Tourist Attractions & Monuments Colombia

The Eye of God is a sacred place for the indigenous community of Los Pastos. The water, century after century, has pierced the rock to form this oval hole through which it passes, to fall 35 meters below in a natural pool, where you can bathe and be massaged wildly by the waterfall. A few minutes away, there is another waterfall and a succession of small pools and streams forming a natural bubbling bath (not for the cold!). For rappelling activities, check with a specialized agency such as Ecoturismo Putumayo.

This 441 m long canyon is located north of Mocoa, where the Manda River flows into the Caqueta River (natural border between the departments of Cauca, Putumayo and Caqueta). Mandiyaco in the Inga language means "the river that commands". In these rocky formations, we can guess different animal silhouettes, drawn by the passage of the water. A nice walk of about ten minutes, with a suspension bridge from which you can take beautiful pictures. Don't get too close to the canyon, the rock is slippery, especially in case of rain.

With his long brown curls, big, wide-eyed wonder and colorful shoulder bag (reminiscent of oropendola nests!), David takes you on a journey to little-visited natural sites with an atmosphere as mystical as it is enchanting. From the bird-filled Bosque Silencio to the wax palms of Pijao, enjoy a day off the beaten track, in a small group, in the heart of a wild environment with breathtaking panoramas. An avid ornithologist, David invites you to observe hummingbirds, toucans and quetzals...

Pueblo Bello is a predominantly Indian municipio located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, with a pleasant climate. It is the gateway to the territory of the Arhuacos in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Its name honors its fauna and flora that can be appreciated in the Buzintana botanical garden created by the Arhuaca community. Pueblo Bello is reached by a road in good condition in 1 hour and a half by colectivo (about $15,000 per person). The excursion can easily be done by the day. Nabusimake, "the place where the sun is born," is a 2.5-hour jeep ride from Pueblo Bello, at an altitude of 1,800 meters. The village is the spiritual center of the Arhuacos. It is possible and even recommended to stay overnight in Nabusimake, in one of the traditional Baharek houses. There you will see the famous Arhuaca mochilas (traditional beige bags with brown, grey and black patterns, made of sheep's wool, cotton and fique). A lot of coffee is produced in this mountainous region, and the landscapes are very beautiful. It is more interesting and practical to visit the Indian villages accompanied by a local guide. In any case, this should always be done with the greatest respect for the communities visited: do not take pictures of the people without their permission, for example, or buy locally produced handicrafts rather than making donations so as not to encourage begging, especially among children.

The Casa de la Aduana, built in 1531, is said to be the oldest colonial construction in the Americas still standing! It was originally used to control goods arriving at the port of Santa Marta. Simón Bolívar lived there before he died. It has been restored and since 2014 has housed the superb Tayrona Gold Museum. The latter is composed of four thematic rooms to discover the region's historical heritage and cultural diversity. Not to be missed!

This community association composed of about fifteen peasant families from the area was founded in 2007. Its objective is to preserve the magnificent sites of La Chorrera and del Chiflón, while creating jobs in tourism and the protection of fauna and flora. By visiting the park, we also support this association, which has done a lot of work so far.

Albert loves the wildlife of his region: the Choco is teeming with birds, insects, mammals, reptiles... but also amphibians, Albert's favorite. As night falls, he takes you out on the Rio Tundo and into the jungle aboard his canoe. We moor on one of the riverbanks and set off on a walk through the night. You'll see scorpions, lobsters and the fascinating kinkajou. With its monkey or possum-like appearance, this mammal with two big round eyes is an arborealist. Look up, it's pretty easy to see!

The Valley of the Xilópalos offers a beautiful 3-hour round trip hike, less frequented than the other sites of the Tatacoa. There are interesting geological formations full of legends, such as the "passage of the snake", a narrow mineral canyon through which the trail passes (and which, according to legend, allows you to regain your virginity...), and especially the famous xilópalos, petrified wood stumps, a type of fossil that dates back millions of years (Tertiary era), reminding us that the area was once covered by forest.

The Asociación Colombiana de Turismo Responsable is a non-profit organization that promotes responsible tourism in Colombia. The objective is to constitute, thanks to a group of involved actors (receptive agencies, tour operators, hotels...), an offer of responsible tourism that becomes little by little the mainstream of tourism in Colombia. Consulting their website will help you to travel in a more conscious and responsible way, choosing companies that are officially committed to the principles and criteria of responsible tourism.

El Valle resident and local heroine Evelyn Pérez founded this conservation organization in honor of a species of sea turtle. She believes that human communities must learn to co-habit with lush nature, without harming or destroying it. Deeply concerned about environmental issues, she runs a turtle monitoring and nursery program to ensure their survival in the ocean. She also works on mangrove restoration and organizes beach clean-ups with tourists.

Francisco and his sons propose a trip on the Rio Tundo to discover the flora and fauna. It's a pleasant excursion that we recommend for days when you feel like contemplation, away from the rigors of sport! After a short stroll, you can cool off in a small waterfall. Francisco now offers an accommodation option, welcoming you to the second floor of his house in private rooms overlooking the rio. An opportunity to share good times with his family and share meals with his wife and children.

Halfway up Playa Cuevita's 9 km of fine sand, make a detour to Mama Orbe. Home and restaurant, the place is renowned for its family's involvement in turtle conservation. You'll be greeted by Orfilia's broad smile, as she and her husband set up a private foundation and a large incubator to protect turtle eggs. The beach is a major nesting ground for these sublime marine creatures (Golfina, Negra, Verde and Carey turtles). Numerous excursions, including whale watching, are available.

After a pleasant, mostly shady climb, you'll discover no less than Colombia's largest waterfall! At a height of 700 metres, the majestic Sardinata cascades down a series of rocky waterfalls to create beautiful natural pools below, allowing you to bathe while overlooking the surrounding jungle. The panorama unfolds as you climb, the horizon takes shape and the surrounding landscape is simply magical. Along the way, you're sure to come across monkeys and perhaps even jaguar tracks.

Cerro Azul de Guacari", also known as "Piedra de Guacari", is an emblematic rock formation guarding prehistoric paintings that have become the region's archaeological treasure trove. Nicknamed the "Lascaux of Amazonia" by the French, Cerro Azul is home to a heritage that is, to say the least, unique in the world: (re)discovered by the scientific community from the 1950s onwards, the oldest remains found on the site date back 12,000 years! This makes Cerro Azul one of the oldest artistic sites in Latin America.