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The department of
Santander is the extreme and adventure sports capital of
Colombia. Adrenaline-seekers from across the world flock to
Santander’s breathtakingly rugged landscapes to push their
personal limits while at the same time, marvel at the emerald
greens, of the hill-sides, deep blues of the sky and dramatic
torrents of the region’s many waterfalls. This wealth of
caves, cliff-faces and white-water is the result of
Santander’s privileged position in the north of the Eastern
Mountain Range of the Colombian Andes.
Río Fonce is the major river that dissects Santander and
provides fun-loving visitors the time of their lives aboard
inflatable rafts, canoes and kayaks.
From the abandoned Los Pozos Airport, enjoy the delicious, warming rays of
the Andean sun while taking a relaxing flight in a micro-light
trike or from a different vantage point; a slow descent from a
parasail induces the same magical sensation. Bungee-jumping
from high bridges and abseiling down refreshing waterfalls
adds a more extreme-thrill element while safely monitored by
qualified instructors and the exploration of Santander’s many
deep cave systems is a must.
Adventure-activities are not the only draw for tourists,
Santander’s cities and towns offer a more cultural
perspective. The capital city of Santander, Bucaramanga in
particular offers a picturesque taste of the region with
impressive colonial architecture to admire and a large number
of pretty parks which lead to Bucaramanga being known as the
“City of the Parks”. It is also described as the “Beautiful
City” due to its scenic charm and the hospitality and warmth
of its citizens.
| Climate: |
Extremely variable depending on altitude |
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Temperature: |
7 - 32 degrees centigrade (dependant on altitude of
location) |
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Santander benefits from a wide
variety of climates to suit every taste from the high
temperatures of Bucaramanga and the other townships
along the Magdalena river-valley where 30°C upwards is
the norm to the higher altitudes and low temperatures of
the mountain peaks. Similarly rainfall is variable
depending on the location. In the valleys, although
temperature is high, precipitation is dispersed
regularly which is a welcome relief from the high
temperature. |
Almost all of Santander’s
towns and cities have a rich Spanish-colonial history which is
reflected in their architecture, cobbled streets and
elaborate, balconies, overflowing with cascading flowers.
The up-welling of warm air, along the faces of the mountain’s
of Santander creates the perfect climate in which to grow
specialised crops such as tobacco.
A famous delicacy of Santander is the “hormiga culona” or
large-bottomed ant which has a huge abdomen, filled with a
sweet, sugary liquid. These ants can be eaten fresh or can
even be bought dried in a packet as with western-style salted
crisps.
The past farming and inner-city culture of Santander, in
modern times is being enriched by the young people of the
region who now have the spirit of extreme sports and
adventure-tourism and are taking advantage of this spectacular
department.
| March: |
Festival of the
Tambourine-Players.
Festival of Verse. |
| April: |
Day of the Santandereans. |
| June: |
Agricultural Fayre.
String-Instrument Festival. |
| July: |
Queen of Pineapple
Beauty Pageant and Fayre. |
| August: |
National Queen of
Petroleum Beauty Pageant.
International Piano Festival.
Equine Fayre. |
| September: |
Stone-cutting
Festival.
Departmental Queen of Tourism Beauty Pageant.
Tabacco Farmer’s Fayre.
The Running of the Bulls. |
| November: |
Luis A. Calvo Andean
Music Festival. |
| Barichara |
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25 minutes from San
Gil is the pretty town of Barichara with perfectly
preserved houses and other buildings from the time of the
Spanish colonisation of white walls, cobbled pavements and
green windows and doors which are all typical of the
period. Barichara is recognised in Colombia as a national
monument which is given to places of special historical
importance and is without doubt one of the most beautiful
towns in Colombia. |
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Chicamocha Canyon |
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The Chicamocha River over the centuries has carved this
rugged, breathtaking gorge through the landscape of
Santander and this attraction is definitely one of the
most spectacular landscapes anywhere in Colombia. It is
impressive in size and beauty.
Experience the power of the river while standing on its
banks or rise to the top of the rugged cliffs of
Chicamocha and parasail on the thermals rising from the
valley. |
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San Gil |
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San Gil is at the centre of all things “extreme” in
Santander and is the capital of extreme sports within the
department. San Gil also offers a colonial setting in
which the buildings remain preserved from the 16th and
17th centuries for the more cultural creature.
Adventure-seekers should base themselves in one of San
Gil’s hotels which it has in abundance and from there, go
and find your purest thrill. |
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Extreme & Adventure Sports |
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As Santander has grown to become the capital of extreme
sports in Colombia over the years, the department now
provides a large network of qualified, experienced
instructors in every imaginable discipline, including;
rafting, kayaking, micro-light flying, abseiling,
abseiling down waterfalls, bungee-jumping, paragliding and
parasailing and caving in underground cave-systems. |
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Guanentá Alto Río Fonce Sanctuary of Flora and Fauna |
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Lying across the Fonce River is this National
Parks-managed Sanctuary where the illusive Black
Hummingbird can be found amongst other unique species to
the area.
Another World offers extended eco-tours through the
sanctuary where visitors can camp amongst the forest trees
or under the stars at night. |
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Bucaramanga |
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The “Beautiful City” is the capital city of Santander and
its many universities and institutes have made Bucaramanga
one of the most prestigious educational centres in the
country.
The average temperature of 25 degrees centigrade, the
warmth of the people and the spectacular parks and
attractions make Bucaramanga one of the most visited
cities in Colombia.
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