
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 studded with mountains. To the southeast is Volcan Puracé and the national park named for it.
Popayán is nicknamed Ciudad Blanca, or the White City. Its narrow streets are lined with two-story buildings constructed in rococo Andalusian-style architecture. Their whitewash is almost blinding on a sunny day. The cathedral is styled in clean, classic Roman lines. The central plaza, Parque Caldas, is a pleasant place to seek shade beneath palms and flowering trees. Here, musicians and comedians frequently entertain the crowds.
Traveling north towards Cali (142 kilometers/85 miles away), you then enter the humid Valle del Cauca, surrounded by mountain ranges on either side. During this journey you can occasionally see Nevado del Huila.
Neighborhoods in Popayán: Near Popayán,
Other places nearby Popayán: Pasto, Ipiales, Tierradentro, San AgustÃn and Parque Nacional Puracé.
One place to get out of Popayán's rains are the museums. Many are the historical homes of past illustrious citizens. A few premier art museums also are on the scene, the Museo de Arte Religioso and
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The Museo de Arte Religioso was founded in 1972 by the city's Archdiocese to protect and conserve the most valuable artworks of Popayán's churches. Divided into six halls devoted to specific
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Under the auspices of the Universidad de Cauca, the Museo de Historia Natural is a nice break from the usual art and miscellanea-housing historical museums. With splendid collections explaining the
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