Exploring Barichara
Activities inside & near Barichara
Exploring Barichara
Barichara is a timeless town with white-walled houses, cobblestone streets, and red-tiled roofs. This magical place offers a rewarding experience, blending crafts with nature. It has long been a haven for artists and those seeking inspiration.
Stroll through the streets, meet locals, learn about the history, and explore handicraft shops. Participate in a Paper Workshop where community mothers teach paper-making. Additionally, visit the "Fique" shop, showcasing beautiful crafts made from a natural fiber that ranks second in usage after cotton.
Duration: 4 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy
Ceramic Workshop
Ceramic is one of the oldest crafts in Barichara, and it remains alive. Shaping clay on a lathe into pots is challenging but rewarding.
Local artisans, taught by their grandparents, will help you create various items like pots, plates, jugs, or modern figures. There are endless possibilities! The workshop is enjoyable and welcoming, offering a chance to share stories and smiles while making a personal souvenir.
Duration: 3 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy
Painting with Soil
Join the colorful earth workshop! You don't need special skills to create beautiful art, so give it a try. Our experts will guide you through the process. You'll get to take home a painting made with unique Colombian soil.
The soil, collected by hosts Lina and Santiago from nearby towns, comes in different colors due to its various rock and sand types. Enjoy good music, a glass of wine, and a friendly conversation with the hosts for a memorable experience in Barichara.
Duration: 3 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy
Tread Wall
The craftwork that keeps alive the traditions and knowledge from our ancestors is part of the experiences we want to share with you in Barichara. You will learn to build a wall using an ancient technique. We will start by exploring the town's streets to appreciate its different architectural styles.
Then, you will go to a workshop where the secrets of Barichara's architectural beauty will be revealed: the tread wall and "bahareque." This ancient construction method is one of the most traditional in the country.
Duration: 4 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy
Cooking Class
To truly understand a country or region, exploring its food is essential. In a welcoming class with a local chef, you will discover the techniques and ingredients of Santander cuisine.
We focus on places that honor Santander's culinary traditions, creating a friendly environment with fresh ingredients and enjoyable conversation. As a visitor, you will connect with the region’s culinary heritage.
This experience highlights how local chefs passionately present the area's gastronomy through fine dishes. You will learn to cook popular meals like "cabrito," "arepas," and the well-known "Mute Santandereano."
Duration: 2 hours + lunch
Difficulty level: Easy
Visit a Coffee Farm
Discover the amazing journey of Esperanza Rodríguez. Seven years ago, she dreamed of owning a coffee farm, and now she has one! She turned her dry land into a thriving farm.
We will begin our tour in the forest, where you'll learn how coffee grows under shade. Next, we'll see where the finest coffee beans are selected and roasted. Finally, we'll enjoy a tasty cup of coffee with some seasonal fruits while discussing the history of this project.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy
Visit to Guane
After a 20-minute ride in a colorful "tuctuc," you will reach Guane, a small town older than Barichara and once home to the Guane indigenous community.
Along the way, enjoy views of the Suárez River canyon and part of Serranía de los Yariguies National Park. In the main square, visit the Archaeological and Paleontological Museum.
Guane was an important economic center in the past and holds many secrets, including fossils that are 100 million years old. You will return to Barichara in a tuctuc, the area’s typical transport.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy
Wellness
Listening to singing bowls quiets your thoughts, calming the mind and activating emotions, making them great for meditation.
Tibetan bowls are made from seven metals linked to seven planets, seven musical notes, and seven chakras. Each bowl matches one or two musical notes and produces five basic sounds and various harmonics that help cleanse, activate, and balance our inner systems
Duration: 1 hour total
Difficulty level: Easy
Therapeutic Massage
A comprehensive combination of various muscle relaxation techniques and targeted pressure applied on specific points of tension or contracture in the body.
The movements are carefully designed to gently pull the spine and pelvis into alignment. As a result of these practices, there is a profound and deep sense of relaxation experienced throughout the entire body.
Duration: 1 hour total
Difficulty level: Easy
Activities outside Barichara
Hiking around the region
From Barichara to Guane
What could be better than starting your day with a 7 km (4.3 miles) walk along an old trade path used by Indigenous people to transport crops to the Magdalena River.
