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If you are looking for a great place in Colombia, full of nature and ancient culture, but still away from the trodden gringo trail, then San Agustin should definitely be on your itinerary. Known for the UNESCO World Heritage site San Agustin Archeological Park, this little city will lure you in with incredible pre-Colombian stone statues, beautiful waterfalls, and amazing views over the mighty Magdalena River. Here is everything you need to know about San Agustin!
Colorful streets of San Agustin, Colombia
San Agustin is a town in Colombia, located in the southern part of the country. It’s in the Department of Huila, which is in the Andean region. San Agustin is known primarily for its proximity to the San Agustín Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its pre-Columbian archaeological artifacts, including numerous large stone sculptures and tombs, a bit similar to the ones on Eastern Island in Chile.
Geographically, San Agustin is situated in a mountainous area, providing a scenic backdrop to the archaeological sites that are scattered around the town. The town itself is relatively small but has become a hub for tourists, mainly Colombians, visiting the archaeological park.
In the town, you can find everything you need for a comfortable trip. The town is walkable and you can find two large supermarkets, a daily market, and numerous restaurants in town, even two that are fully plant-based.
Aside from that, you can also find many shops in San Agustin, selling handicrafts based on their ancestral heritage, like bracelets, clothes, and mini-versions of the stone sculptures. While the town still retains an authentic Colombian charm, it also has a bit of a bohemian vibe, which adds to the great atmosphere in San Agustin.
If you love to spend time in nature and immerse yourself in the history of an ancient culture, then you will absolutely love San Agustin.
The town itself used to consist of houses containing only green and white, but, in recent years, the inhabitants decided to decorate their houses with colorful paint and unique murals.
Green and white houses get brightened up with colorful murals
The activities I will mention below are all within walking distance from the town center. The possibility is available to take a taxi, horse, or tour to visit these sites. But, as a conscious traveler, I believe that walking is the best way to get to know the village and the area.
The inhabitants of San Agustin are incredibly friendly and are most of the time interested in a little chat when you pass them by. Do note that most Colombians don’t speak any English! Learning a few words in Spanish before your trip is essential for basic communication.
Here are the best things to do in San Agustin that are withing walking distance of the town center!
Located in the rolling green hills around San Agustin town, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-visit for any history buff or cultural enthusiast.
Upon entering the park, you will first be guided through a small museum to learn more about the park and its statues. The truth is that up until this day, still not much is known about this pre-Colombian civilization.
Statues inside San Agustin Archeological Park, Colombia
Wandering through the park, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe as you encounter the various statues, each with its unique expression and form. Depicting a range of subjects from human figures to mythical creatures, these sculptures are still covered in mystery, and their exact purposes and meanings still a topic of debate among scientists and archaeologists.
Aside from the statues, the park also includes various sites filled with burial mounds, ceremonial sites, and stone terraces. Be sure to carve at least three hours of your time to visit the park.
Walking time from the center: 45 minutes
Entrance fee: 65.000 COP (this also includes entrance to the sites of Altos de los Idolos and Altos de las Piedras near the town of Isnos)
Directions: San Agustin Archeological Park
La Chaquira is one of the most intriguing and unique sites within the San Agustín Archaeological Park in Colombia. It is a platform with views over a gorge with the Magdalena River and you can see ancient carvings in the rocks around the stairs and platforms.
Reaching La Chaquira involves a hike through some picturesque landscapes. The path to La Chaquira can be a bit challenging, as it involves ascending and descending steep trails, but the journey offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Magdalena River.
La Chaquira, San Agustin
On the way to La Chaquira, you will also pass by another historic site, El Tablon, which I will mention later in the post.
Scholars believe that La Chaquira held significant spiritual and ceremonial importance for the ancient people who created it. The site’s location, overlooking the river and surrounded by the majestic Andean landscape, suggests it may have been used for rituals or as a sacred space for meditation and worship.
Bring enough water, as this hike can be intense, especially when the sun is out. That said, there is also a small kiosk at a house near the entrance of La Chaquira, where you can stop for a drink.
Walking time from the center: 4 hours round trip (including a stop at El Tablon and time for sightseeing at La Chaquira)
Entrance fee: Free
Directions: La Chaquira
Cascada El Cinco is a lovely waterfall located in the countryside around San Agustin. It involves a lovely walk through which you can explore the rural landscapes of San Agustin, its coffee plantations, and the majestic mountains.
Cascada El Cinco
Finding the entrance of Cascada El Cinco can be a bit of a challenge. The waterfall is located on the private property of a finca. The best way to find the trails leading to the waterfalls is by downloading the app Maps.me.
Two trails are going to the waterfall. Since the waterfall is located on private property, no matter which one you take, you will need to pay the entrance fee of 5000 COP.
This will allow you to access the three levels of the waterfall. The bottom of the waterfall is the most beautiful, where you can see the water falling down in a small pool. If you are keen to take a dip, the top of the waterfall is the best place to do this. You can find a small swimming pool here in the river.
