San Gil (pronounced Sun Hill), tucked away in the Andean region of Santander, is the undisputed adventure capital of Colombia. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers and canyons, San Gil is a playground for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies.
Aside from its colonial streets and 300-year-old Plaza Mayor, there isn’t much to see in the town itself. However, it’s the surrounding countryside that makes this place a popular stop on many Colombian itineraries.
If you’re looking for a break from buzzing cities such as Bogotá, Medellín or Santa Marta, head to San Gil to get back to nature. There will be little time to relax though with all the activities you’ll want to try, from paragliding to canyoneering, whitewater rafting to bungee jumping, and so much more!
Contents
Backpacking San Gil, Colombia – Travel Guide 🧳
San Gil Map & Resources
MORE INFO: (opens in a new tab)
- 🇨🇴 Colombia Travel Guide
- 🪙 Cost of Backpacking in Colombia
- 🚍 Nearby places: Barichara | Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy | Bucaramanga
- 🪂 Must do activity: Paragliding over Chicamocha Canyon
Best Time to Visit San Gil, Colombia 🌤️
San Gil is a year-round destination, although the best months to visit are generally considered to be December-March, which are the driest. September is also relatively dry.
Daily temperatures hover around a pleasant 25°C throughout the year. It’s best to avoid public holidays in Colombia when the town can become busy with domestic tourists keen to explore the surrounding areas.
Where to Stay in San Gil, Colombia 🛏️
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San Gil is a great place for shoestring-budget travellers who’ll be spoilt for choice with a range of highly rated hostels offering beds for under $10USD a night. If you’re looking for a private room, you won’t need to splash too much cash either, with boutique stays on offer at very reasonable prices. Here are a few of the best options.
Centrally located, Traveler Hostel receives fantastic reviews from guests who love the chilled but sociable atmosphere. The rooftop terrace with hammocks is a great place to chill after a day of activities. There’s a communal kitchen and regular social events so meeting travel buddies will be a breeze.
Cosy Macondo Hostel is everything you’d hope for in a hostel and more. Set in a beautiful old colonial building with a garden, BBQ and even a jacuzzi, Macondo offers plenty of places to relax and socialise. Guests also highly rate the helpful staff.
Sam’s VIP Hostel is known for its excellent location and great value for money. It features a rooftop swimming pool and a gleaming, well-equipped kitchen. Guests also love the friendly staff and sociable atmosphere.
This is Colombia Hostel is conveniently located near the centre of town. It offers clean and comfortable dorm beds at great rates as well as private rooms. There is a shared kitchen and the staff are friendly and helpful. They can also help arrange activities with the best companies in town.
Located 7 kilometres outside the centre of San Gil, La Pacha Hostel is a quirky and eco-friendly place where guests stay in domes or yurts. It is a great option if you want to be completely immersed in nature and surrounded by wildlife. The hostel features sky hammocks, a garden and a swimming pool, not to mention amazing views! Buses to San Gil pass every 15 minutes on the main road.
Meraki Boutique Hostel is immaculately clean and delightfully decorated. With a relaxing outdoor terrace, great views and even Netflix, you may find it difficult to venture outside! There’s a shared kitchen and common area and the bedrooms are spacious and comfortable.
Things to Do in San Gil, Colombia ⛰️
1. Paraglide Over Chicamocha Canyon 🪂
Chicamocha Canyon is one of the biggest in South America, stretching for almost 230 km and plunging to over 2 km! The best way to appreciate the scale and grandeur of this giant gorge is from the air. So, make like a bird and soar through the skies above the canyon on a thrilling paragliding ride.
- Take a thrilling paragliding flight in Colombia's adventure capital
- Enjoy awesome views over the mighty Chicamocha Canyon
- Certified pilot, transport and photos included
2. Ride a Tube Down the River 🍩
Take to the waterways on an inflatable doughnut and ride along the Mogoticos River! Unlike the gentle journey such as you might have experienced in Palomino, here you will traverse Class I, II, and III rapids on an exciting course through the river’s white waters.
3. Go Canyoning 🧗
For an action-packed adventure, spend a day canyoning in San Gil. Thrill-seekers can enjoy rappelling, walking along the edge of Las Lajas Canyon, bouldering and an extreme swing, among other things, all in one exciting activity.
4. Bike Through the Countryside 🚵♂️
When in the mountains, why not go mountain biking? Take to the hills and enjoy a ride through the stunning San Gil countryside where you can appreciate the abundant nature and great views of the surrounding mountains.
