Valle del Cauca route
The Valle del Cauca region is crisscrossed by its Afro, indigenous, and Spanish heritage, embraced by the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. This mix of elevations, ecosystems and ancestries transform this province into a diverse and welcoming department, much like its inhabitants, who are as deep and sweet as their sugarcane fields. And while the rivers flowing from the mountains find their way to the Pacific, the ocean and its people return to the continent the essence of their traditional cuisines and rhythms—a relationship that cannot be underestimated. Not in vain the salsa capital is located here, where rhythms from cargo ships arriving in Buenaventura collide with the swing, mambo, Cuban son, and cha-cha rhythms from Central America. These blended and simmered in the tantalizing heat of this land to give us the songs we listen to and dance to time and time again.
Its range of elevations and ecosystems allow the Valle to harbor five Natural National Parks between forests, waterfalls, and mountains, and to be acclaimed for birdwatching. Its lands provide woods, leathers, clay, and fibers to the artisans along this route, renowned for their diverse crafts. As you travel this route you’ll traverse distinct climates, encountering ceramics, metalwork, leathercraft, woodcarving, lutherie, and weaving in all their forms: from warumá and wérregue to thread embroidery, frivolité, and micro crochet. Along the way, indulge in dishes like arroz atollado, tamal valluno, cholado, sancocho, and aborrajados.
And let’s not forget the festivities of Valle del Cauca! In June, the Andean Music Festival Mono Núñez in Ginebra. August brings the unmissable Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival in Cali, Latin America’s most important Afro culture event, followed by the Salsa World Championship in October. To round off the year, there’s the Cali Fair, from December 25th to 30th.
Embark on a journey full of history
Artisans along the way
Artisans along the way
We recommended this tour
Recommendations
Schedule the visit in advance with the artisans.
Carry cash.
Length
6 days
Physical Complexity
Transportation
Car or Bus
Santiago de Cali — La Cumbre
Cali, the salsa capital, is forever in motion. We recommend spending two days here to fully savor its climate and spirit. On the first day, explore the city by foot, starting at Simón Bolívar Park and the gothic-style church La Ermita. Nearby, enjoy chontaduro, a cholado, or champús. Continue along the Boulevard and Cali River’s green corridor, passing by El Gato del Río to reach the traditional San Antonio neighborhood. There, you can visit Rosana Ocaña’s ceramics workshop and La Linterna lithography studio. Then, move on to the artisanal Loma de la Cruz Park, where the artisans Deira Tomasa Quiñónez and Wilfredo Méndez await for you.
In the evening, dance to salsa or watch a salsa show by Delirio, Ensálsate, or Mulato Cabaret. The next day you can either stay in the city and visit the monument Cristo Rey, La Tertulia and Caliwood museums, the Salsa Museum, or Lugar a Dudas, an art space. Alternatively, relish a Pacific traditional dish in La Alameda Market. For eco-tourism enthusiasts, there is the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park or the Pance River.
35 kilometers away from Cali lies La Cumbre, a municipality known for its temperate climate and a rich variety of heliconias, anthuriums, and orchids. In Bitaco, you can explore Colombia’s unique tea plantations and pre-Columbian stone petroglyphs. Engage with the Artisanal Group of La Cumbre to delve into the region’s weaving and clay crafts. Spending the night here is a must.
La Cumbre — Buenaventura - Guadalajara de Buga
Rise early for Buenaventura, 103 kilometers away from La Cumbre, and get ready for a day of seafood and crafts. This is Colombia’s most significant port and was declared a creative city in gastronomy in 2017. Don’t miss out on tasting its signature dishes like a seafood cazuela, encocado, or arroz verde. Here, you’ll find José Nilson Chamarra and Ali Cuama Valencia. The former is a Wounaan fiber artisan, and the latter is a musician and heir to luthier Baudilio Cuama’s knowledge. These artisans, whose craftsmanship is deeply connected to their territory, will welcome you with their stories and impeccable techniques.
101 kilometers away from Buenaventura you’ll reach Guadalajara de Buga, a pilgrimage site for Our Lord of the Miracles, whose basilica is a must-see. Here, you’ll also find the leather artisan Jerónimo Jaramillo, the Nature Reserve Laguna del Sonso, with its trails and birds, and delicious traditional preparations like torta de pastores, torrejas soup, or resplandor soup. Spend the night in Buga.
Guadalajara de Buga — Tuluá — Cartago
Heading north, Tuluá awaits just half an hour from Buga, the heart of Valle. Your visit here will be filled with flowers. Start by visiting the Juan María Céspedes Botanical Garden, featuring an array of plants, butterflies, and birds. After having lunch and a glass of corn chicha, visit Carolina Claros, an artisan specialized in frivolité and micro crochet, who creates intricate flowers and leaves best admired through a magnifying glass.
On your way to Cartago, your final stop, 115 kilometers away from Buga, you might want to take a detour through Zarzal and pass by Roldanillo. The latter is famous for its winds and paragliding, kite, and hang gliding competitions.
Cartago is the embroidery capital of Colombia and home to the artisans Carmen Julia Alméciga, María Inés Escobar, and Yamileth Henao. After experiencing their delicate work, visit the colonial architecture of the Casa del Virrey and Nuestra Señora del Carmen Cathedral. Conclude your Valle del Cauca journey by exploring the wetlands and birdlife of La Salud Park, and the natural haven of La Isleta Park.
Until we meet again!
Route acknowledgement
Pueblo Patrimonio
Guadalajara de Buga
Recommended sites
Important information for your trip
Pueblo Patrimonio
La Red Turística de Pueblos Patrimonio de Colombia es un programa especial del Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, ejecutado por FONTUR, que trabaja con 17 municipios de Colombia que poseen declaratoria de Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) a nivel nacional para su valoración y proyección mediante el turismo, generando así más oportunidades de desarrollo y sostenibilidad en las comunidades.
La Medalla a la Maestría Artesanal es un galardón que Artesanías de Colombia entrega anualmente, con el cual se hace un reconocimiento a aquellos artesanos, empresas y comunidades artesanales que, contando con una trayectoria destacada, sobresalen a nivel nacional por su excelencia en el oficio así como por preservar el quehacer artesanal.
Denominación de Origen
Es un signo distintivo que identifica productos reconocidos o famosos por tener una calidad o características específicas derivadas esencialmente del lugar de origen y la forma tradicional de extracción, elaboración y producción por parte de sus habitantes. La protección conferida sobre una Denominación de Origen implica que ninguna persona puede identificar con la denominación protegida productos iguales o similares a los amparados, cuando no provengan del verdadero lugar y no cumplan con las características o calidades que le han dado la reputación al producto reconocido. Las Denominaciones de Origen para productos artesanales colombianos que han sido protegidas por la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio en nuestro país son actualmente 12.
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