Walking time from the center: 1h10min
Entrance fee: 5000 COP
Location: Cascada El Cinco
El Tablon, San Agustin
El Tablon is another archaeological site within the broader area of the San Agustin Archaeological Park in Colombia. It is a very small site, consisting of only five statues, and is on the way to La Chaquira.
The entrance to this site is a bit hard to find. Next to the archeological site, you can find a small museum. Note that this is not the entrance to the site with the statues. The entrance to El Tablon is located a few meters before the entrance of the museum. It is actually nothing more than an open space to a grassy field.
If you walk all the way down, you will discover the five statues, which look similar to the ones you can find at San Agustin Archeological Park.
Walking time from the center: 40 minutes but best done on a half-day trip together with a visit to La Chaquira.
Entrance fee: Free
Location: El Tablon
La Pelota, San Agustin
La Pelota and El Purutal are two smaller, yet significant archaeological sites located near the town center of San Agustin. They make for a great half-day hike over challenging pathways in the mountains.
La Pelota consists of only two statues, similar to the ones you can see at the San Agustin Archeological Park. The main draw of La Pelota is the setting in the picturesque landscape, located at a mountain top of the Colombian Andes. It is called “La Pelota” because of its located at the end of a large grassy field resembling a football field.
El Puratal: statues of life and death
El Purutal is another archeological site, a bit further from La Pelota. El Purutal is particularly interesting for its statues that still retain traces of their original colors. This is a rare feature, as most of the stone sculptures in the San Agustín region have lost their original pigmentation over time.
There are only two statues at El Puratal. The left one represents life while the right one represents death. Another interesting fact is that, contrary to the sculptures you can find at San Agustin Archeological Park, these statues are still located at their original finding place, where they were put hundreds of years ago by the civilization that created them.
The sculptures are located on the private property of a finca and require you to pay an entrance fee. In front of the entrance, you can find a small bar, selling drinks and snacks.
Walking distance from the center: 5 hours round trip including spending a bit of time at the sites and a drink at the bar.
Fee: 8000 COP
Location: La Pelota and El Puratal
San Agustín is a quaint village with a lovely small-town ambiance and a friendly and welcoming local population. The village is a great place to experience the day-to-day life of rural Colombia, characterized by a laid-back pace.
The center of San Agustin
The Parque Principal is a favorita hangout for the local and a great place to sit down for a while to watch daily life in this village go by. For another local experience, pay a visit to the local market where you can find everything, from food and clothing to a food court with stalls selling local delicacies.
Furthermore, Calle 5 is the best street to stroll if you are in search for some unique souvenirs. It is also the street where you can find the best plant-based restaurants in town, Tomate and the coffee roastery Bici Cafe.
If you have your own wheels, book a taxi or go on a tour, you can explore other sights that are located further afield from San Agustin town.
Altos de los Idolos is another archaeological site known for its impressive collection of ancient statues and burial mounds. It is located near the town of Isnos, 20 kilometers from San Agustin, and the entrance to this site is included in the ticket you buy at San Agustin Archeological Park (which is valid for two days).
Altos de los Piedras is located 7km north of Isnos and is an archaeological site distinguished by its tombs lined with stone slabs, some still adorned with traces of red, black, and yellow coloring.
Among its most famous statues is the ‘Doble Yo’, a mythical half-man, half-beast figure and a notable statue of a female figure in an advanced state of pregnancy.
The Estrecho del Magdalena near San Agustin is a beautiful natural wonder where the mighty Magdalena River narrows dramatically, funneling its waters through a gorge barely 2.2 meters wide.
This dramatic constriction of one of Colombia’s principal rivers creates a powerful and mesmerizing spectacle, showcasing the raw beauty and force of nature in a tranquil, lush setting.
Cascada Los Tres Chorros is a beautiful waterfall near the town of San Agustin. It consists of three tiers next to each other that fall into the same pool.
You can find the sign to the waterfall about a 40-minute drive from San Agustin and the hike to the waterfall is a 14-kilometer round-trip.
Salto de Bordones is one of the tallest waterfalls in Colombia, plunging an impressive 400 meters in a single, dramatic drop.
This awe-inspiring natural wonder is located a one-hour drive from San Agustin and can be visited together with the archeological sites of Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras.
Here are the websites I use when I travel to Colombia:
Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside
Busbud and Redbus: The best transport websites for long-distance buses in Colombia. Note that 12Go also works in Colombia but the tickets they will buy for you are open-seat tickets and don’t guarantee a seat on the bus you book online.
Uber: Uber is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app that can be used in the bigger cities of Colombia. Other apps are Cabify or Didi.
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bogota and intercity flights in the country.
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from the Ciudad Perdida trek to a guided private tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin.
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, do not require a visa for short tourist stays (typically up to 90 days). However, this can vary, so it’s always best to check iVisa for the specific requirements for your nationality.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is undoubtedly Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and, if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Access mobile data immediately when entering the country with a Colombian E-sim or a Latamlink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Colombia, the best local prepaid sim card is Claro.
La Chaquira, San Agustin, Colombia
There is no train service in Colombia so the only way to reach San Agustin is by bus or a combination of a flight and a bus. Traveling to San Agustin can be an adventure in itself, given its location in the southern part of the country.
