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Southern Colombia
Stretching from the southern edge of the Valle de Cauca to the border with Ecuador, the Southern Colombian region contains everything your imagination can conjure: high-altitude páramo plains and snowy volcanoes, flanked by mangrove-filigreed coastline to the west and sultry jungle to the east.
Popayán is a beautiful colonial city, renowned for its Semana Santa processions. Stroll through the narrow streets, stopping in the numerous churches and several museums. Popayán serves as the gateway to some of Colombia's premier archaeological sites, both of unknown cultures: Tierradentro, brilliantly painted, human-carved burial caves; and San AgustĂn, many sites of incredible statuary. The surrounding countryside of both provides great hiking opportunities.
Between the two lies Parque Nacional Puracé. After trekking around the Cadena Volcánica de Coconuco or scaling Volcán Puracé, you can soak your strained muscles in several local hot springs.
Further south on the Pan-American Highway, you arrive at Pasto. This city, overlooked by smoldering Galeras volcano, also has pleasant colonial-era architecture and plazas, as well as a Gold Museum (Museo de Oro).
Accessible from Pasto, you can visit the country's second-largest lake, Laguna La Cocha. On its shores a many eco-farms that welcome guests. Santuario de Flora y Fauna Isla La Carota is on a small island in the lagoon.
Just north of the Rumichaca border with Ecuador is Ipiales. Eight kilometers (5 mi) away is the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de las Lajas, a neo-Gothic church spanning a river gorge. Also near Ipiales is the indigenous village Cumbal, shadowed by two icy volcanoes.
The entire region has experienced guerrilla and paramilitary activity in recent years. Please read the Southern Colombia Safety section.
Top Hotels in the South
Hotel Belmonte
Doña Olga proudly states, \"This is not a luxurious place. It\'s basic, secure, clean and cheap\"-- and that\'s precisely what the Hotel Belmonte is. The rooms are simply appointed with classic,
...Ipiales, Colombia
Hotel Capital
If you can afford to spend a dollar more, Hotel Capital is a comfortable choice for budget travelers. All rooms have common baths, but here there is deliciously hot water. The back courtyard garden ...Popayán, Colombia
Hospedaje y Restaurante Los Lagos
For those preferring to stay in San Andrés Pisimbalá itself, Hospedaje y Restaurante Los Lagos is one of several options. Located at the end of the village’s main road to the right, this ...Tierradentro, Colombia
Hospedaje Lucerna
Austere on the outside, with only small lettering announcing its presence, Hospedaje Lucerna is big on service. Inside, the rooms are grouped around the flower-filled garden. All share the common ...Tierradentro, Colombia
Hospedaje Pisimbalá
Hospedaje Pisimbalá is another old stand-by for journeyers to Tierradentro. Also a small, family-run inn, this inn offers three rooms sharing a bathroom and three rooms with private bath. Only one ...Tierradentro, Colombia
Hospedaje Cambi
Just a half-block from Parque BolĂvar, Magola PĂ©rez welcomes San AgustĂn visitors to these inexpensive, simple, clean rooms in an old colonial building. Nearly all the rooms have TV and private ...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Hotel Los ĂŤdolos
Hotel Los ĂŤdolos is definitely the cheapest place to stay in San AgustĂn if you have a traveling partner. Be warned, however, that the rooms are claustophically small and stuffy, with only a small ...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Hotel Colonial
On the main street of San AgustĂn, right where the collective taxis and pick-ups arrive, is Hotel Colonial. Set in another classic, aged building, this inn tenders ample, tidy rooms with private or ...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Hotel Central
This other colonial-era-building-cum-hotel is tranquil, despite being on San AgustĂn’s main street. With a family atmosphere, Hotel Central is the preferred choice of some travelers, thanks to its ...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Hotel Yalconia
Hotel Yalconia is San AgustĂn’s oldest luxury-class hotel. Of modern architecture, this two-story building provides all of the comforts one would want while enjoying the wonders of this region.
