Barichara and San Gil Private Day Tour from Santander

Colonial streets and mountain viewpoints in two of Santander's most visited towns.

A private day tour of Barichara and San Gil in Colombia's Santander region, with guide and driver pickup from your hotel, covering both towns' heritage architecture, viewpoints and local culture. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours depending on your hotel location, includes entry to all activities and a gastronomic experience, and operates in all weather. Most of the day involves walking on cobblestoned streets and colonial paths.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore San Gil and Barichara

• Pick up from hotel to San Gil
• Walk Plaza Mayor and visit cathedral
• See adventure sports areas
• Travel to Barichara town
• Visit Puente Grande and Camino Real
• Enjoy viewpoints and landscapes
• Have lunch and buy souvenirs
• Return to lodgings

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your hotel and drives you to San Gil, the region's outdoor sports hub. You'll walk Plaza Mayor, the main square, while learning about the area's traditions and history, then see Santa Cruz Cathedral and the surrounding neighborhoods where adventure sports take place. The drive time from your hotel varies based on where you're staying in the region.

After San Gil, you head to Barichara, which preserves authentic colonial architecture and is part of Colombia's Heritage Towns network. You'll visit historical sites like Puente Grande, the Camino Real and the church, then spend time at the town's viewpoints overlooking the river and surrounding mountains. The tour builds in time for lunch, shopping for souvenirs and gastronomic experiences before your driver returns you to your lodgings.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to all activities and sites.
• all-risk insurance.
• gastronomic experience during the day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Pickup available in San GilGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Pickup from San Gil is included

Pick-up in BaricharaGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Pickup from Barichara is included

Pick-up in BucaramangaGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Includes pickup from Bucaramanga

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (4 to 85 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessible

Operated by Gran Colombia Tours

Is this one for you?Choose your pickup location at checkout based on where you're staying: Bucaramanga if you're in the city, or Barichara or San Gil if you're already in the region. The fixed itinerary covers both towns' main sites in a single day, so you see the colonial heritage and adventure sports culture without splitting your time across separate trips.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the difference between San Gil and Barichara on this tour?

San Gil is known as Colombia's pioneer of outdoor extreme sports and sits on the main plaza with the cathedral and adventure sports sites nearby. Barichara is a Heritage Town with colonial architecture, historical landmarks like Puente Grande and the Camino Real, plus viewpoints overlooking the river valley and mountains.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation between the two towns?

No. Your guide and driver handle all transportation between San Gil and Barichara, and they return you to your hotel at the end of the day.

What kind of walking should I expect during this tour?

Most of the tour involves walking on cobblestoned streets and colonial paths in both towns. The tour operates in all weather conditions and suits all fitness levels, though you'll be on foot for much of the 6 to 8 hours.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

The tour includes a gastronomic experience, and you'll have time during the day to have lunch and buy souvenirs in Barichara, though meals are not pre-arranged as part of the package.

Where can I be picked up for this tour?

You can choose pickup in Bucaramanga, Barichara, or San Gil at checkout. Your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel in whichever location you select.