Bucaramanga sits nestled in between the two arms of Colombia’s eastern mountain ranges north of Bogotá in the Santander province.  Not quite as well known as some of the other destinations in Colombia, it makes for a worthy stop, and is located conveniently about half way between Bogotá and Cartagena.  That makes it an excellent place to spend a few days on a trek from the interior to the sea.   Travel Tip:  If you are in fact using Bucaramanga as a stop between the interior and the coast, be sure to see the top things to do in Bogotá and Cartagena.   Bucaramanga itself is a pleasant, medium sized, modern city.  However, visitors will be especially drawn to the natural beauty, adventure, and charming atmosphere in the vicinity.  Here you are going to learn about 7 fun things to do in Bucaramanga and in the surrounding area to help you plan a trip to Bucaramanga.  
Chicamocha Canyon is a Colombian attraction, a visual spectacle not to be missed / Photo: Adam McConnaughhay
 

1- Take in the Stunning Chicamocha Canyon

Located about an hour and a half outside of Bucaramanga is the stunning Chicamocha Canyon.  The canyon is carved into the mountains by the flow of the Umpala River and is one of Colombia’s many natural wonders.  You will want to check out the Chicamocha National Park or Panachi (a shortened version of its full Spanish name Parque Nacional del Chicamocha).  The park sits along the winding road along the canyon.  Inside, you can find a giant monument to the history of the Santander Province, including its role in Colombian independence.  There are also a number of attractions and rides for those looking for an adrenaline rush.  Across the street, you can find the Chicamocha Water Park.  Going down waterslides with an amazing view of the canyon below is a truly unique experience!  Speaking of amazing views, you won’t want to miss riding down into the canyon and back up again on the cable car that will take you across to the Mesa de los Santos, a plateau on the other side of the canyon.  There you can find some great restaurants for lunch and souvenir shops in addition to  more stunning views of the canyon. You will absolutely want to include a visit to Panachi as a day trip from Bucaramanga.  Plan your trip to Chicamocha stress free with a day tour that includes transportation to and from Bucaramanga as well as breakfast and lunch with DayTours4u!  Reserve here.   Travel Tip:  If you like natural destinations like the Chicamocha Canyon, other places you will love in Colombia include the Cocora Valley, the pretty mountain town of Minca, and the National Coffee Park.  
The town of San Gil is proud to be a destination for those seeking adventure and sport / Photo: Adam McConnaughhay
 

2- Visit San Gil

 This small city is located about another hour past the Chicamocha Park.  It’s a pretty little city and its hills offer some neat views.  Visitors will want to see the Gallineral Park along the riverfront at the bottom of the hill.  The park is famous for its old trees and the moss that hangs from them.  It’s a nice park and the shade provides a nice respite from the heat. However, San Gil is probably most well known as a backpacker stopover between Cartagena and Bogotá and as Colombia’s extreme sports Mecca.  White water rafting, bungee jumping, canyon rappelling, and caving can all be easily arranged from San Gíl.  However, the most popular extreme sport is the next thing on this list of things to do near Bucaramanga.   Travel Tip:  San Gil is included on this Villages of Santander Tour.  
In this adventure, you will glide over the canyon, the Mesa de los Santos and the municipalities of Cepitá, Aratoca and Jordán / Photo: Adam McConnaughhay
 

3- Go Paragliding

The strong thermal wind currents coming up from the valleys make the hills near San Gil perfect for paragliding.  There are a number of outfitters and places nearby where it’s possibly to go and quite literally ride the airwaves.  It makes for a truly rushing and unforgettable experience!  Just make sure you take along your camera to get some cool shots of yourself flying high above the scenery below.  If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even go paragliding over the Chicamocha Canyon itself!   Travel Tip:  If you’re looking for more extreme sports in Colombia, check out parasailing in San Andres or the hot air balloon ride in the coffee triangle.  
Barichara, a town capable of taking you back to colonial times / Photo: Daytours4u
 