...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Hostal Alto de los Andaquies
Midways between the village and the archaeological park is Hostal Alto de los Andaquies. This family farm has been turned into a comfortable hotel surrounded by gardens with spectacular views over ...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Top Places to Visit
Popayán
The Pan-American Highway twists and turns for 248 kilometers (149 miles) north from Pasto, arriving at Popayán in the Valle de Pubenza. To the south, east and north of this city are verdant plains
...Popayán, Colombia
Tierradentro
Deep within the heart of the hilly countryside around Tierradentro lies one of Colombia's great archaeological gems: mysterious subterranean tombs painted in white-black-red-ochre geometrical
...Tierradentro, Colombia
San AgustĂn
Like silent sentinels guarding the green mountains of southern Colombia, the pre-Columbian statues of San AgustĂn have long beckoned travelers to wander off the beaten track. The journey can be
...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Ipiales
A Sunday morning stroll around Ipiales belies the reality of this city. These now-quiet streets will soon bustle with travelers and merchants crossing the border, and Ecuadorian and Colombian
...Ipiales, Colombia
Pasto
Altitude: 2527 m/8,213 ft, Population: approximately 400,000, City Code: 2 Located atop a plateau surrounded by verdant hills to the east and Volcán Galeras to the west, Pasto is 88 kilometers (54 ...Pasto, Colombia
Parque Nacional Puracé
A road heads east from Popayán towards Parque Nacional Natural Puracé. After 18 kilometers (11 miles) it forks: one branch goes to La Plata and Garzón, the other to Pitalito. The largely unpaved ...Colombia
Things to See and Do
Semana Santa
Easily the most important holiday in Popayán, and one that has been celebrated annually for more than 450 years, Semana Santa transforms Popayán into a colorful procession of Catholic tradition, ...Popayán, Colombia
Cumbal
In this small indigenous village on the altiplano, the Sunday market trading is still going strong. Stalls display fruits from highlands and low, or ponchos from local workshops. Doña Yolanda
...Near Ipiales, Ipiales, Colombia
Shamanic and Ecological Association of Colombia
Gain fascinating insight into rural community life, alternative agricultural systems, and medicinal and tropical plants on this farm, home to the Shamanic and Ecological Association of Colombia.
...San AgustĂn, Colombia
La Chaza
Sundays, men of all ages partake in Chaza de Bombo, a ball game where four-to eight-man teams hit a tennis ball with a bombo, an 80-centimeter (32-in) -long, wooden racket with a 22-centimeter (9-in)
...Pasto, Colombia
Piscina Municipal Las Moyas
Once the sun begins to shine in San AgustĂn, it gets down right hot. The perfect way to cool down after visiting the Parque ArqueolĂłgico or doing the El TablĂłn-to-El Purutal circuit is to swing by
...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Reservas Naturales de la Cocha
Since being declared a Ramsar protected area, local indigenous and campesino communities around Laguna de la Cocha have been taking an active role in conservation and the development of eco-tourism. ...Colombia
Tejo
After going through the stands of the market on a lazy Sunday, you might find yourself staring at a sign that reads “Cancha de Tejo El Recreo.” Through the courtyard of the rough, tin-roofed ...San AgustĂn, Colombia
Ritual de Refrescamiento y Limpieza
After months of being on the road, you may need to have a Ritual de Refrescamiento y Limpieza done. The Refresh and Cleansing Ritual is an ancient custom of the indigenous peoples here that is yet ...Tierradentro, Colombia
Trout Fishing
Your fly makes a soft plop as it lands in the crystalline water of RĂo Aguasilencio—Silent Water River—or one of its tributaries flowing near Coconuco and Paletará. A subtle breeze passes ...Colombia
The Cultural Centers Of Ipiales
If you find yourself stuck in Ipiales for a few days, don’t sweat. There are places where you can while away a few hours. The Banco de la República has a cultural center that hosts art ...Ipiales, Colombia
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