How to Spend 48 Hours in Barichara, Colombia
Cobblestoned streets. Whitewashed houses with dusty red-tiled roofs. Centuries-old churches and cathedrals overlooking the raging River Suarez. Crowned a national monument in 1978, Barichara is one of Colombia’s most perfectly preserved colonial towns, and it just so happens to be surrounded by stunning nature, too. From craft workshops to hikes along ancient stone-paved roads through dry tropical forests, here’s how you should spend 48 hours in the beautiful town of Barichara.
Visit Fundacion San Lorenzo
The Fundación San Lorenzo, a paper workshop run by women, has been making paper by hand from the Andean fique plant since 2001. Their 30-minute tour shows you around the site, as well as guiding you through the fascinating four-month process of producing artisanal paper with a hands-on paper-making workshop. Don’t miss the beautiful stationery and other paper products, such as lampshades and animal figures, sold in their small souvenir shop.
Hike the Camino Real
Take a local craft workshop
Due to its tranquillity, stunning surroundings and easygoing lifestyle, Barichara has become a hub for local artists and artisans. The result? Streets dotted with independent galleries, workshops and craft stores, many of which welcome visitors to not only see the artists at work, but to get hands-on. Choose from a three-hour pottery class at the Taller de Jimena and Jaime or a felting workshop at Albahaca Hospedaje y Tienda, or learn from the expert fique-bag weavers at the Taller Centro Dia.
Explore Bioparque Móncora
Bioparque Móncora dedicates itself to protecting dry tropical forests such as the one that surrounds Barichara. Here, you can take a stroll through the easy hiking trails and learn about the area’s native plant species. This is also a great place to eat a picnic and take in the stunning Cordillera views.
Hunt down Barichara’s delicacy: deep-fried ants
Hormigas culonas, or big-bottomed ants, have been a delicacy in Barichara for centuries. Said to have aphrodisiac qualities, the female leaf-cutter ants are eaten fried or roasted with a sprinkling of salt. It doesn’t sound too appealing, but they’re highly nutritious, low in fat and actually pretty tasty. Only harvested during the months of April and May, the hormigas can be hard to get hold of, and they are not cheap, either. If there are any around, your best bet is trying the small corner shops. Start your search at the shop on Carrera Five between streets Eight and Nine.
Stroll through Parque de las Artes
Surrounded by stunning views of the valley below, Parque de las Artes has been a peaceful escape for art-lovers since 1988. Dotted with water features and impressive statues hand-carved by local sculptors, this makes for a great place to sketch, photograph or just sit back and admire the beautiful setting.
Sift through artisan treasures
With so many workshops in the area, it’s only normal that there should be an equal amount of artisan shops selling Barichara’s best crafts. Round every corner here you’ll find small shops filled from floor to ceiling with pottery, painting, embroidery, jewellery, stationery, handmade furniture and much, much more. Sift your way through them and see what beautiful, handmade souvenirs you can come away with. There’s easily an afternoon worth of fun to be had!
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
