After getting our road trip off to a flying start with the discovery of the unusual Las Gachas and the sublime village of Barichara, it was time to talk about San Gil and take stock of the region and its sights.
Rivers, waterfalls, canyons, San Gil is renowned for all kinds of adventure sports activities, from rafting the rapids of the powerful rivers that flow down from the mountains to paragliding over the Chicamocha canyon!
But the area around San Gil is also full of colonial villages to discover! That’s right! In any case, this post will give you an idea of the wealth of possibilities available to you in and around San Gil.
Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
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Best things to do in San Gil
Visit San Gil in Santander
San Gil is a village located in the valley between Bogotá and Bucaramanga, to put it very broadly. It’s the ideal base from which to explore part of the Santander region, since from San Gil it’s possible to radiate out in different directions to enjoy a region with an incredibly wide range of activities!
- Visit beautiful villages such as Barichara, Socorro..
- Go in search of sublime natural sites such as Las Gachas or the Juan Curi waterfall..
- Enjoy adventure sports such as rafting, paragliding, canyoning, climbing..
- Discover the Chicamocha Canyon in three ways (by air, by land, by river)
In short, San Gil and the surrounding region offer a multitude of possibilities, making it the adventure sports capital of Colombia and certainly the tourist capital of Santander!
But let’s not forget that San Gil, like all the villages in the region, has a small but attractive historic center! Surrounding the central square and its church, a few blocks of streets offer the colonial architecture typical of the region, with the huge stone paving stones found intact in Barichara and elsewhere.
Don’t forget to climb up to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint to take in the town and the landscape surrounding San Gil!
As you can see, the area around San Gil has a lot to offer! And it was important to show you this before telling you what the town is really known for in Colombia: adventure tourism .
San Gil is the self-proclaimed adventure tourism capital of Colombia. A title that many other places in Colombia could steal, as there are a plethora of magical natural sites and nature activities in Colombia. But it’s true that San Gil is surely one of the pioneering villages in this field.
Rafting in San Gil
Colombia’s capital of adventure tourism
One of the activities for which San Gil is best known is rafting and its derivatives, such as kayaking and hydrospeed.
From San Gil, you can navigate 3 different rivers:
- The Rio Fonce, which runs alongside the village and is the most tranquil and family-friendly river.
- The Rio Chicamocha, which carved out the canyon and offers an exceptional panorama.
- The Rio Suarez, considered by experts to be one of Colombia’s best rivers for rafting.
Depending on skill level, adrenaline craving and budget, there’s something for everyone in San Gil.
If rafting is an activity that takes your fancy, we also recommend you take a look at Medellin. There we discovered an exceptional site, the Rio Samana and its tributaries, 1h30 from Medellin, near the village of San Franciso. More info on rafting here.
Our tip for rafting in San Gil
If you want to have a bit of fun in the rivers around San Gil, we recommend that you contact our local partner. They are the pioneers among the pioneers. A team of experts who have participated in the development of this activity both locally and nationally, with some of their instructors being members of the Colombian national team… no less!
The agency’s idea is to combine exploration, fun experiences and the preservation of Colombia’s rivers. They design itineraries focused on quality, safety, fun and adrenalin. Their motto: “Safety first, fun second”.
CONTACTS FOR RAFTING IN SAN GIL
Paragliding in San Gil
Colombia’s capital of outdoors activities
The other most popular activity in San Gil is paragliding! It has to be said that there’s a nice little take-off site not too far away… the Chicamocha Canyon. It’s hard to write lines and lines about this activity, as it seems obvious to us that once you’ve said: fly over the Chicamocha Canyon, you’ve said it all! From our point of view, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you might as well do it here… or in Medellín.
Prices for paragliding in Colombia are pretty affordable compared with those in Europe, and it would be a shame to miss out! For those on a budget, a second option is available with flights departing from Curiti. Shorter, less expensive, you won’t be flying over the Chicamocha Canyon, but you’ll still be getting laid against a backdrop of mountainous landscapes.
Our advice for paragliding in San Gil
To go paragliding in San Gil, we advise you to contact our local partner who offers both take-off sites (Chicamocha and Curiti). Once again, this agency is a pioneer in the field, offering a serious, professional and high-quality service. The agency has its own launch site at the top of the Chicamocha canyon, a luxury not to be missed..
All our instructors have over 10 years’ experience and are certified pilots and top-level freestyle and aerobatics athletes.
