A GUIDE TO BARICHARA
Often described as Colombia’s prettiest town, Barichara does live up to its name. This lovely colonial town is charming. It has cobblestone streets, whitewashed and stone buildings with colorful doors and shutters, and red-tiled roofs. Green valleys and hills surround the town, and it has a laid-back atmosphere.
The truth is, there is not a lot to do in Barichara. However, it still gets a decent number of tourists and still keeps its charm. It’s one of those towns where you want to stay more days to admire its beauty and relax. This picture-perfect destination is magical, and I highly recommend making time to see it if you have extra days in Colombia. It’s another colorful town to explore in Colombia.
This Guide to Barichara, Colombia, will help you prepare for what to expect.
A Guide to Barichara, Colombia
Table of Contents
Things to do in Barichara
As mentioned, Barichara is the perfect place to relax. It has this charm that makes you want to wander the cobblestone streets. Although it’s touristy among locals, it doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. Because it’s a more remote location, foreigners mostly skip this town.
However, if you have the time in the country, I advise you to add it to your list of places to visit in Colombia. It’s definitely worth the detour. And although there isn’t a lot to do in this small town, you can still enjoy the following things:
Parque Principal Barichara
Like every town in Colombia, Barichara also has a town square. This park is lovely and lively. It’s where the town people hang out to rest and chat.
Around the park, you’ll find restaurants, souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and a church. It is also the spot where the bus will drop you off.
Guide to Barichara
Wander the Streets
This is an obvious suggestion, but if you visit Barichara, it’s probably because the beautiful pictures captivate your attention. Barichara is one of the most charming colonial towns I’ve seen. Its cobblestone streets and colorful doors and window shutters are gorgeous.
Every street is picture-perfect. And don’t worry about getting lost. The town is small and easy to wander, and there is no need to rush.
Salto del Mico Mirador
This mirador, or viewpoint, is one of the spots you must not miss while wandering through Barichara. You can enjoy the sunset from this spot or sit at the edge of the rocks to admire the Suarez Canyon and River below. It’s a breathtaking scenery.
However, be aware that sitting at the edge of the rocks can be intimidating for those afraid of heights. There is a big drop, so make sure you walk safely next to the edge.
El Mirador
There is another viewpoint in town that the locals call El Mirador. It has views of the Chicamocha Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world. You can enjoy this view while drinking a coffee, smoothie, or beer. You can also grab a souvenir while you are there. If you decide to hike from Barichara to Guane, you will pass this viewpoint.
Walk the Camino Real
One popular activity to do in Barichara is to walk the Camino Real. This hiking route leads you from Barichara to the village of Guane and can take you all the way to Villanueva or the Chicamocha Canyon. It all depends on how much time you have and if you are into multi-day trekking adventures.
The hike to Guane is an easy 9k hike that primarily goes downhill. It only takes about 2 hours to complete. The route is scenic and enjoyable. If you plan to get back to Barichara, you can hike back or take the bus from Guane to Barichara.
Check out the Chapels
There are several chapels to admire while wandering the town and their architecture is beautiful. Don’t miss La Capilla de San Antonio and Capilla de Santa Barbara. If they are open, you can walk in to admire the inside.
Guide to Barichara
Take a Day Trip to San Gil
If you didn’t spend any time in San Gil, make sure to give it at least a half-day to explore. San Gil is the adventure sports capital of Santander. It’s become popular for all the activities it offers. So if you have some time, make sure to enjoy some of them.
If you aren’t into extreme adventure activities, you can wander the town and visit the local tourist spots such as Parque Gallineral.
If you do, however, like adventure, you can water raft through Rio Suarez, mountain bike, bungee jump, paraglide, zipline, rappel, canyoneering, hike the Chicamoca Canyon or Cerro de la Cruz, visit waterfalls and natural pools, and so much more.
Go on a Tuk Tuk Tour
An option to get around the town is to hire a tuk-tuk driver. They take you to the main spots to see in the town while giving you some background information about them. This is an excellent option if you want a quick tour before walking the town or if it’s midday and you want to avoid walking in the sun.
Visit the Graveyard
Ok, this may not be something for everyone, but stopping at the cemetery is one of the things visitors do in the town. Tourists stop by to admire the personalized tombstones with nice carvings. I didn’t visit the tombs, but our Tuk Tuk driver stopped in front to show us and recommended we stop by to check them out.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Barichara is between December and March, in the dry season, and in July, August, and September. However, you can still visit during the other months, but you may be greeted with showers and higher humidity. This is true for most of Colombia, given the weather is similar across the country.
Where to Stay
I found prices in Barichara to be higher than in its neighboring town, San Gil. Therefore, I stayed in San Gil and took a day trip to Barichara. However, I would have loved to stay in Barichara instead of San Gil. It’s much quieter and more peaceful.
If you want to stay in a hostel, I recommend Trip Monkey Hostel in Barichara. I stayed with them in San Gil and had a good experience. However, if you prefer a hotel, Hotel Hicusa and La Loma Hotel Hotel Barichara both have great reviews and ratings.
Where to Eat
Barichara has higher prices for the food found in the center. They are primarily touristy and aren’t typical Colombian food. It’s harder to find the typical ‘menu del dia’ (daily menu) you usually find in Colombia. I also found very few restaurants on the side streets further from the town square.
If you find a small local restaurant, expect to pay about 10,000-15,000 COP. In the town square, you can find restaurants with prices over 25,000 COP. If you are on a budget, eat somewhere more local.
There are a good number of restaurants to eat the typical tourist food such as hamburgers and pizza. If you enjoy this then you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Guide to Barichara
How to Get to Barichara
Barichara is a small town located in the department (state) of Santander. It’s near San Gil, one of Colombia’s top destinations for extreme adventures. Here is how you can get there:
From Bogota: Barichara is a 7-hour bus ride from Bogota. Since Barichara is a small town, it’s not likely you’ll find a direct bus. Your best bet is to get a bus that goes directly to San Gil. Then in San Gil, you switch to a bus that gets to Barichara in about 40 minutes.
From Bucaramanga: Your other option is to fly to the Bucaramanga, Santander airport. Once in Bucaramanga, you go to the bus station to catch a bus directly to San Gil. The ride could take about 4 hours. In San Gil, catch the 40-minute bus to Barichara. Sometimes you can find a bus that goes directly from Bucaramanga to Barichara. Make sure to ask at the station.
From San Gil: San Gil is a major town in Santander. If you visit this large town, you are only a short bus ride away from Barichara. Go to the bus terminal and look for the bus that goes there. The ride will be about 40 minutes.
From Barichara back to San Gil
If you are staying in San Gil, make sure to leave Barichara before 5. Buses go back and forth between the towns every half hour, but they stop before sunset. The bus costs about 5,000 COP between the towns.
What to Pack
Here are some items to pack with you when visiting Barichara:
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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A Guide to Barichara
