Santander Route
Stepping into Santander is walking through its history, feeling the heat of its weather, and perceiving fique’s rough texture in its stories. Fique is a strong plant fiber with which the people of this region of coffee sack weavers were able to earn their livelihoods. It also endured the transition to synthetic materials at the end of the 1960s, which changed the course of its economy. Above all, visiting Santander is discovering the strong and unyielding character of its people. They overcome every obstacle that is put before them and are always ready to create new narratives for themselves. Santander’s artisans tell their stories with their hands. Traveling around the region’s crafting landscapes, we remember the Guane people, ancestral settlers of the Guanentá province who passed down their knowledge on weaving and pottery. On this trip around three towns —Curití, San Gil, and Barichara—, you will be immersed in fique, bejuco, clay, and stone.
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
7 days
Physical Complexity
Transportation
Car or Bus
Curití
20 minutes away from San Gil (12 kilometers), you will find this beautifully-named town, where you will witness a scene that you will never forget: fique drying in the sun, an unforgettable picture, characteristic of this beautifully town. You can see the long hanging strings that will later become skillfully handwoven textured rugs and come to decorate our homes. We encourage you to meet the craftspeople who make up every one of the town’s workshops, all of whom have mastered distinct techniques. It is truly exciting to watch them work. We suggest you spend two days meeting the route’s six craftspeople. It is worthwhile to witness them work, for there are very distinct knowledges among them. The second day, you can conclude the artisanal experience traveling in a tuk-tuk or a motorbike taxi to the town’s outskirts. Do not miss out on the tour to Pescaderito, a beautiful ravine with several pools where you can take a refreshing dip. Arriving at this town is very simple, to get there you can take a taxi or a bus. The temperature there is cooler than in the rest of the department. Its sunsets, usually accompanied by patches of fog, are mesmerizing. Also, be sure to remember trying the region’s traditional goat dish, the cabrito, as well as its amazing rice-stuffed empanadas.
Barichara
There are 33 kilometers between Curití and Barichara: an hour-long journey, more or less. You may also leave from San Gil, which is some 40 minutes (23 kilometers) away. There, you will find Santander’s paradise for relaxation. It lies nestled within a lush valley and bordered by the magnificent Suárez River. In this destination, you will be able to stay for a week, spending two whole days meeting the artisans. Here, you will discover a place where time stands still. You will understand why its residents are nicknamed “yellow feet” when you notice the intense color of its orange soil. Walking along the town’s cobbled streets under the shades of trees is part of the tour. You will also be able to witness its walls made of tapia pisada —layers of pounded earth—, its tiled roofs, and its harmonious landscapes made up of large white houses. The town’s inhabitants have gradually increased in number due to foreigners who have fallen in love with it, moved to Barichara, and made it cosmopolitan. This can be seen in the town’s wide gastronomical diversity and the many languages that can be heard throughout its streets. Trying the region’s traditional carne oreada (sun-dried meat) is a must, as well as smelling the aroma of tobacco that comes from several corners. Do not miss out on visiting the San Lorenzo de Barichara Foundation to marvel at its papermaking. The day you visit San Lorenzo, you may also want to visit the craftspeople who live in the town’s center. And those who live in neighboring villages you may want to visit the following day. At this destination, you will have the chance to discover traditional master weavers, carvers, and ceramists who will reassert the identity of this small patch of land.
San Gil
This city lies two and a half hours away from Bucaramanga (99 km), across the magnificent Chicamocha Canyon. It is the epicenter of this journey and a great place to stay the night, in that way, you can go to Curití and return to sleep to the city, which has a wide range of hotels and restaurants. You can plan all your visits to nearby towns from San Gil and enjoy the many ecotourism and adventure tourism excursions that have made the town famous. In one and a half days, you will be able to do Whitewater rafting down the Fonce and Suárez rivers, and walking among the kapok trees and the more than 1,800 monkeypod trees in El Gallineral Park are things you must experience at least once in your lifetime. You can also swim in the region’s natural pools. It is also worth mentioning that San Gil is a green city. Do not forget to go to the market and taste mute soup (traditional hominy soup), Santander’s famous arepas, and the traditional pepitoria (a dish made with goat tripe, blood, and rice).
Route acknowledgement
Pueblo Patrimonio
Barichara, Santander
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.
No puede copiar contenido de esta página
