This department boasts several milestones. Having the municipality where the first Constitution of Colombia was signed in 1821, Villa del Rosario, is one. That’s why its inhabitants proudly claim to be “”from the place where it all began.”” Furthermore, the Cúcuta railway was the first iron road in which construction a private company invested, in 1878. To top it off, they are also known as aviation pioneers, as Camilo Daza from Pamplona was the first Colombian to pilot an airplane, which is why the airport bears his name. As neighbors to the Venezuelan border, the people of Norte de Santander share common roots and cuisine. On this journey, you’ll get to hear firsthand about the ties that the artisan community has had with their brothers just a river away, as trade between both societies thrived for decades.

Guided by the artisans we recommend, you’ll discover materials such as wicker, clay, metals, wood, and horn, which will help you understand another piece of this territory. One that makes us recognize its historical, heritage, and religious significance. The devotion to the Virgin Mary is strong because, thanks to their faith, the people of Cúcuta resurrected after the devastating earthquake that struck the city on May 18, 1875. So don’t miss the chance to explore the Gothic style of the Perpetuo Socorro Church and the Christ the King monument in Cúcuta, or the historical temple in Villa del Rosario. Also, participate in the renowned pilgrimages to the Virgin of Belén in the neighboring municipality of Salazar de Las Palmas, 54 kilometers from the capital to the southwest, pass by the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Torcoroma in Arboledas, and conclude this mystical tour by visiting Pamplona’s important network of churches, which earned it the nickname “”the mitred city.””

However, Norte de Santander also boasts unparalleled natural riches, such as the Unique Natural Area of Los Estoraques, an amazing rock formation located in the municipality of La Playa de Belén in the northwest of the department, or the Santurbán Páramo, if you decide to head south. In between, in Salazar and Arboledas, birdwatching, hiking, and extreme sports like canyoning or rappelling are tremendous tourist attractions. Lastly, with an extremely delicious flavor, you’ll find its cuisine, where standouts include chickpea pie, roasted goat, goat milk caramel, pigeon broth, and rampuchada, a typical fish recipe from El Zulia. And, of course, the coffee, a regional icon deserving of a route and exploration.