Barichara is a colonial town located in the department of Santander, Colombia. Known for its well-preserved architecture and peaceful atmosphere, Barichara is a popular destination that offers a wide variety of things to do and see. The cobblestone streets and colonial houses are just the beginning of what can be found in this picturesque place surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including mountains, rivers and waterfalls.
In Barichara, you can enjoy the local culture through gastronomy, handicrafts and festivals. In addition, it is also a fantastic starting point for outdoor activities. These include hiking, biking, bird watching and adventure sports. Barichara is an ideal place for those looking for an escape from urban life and an opportunity to immerse themselves in history and nature.
What are the best things to do in Barichara?
1. Cathedral of Barichara, one of the landmarks of the city
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is an architectural jewel. It’s located in the heart of Barichara, next to the Main Park. Built in the 19th century, in honor of the Virgin of the Rock, the cathedral is one of the greatest examples of religious architecture in Colombia.
Its facade is of baroque style, with details carved in stone that make it unique. The interior of the cathedral stands out for its sturdy columns and wonderful artisan coffered ceiling. The Cathedral of Barichara is a must-see for those seeking to learn about the cultural and historical richness of this Colombian region.
2. Barichara’s Main Park
The Main Park is a small green oasis located in the heart of Barichara, Colombia. The park is surrounded by beautiful Spanish-style colonial houses. Their white facades and wooden doors contrast with its lush vegetation. In the center of the park you will find a beautiful decorative fountain. And around it, there are statues commemorating different characters of Barichara and benches where you can rest. The relaxed atmosphere of this park allows you to stop and admire the colonial architecture that surrounds it. And you get to appreciate the natural and artistic details that make it unique. In addition, it is common to find street vendors offering typical food and souvenirs there.
3. A stroll through the colonial streets of Barichara, Colombia
Undoubtedly the best activity to do in Barichara is to stroll along the streets. There you can see the remains of the Spanish colonization with its perfectly preserved architecture.
A walk through the colonial streets of Barichara means traveling back in time to the 18th century. Its narrow cobblestone streets are surrounded by beautiful adobe houses of Spanish colonial style. Their prominent characteristic is white facades and carved wooden doors and windows. Unique architectural details, such as wrought iron railings and carved stone cornices, can be seen in every corner. Besides, it is common to find squares and small courtyards adorned with flower pots and ornamental fountains. It all adds a touch of charm to the experience. Some of the streets you can’t miss for their beauty are Calle 5 and Carrera 10.
4. Mirador Salto del Mico, the best viewpoint where you can see the nature of Barichara, Colombia
The Salto del Mico viewpoint is one of the greatest natural wonders of the Santander region of Colombia. To reach the viewpoint, it is necessary to hike a steep and rocky path. But the effort is worth it when you get to the top and are greeted by a breathtaking view of the majestic Chicamocha Canyon. From there you can appreciate the magnitude of nature and its imposing beauty, with the Chicamocha River winding its way through the bottom of the canyon.
In addition to the breathtaking views, the Mirador Salto del Mico is a perfect place to rest, enjoy the fresh air and admire the Colombian nature in its purest state. A magical and unique place that you can not miss on your trip to Barichara.
5. Camino Real
If you are interested in hiking, the Camino Real from Barichara to Guane will be your favorite experience on this trip. This route was declared a National Heritage Site in 1977 not only for its great beauty, but also for its historical value. This ancient route was used by various civilizations to get from Barichara to Guane and was paved in colonial times.
This 9km route offers the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. It has stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as the lush vegetation of fruit trees, cacti and wildflowers that surround it. Along the way, you can appreciate historical and cultural details of the region, such as colonial chapels, stone walls and ancient bridges. The Camino Real also has several viewpoints where hikers can stop to take pictures and rest. Once in Guane, the only thing left to do is to enjoy the beauty of the town, its colonial church and the famous archeological museum.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Barichara, Colombia
San Gil, an important tourist destination near Barichara
San Gil is an interesting town located 45 minutes away from Barichara. It is known for being the capital of adventure tourism in Colombia.
Among its attractions you can enjoy the grandeur of the Chicamocha National Park, with its imposing canyon and its variety of activities, including cable car ride, paragliding and hiking trails. San Gil is also home to the impressive Juan Curi Waterfalls. This is a natural spectacle that can be reached by hiking through the jungle. And on the other hand, the famous Gallineral Park is an oasis of peace, with trails and suspension bridges over the Fonce River that invite you to relax and enjoy the scenery. And for food lovers, its farmer’s market is a must-see destination on the trip, where you can enjoy a wide variety of local products.
Also, San Gil is an interesting destination as it is a good starting point to visit other nearby towns. Besides Barichara, you can visit Guane and Curití.
Where to eat in Barichara Colombia?
- ELVIA Local Cuisine: Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Barichara. Elvia is a signature Colombian cuisine restaurant where they use regional products from their own garden to create delicious, modern dishes with great attention to detail. Definitely, it is the perfect place to taste the traditional flavors but from an innovative point of view. Price range: 5-20€
- Al Fogolar Barichara: An ideal place to taste the typical gastronomy of the region in the heart of Barichara, with very good views of the city. It is also known for its delicious pizzas. Price range: 3-8€
Where to stay in Barichara Colombia?
- Las Cabezas Grises: In the heart of Barichara lies Las Cabezas Grises, a rural house that becomes a real home for those seeking peace and comfort. This beautiful house offers a Free WiFi, a cozy shared lounge, a lush garden and a spacious terrace with stunning views of the city. It also offers a fabulous American breakfast to start the day with energy. Average price per night: 25€
- Hicasua Hotel and Convention Center: If you are looking for a dream accommodation in the heart of Barichara, the Hicasua Hotel and Convention Center is the perfect choice. It is a 4-star accommodation located in a beautiful colonial house with a swimming pool, hot tub and free Wi-Fi. The rooms have rustic décor and flat-screen TVs. The restaurant offers regional and international cuisine and panoramic views of the garden. Average price per night: €118.
What should I know before a trip to Barichara
- The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (1€ = 4,412.08 Colombian pesos)
- Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking around Barichara. Its cobblestone streets can be slippery, especially in the rainy season.
- Use insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other insects that are common in the region.
- Be careful when swimming in the nearby rivers and waterfalls. They can have strong currents and can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.
- Avoid consuming unfiltered or boiled water to prevent water-borne diseases.
- If you plan to hike or do outdoor activities, make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun.
- Do not expose your valuables in public places and keep an eye on your belongings at all times to avoid theft.
- Organize things to do in Barichara Colombia with the Passporter app.
How to organize all the things to do in Barichara Colombia
Register or download the Passporter app and take advantage of all its features:
- Get inspiration from other travelers’ experiences
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. If you need inspiration you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we share in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Barichara Colombia
Barichara has a tropical savanna climate characterized by warm temperatures throughout the year and a pronounced dry season. The average annual temperature in Barichara is around 24ºC with few seasonal fluctuations. The dry season is from December to March, and the rainy season is from April to November. Average annual precipitation in the area is around 900 mm, with more frequent and abundant rainfall in the months of May to October.
During the dry season the weather is more stable, with sunny days and warm temperatures. In addition, this time of the year is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and visits to the different tourist sites that the region has to offer.
To get from Bogota to Barichara, you can take a bus from the Bogota Transportation Terminal to San Gil or Bucaramanga and from there take another bus to Barichara. This is the most common and cheapest way to get to Barichara from Bogota.
The trip to Bucaramanga takes about 7 hours and from there to Barichara approximately 2 hours.
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