This paved road was rebuilt during the colonial era by a German engineer and remained vital for the trade of tobacco, cotton, corn, and quinoa, linking five municipalities.
The tour provides stunning views of the Suárez River canyon and part of the Serranía de los Yariguies National Park. Nature lovers can spot various native bird species and plants. In the afternoon, you will return to Barichara in a tuc-tuc, which are small, colorful vehicles commonly used in the region.
Duration: 2h30min hiking + 30 min transfer
Difficulty level: Moderate
Hike to Cabrera
After walking about 9 km (5.5 miles) on a dirt road and briefly driving along an old royal road, you will reach Cabrera, a small but welcoming town.
Like other towns in the area, Cabrera has preserved its historic style with stone chapels, colonial houses with wooden supports, and cobbled streets. It is a nice spot for a picnic in this quiet, peaceful village.
You will also see cultivated fields and a beautiful waterfall called "El Salto del Mico." This is a great tour for those who enjoy adventure!
Duration: 3 hours hiking + 1 hour transfer
Difficulty level: Moderate - High
Hike to Jordán
The journey is approximately 6.5 km (40 miles) in total distance, winding along the historic stone paths of the old royal road, and it begins in the picturesque area of Villa Nueva.
As you proceed, be prepared for rocky descents that characterize the dramatic landscape of the Chicamocha canyon, coupled with high temperatures that are typical during much of the trip.
Additionally, we will find ourselves near steep areas adjacent to the ravines, which significantly adds a unique physical and mental challenge to our adventure. This will ultimately lead us to Jordan, a charming small town that is one of the least populated in Colombia.
Duration: 4 hours hiking + 2 hours transfer
Difficulty level: High
Downhill Mountain Biking
Do you enjoy sports and exploring beautiful places while staying active? This tour is perfect for you and your family!
The Santander region has diverse geography with challenging bike tours. You will walk a 6 km (3.7 mile) path from Villa Nueva to Barichara. It’s a dirt road with some slopes and limited shade. You can take breaks along the way, including a stop at "Taller de Canastos," where a local artisan will show you handmade items made from "Bejuco," a climbing plant.
After that, you will visit a stone workshop to see local artisans carving stone tiles and ornaments by hand.
Duration:4 to 5 hours total
Difficulty level: Moderate - High
Fun & Action
Horseback Riding
Barichara is widely known for its stunningly beautiful landscapes that captivate all who visit. It boasts a fantastic location adorned with a rich diversity of birds, lush plants, and numerous small water sources that line the roads, adding to its charm.
To begin your adventure, start in the heart of Barichara and make your way toward Santa Helena, where you'll be greeted by exquisite views and inviting scenery that will surely enhance your experience.
Duration: 4 to 5 hours total
Difficulty level: Moderate - High
Rappel
Juan Curí is a town known for its high waterfalls. This thrilling activity is ideal for adventurers looking to conquer their fears.
To reach the top, you must hike up a challenging mountain. The most exciting part is descending 70 meters (230 feet) down the waterfall using ropes and special gear. An expert and a trained team will assist you.
Take note: bring extra dry clothes for the return trip, wear long-sleeve shirts, and comfortable shoes that can get wet. Remember to apply sunscreen.
Duration: 4 hours total
Difficulty level: Moderate - High
Rafting in the Fonce River
Ready for an adrenaline rush? You don’t need to be an expert—just dive in!
In this adventure, you will navigate the Fonce River on a raft for 2 hours. The river currents are mild to moderate, offering a mix of calm waters and some exciting waves. It’s a great activity for families or anyone looking for some thrill.
Recommendations: bring dry clothes for after, wear long-sleeve shirts, and comfortable lace-up shoes that can get wet. Don’t forget sunscreen.
Duration: 4 hours total
Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate
Rafting in the Chicamocha River
The day starts with a 3-hour hike to the Jordan River, ideal for adventure lovers. Afterward, enjoy a tasty lunch in a beautiful spot surrounded by the stunning Chicamocha Canyon. The fun continues with thrilling class III and IV rapids, where you'll paddle through a lush, natural area rich with culture. A vehicle will be ready to take you home afterward. Remember to bring extra dry clothes for the return trip, long-sleeved shirts, comfortable shoes that can get wet, and sunscreen. This will be an unforgettable day!
Duration: 6 hours total
Difficulty level: High