Obando - Ruin San Agustín - Colombia

Altitude: 1,700 meters / 5,576 feet, Population: 1,000, City Code: 2


Traveling towards the small village of Obando, you’ll cross the Magdalena River at the Estrecho, or Straits, the narrowest point—only 2.2 meters (7 feet) wide—of this río in its over-1500-kilometer (900-mile) course to the sea. Up a few hundred meters, on the other side of the dirt road, is a signed path to some not-often visited petroglyphs. After a further 2.5-3 kilometers (1.5-1.8 miles) the main road arrives at Obando village, where excavations on burials dating from 11th-2nd century B.C. began in 1992. The painted tombs are now part of the Parque Arqueológico de Obando, which also includes a museum.

Location:
Near San Agustín, San Agustín, Colombia

Ruin Types:
Nature

Getting There

All-day jeep tours include the Estrecho del Magdalena and the Parque Arqueológico de Obando (entry fee not included) on their route.

Travel Tips:

Specific Hours: El Estrecho del Magdalena and near-by petroglyphs, dawn to dusk; Parque Arqueológico de Obando, daily 8 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.

At the Parque Arqueológico de Obando, explanatory signs are in English and Spanish. There is a gift shop with locally produced artesanía. You can also visit these sites on your own, although public transportation is a bit more problematic. From Calle 5 and Carrera 14 in San Agustín leave infrequent buses for Obando (aboput $2). You can alight at the Estrecho, walk to the Petroglyphs and to Obando, then catch a bus back to San Agustín.

Price Description:

El Estrecho and the petroglyphs are free; Parque Arqueológico de Obando costs $1.20.

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

You Need to Bring:

Water, high-energy snacks, sun block, hat, rain gear, sturdy footwear.

Parque Arqueológico, El Tablón, El Purutal, La Pelota, La Chaquira; some lesser-known sites are Alto de las Guacas and the caves at Lavaderos..

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso

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By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began...

Updated: 19 Aug 2011