Tourism in Cauca

The department of Cauca concentrates two of the most important archaeological heritages in the Americas: the San Agustín Archaeological Park and the Tierradentro Archaeological Park, both declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Popayán, its capital, is the "white city of Colombia" for its immaculate whitewashed colonial facades, and its Holy Week is considered one of the most solemn in the Hispanic world. Cauca's ethnic diversity —with more than 10 active indigenous groups, Afro-Pacific communities and mestizos from the Cauca Valley— makes the department an exceptional cultural tourism destination.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF CAUCA

The most visited and unmissable destinations and experiences in Cauca:

Attraction	Type	Description
San Agustín Archaeological Park	UNESCO Heritage	Over 500 pre-Hispanic statues and tombs from the Regional Classic period (100–1200 AD). Lavapatas Fountain.
Tierradentro Archaeological Park	UNESCO Heritage	Painted hypogea (underground tombs) of the Agustinian pre-Hispanic culture. Unique in the world.
Popayán — White City	Heritage / Culture	Colonial historic center, Cultural Heritage Holy Week, internationally awarded gastronomy.
Silvia — Guambiano Market	Indigenous culture	Tuesday market in Silvia: Misak (Guambiano) community with unique blue and purple attire.
Puracé Volcano	Nature / Adventure	Active volcano at 4,646 m, volcanic lagoons, páramo, condors. Puracé National Natural Park.
Pacific Coast — Guapi and Timbiquí	Beach / Afro culture	Virgin beaches, marimba and chirimía, Afro-Colombian gastronomy, whales in season (July–Oct).

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE IN CAUCA

Puracé National Park protects the volcano of the same name and the lagoons of the Colombian Massif, birthplace of the Cauca, Magdalena, Patía and Caquetá rivers. Munchique National Park in the Western Cordillera is one of the places with the greatest bird diversity on the planet.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF CAUCA

Popayán's Holy Week (UNESCO Heritage) has processions with over 400 years of tradition. The Popayán Gastronomic Festival is the first in Latin America to receive the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Award. The Popayán Religious Music Festival is one of the oldest in Colombia.

TYPICAL GASTRONOMY OF CAUCA

Pipián de maní, pipián empanadas (with peanut and potato sauce), tortilla soup, champús (corn and lulo drink), manjar blanco, Pacific atollado rice, shrimp and octopus encocado.

HOW TO GET THERE

Guillermo León Valencia airport in Popayán, with flights from Bogotá (55 min) and Cali (20 min). Bus from Cali (2.5 h) or Neiva (4 h). San Agustín: 4–5 h by bus from Popayán.

Also check the climate of Cauca and the list of municipalities of Cauca to plan your visit.