: That´s Puracé National Park!
Coconuco
Coconuco has some naturally heated thermal pools for you to relax. It can be a great experience after your long trip from Ecuador to Colombia or after visiting one of our other highlights in the region.
Tierradentro
Tierradentro is an archeological area located in a beautiful green valley where you can find ancient ruins (undergroud tumbs) and a flavour of what the real rural Colombia is.
San Agustín
The archeological site of San Agustín is the biggest prehispanic site in the whole Latinamerica. But there is more to see than sculptures: the tallest waterfall in Colombia or the straigh of the Magdalena for example.