It is bordered by the Puracé National Park and, if you are coming from Cali or Popayan, it requires a pretty exhausting and slow bus ride over an unpaved road through the park. Nevertheless, the area is beautiful and there is a lot to see on the way.
I wouldn’t recommend visiting San Agustin straight from the big cities like Medellin and Bogota because there are other attractions on the road down south that are worth a stop too like the Zona cafeteria, Cali, Silvia, and the Tatacoa Desert.
From Cali, the journey to San Agustín by bus is around 8-10 hours. This route is scenic, passing through diverse landscapes of the Coconuco and Puracé National Park.
The bus ride from Popayan takes about 4 to 5 hours and also passes through Coconuco and the Puracé National Park. Tickets can be bought at the transport terminal and don’t need to be purchased in advance.
If you are coming from Villavieja or the Tatacoa Desert, you will first have to take a local jeep to Neiva and from there take a bus to San Agustin which takes about 5 hours.
The buses from Neiva to San Agustin don’t run that frequently. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Neiva to the transport terminal of Pitalito. From Pitalito, mini-buses leave for San Agustin frequently.
A private transfer from Neiva to San Agustin or even from Villavieja to San Agustin is also an option if you don’t mind spending a few Colombian pesos.
If you want to travel straight from the Zona Cafetera to San Agustin this will require a long 11 to 13-hour bus ride with a possible bus change in the city of Neiva.
I wouldn’t recommend going all the way from the Zona Cafetera to San Agustin since there are many other sights and places you can visit along the way like Cali, Buga, Silvia and Popayan.
Countryside, San Agustin, Colombia
Here are the various transport options to get around the lovely town of San Agustin and its sights and attractions.
San Agustin is a small town, and many of its local attractions, like San Agustin Archeological Park are easily accessible on foot. Walking is a great way to soak in the local atmosphere and culture.
Taxis are readily available in San Agustín and are a convenient way to travel short distances, especially if you’re carrying luggage or returning from a day of exploring. Ask your accommodation to arrange a taxi for you.
For solo travelers or those traveling light, moto-taxis are a popular and economical way to get around. They are faster than walking and can navigate through narrow streets easily.
Renting a motorbike or bicycle is an excellent option if you wish to explore at your own pace. This gives you the flexibility to visit nearby attractions without being dependent on public transport schedules or tours.
Note that San Agustin is very hilly so renting a bicycle is only an option of you have an excellent level of fitness.
Horseback riding tours are a popular way to explore the surrounding areas of San Agustin, including some of the archaeological sites. It’s a unique way to experience the landscape and is suitable for most ages and skill levels.
As a vegan, I don’t want to encourage you to ride a horse. Horses shouldn’t be kept to entertain tourists, however, if you can’t resist, go on a tour with Carlos. You can book a tour here.
It’s not a tour agency but a local man and his nephew organizing horseback riding to the sights around town. You can find Carlos sitting on the sofa in front of his house and he will surely greet you when passing by.
For those interested in guided tours, several companies offer day trips to the main attractions around San Agustin. These tours often include transportation, a guide, and sometimes meals.
Two-day trips are the most popular and include a day visiting the sights in San Agustin while the second day involves getting to Alto de las Piedras, Alto de los Idolos and Salto de Bordones.
Fully organized 3-day tours to San Agustin from Bogota are also available if you want to travel hassle-free.
There is no shortage of wonderful accommodation in San Agustin! While the town center may seem the most convenient to stay in (and in theory it actually is) I highly recommend opting to stay in the mountains around the town center.
The views from these accommodations are absolutely amazing and you will sleep much better away from the buzz of the town.
Antahkarana Hotel, San Agustin, Colombia
Staying in the mountains means that you will probably need to walk for about 15 minutes to the town center but trust me, it’s worth it.
Here are some great accommodation options for sustainable and slow travelers who want to visit San Agustin:
Vegan wrap @ Bici Cafe
San Agustin offers great food options and provides a perfect balance between authentic Colombian cuisine and choices for plant-based travelers. Here are the restaurants in San Agustin I enjoyed the most!
Another traditional Colombian restaurant worth mentioning where we got a lovely plate of food is El Fogon restaurant. It is a meat restaurant but can make you a plate consisting of rice, beans, plantains, salad, vegetables, and papas for 13.000 COP.
San Agustin, Colombia: View over the city from one of the mountains
Yes, San Agustin is a very safe city to visit in Colombia. Contrary to what most people believe, San Agustin and Colombia, in general, are very safe to travel in. Colombia has a bad reputation due to its turbulent past but don’t let this hold you back from visiting this wonderful country!
The best time to visit San Agusiín is during the dry season, which runs from December to March. During this period, the weather is warmer and sunnier, making it ideal for exploring the archaeological sites and natural attractions in the area. However, it’s important to note that even in the dry season, occasional rainfall can occur.
Also, note that accommodation prices can increase dramatically during the holiday period so book well ahead or try to negotiate a price upon arrival instead of booking online.
Yes! San Agustin is absolutely worth visiting and can easily be my favorite destination in Colombia due to its interesting cultural heritage, natural attractions, and laid-back vibes.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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