CONTACTS FOR PARAGLIDING IN SAN GIL
Trekking around San Gil
Colombia’s capital of adventure tourism
We mentioned this in our post on Barichara, but the region around San Gil is home to the ancient Guane civilization. At the time, the natives built numerous communication routes, later reused by settlers, and known as the “Camino Real”. Today, these ancient communication routes are the subject of hiking trails that can be covered over one or more days.
The most adventurous Camino is certainly the one that descends from Villanueva, near Barichara, to the village of Jordan at the bottom of the Chicamocha canyon. It then climbs back up to the Mesa de los Santos.
There are many other ways to enjoy Santander’s natural wonders, and here again, if you would like to be accompanied on this activity, we recommend that you contact our partner friends in San Gil, who will be happy to guide you along the paths of Santander.
CONTACTS FOR TREKKING IN CHICAMOCHA
Villages to visit around San Gil
Santander’s tourist capital
As you can see, there’s plenty to do around San Gil, starting with the discovery of Santander’s heritage villages, many of which are clustered in the region.
Barichara
One of the most beautiful villages in Colombia is Barichara! We spent two delightful days here during our visit, and it was a real “coup de coeur“. Barichara is a village perched on a mountainside above San Gil, about 30 minutes away by bus or car.
The village’s charm lies in its totally preserved architecture, and there’s plenty to do here. We enjoyed meeting the locals, going into the workshops and learning more about local initiatives. We loved wandering through the narrow streets and discovering the many beautiful viewpoints, in short, a must-see.
Guided tours of Barichara and surroundings in english
Socorro
To the west of San Gil lies the village of Socorro. While the town may not look much to look at from the outside, having long since grown up on its outskirts with more recent buildings, the historic center has been well preserved, retaining all its colonial charm. Socorro is one of Colombia’s heritage villages, both for its architecture and for its historical importance.
It was in Socorro that the first declaration of independence was drafted. Socorro is in some ways a rival village to San Gil, in that it is located very close to the famous Rio Suarez, and therefore offers visitors who decide to stay there the same sporting activities that can be enjoyed from San Gil.
Guadalupe
Although the village of Guadalupe is not, strictly speaking, of immense architectural interest, it nevertheless exudes a tranquility that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the aforementioned villages. Here, away from it all, you’ll experience the indolent rhythm of life amidst the sumptuous Santander countryside. The welcome is warm and the activities not the least.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere of this tiny village, and particularly the walks in the surrounding countryside. Of course, our favorite is the natural site of Las Gachas and its famous waterholes. Around Guadalupe there are also numerous waterfalls to discover, which are well worth the detour.
Curiti
Curiti is a bit like the capital of Fique! This traditional Andean plant has always been used (especially by the natives) as a fiber for weaving all kinds of objects, clothes and bags. Here in Curiti, espadrilles made from Fique soles are particularly famous.
So it’s inconceivable to pass through Curiti without visiting a Fique workshop. But it’s not all about craftsmanship.
Other pretty villages can also be reached from San Gil, such as Páramo, Valle de San Jose or Pinchote… all colonial villages that have remained more or less in their original state and are therefore totally off the beaten track.
Zapatoca to the south of Bucaramanga also comes to mind, but the road to get there from San Gil is a bit complicated. Better think about adding it to your itinerary from Bucaramanga.
Waterfalls and natural sites around San Gil
San Gil, Santander’s tourism capital
Las Gachas
Near the village of Guadalupe, 2 hours from San Gil, lies the natural site of Las Gachas: a riverbed that flows like a water carpet, filling dozens of perfectly round water holes. A truly unusual and unique site that we absolutely loved!
Situated in the middle of pastures, with mountain ranges on the horizon, the setting is truly bucolic to boot. The water holes vary in size and depth, but some are several meters in diameter and several meters deep! Plenty to enjoy and have fun with.
The rock is covered with a kind of algae or moss which gives it an orange color that adds to the ambience of the site, but also makes it very slippery… so here’s the fashion tip from the locals: take off your shoes, but keep your socks on so you can walk safely in the Las Gachas river!
Balneario Pescaderito
Located very close to the village of Curiti, the Pescaderito site is one of the best-known around San Gil. It’s one of the locals’ favorite places to enjoy the river with the whole family. With its various natural pools, the Pescaderito site is a pleasant place to come and splash around with the kids in the clear, tranquil waters of the Rio.
Easy to reach and populated, you can expect the site to be very busy at weekends and in high season. As you make your way upstream, several “pozos” are revealed for the more curious. More secret corners, where you can find a little more peace and quiet than in Pescaderito.
