Day 8: What to see and do in Barichara
A route through things to see and do in Barichara This is what awaits us today on this trip to Colombia in 46 days. As we said yesterday in the post How to go to Barichara in Colombia, we organize the route through Colombia for free to have a full day in this town, divided into yesterday afternoon and today morning.
Despite this and to make the guide structure easier, we prefer to tell you only the transfer yesterday and today all essential places to see in Barichara.
In case your itinerary is like ours, you can make the visits divided into two days or if you have a full day, dedicate it fully to know the municipality.
Barichara, the most beautiful town in Colombia
Known for being one of the most beautiful villages in Colombia, not to mention the one that most, Barichara stands out for its white-painted houses, its colonial appearance and its cobbled streets, for which while you walk, it seems that you have gone back in time.
We do not lie to you if we tell you that we fell in love as soon as we arrived and more after checking in at Casa Barichara Boutique, and starting to know it through the first walks through its streets, for which it seems that time has not passed.
It was at that time that we understood the reasons why many Colombians end up living here and there are few films and series that take their streets as decorated. A decorated It was founded in 1700 and rebuilt from 1978, after the town was declared a National Monument and became on the horizon of many travelers including Belisario Betancur, former president of the Republic, who spent several years here, after ruling between the years of 1982 and 1986.
What to see and do in Barichara
After our experience we cannot say that Barichara has nothing special, but we can say that he has everything he needs to be happy. And this is what makes this town a tremendously addictive and special place. A place of which we assure you will consist of saying goodbye, so whenever you can, do not do like us and stay more than one day, since it is a town to taste little by little, as it should be done with the good things of life and enjoy all the things to see and do in Barichara, which we anticipate, are not few.
Things to see and do in Barichara
As we said, there are few places to see in Barichara although none of them stand out more than another, since it is the town as a whole that is impressive and what must truly be known, but to do so, we must not miss a selection of some things to do in Barichara, in addition to highlighting some of the places you can not miss and visit.
Calle Real and Calle 5
Although all the streets of Barichara are beautiful and we are sure that in all you will want to spend an eternity, if we had to stay with some, Calle Real and Calle 5 would be our chosen ones. Both are the most famous of the town, but also the most beautiful (although it is difficult not to say that of all the streets of Barichara) and where you can find more stores, the vast majority of them incredibly well maintained and with some amazing designs, especially for not waiting for them in a town like this, in which it seems that time has stopped.
Barichara Royal Street
Union of Calle 5 with Carrera 10, the famous views of Barichara on Instagram
If what you are looking for is the typical photo of Barichara that is usually seen on Instagram, the exact point is at the junction of Calle 5 with Carrera 10, although we recommend you upload a little more, at the height of the Barichara Boutique House, our accommodation in Barichara, since this point is also one of the most beautiful images.
In this case, we also have to warn you that this is one of the streets with more slope of the town, especially the last part, so if you do not want to make so much effort, a good option is to go up 6 or 7 Street and turn in Race 10 you have less slope.
Union of Calle 5 with Carrera 10, the famous views of Barichara on Instagram
Main Park, one of the places to see in Barichara
Known for being the nerve center of the town, the Main Park is one of the essential places to visit in Barichara. It is also here where locals and travelers come together, the majority of tuk tuk are waiting to take a tour of the town and some of the most recommended cafeterias and restaurants in Barichara are located.
If you have extra time, we recommend you stop at any of the terraces next to the Immaculate Cathedral or at Nona's Bread, a cafeteria that serves great coffee and has some pastries and cakes with which I'm sure It will make your mouth water.
Main Park, one of the places to see in Barichara
Eat culona ants
And being in the Main Park you can't stop trying the culona ants. Yes, as you are reading: culona ants. And in these lands it is tradition to eat this delicacy Although we have to confess that after much asking, all the locals admitted that none included it in their usual diet.
