Top Things to do in Cauca Department
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What to do and see in Cauca Department, Cauca Department: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in Cauca Department, Colombia including Get Up & Go Colombia, Tierradentro, Popayan Tours, Torre del Reloj, Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Parque Caldas, Centro Historico de Popayan, Morro del Tulcan, Puente del Humilladero, Pueblito Patojo.
Restaurants in Cauca Department
1. Get Up & Go Colombia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Get Up And Go Colombia is an organization which promotes tourism in Colombia, in regions previously affected by the armed conflict. Through activities and projects based on diversity and inclusion, we transform former war zones into cultural and gastronomic destinations for national and international tourists. We see sustainable tourism as a tool for peacebuilding and for socio-economic development in Colombia. For that reason all our activities and projects are both led by and are for young people, victims of the armed conflict, the LGBTIQ community, vulnerable and indigenous peoples. Enjoy our activities and live your experience from a different perspective. - Free walking tour everyday 10 am and 4 pm - Free trekking tour Sunday 10 am - Spanish lessons under request - Dancing lessons under request
2. Tierradentro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Impressive prehispanic decorated tombs
Reviewed By KV1234 - London, United Kingdom
Tierradentro is a little bit off the beaten path but so worth making the effort. If you don’t want to organise all of your own travel we would recommend contacting Mark at “The Colombian Way” travel agency. All of his tour prices are on his website and very keenly priced. It takes all of the hassle out of your journey and he organises private drivers, English guides and local guides. We booked a range of tours with The Colombian Way over the course of 2 weeks (from Medellin to Armenia, to Salento, to Popayan, to Tierradentro, to San Agustin, to Tatacoa and finishing in Bogota). Mark was very fast in communication and was always available to help out whenever we needed it which was brilliant as the Government were changing what was open at a moments notice. He was also extremely competitive on price being 30% cheaper than another tour operator. The highlight of our trip was the amazing underground tombs of Tierradentro and the magnificent stone sculptures of San Agustin / Isnos (the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America.)… you must do it! The Colombian Way had arranged for us to be picked up in Popayan with our English speaking guide (he was the best we had in all of our 2 week trip) and then driven to Tierradentro for 2 nights and then 3 nights in San Agustin. We wanted to choose our own accommodation in San Agustin so Mark reduced the price so that we could book the Masaya Hostel directly. The drive over the mountain pass through the mini cactus valley was pleasant and we stopped along the way for some good photo spots. We arrived around 1pm and checked into La Portada. Mark had arranged for us to get a room with our own private bathroom as some do not have this. We had time for a wander around town before partaking on the afternoon’s activities. There is a small church in town and it’s worth having a nose around. Just inside the door on the right hand side there is a map and picture of all of the local tourist sights. It’s a good way to get your bearings. Our driver, English guide and local Spanish guide then took us to Pyramid San Francisco. On the way we visited the stone frog. Unless you had a guide I’m not sure you would find this and we were pleased we had one. The Pyramid was impressive. It appeared to be closed but our Guide knew better and took us up to the Pyramid where indeed there were other people. A local entrepreneur had set up selling food and I had a tasty hot ham and cheese toasty. We climbed to the top of the pyramid and took some awesome photos and also explored all of the tunnels under the pyramid where early explorers had been looking for the gold that they were sure was hidden underneath the pyramid. The stone from the pyramid comes from some distance away and it’s not known how they got the stone up the hill… After breakfast the following morning, we headed off to El Tablon where we got to see our first stone sculptures of the men… awesome, just awesome. We loved them. The way they stand with their knuckles together and have oversized heads with some looking startled. They made us smile. Then we walked down the hill beside the farmer’s fields to the main event… the tombs of Tierradentro. Make sure you bring a strong flashlight to see all of the details in the tombs. Some of the tombs have geometrical patterns and others have the distinctive wide sloping faces (that you will also see sculptures of in San Agustin) as well as the slightly sinister feeling column statues of the men with their clutching hands… I could hear a creepy voice in my head say… “we’ve been expecting you”… There is a museum at the bottom which was closed but we could still peak through the window. After visiting awesome Tierradentro we were driven to a nearby location where we hiked to a waterfall. This was also very good and we didn’t realise this was also included. On the next day we waved good bye to our English guide of 2 days and our driver transferred us to San Agustin. A note for those thinking of driving yourself… Google suggests a road that is often closed due to landslides so you have to stay on the main roads and travel 50% further. One of the benefits of using The Colombian Way driver.
3. Popayan Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Popayan Tours is the first adventure tour company in Southern Colombia. We offer private transport to the Archaelogical sites of Tierradentro and San Agustin as well as hiking trips to the Purace Volcano (4,650m). Our most popular tour is the Coconuco downhill biking trip. Guests are collected from the centre of Popayan at 10am and driven to the indigenous mountain village of Cocouco where they can bathe in the hot thermal springs. After a time in the springs they jump on the bikes and start the 30km leisurely ride back to Popayan. The route is mainly downhill on a paved road with very little traffic. For those looking for something a bit more extreme, we also offer a downhill biking trip from the Purace Volcano.
4. Torre del Reloj
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By 7seasoceans - Cancun, Mexico
I felt safe in this square. One can find "llll" instead of "IV" on the face of the clock in the clock tower. There were vendors and it was nice to sit and watch as the world went by. There were a couple of blind folks singing at the corner of the square. The whiteness of the buildings make it look clean. The place had a colonial look.
5. Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption
6. Parque Caldas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By Axl_Rome - Italy, null
In December the park had an enchanted forest theme to it, with giant flowers and mushrooms, as well as drops of water hanging from the trees. It is best to visit after dark, as all these giant objects are lit up The park was completely full of people, making it a bit challenging to walk around
7. Centro Historico de Popayan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By hulstra
Little is visible of the devastating 1983 earthquake. The streets are filled with people, as is the Parque Caldas, all in a well-explained, white-washed atmosphere.
8. Morro del Tulcan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By tjtarrega - Florida Keys, United States
The hill is located in the colonial city center and gives a great view of Popayán. The climb up the hill is short and easy.
9. Puente del Humilladero
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Built in the 1850s to link the center to the northern parts of town where many poor people were living. Keep in mind that the design of many Spanish colonial cities was based on apartheid principles. Only after independence gradually the segregation of different ethnic groups was relaxed. The bridge is perhaps symbolic for the change. Bricks are the main material used in the construction. They are held together by a special kind of 'cement', that is known to be tough and flexible at the same time. Ox blood is part of the substance. The eleven-arch bridge is 240m long and provides an elegant entry to the historic center.
10. Pueblito Patojo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Cardkapt - Bogota, Colombia
It’s a cute version of some representative places in Popayan, I recommend to visit this area it’s close to the Morro and has a place where you can buy food, empanadas etc