4- Visit Colombia’s Prettiest Little Town

A bit further on from San Gil is Barichara, which was voted by Colombians as the country’s prettiest town.  When you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why.  The whole town looks like something out of a colonial era storybook with its cobbled stone streets and white adobe one story houses. Barichara’s quaintness and charming atmosphere make it a perfect day trip from Bucaramanga.  It is possible to hike along the old King’s Road to the even smaller town of Guane.  The hike offers some nice views of the surrounding area and wildlife. Visitors to Barichara will also especially enjoy the view of the valley from the lookout point at the top of town and popping into any of the old school style restaurants for lunch.   Travel Tip:  Barichara and Guane are also both on this great Villages of Santander Tour.  You may also want to see the pretty little town of Villa de Leyva during your time in Colombia too.  
Santander is one of the departments in the region with the greatest tradition of Colombian gastronomy / Photo: Daytours4u
 

5- Enjoy the Terrific Food

 Speaking of lunch, the Santander Province where Bucaramanga is located has some of Colombia’s best regional food specialties.  Dishes to try include the salted beef known as Carne Oreada, the wonderful Arepas Santandereanas, and Mute, a hearty soup with garbanzo beans, meat, and other vegetables. You will also want to try the traditional Cabrito plate.  This plate of young goat usually comes grilled or fried and is usually accompanied with pepitoria, a side dish made from goat blood and innards along with eggs and rice.  If the pepitoria is a bit on the odd side, this next food is even more out there.  It is the hormiga culona, which literally translates to big butt ant.  These ants rear ends are swollen because they are pregnant, and once a year, during the mating season, the hormiga culonas become a regional delicacy.  Roasted and salted, they are eaten similar to peanuts as a snack or appetizer.  They are best freshly roasted during the month of May, but you can usually find them for sale all year.  A truly unique snack, trying them is another one of the best things to do around Bucaramanga.   Travel Tip:  Foodies will also love this private grilling experience in Buenos Aires.  
 Imposing, majestic and fascinating, this is how tourists describe the Chicamocha Canyon, a geographical feature located in the department of Santander, Colombia / Photo: Adam McConnaughhay
 

6- Enjoy the Parks

 Bucaramanga is sometimes referred to as the city of parks.  And the city has lots of nice parks.  In fact, it is probably one of Colombia’s cleanest cities with the most green spaces.  A few of the prettiest and most popular are the Parque del Agua, which has won several national and international awards, the Parque Ecológico La Flora, and Parque las Palmas, a popular meeting spot for young people.  All are a nice way to get some fresh air in the city proper.   Travel Tip:  Those looking to get the most out of Colombia’s cities will want to consider this tour of Medellín and this tour of Bogotá.  
Cerro del Santísimo a place that attracts thousands of tourists every year / Photo: Adam McConnaughhay
 

7- Visit the Cerro del Santísimo

 This park and touristic area located atop a hill in the Bucaramanga suburb of Floridablanca, the Cerro del Santísimo is most well known for the giant statue of the Christ.  You can enter the statue itself and get an amazing view of the city and valley from inside.  That view is particularly nice at sunset.  In fact, going up the hill to enjoy the sunset is definitely one of the can’t miss things to see in Bucaramanga.  There is also a recreational area in the park, a cable car, and a number of neat shops selling artisanal goods and snacks.  Once you’ve enjoyed the beautiful sunset, you’ll also want to make sure you don’t miss the light and water show.  The shooting streams of water from the fountain lit up by different colors of light is absolutely terrific!   Travel Tip:  The statue here is based on the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.  Be sure to book a tour to visit it too during your time in Rio.  

Conclusion

There you have 7 great things to do in Bucaramanga and nearby.  From the amazing views of the Chicamocha Canyon, to the extreme sports of San Gil, to the green spaces in the city, there’s a wealth of things to do around Bucaramanga.  That makes it a great place to spend some time during a visit to Colombia!  See the top activities in Colombia here as well as all activities in the Santander Province.  
  By: Adam McConnaughhay, who has lived in Colombia since 2011 and has been lucky enough to visit Bucaramanga and the Santander Province and lots of other places in Colombia.  In addition to being a history teacher he writes at CartagenaExplorer.com.