Anyway, if you want to try them, something we recommend you include in the list of things to do in Barichara, we recommend you buy them in one of the stores in the Main Park, where they usually have small packages for 3000COP that you can taste with a beer or a soda in any of the terraces of the square.
Culona ants
As a curiosity to tell you that the ants are collected during the months when the rains begin, between April and May, since it is the time when they leave their anthill to mate. It is at this time that they are captured, their legs and wings are removed and they are roasted for later consumption.
We can tell you that everyone told us they had a taste similar to roasted nuts. We will tell you that nothing is further from that. Although we will not tell you if we liked them or not to try them and tell us.
Visit the Churches of Barichara
It seems incredible that a town as small as Barichara has 4 churches, all of them with a history that we advise you to know through the visit to each one of them. In addition, they are all on the streets that you will surely pass at some point during your stay, so they are easily accessible on the route through the things to see and do in Barichara.
Chapel of Santa Barbara
- Immaculate Cathedral: Built in the 17th century, this is the most famous church in Barichara and is located in the Main Park. It also has the most elaborate facade of the four and interestingly, the color of the stone changes as the sun sets and the daylight passes. The schedule is from 5:45 am to 19pm.
- Santa Barbara Chapel: It is said that this was the first church of the town and although it is not very noticeable, if you look you can see how the ground is inclined, adapting to the pavement under the ground. Inside you can see a beautiful altarpiece with the image of Santa Barbara. It is located at the end of Calle Real so it is a good idea when you go to the viewpoints and the Instagram point from town.
- Chapel of San Antonio: Located in Carrera 4, it is the one that is furthest and the one that together is the simplest. Inside you can see some images of San Antonio and the Virgin of Fatima.
- Chapel of Jesus: If you see a photo of the Cathedral of the Immaculate next to the Chapel of Jesus, you would say that it is the first but small. Located in Carrera 7, there is an altarpiece of Jesus on Calvary inside that is beautiful.
Immaculate Cathedral
Day Center Workshop
Located very close to the Chapel of San Antonio, this place is located in one of the courtyards of the Aquileo Parra Museum and exposes and sells the handicrafts made by this group of elderly people, who with the sales made help the family economy .
You can find textile handicrafts, ceramics ... etc, at very tight prices with which in addition, if you want to buy something, you will help the community of Barichara.
Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
Park of the Arts
Decorated with several fountains and surrounded by greenery, the Parque de las Artes is one of the places to visit in Barichara. In addition to the tranquility of the place, it is worth stopping by to see some of the sculptures there and of course make a visit to the Chapel of Santa Barbara, which is located in one of the corners and enjoy the breathtaking views that there are from the area of the valley opposite the town.
Also a few meters away is the amphitheater, in which during some festivals, concerts or theatrical performances are held.
Park of the Arts
Santa Barbara viewpoint
This is one of the viewpoints that you can visit in Barichara. Located at the end of Calle Real, very close to the Parque de las Artes, for us it is not the one with the best views, although you can enjoy a good sunset if the day is clear.
Sunset at the viewpoint of the hills and valley, one of the things to do in Barichara
This is the most famous viewpoint of the town and of course, one of the places to see in Barichara more recommended. Although we imagined that the viewpoints would have views of the town, nothing is further from reality and that they have views of the back valley, so it is from here that you can see the sunset, but not over the town, but over the mountains that surround him.
To enjoy to the fullest we recommend you to walk along Calle 1 or Calle de los Miradores shortly before sunset, to be able to see the views and see how during the sunset, the sky changes color.
In case you want to take it easy, a good stop is El Mirador, a car with great views, in which we are sure, you will enjoy an unforgettable sunset, provided the day is clear.
Barichara viewpoint
Stroll around, the best thing to see and do in Barichara
And this although it is the most pleasant and one of the best things to do in Barichara, is not exactly the easiest since if there is something that characterizes this town, they are its slopes and slopes in practically all the streets.
