What to do in Barichara: a 3-day itinerary

Barichara can be walked in an afternoon, but it is enjoyed over three days. That is the sweet spot: one day for the town, one for the Camino Real, one for a day trip — without turning the trip into a race.

This itinerary assumes you are staying in the countryside, about ten minutes from town, which is where the trip changes character: you head out to explore during the day and come back to somewhere quiet at sunset.

Day 1 — Arrive, walk the town, watch the sunset

Afternoon (3:00 – 5:00 p.m.) Arrival and an unhurried check-in. Drop the bags, drink some water, look at the valley. You have come off many hours of road and your body will thank you.

Golden hour (5:00 – 6:15 p.m.) Head down to Barichara for the town's best hour. The sandstone turns golden, the temperature drops and everyone comes out into the street. A short, perfect route:

The main square and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in carved stone.
Santa Bárbara chapel, a few blocks uphill, with one of the best views in town.
The mirador at the end of Calle 5, above the Suárez river canyon. This is where you watch the sunset.

Evening Dinner in the centre. Afterwards, if you are out in the countryside, turn off the terrace lights and look up: with no light pollution, the starry sky is literally part of the accommodation.

Day 2 — Camino Real to Guane

6:30 a.m. Early breakfast and out to the Camino Real trailhead, on the western edge of Barichara.

7:00 – 9:00 a.m. The 5.4 km cobbled trail down to Guane, descending between cactus, goats, stone walls and open valley views. Setting off early is not optional: the trail has almost no shade.

9:00 – 11:30 a.m. — Guane A village of extreme calm. Visit the Palaeontological and Archaeological Museum — marine fossils, Guane ceramics — and sit in the plaza with a sabajón.

Midday Back to Barichara by bus or colectivo from Guane's plaza (20 – 30 minutes). Nobody walks back: it is uphill the whole way, in full sun.

Afternoon Late lunch and a nap. You have earned it. If you still have energy, Barichara's cemetery is a short and surprising visit: an open-air museum of stone carving.

The full guide to this walk — what to bring, timing, how to get back — is in our Camino Real guide.

Day 3 — Crafts or a day trip

Here the itinerary forks, depending on what moves you.

Option A: a day of crafts in Barichara

A morning of artisan workshops: stone carving, fique paper, ceramics or weaving. Almost all of them work in the morning and require booking ahead. It is the best way to understand why the town looks the way it does.

Free afternoon at the Parque para las Artes, the cafés in the centre, and buying directly from the workshops.

Option B: a nature day trip

Three destinations, all under an hour and a half away:

Chicamocha Canyon: one of the largest canyons in the world. You can see it from the national park, from Mesa de los Santos, or from the cable car that crosses it.
Juan Curí waterfalls (Charalá): a drop of over 100 metres with pools to swim in. It takes a short but steep walk.
Pescaderito (Curití): a series of clear natural pools along the Curití river, perfect for a full day. Very popular with Colombians, largely unknown to foreign visitors.

San Gil, on the way, is the region's adventure sports hub: rafting on the Fonce river, paragliding and caving.

If you have one more day

Villa de Leyva is about 4 hours away, better as a stop on the drive back to Bogotá than as a day trip.
Los Santos / Mesa de los Santos, with its weekend market and canyon viewpoints.
A day with no plan. Seriously. Hammock, book, terrace, nothing else. Most of our guests say that ends up being the best day of the trip.

Tips to make the plan work

Detail	Recommendation
Best season	December – February and June – August (drier)
Walks	Always before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
Cash	Withdraw in San Gil or Bucaramanga before heading up
Bookings	Workshops and chef-driven restaurants, in advance
Long weekends	Book accommodation weeks ahead

Where to stay for this itinerary

The whole plan works better from the countryside. Being ten minutes from Barichara gives you everything good about the town — restaurants, workshops, the Camino Real trailhead — without the night-time noise or holiday-weekend traffic.

At Arbolitos de Don José the day ends on a balcony with an open view, the scent of citronella and a sky full of stars. It is the part of the trip nobody plans and everybody remembers.

Local travel questions

Quick answers to what first-time visitors to Barichara ask most.

How many days are recommended to visit Barichara?

Three days is the ideal balance: one for the town and the sunset, one for the Camino Real to Guane, and one for a nearby trip such as the Chicamocha Canyon, the Juan Curí waterfalls or the Pescaderito pools. Two days covers the essentials; four or more makes the pace genuinely restful.

What is there to do in Barichara?

The essentials are walking the historic centre of rammed-earth houses, watching the sunset from the mirador at the end of Calle 5, hiking the Camino Real to Guane, visiting Santa Bárbara chapel and the stone-carved cemetery, and taking an artisan workshop in stone, fique or ceramics. Nearby day trips include the Chicamocha Canyon, Curití and San Gil.

Is Barichara a good destination with children?

Yes. The town is mostly flat, safe and walkable, with open spaces such as the Parque para las Artes. Ceramics and fique paper workshops work very well with children, and the natural pools at Pescaderito make a full day out. The Camino Real is doable from around age 8 or 9 with an early start and enough water.

What is the best time of year to visit Barichara?

The driest stretches are December to February and June to August, ideal for walking. Hormiga culona season generally falls between March and June. Colombian long weekends are the busiest periods: if you travel then, book accommodation several weeks ahead.

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.