Top Bucaramanga Outdoor Activities

The waterfall “Cascada El Ensueño” in Piedecuesta is located at the fringe of Bucaramanga´s metropolitan area and we highly recommend the hike to the waterfall if you want to visit a natural place but do not want to ride far away from the city. On the way to the waterfall you will see the quick transition of city and nature since you start the walk in a residential area and suddenly you are in the middle of the nature. During the hike you will have a beautiful view over Piedecusta and the grasslands close to the city. The hike is going up an elevation of approx. 400 meters and probably takes you about 1.5 hours, taking several little breaks. The length of the hike is about 3 km (1.9 miles). Arriving at the waterfall you can swim in the natural ponds of the waterfall or just sit down and enjoy the amazing scenery of the place. The way back to the parking lot is a lot faster since it is mostly going down the hill.

Bucaramanga is not the most common tourist destination, which can make it difficult to work our where to go or what to see during a short trip to the city. This tour solves that problem by providing travelers with a comprehensive overview of one of the Eco Park Cerro del Santísimo, one of the top attractions Bucaramanga, Colombia. The sacramental statute itself is a mere 10 feet smaller than the famous Christ the Redeemer statute in Rio de Janeiro; in exchange for a tiny reduction in height, visitors are rewarded with a less touristy experience and the convenience of elevator access.

Simplify your visit to the Chicamocha National Park by going on a private guided tour. Travel through the enormous Chicamocha Canyon on a cable car ride lasting a full half hour, with plenty of time to take great photos. Explore the theme park with cultural and historical attractions, zip lining, a waterpark, and more adventure activities.

The experience at the Páramo de Santurbán is designed for nature lovers who like to hike at high altitudes and with a cool climate. The Black Lagoon “Laguna Negra” you will visit is located at almost 4.000 meters (=13.000 feet) above sea level. Having one of the largest fresh water reserves on earth, the Páramo de Santurbán is protected by the local people who admire its amazing ecosystem including the unique “high-altitude” plants Frailejones. After a ride of approx. 2 hours on a well-paved street and one hour on an unpaved road, you will start the hike of about 2 km to the lagoon. The hike is slightly upwards and due to the height and low level of oxygen, it will seem a lot more than 2 km. Arriving at the lagoon you will have the opportunity to take amazing pictures and if you want to keep hiking, you will be able to walk around the lagoon for another hour.

The Juan Curí waterfalls are with a total height of 250 meters one of the highest waterfalls in Colombia. In order to get to the waterfalls, you have to take a 25-minute hike from the parking lot. As the air gets more humid you will see how the landscape changes into a dense tropical rainforest. Arriving at the waterfall you will have the opportunity to jump into a swimming spot right beneath a 50-meter high part of the waterfall. If you like adventure, you can also climb down the ladders and ropes that are set up at the lower parts of the waterfalls. An optional activity for 70,000 COP (prices can vary) is climbing down the 50-meter part of the waterfall on a secured rope following the instructions of a professional rappelling guide. On the way back to Bucaramanga there are also other optional activities that can be done such as caving (30,000 COP), rafting (45,000 COP), bungee jumping 70 meters (70,000 COP), zip lining (30,000 COP), etc. (prices can change slightly within the year).

Get unrivaled views of Bucaramanga, home to rolling hills and mountainous landscapes, on a paragliding adventure that lets you escape the crowds on land. Ideal for thrill seekers, this tandem flight is suitable even for if you’ve never paraglided before, and includes hassle-free round-trip transfers from your accommodation.

Explore Barichara—hailed as one of the prettiest towns in Colombia—at a pace set by you rather than that of a large group, on a private tour that can be tailored according to the attractions that interest you the most. Overcome the language barrier and discover cobbled street, artisan shops, and charming restaurants, and upgrade to add a hike along the 150-year-old Camino Real.

Discover the adventure capital of Santander on this adventure-filled private tour from Bucaramanga. Journey to San Gil and try out river rafting, paragliding, zip lining, bungee jumping, canyoneering, caving, or mountain-biking. In just one day it is possible to do two or three different activities—just pick your preference and your guide will make the arrangements.

The hiking paths of this excursions offer the best viewpoints of Bucaramanga. During the approx. 7 km (4.3 mile) hike which takes about 3 to 4 hours, having several little breaks, you will get different impressions of the outskirts of the city. Starting in Cabecera del Llano you will get to know the residential areas of Bucaramanga and you will pass by the green and beautiful campus of the UNAB, one of the best private universities in Colombia. You will walk through steep paths of the tropical rainforest and through other residential sectors located behind the forest. As you keep up walking you will notice that anytime you turn around there is an incredible view of Bucaramanga. On the way you will also find different plants and fruits, such as cacao, coffee, banana and mandarins. At the top, about 600 meters above the city, you will arrive at the restaurant La Niebla which one side has an amazing view of the city and on the other side an incredible view over a green valley.

