Located in the North Eastern Andes of Colombia, Bucaramanga is a stop on the road to and from Venezuela. It is a pleasant city, but its treasures are in the green spaces around it. All of this can be enjoyed year-round given the pleasant climate of the city, writes Mike East.
Things to Do in and Near Bucaramanga
With 600,000 inhabitants, Bucaramanga is the capital of the Department of Santander. Many travellers will arrive at either the International Airport of Palonegro or the bus terminal, in which case you will be in Giron, a pretty colonial village, which is now a suburb to the south-west of the city. Take time to visit the cobbled streets, cross the Humilladero bridge that connects two sections of the village, see the Basilica of St John the Baptist, the craft shops and take a drink in the plaza. The museum in Paraguitas House tells Giron´s story.
Another pleasant suburb of Bucaramanga is Floridablanca. This area is well-worth a visit for the botanical gardens of Eloy Valenzuela and its walks to streams and ponds surrounded by local flora. It is open from 8am to 4pm, except on Mondays. Nearby, is the Cerro del Santisimo (the Hill of the Most Holy). This ecopark is reached by cable car. At the top is a giant statue of Jesus of Nazareth with a viewing platform behind it for views over much of Santander. At night, there is a free light show around the fountains.
In the so-called ‘City of Parks’, I will tell you about two other green spaces that stand out in their own way, though, in reality, there are many. Let me begin with San Pio Park, which is worth a visit if you are a fan of Botero, as another of his voluptuous statues is here. Opening in the late afternoon is the Water Park (Parque del Agua), typically from 5-10pm, though it was temporarily closed during my visit, so check to be sure. The park is a mix of walkways, fountains, fish ponds and sculptures set in the verdant flora of the region. With darkness, many of the areas glow with attractive lighting.
The Museum of Modern Art is located in the centre of the city and includes frequently changing exhibits, both Colombian and international, as well as a sculpture park. In addition, there are private art galleries around the city. The Casa del Libro Total also has art exhibitions and music recitals.
In the city, there are plenty of yellow taxis, that have metres – always check it is on, as well as ride providers, such as Uber, that will move you around efficiently, though it always helps to try to avoid rush hour traffic, whenever possible.
Some would say that the best attractions of Bucaramanga are in the natural beauty around it. Chicamocha Canyon/National Park is a great example. You can appreciate the beauty of the Eastern Cordillera in many ways. There is a cable car up to the higher area of Panache and hiking paths, if you want to take it slow, but there are also adventure sports like paragliding, climbing, buggies to ride and an ‘extreme’ swing over a sheer drop. In the park, there is a petting farm, a small museum, a 4D cinema with weather effects, and a water park.
To the south of Bucaramanga are the two picturesque colonial villages of Barichara and Guana. They are linking by a five and a half mile/nine-kilometre cobbled road, dating back to colonial times, known as the Camino Real, or royal road. Further south is San Gil, which has rafting and other outdoor activities. Near to here is the Juan Curi Waterfall.
Where to Eat in Bucaramanga
Bucaramangans seem very proud of their cuisine and two recipes stand out from other Colombian dishes. One is goat meat fried with garlic and herbs and the other is a large local ant that is roasted, or, more accurately, the butt of the ant is.
A family-run restaurant that serves traditional local food, with an emphasis on meat and with big portions, is the Restaurante Mercagan Parrilla beside San Pio Park. The city also has many vegan/vegetarian options such as La Jungla and Vegano Azafran.
Nightlife in Bucaramanga
The city has a large student population, which adds variety to the range of restaurants, bars and clubs available. An area to explore is the Zona Rosa, which extends from Calle (street) 8 to 10A, crossed with Carreras 37 to 40.
If you are a beer drinker, sample the artisanal brews of the city.
How to get there
Avianca fly direct from London Heathrow to Bogota. From the USA there are direct flights to Bogota from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta, New York, Houston, Chicago and Washington DC.
Avianca, Wingo and Latam all have direct local flights from Bogota to Bucaramanga.
Weather and the Best Time to Visit Bucaramanga
With all year-round pleasant temperatures of 20-27 centigrade, the best time to visit is during the drier months of December to March and June to August.
Further information on Bucaramanga
Go to: For information on the parks: https://parquesdesantander.com/
For the city: https://colombia.travel/en/bucaramanga
For the area around it: https://visitmycolombia.com/en/regions-en/andes-en/santander-en/