San Gil: a charming, colonial town with a wild, adventurous side

San Gil: Colombia’s capital of extreme sports

San Gil is in the department of Santander, close to Barichara, on the eastern range of the Andes Mountains. The town earns a top spot among Colombian tourist attractions because it offers such a variety of extreme sports for all levels of experience:

• Paragliding in nearby Curití or over the incredible Chicamocha Canyon. You will be able to take in one of the most breathtaking aerial views of the mountains in Colombia.
• Bungee jumping from a height of 229 feet over the Fonce River. Definitely not for the faint-hearted!
• Rafting down the Suárez River, which offers level-four rapids for an exciting adventure. The Fonce River is more suitable for beginners in whitewater rafting.
• Zip-lining over stunning valleys from a viewpoint just outside San Gil called El Peñón Guane. Face new heights and thrills with this daring activity.
• Caving in Curití at The Cow Cave, a huge cave with enormous stalactites and If you are comfortable in enclosed spaces, this is a unique experience not to be missed.
• Rappelling at Juan Curi Ecological Park. This place has different waterfalls to rappel down. The most popular ones are 262 and 426 feet high.

Enjoy nature in San Gil

If extreme sports are not your thing, there are many other ways to enjoy nature in San Gil. Hiking paths and beautiful scenery are available all around, as well as horseback rides. Here are some great locations to explore for everyone:

• Balneario Pozo Azul – Nothing like a clear, cold-water stream to cool off in San Gil’s warm weather. Pozo Azul is a fantastic option for families looking to spend some time in nature having fun.
• El Gallineral – Perfect for a walk, this park sits in the middle of two legs of the Curití water stream, just before they join the Fonce River. It is Colombia’s only natural park located in an urban area. It is filled with close to a hundred different species of plants, the gallinero tree being the one that lends its name to the park. You will recognize them by their height and the falling moss on their branches.
• Chicamocha Canyon – While paragliding and zip-lining are some of the leading activities of this natural park, they are not all there is to it. The canyon’s stunning views make it one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Colombia. Bask in the panorama while riding the 4-mile-long cable car, one of the longest of the continent, across the canyon.

Discover San Gil’s history and local culture

San Gil is a late 17^th century town founded by Spanish colonists. As a result, it displays beautiful colonial architecture. The town’s main square, Parque de la Libertad, is a great location from which to admire Spanish balconies, as well as the Santa Cruz Cathedral.

Stop by the Guane Archeological and Anthropological Museum to learn about the local indigenous Guane people. The museum shows diverse archaeological findings.

San Gil also offers many crafts to visitors. Artisans in the region create their crafts from corn husk, stone, fique, and other natural materials.