Obando: El Estrecho del Magdalena, petroglyphs & Parque Arqueológico de Obando

Location:
San Agustín, Colombia

Ruin Types:
Nature

By Lorraine Caputo

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 camino 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.

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 ($1.60). 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 $1.05.

Relative price: Very cheap

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.

To See and Do: 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