Tourism in Tolima

The department of Tolima is the birthplace of bambuco, Colombian folklore and lechona, the most representative dish of national celebrations. Ibagué, "the musical city of Colombia", celebrates the Colombian Folklore Festival in June, the country's most important traditional music event. Los Nevados National Park offers the most famous access to Nevado del Tolima and Nevado del Ruiz. Honda, a colonial city on the Magdalena, and Melgar, capital of Bogotanos' weekends, complete a department full of contrasts between the historical, the volcanic and the festive.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF TOLIMA

The most visited and unmissable destinations and experiences in Tolima:

Attraction	Type	Description
Colombian Folklore Festival — Ibagué	Festival / Music	June. Colombia's most important folklore event: bambuco, rajaleña, sanjuanero, typical costumes.
Los Nevados National Park — Nevado del Tolima	Volcano / Trekking	Hike to the crater of Nevado del Tolima (5,215 m). Technical high mountain route.
Honda — Colonial River City	Heritage / History	16th century colonial city on the Magdalena. Colonial bridge, tile houses, river festival.
Melgar — Resorts and Sumapaz River	Sun and river	Bogotá weekend destination: pools, Sumapaz River, 'hot beach' of the interior.
Combeima Canyon Hot Springs	Wellness / Nature	Thermal waters in the canyon descending from Nevado del Tolima towards Ibagué. Hiking and waterfalls.

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE IN TOLIMA

Los Nevados National Park protects 58,300 ha of páramos and glaciers. The Combeima canyon, between Ibagué and the volcano, has over 900 plant species and 300 birds. The Magdalena River crosses Tolima from south to north and its banks are a corridor for wildlife and fishing culture.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF TOLIMA

The Tolima sanjuanero, anthem of Colombian folklore and representative dance of bambuco, was born in Ibagué. Tolima lechona —pork stuffed with rice, peas and spices, roasted for 12 hours— is the festive dish of all Colombian national holidays. The city of Honda was Colombia's largest inland port before the railway.

TYPICAL GASTRONOMY OF TOLIMA

Lechona tolimense, viudo de pescado (from the Magdalena), corn wrapped, achira biscuit, insulso, rice masato, lulo and corn champús, Tolima tamales. Sugarcane guarapo and masato are traditional beverages.

HOW TO GET THERE

Perales airport in Ibagué, flights from Bogotá (30 min) and Medellín. Bus from Bogotá (3–4 h via the southern route). Melgar 2 h from Bogotá via the Llano highway. Honda 3 h from Bogotá.

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