Zapatoca is a beautiful and calm town not known by a lot of travelers. The town has 5000 inhabitants and people from Bucaramanga go there to enjoy a weekend having relatively mild temperatures (day temperature approx. 21 °C/ 79 °F). In town you can enjoy a beautiful central park and try home-made wine from oranges and blackberries. The road to Zapatoca is one of the highlights of the trip because it goes right through the stunning landscape of the Chicamocha Canyon. There are several viewpoints to stop by during the road trip. One of the viewpoints you will visit at the end of the day is the Mirador Los Guanes which is on top of the mountains from where you can see many parts of Santander such as parts of Bucaramanga´s metropolitan area, Barichara, El Socorro, the Chicamocha Canyon, the Suarez Canyon, the crossing of the two canyons, etc.

While the Eje Cafetero is known for its quantity production, Santander is known for its high quality especially organic coffees. The tour will take place in one of the coffee haciendas in the area that are nationally and internationally recognized as the crops in some of the haciendas are under shade and highlight the protection of the environment. Once at the hacienda you will have time to enjoy the picturesque scenery of the guest house. The tour begins with a tour through the coffee fields, where the crops and production processes are explained. After this tour you will be able to attend a preparation and tasting of a good cup of coffee, which fascinates most travelers due to the different qualities of coffee.

As the fifth largest metropolitan area in Colombia and known as the safest and cleanest city in the country, Bucaramanga offers a lot of interesting sites to see, such as important buildings in the city center, a historical and cultural museum, the famous leather shoe stores, shopping malls, one of the longest suspension bridges in Colombia, etc. Girón is located in this metropolitan area and is one of Colombia's 17 heritage towns. Its preserved colonial architecture makes it an interesting place to visit allowing you to imagine the way people lived in this town 300 years ago. At the end of the tour you will contemplate the entire metropolitan area from the Ecoparque Cerro del Santísimo which is reached by cable car. The statue of Christ El Santísimo, 37 meters high, is the second tallest sculpture in Colombia, making it a must-see during your stay in Bucaramanga. In addition, the park has souvenir stores and regional products, and at night, you will enjoy the multimedia fountain show.

The Hacienda La Lajita is a large farm located next to the Topocoro Lake. It has beautiful grassland with an incredible view on the Topocoro Lake that was created due to the dam “Represa Hidrosogamoso”. The farm is the perfect place to do horse-riding (or drive a four-wheeler/ quad-bike). A guide of the farm will lead you to the best viewpoints of the farm.The Hacienda La Lajita is a large farm located next to the Topocoro Lake. It has beautiful grassland with an incredible view on the Topocoro Lake that was created due to the dam “Represa Hidrosogamoso”. The farm is the perfect place to do horse-riding (or drive a four-wheeler/ quad-bike). A guide of the farm will lead you to the best viewpoints of the farm. This beautiful hacienda also has a nice restaurant with a small pool for children. After lunch you can have some drinks or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this place.

More than just a transfer to Barichara from Bucaramanga. This tour includes a 30-minute cable car ride through the Chicamocha Canyon, a tour of PANACHI with its magical views, and a tour of the most beautiful town in Colombia; Barichara!

The fields near the city of Bucaramanga are fertile and productive, recognized for producing the best citrus fruits in Colombia. Oranges, tangerines, pineapples, passion fruit, lemons, are some of the nationally and internationally recognized for their flavor, color and texture. Upon arrival at the farm, visitors will be able to taste some of these products as well as learn about the process of cultivation, production and marketing from the farmers who will host the visitors.

The Cueva de los Aviones is the perfect place to enjoy a day full of adrenaline adventures, where you will find natural slides and crystal clear water pools which provide a perfect environment for taking pictures. The first thing you will feel is to be submerged in a forest crossed by a river and descend through it with ropes in an extreme way, even in some part of the cave you will find a waterfall. The Cueva de los Aviones is not known by many tourists making it look like a magical, natural and virgin place. Once in the place, you will be able to spend several hours and have the opportunity to see all the captivating sites. The guide will show you around and also make sure you have a safe experience. On the way back there is the possibility to stop in San Vicente de Chucurí, a beautiful town with a lot of history and economic importance.