Despite that, do not be discouraged, the effort surrounded by white houses with red roofs, dotted with charming little shops, is much more bearable and if you add the greetings and talks you probably have with the locals, stroll through Barichara we are sure that It will become an unforgettable memory and something you want to repeat for as long as you are in town.
Barichara
Remember that all the streets that start from the Main Park of Barichara, and go east and south, are downhill, while those that go north and west are uphill. Anyway, to reach the majority of tourist attractions, at some point you will have to go up and down, so it is best not to become obsessed with this, wear comfortable shoes and simply, think about enjoying.
Walk the Camino Real
Another of the things to do in Barichara is to travel the Camino Real, which connects Barichara at 1300 meters altitude with Guane at 885 meters. This road, declared a National Monument in 1977 was restored in 1988 and as they say, is the paving of the roads that linked hundreds of years ago, several indigenous communities such as the Muiscas and the Guanes.
The Camino Real is practically 6 kilometers and is almost entirely downward, since the difference between the two populations is considerable. If you want to do it, it is important to bring water and sunscreen in addition to adequate footwear, since there are no services along the entire route, until reaching Guane and the terrain is quite uneven in some sections.
Camino Real
Once you arrive in Guane, the tour will take you more or less two hours, we recommend you visit the town, where it seems that time has not passed and then return to Barichara by tuk tuk for 10000COP.
In case you do not have time or do not want to do the Camino Real, we have to say that for us it is one of the things to do in Barichara more advisable, another option is to go and return from Barichara by tuk tuk or by bus (2500COP), although the latter has quite limited schedules.
Camino Real, one of the things to do in Barichara
Visit Guane
Visiting Guane is another one of the things to see and do in Barichara more advisable and it is that if in this it seems that time has stopped, in Guane we could say that this multiplies and it is that as soon as you approach and enter its streets, a very special energy seems to take hold of the traveler, who immediately feels attracted for its ten streets, dotted with bugamvillas and white houses.
Although as in Barichara it is best to walk through its streets, you can not miss the Plaza Mayor, the nerve center of the town, which highlights the Church of Santa Lucia.
Guane
Another interesting place to visit is the Paleontological and Archaeological Museum that has a collection of more than 10,000 fossils and a mummy of more than 700 years in addition to several skulls with deformity and cool objects.
The visit is guided and if you find the door closed you should only call for the person in charge to make the visit.
Guane
How to get around Barichara
Although it is best to wander, as we have said on several occasions, if you prefer to go more comfortable or you can not walk too much, you have the possibility of taking a tuk tuk in the Main Park or in any street to be taken to your destination by 2500COP which is the price of any route.
Another option is to hire him for a while, so you can go around the town and get to know the places to see in Barichara more important.
Tuk tuk in Barichara
Tips for traveling to Barichara
We leave you some tips so you can get to know Barichara in the most comfortable way.
- Barichara is a small town, so you can know it perfectly in half a day. Despite that, we recommend you to spend a full day to go to Guane, which is a wonderful wonder.
- In case you have an extra day on your trip, do not have any doubt in including it in Barichara, since this place with the reputation of being the most beautiful town in Colombia, has that much deserved fame.
- Although there are many accommodation options, if you are looking for a special place, Casa Barichara Boutique will not disappoint you.
- As a curious fact, we will tell you that the name of Barichara means "resting place" In Guane, a meaning that really makes the place really good.
- As we have said on several occasions, the best thing to do in Barichara is to walk and stroll. This is how you can really know the town and, above all, the magic of the place.
Barichara
How to go to Barichara
Going to Barichara is not exactly easy and perhaps that is also part of its great appeal. We leave you the different options to get to what they say, is the most beautiful town in Colombia.
- Public transport: this is the cheapest way but also the one that will take you the longest. If you are in Villa de Leyva as was our case, you must go to the bus station, there take a bus to Tunja and there another bus to San Gil. Once there, you must take another transport to Barichara and then move to your accommodation.
