Local guides
Explore Barichara
We live here. These are the guides we give our guests: what to walk, what to eat, how to get here, and how to plan the days so you don't miss the good parts.
What to do in Barichara: a 3-day itinerary
A realistic three-day plan for Barichara, hour by hour: the town, the Camino Real to Guane, and the day trips that are actually worth it.
Camino Real from Barichara to Guane: a complete walking guide
Everything you need to walk the 5.4 km Camino Real between Barichara and Guane: when to set out, what to bring, how long it takes and how to get back.
What to eat in Barichara: a guide to Santander's food
Hormigas culonas, goat with pepitoria, carne oreada and arepa de maíz pelao: what to order in Barichara, what's in season when, and what to eat if you're vegetarian.
The Chicamocha Canyon from Barichara: how to visit
National park, cable car or free viewpoints: three ways to see Colombia's largest canyon, with times and costs from Barichara.
Barichara with kids: what to do as a family
A flat, safe, walkable town, workshops where hands get dirty, and natural pools nearby. A practical guide to Barichara with children.
Barichara or Villa de Leyva: which one to choose
Colombia's two most famous colonial towns, compared honestly: climate, atmosphere, prices, distance from Bogotá, and which trip each one suits.
Working remotely from Barichara: an honest guide
Connectivity, time zones, cafés with Wi-Fi and how to structure the week. What works and what doesn't if you're going to work from Barichara.
Long weekends in Barichara: when to book and when to avoid them
Colombia has around 18 public holidays a year, most falling on a Monday. How they affect prices, availability and the roads to Barichara.
Artisan workshops in Barichara: stone, fique, clay and rammed earth
Barichara is a town of living crafts. A guide to the workshops you can visit, what each one teaches, and how to plan a morning around them.
How to get to Barichara from Bogotá, Bucaramanga and San Gil
Routes, times and rough costs for reaching Barichara by car, bus or plane, with the practical details Google Maps leaves out.
Local travel questions
Quick answers to what first-time visitors to Barichara ask most.
How do you get to Barichara?
From Bogotá it is a 7–8 hour drive via Tunja, Barbosa, Socorro and San Gil. The fastest alternative is flying into Bucaramanga (Palonegro airport) and driving roughly 3 hours to Barichara. By bus, the usual route is to reach San Gil and take a regional bus from there to Barichara, about 45 minutes.
How many days do you need in Barichara?
Three nights is the sweet spot: one day for the town and the sunset, one for the Camino Real to Guane, and one for nearby trips such as the Chicamocha Canyon, the Juan Curí waterfalls or the Pescaderito pools. Two nights covers the essentials; four or more turns the trip into a genuinely restful one.
Do I need to bring cash?
Yes, it helps. Many restaurants, artisan workshops and local transport prefer cash, and Barichara has few ATMs, which sometimes run out on weekends and holidays. The practical move is to withdraw in San Gil or Bucaramanga before heading up to town.
What is the weather like in Barichara?
Barichara sits at around 1,300 metres above sea level with a warm, dry climate: sunny days and cool, pleasant nights. Bring light clothing, a hat, sunscreen and a light jacket for the evening. Midday sun is strong, so hikes are far more enjoyable early in the morning or late in the afternoon.