Territory capital · Colombia
Silvia
Visit Silvia for a half‑day stop (4–5 h) to see the market and hilltop church; stay overnight in Popayán.
Silvia is a tiny town in Cauca, about a 1‑hour curvy bus ride from Popayán. Its market, colonial churches and a hilltop view make it a quick cultural stop rather than a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug
- avoid Apr–Jun (wettest months)
- Airport
- PSO
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Silvia123 ▾
- Police / ambulance / 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 Silvia, 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
- SafetySilvia is low‑risk; main concerns are road conditions and keeping an eye on belongings in the market.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police / ambulance / 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.
- AirportPSO Antonio Nariño Airport (Popayán) (Bus about 1 h to Silvia).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: market, plaza and churches sit within about 10 min of the plaza.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféCOP 2,500–4,000
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket Popayán–SilviacheckCOP 12,000–15,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed in Popayán, a night, per personCOP 25,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room in Silvia, a night, per roomCOP 90,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room in Silvia, a night, per roomCOP 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 30,000 · Mid COP 50,000 · High COP 80,000
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
- PSO Antonio Nariño Airport (Popayán) (Bus about 1 h to Silvia)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Dec (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Silvia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
15 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 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 town is walkable: market, plaza and churches sit within about 10 min of the plaza. For the hilltop church, walk up or take a local taxi; ask the fare before you get in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from Silvia's terminal, about 1 h on a curvy road
Base here: hotels, restaurants and the historic centre.
Coconuco hot springs
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus or colectivo toward Popayán, then a local service to Coconuco
Check return times; services thin out in the afternoon.
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.
Popayán centre
Closest city with hotels; 5‑min bus to Silvia
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 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 45,000–70,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed in Popayán1 × 1 night × COP 25,000 | COP 25,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × COP 30,000 | COP 30,000 |
| Bus Popayán → Silvia, both ways1 × COP 12,000 · check | COP 12,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × COP 80,000 · check | COP 80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 14,700 |
| Trip total≈ COP 161,700 per person per day, bed included | COP 161,700 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights and long-distance buses not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | COP 2,500–4,000 |
| Arepa with cheese | COP 3,000–5,000 |
| Bus ticket Popayán–Silviacheck | COP 12,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads from Popayán are curvy and slow in heavy rain; leave before dark and confirm the last bus back.
- Market day is the busiest time: keep bags in front of you and cash split in two places.
- Silvia sits at about 2,500 m; the hill climb is short but steep for the first day at altitude.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance / fire
- 123
Pocket card
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SilviaSilvia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire123
Embassy
US consulate in Bogotá; entry rules at /colombia/visa-requirements
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Popayán → Silvia bus: about COP 12,000, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (ˈdonde esˈta el merˈkado)
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 Silvia. 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 · avoid Apr–Jun (wettest months) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Popayán to combine Silvia market visit with city sights.
- Consider a guided hike to the hilltop church for better safety.
Sources
Ask about Silvia
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