IMPULSE TRAVEL TEAM
Somos un equipo de narradores y les traemos lo mejor que Colombia tiene por ofrecer. En nuestro blog, respondemos a las preguntas más frequentes y revelamos los místerios, la cultura y lo mejor para hacer en nuestro país para ustedes.
San Agustín is a small town in the department of El Huila in the south of Colombia. It is located in the Andean part of the country characterized by a mountainous landscape. If you ask any Colombian most will tell you that they haven’t gone because it is quite far away but what they heard is amazing. And they are right!
In the village itself there’s not much to see but you can walk around, have a coffee and some bread in the nice bakeries (for example try a bread with fruits, typical for the region) or treat yourself in a nice restaurant (ask at your hotel, they can recommend the best restaurant for your taste).
The surroundings of San Agustín, however, offer different activities for travelers: culture-interested are welcomed in the Archaeological Park San Agustín while more active travelers can go hiking, horse riding, and rafting.
A visit to the Archaeological Park San Agustín
About the park
Just 3 km (1.8 miles) outside of the town you will find the Archaeological Park San Agustín. This park was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1995 for its many pre-Columbian stone sculptures and monuments carefully protected and embedded in a beautiful landscape.
Sculptures in the park
The visit
To visit the archaeological park you should plan approximately 3 – 5 hours. While you visit the traces of an ancient culture you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and if you like, practice your Spanish with other visitors or the staff of the park. Colombians always have time for a little chat. At the entrance of the park is also a museum which you can visit during the tour.
How much does it cost?
The entrance fee is 25,000 COP (discount with a student ID). It not only gives entrance to this very park but also to other historical sites in the region. On entering the park you will receive a passport including a map and information. It is also possible to hire a guide who will give you extra in-depth knowledge about the different stone figures and sites.
Trail in the park
What should I bring?
As the walking path in the park is about 4 km (2.4 miles), you should wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear. You should also bring enough water to drink and wear sunscreen. We also recommend to bring an umbrella for rainy days or to shield from the sun.
How can I get there?
To get to the park from San Agustín you can choose between walking, public transport, and Taxi. Both Taxi and the buses are fairly cheap - the little public buses cost around 1,200 COP per person each way, a Taxi around 5,000 COP.
More activities in San Agustín
Estrecho del Magdalena
The Magdalena River is one of the principal rivers of Colombia and runs through the country from south to the north for more than 1,500 km (932 miles). Near San Agustín you can find the narrowest part of the river where it is only a little bit more than 2 meters wide! This wonder of nature is framed by a beautiful landscape and should be included in your trip to San Agustín.
La Chaquira, El Tablón, La Pelota, El Purutal
These are other historical sites with impressive sculptures. They are scattered in the region, but still worth visiting.
Cascada Salto de Borbones
A little bit farther away in the Municipio of Isnos (around 1.5 h by car) there is a beautiful giant waterfall. The Salto de Borbones waterfall measures 400m (1,300 ft)! You can visit the viewpoint to see the superb sight and also descend to the base of the waterfall via an ecological trail.
Landscape with waterfall near San Agustín
Rafting
On the Magdalena river, there is also the possibility to engage in adventure sport! Rafting is a popular activity there, that adventurous traveler will love!
Horse riding
A very popular activity to do in the surroundings of San Agustín is horse riding. This way you can enjoy the landscape leisurely and maybe visit some more of the historical sites like La Pelota, El Purutal, El Tablón and La Chaquira.
Horse riding near San Agustín
How to get to San Agustín
From Bogotá you can either go by bus or by plane. By bus it will take you around 11h, that is why it is best to take an overnight bus e.g. by the bus companies Taxi Verde or Coomotor. There are also direct buses from Popayán and Neiva (different types of buses) and other departing points, just have a look at the websites.
By plane from Bogotá would be the best to fly to Neiva or Pitalito, but you would still have to take a bus from there (Neiva approx. 4 hours, Pitalito approx. 1h) e.g. with Satena Airlines, EasyFly or Avianca.
