Major city · Colombia
San Gil
Base in San Gil 3 nights for rafting and caving, then move to Barichara for the colonial town; skip it if you only want cities.
San Gil is Colombia's adventure-sport hub, a small Santander city on the Fonce river where rafting, caving, bungee and paragliding operators cluster around Parque El Gallineral. It is a base, not a sightseeing city: give it three nights, use the mornings for activities and the afternoons for the plaza, and pair it with Barichara. Buses from Bogotá take 6–7 hours; Bucaramanga is 2.5 hours away.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug (drier; better river levels)
- avoid Apr–May, Oct–Nov (wettest; some activities cancelled)
- Airport
- BGA
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Gil123 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Gil, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetySan Gil is a small, busy traveller town and generally calm; the real risks are river and road.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance and fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBGA Palonegro, Bucaramanga (About 2.5 h by bus from San Gil; the usual arrival airport.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealArepa santandereana or chorizo snackCOP 5,000–12,000
- BeerBeer at a shop near the plazaCOP 3,000–6,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in townCOP 5,000–10,000
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus to BaricharaCOP 6,500
- Museum or sight ticketParque El Gallineral entryCOP 7,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 30,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate double room, a night, per roomCOP 130,000
- High-end bedPrivate double room, a night, per roomCOP 260,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 90,000 · Mid COP 160,000 · High COP 300,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BGA Palonegro, Bucaramanga (About 2.5 h by bus from San Gil; the usual arrival airport. Check onward connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Oct (20 rain days), driest Jan (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Gil: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
18 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
19 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
16 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
15 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
17 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
20 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
17 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable. Taxis cover short hops for a few thousand pesos; local buses leave from the Terminalito at Carrera 10 and Calle 17 for Barichara, Curití and Charalá. The main bus terminal is 2 km west of the centre. For activities, operators usually include transport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Barichara
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Local bus from the Terminalito, every 20–30 min, about 45 min
Colonial streets and the Camino Real walk to Guane; go early, return before dark.
Cascadas de Juan Curí
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus towards Charalá, ask for Las Cascadas, about 40 min, then a 20-min walk
180 m waterfall; two entrances, the second has the better river walk. Shoes get wet.
Chicamocha canyon and the cable car
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus towards Bucaramanga, get off at the park
The cable car has been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays — check before you go.
Bucaramanga and Girón
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus from the main terminal, about 2.5 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro / Parque Principal
Walk to operators, restaurants and the plaza; best for a short stay without a car.
Around Parque El Gallineral
Quieter, near the river and the rafting outfitters' offices.
Barichara (18 km)
Colonial alternative base if you want the town more than the rapids; buses run every 20–30 min.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 90,000–150,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 150,000–280,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 280,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private double room1 × 3 nights × COP 130,000 | COP 390,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × COP 160,000 | COP 960,000 |
| Rafting, Fonce river (class 2–3)2 × COP 60,000 | COP 120,000 |
| Rafting, Suárez river (class 4–5, experience required)2 × COP 200,000 | COP 400,000 |
| Cueva de Vaca tour2 × COP 60,000 | COP 120,000 |
| Bungee jump2 × COP 60,000 | COP 120,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × COP 40,000 | COP 80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 219,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 401,500 per person per day, bed included | COP 2,409,000 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Menu del día (soup, meat, rice, juice) | COP 12,000–20,000 |
| Arepa santandereana or chorizo snack | COP 5,000–12,000 |
| Beer at a shop near the plaza | COP 3,000–6,000 |
| Local bus to Barichara | COP 6,500 |
| Taxi in town | COP 5,000–10,000 |
| Parque El Gallineral entry | COP 7,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Long weekends, Easter and Christmas: hotel prices roughly double and beds sell out — book ahead.
- Rafting class 3 and above: confirm the guide is certified by the International Rafting Federation (IRF).
- Rainy-season flash floods can close the Juan Curí trails and change river levels; ask the operator the same morning.
- Mountain roads to Bogotá and Bucaramanga are slow and can be blocked by landslides.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 123
Pocket card
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San GilSan Gil
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire123
Embassy
No embassies in San Gil; most are in Bogotá. The US, UK and Canada have embassies in Bogotá — check addresses and hours before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San Gil → Bogotá: about COP 40,000–60,000, 6–7 h
- Bus San Gil → Bucaramanga: about COP 23,000, 2.5 h
- Local bus San Gil → Barichara: about COP 6,500, 45 min
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- Quiero hacer rafting — I would like to go rafting (KYEH-ro a-SER RAF-ting)
- ¿Es seguro hoy? — Is it safe today? (es se-GU-ro oy)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal de buses? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-de es-TA el ter-mi-NAL de BU-ses)
- Ayuda — Help (a-YU-da)
Carry small notes: many operators and local buses take cash only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Gil. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug (drier; better river levels) · avoid Apr–May, Oct–Nov (wettest; some activities cancelled) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BGA: last bus and taxi fallback from Bucaramanga, overnight rung.
- Operator pages with verified IRF certification, river levels and rainy-season cancellation rules.
- Walking clusters: Parque Principal, El Gallineral and the rafting offices, Terminalito, Barichara road.
- Hostile-weather fixtures so rafting, caving and canyon days can go green or red.