Balneario Pozo Azul
A 10-minute bus or cab ride from the center of San Gil is the Pozo Azul site. Pozo means “hole” and Azul means… “blue”. So you can imagine what it’s all about! A natural basin formed in the bed of the Rio Fonce and fed by a small waterfall. A pleasant place to take a dip in crystal-clear water.
On site, there’s a small kiosk where you can enjoy a snack or a cool beer. The place is obviously popular and can become quite crowded with locals at weekends and in high season.
Cascade Juan Curi
When it came to making a choice for our last day around San Gil, we set our sights on the Cascade Juan Curi. We’d been wanting to see this waterfall for ourselves for some time, and frankly… it’s well worth the detour. So we were lucky: when we came at the end of August, there was hardly anyone around. We were therefore able to make the most of this enchanted place, and even the instructors who were supposed to offer abseiling down the waterfall had left before we arrived, due to a lack of customers! The Juan Curi waterfall is a real postcard.
Down below, the perfectly round basin in a lush green setting, watered by this great waterfall , already sets the scene. We clearly couldn’t resist taking a dip! The water was quite cool, but it felt really good after the hour’s walk to get there.
The second waterfall above the first is not to be missed. There’s a small path that climbs to the right just before you reach it, and with a little effort you can reach the top of the first waterfall. It is from this “second floor” that the abseiling is done. Once there, we discovered another unique landscape, a small crystal-clear river and, at the bottom of the small cirque, a second, finer, but much higher waterfall! A real highlight.
At the entrance, there’s a snack bar for those who want to spend the day there.
Chicamocha Canyon
It needs no introduction, does it? Chicamocha Canyon is one of Colombia’s best-known and most impressive natural sites. It is the second largest canyon in the world, and the last largest canyon in the United States. Colombians even boast that it’s slightly smaller, but deeper!
There are many ways to take in the full splendour, the first of which is simply to take the road from San Gil to Bucaramanga. On the road we took by car, you’ll discover a number of breathtaking viewpoints. You drive down into the canyon to the riverbed, where you become aware of the temperature gradients, before climbing back up the other side towards Bucaramanga.
For families and children, a stop at the Chicamocha National (Amusement) Park might be a good idea. There are tons of fun activities to be enjoyed, and you can cross the canyon by gondola.
But to experience, feel and touch the magic of Chicamocha, the best thing to do is either raft the river or paraglide over it!
Where to stay in San Gil
San Gil
Hotel
Meraki Boutique Hotel
Double room : $100.000 to $150.000 COP
The Meraki boutique hotel is located 5 minutes from the town center, a little way up in San Gil, offering a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. It’s a beautiful colonial house, beautifully decorated and full of color! You’ll feel right at home here, thanks in no small part to the warm welcome from Felipe and his family.
San Gil
Hostal
La Provincia Lodging House
Dormitory : $0 to $25.000/Double room : $0 to $100.000 COP
La Provincia in San Gil is one of the least expensive hostels. Nevertheless, many budget travelers will find it to their liking: well located in the center of San Gil in a beautiful, bright house, with friendly staff… Although the rooms are basic and the decor classic, it’s still excellent value for money.
San Gil
Hostal
Traveler Hostel
Dormitory : $25.000 to $50.000/Double room : $0 to $100.000 COP
The Traveler hosterl in San Gil has been recommended to us by blog readers. But we’ve noticed that it’s also been recommended by the Traveler community! Large rooms, a great atmosphere, and a beautiful terrace overlooking the city, all located right in the center of San Gil.
How to get to San Gil
BUS | BOGOTA – SAN GIL (7h)
- Fares: between $50.000 and $70.000 COP
- Companies: Copetran, Berlinas del fonce, Expreso Brasilia, Omega
- Departures: approximately every hour from 00:30am to 23:30pm
BUS | BUCARAMANGA – SAN GIL (3h30)
- Fares: between $15.000 and $25.000 COP
- Companies: Copetran, Cotrasangil, Cotrasaravita, Trasander..
- Departures: every hour from 00:30am to 23:30pm
BUS | OIBA – SAN GIL (approx. 1h30)
- Fare: approx. $12.000 COP
- Airline: Transsander
- Departures: frequent all day
BUS | BARICHARA – SAN GIL (45 min)
- Fares: approx. $5.000 COP
- Departures : Every 30 min from 5:00am to 6:45pm
