Major city · Colombia
Barichara
One night is enough to see the colonial centre and walk to Guane; two if you want to relax or add a day trip to San Gil.
Barichara is a well-preserved colonial village in Santander, 45 min from San Gil. Its stone streets, whitewashed buildings and three chapels can be seen in a few hours. The main draw is the 3-hour walk to Guane. Most travellers visit as a day trip from San Gil or stay one night.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Oct–Nov (rainy)
- Airport
- BGA
- Nights
- 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 Barichara123 ▾
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 Barichara, 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
- SafetyBarichara is one of the safest towns in Colombia.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police · 123 fire and ambulance (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 International Airport (Bucaramanga) (About 2.5 h by bus or taxi from Barichara).
- Getting aroundBarichara is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a caféCOP$2,000–4,000
- Metro or bus rideBus San Gil–BaricharaCOP$6,500
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 20,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in hostel or guesthouse, a night, per roomCOP 100,000
- High-end bedPrivate room in hostel or guesthouse, a night, per roomCOP 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 50,000 · Mid COP 90,000 · High COP 150,000
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 International Airport (Bucaramanga) (About 2.5 h by bus or taxi from Barichara)
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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Oct (17 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Barichara: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
16 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
17 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 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
Barichara is compact and walkable. To reach Guane, walk 3 h or take a mototaxi (check). Buses to San Gil leave from the terminal every 20–30 min.
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 Barichara terminal, 45 min
San Gil offers white-water rafting, paragliding and caving; a full day of adventure.
Guane
goDoor to door: About 3 h one way
Walk 3 h on a stone path
A small village with a church and a museum; return by mototaxi or walk back.
Bucaramanga
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus via San Gil, about 2.5 h
A larger city with good food and parks; better as a stop on the way to or from the airport.
Door to door: About 7 h
Bus via San Gil and Bucaramanga, about 6 h
Too far for a day trip; only if you are heading to Venezuela.
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.
Town centre
Most hostels and hotels are within a few blocks of the main plaza; everything is walkable.
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$40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP$70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP$120,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in hostel or guesthouse1 × 1 night × COP 100,000 | COP 100,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × COP 90,000 | COP 180,000 |
| Bus San Gil–Barichara, one way2 × COP 6,500 | COP 13,000 |
| Mototaxi to Guane, one way2 × COP 10,000 | COP 20,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 31,300 |
| Trip total≈ COP 172,200 per person per day, bed included | COP 344,300 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus San Gil–Barichara | COP$6,500 |
| Hostel dorm bed | COP$15,000–40,000 |
| Hormigas Culonas (bag of ants) | COP$5,000–10,000 |
| Arepa Santandereana | COP$3,000–6,000 |
| Coffee in a café | COP$2,000–4,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hormigas Culonas are a local speciality; they are sold in the main plaza.
- The walk to Guane is on a stone path with some steep sections; wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
- Buses to San Gil stop around 7:10 PM; check the last departure if you are returning the same day.Buses to San Gil stop around 7:10 AM PM; check the last departure if you are returning the same day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 123
- Fire and ambulance
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BaricharaBarichara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police123
- Fire and ambulance123
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San Gil → Barichara: COP$6,500, 45 min
- Mototaxi Barichara → Guane: about COP$10,000
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de buses? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-deh es-TAH lah ter-mee-NAL deh BOO-sehs)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
Cash is king in Barichara; many small shops and food stalls do not accept cards.
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 Barichara. 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–Apr · avoid Oct–Nov (rainy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Barichara
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