In this case you should keep in mind that many times the buses do not connect with each other at times, so you may have to wait to find a bus in one of the sections. - In case you come from Bucaramanga, where you can fly (Palonegro Airport) from most Colombian cities, you should go to Bucaramanga bus station and then take a bus to San Gil and then take another bus or taxi that will take you to Barichara. If you want to take a taxi to travel from Bucaramanga to Barichara, the price is 330000COP.
- Private transport: this is the option we have chosen. We hired her as we have commented with Casa Barichara Boutique and we have paid 400000COP for a 4-hour journey to go from Villa de Leyva to Barichara.
With them we also hire private transport from Barichara to Bucaramanga, which is 3 hours, for 330000COP.
Where to sleep
There are many accommodation options in Barichara, but Casa Barichara Boutique is undoubtedly a more than successful option to spend the night.
In addition to having a unique location, at the end of Calle 5, from where you have the best views of Barichara, the boutique hotel has lovely, perfectly maintained facilities, swimming pool and common areas with hammocks in which it is a delight to spend the afternoon.
To all this is added an incredibly friendly staff and a breakfast, included in the price, quality, which make it one of the best accommodations we were in Colombia.
Barichara Boutique House
Where to eat
We leave you a selection of places to eat in Barichara with a brief description of what we found and what we ate.
- Nona's Bread: located in the Main Park this cafeteria that serves great coffee and some pastries and cakes with which for sure, it will make your mouth water.
- Shanti Restaurant: Located next to the Main Park, this vegetarian-vegan restaurant, although with some meat option, is one of the most famous in Barichara. We ordered a mushroom ceviche, pasta dish, glass of wine and lemonade for 65000COP. Spectacular!
- 7 Tigers Restaurant: This pizzeria, located on 6th Street, serves good pizzas although the service and the treatment leaves a lot to be desired. We ordered an incoming carriage, Mediterranean pizza plus two waters for 43000COP.
- Shambala Restaurant: located in Carrera 7, very close to Shanti and the Main Park is this restaurant that is another of the most recommended in the town. We ordered a mango ceviche with a double portion, a pasta dish plus beer and water for 61000COP. Great!
Shanti Restaurant
Make money in Barichara or in the small towns of Colombia
Before arriving in Barichara we had read that in this type of small towns it was not usual to find cashiers, so it was practically essential to carry cash. In our experience, in all the towns that we have been, including the smallest ones, in all of them we have found ATMs where we can get money and also in many of the restaurants and in all the accommodations we have been able to pay by card.
Despite this, it is advisable to carry enough cash in case the cashier does not work or you have any problems.
Barichara
Adventure sports in Barichara
We can not forget that very close to Barichara is the impressive Chicamocha Canyon, one of the most fascinating places in the area, which you can see if you travel to Bucaramanga by car. This impressive canyon is visited by many travelers, especially lovers of adventure and risk sports, such as rafting or paragliding, as it is here that many of them can be done.
We leave you a selection of excursions that can be done in the Chicamocha Canyon:
Paragliding flight through the Chicamocha Canyon
Rafting on the Fonce River
Excursion to the Juan Curi Waterfalls Ecological Park
Rafting on the Chicamocha River
More excursions here
We leave you the map with the things to see and do in Barichara, including the best accommodation, recommended restaurants and viewpoints.
As we commented in the post in which we recounted yesterday, our visit to the town and to the places to see in Barichara We have divided it into one afternoon and one morning, and after lunch and take a last walk through the town we will return to our accommodation at 4pm, where the taxi that will take us in practically 4 hours to Bucaramanga is waiting for us, where we will take a flight to Cartagena de Indias from Palonegro airport.
We arrive at 7:30 p.m. at the International Hotel La Triada, our accommodation in Bucaramanga, where after having dinner a couple of sandwiches, we fall asleep beginning to dream of the new stage of the journey that is about to begin.
Day 9: How to go to Cartagena de Indias