5. Tackle Some Whitewater Rapids 🚣♂️
One of the most popular activities in San Gil is river rafting. There are a few options to choose from with rapids from Class I to Class V. The most famous are the rapids of the Suarez River. If you take on this route you will raft along 12 km of river and navigate Class IV and V rapids in an adrenaline-filled adventure.
A slightly calmer option is River Chicamocha, which features Class III and IV rapids. River Fonce, with rapids from Class I to III, is the most tame, although still exciting, and the best option for families. Colombia Rafting Expediciones are touted as one of the best tour operators.
6. Explore on an ATV 🏍️
For those who prefer to explore on four wheels, there are tours of the area around San Gil by all-terrain vehicle. Hop on and enjoy a guided tour of some of San Gil’s best scenery.
7. Enjoy Birds-Eye Views From a Zipline 🦅
See San Gil from a different perspective as you whizz across the sky on a zipline for more than a kilometre,170 m above the ground.
8. Take a Leap With a Bungee Jump 🤸♂️
Ever fancied jumping off a ledge into thin air? Those crazy enough to answer yes to this question can do just that with a 140 m bungee jump in San Gil – the highest on the continent!
9. Discover Some Caves 🔦
San Gil offers some great opportunities to go caving. Choose between visiting Cow Cave where you can marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites or The Indian Cave with its numerous rooms and interesting geological formations. At the end of The Indian Cave, you’ll need to launch yourself into the void as you jump into a 4-metre-deep waterhole!
10. Enjoy a Day Trip to Barichara 🌺
The picturesque pueblo of Barichara is just a 45-minute bus ride away from San Gil. With its hilly cobbled streets, colonial architecture and views over rolling hills, Barichara is often lauded as the prettiest town in Colombia.
11. Abseil Down a Waterfall 💧
Cascade Juan Curi can be visited independently if you take a local bus from San Gil (around 45 minutes). There is a small entry fee and a 25-minute walk to reach the waterfall where you can swim in the refreshing pools. More adventurous souls may wish to take the alternative route to the pool, which is to hike to the top of the falls and then abseil down the 50 m cascade, in a sport known as torrentismo.
12. Visit Chicamocha National Park 🎢
The name Chicamocha National Park is slightly misleading. Rather than a natural reserve, it is more of a tacky tourist trap with amusement rides and a giant swing. However, it does offer spectacular views over the canyon and is easy to reach by local bus from San Gil (look for the bus to Parachi).
13. Cycle Through the Air 🚴♀️
If riding a bike on land just isn’t exciting enough, you can try cycling in the air. The aerial bicycle in San Gil allows cyclists to pedal 160 m above the ground on a highwire that stretches for 260 m and provides a unique way to enjoy fantastic views of the Colombian countryside.
14. Hike Around Chicamocha Canyon 🥾
There are also several hiking routes around the canyon if you prefer to explore on foot, including the moderately challenging Mirador del Canon Chicamocha via Camino Real Jordan. The trail is around 8 miles and takes about 6 hours to complete.
15. Swim in Curiti’s Water Holes 🏊♂️
The rock pools close to the town of Curiti are a great place to visit independently. Take a local bus from San Gil to Curiti and then hike the 3.5 km to Balneario Pescaderito where you will find water holes that make for the perfect swim spot.
Food and Drink in San Gil, Colombia 🌮
Gringo Mike’s is well known in San Gil. You can find burgers, salads, sandwiches and Mexican food on the menu. The food is tasty and the portions are big, what’s not to like?
Penelope Pizzeria is a great little spot if you’re craving pizza.
La Colonial San Gil, as you might guess from the name, serves up Western Food. They have everything from pizzas, burgers and steaks to wraps, crêpes and waffles.
Head to Empanizados for delicious and filling local empanadas and arepas.
Veggies and Vegans will love Up, a quirky little plant-based café.
Getting Around San Gil, Colombia🚶♂️
It’s easy to explore San Gil town itself on foot. For venturing further out into the countryside you can hire a bicycle. There are also cheap and regular buses that depart from the local terminal (Terminalito Provincial) to the nearby towns.
How to Get to San Gil, Colombia 🚌
Direct buses run from Bogotá to San Gil and take around 8 hours. There are also overnight buses from Santa Marta on the north coast. The journey is around 13-15 hours.
The nearest airport is in Bucaramanga, which has good domestic connections. San Gil is around 3 hours from Bucaramanga by bus.
Where to Go Next: ➡️
Barichara: A short bus ride from San Gil is the picture postcard town of Barichara. Spend a day or two strolling the cobblestone streets and soaking up the glorious views.
Villa de Leyva: If you’re heading towards Bogotá, make sure to stop en route at the delightful town of Villa de Leyva. Known for its whitewashed buildings and huge central plaza, there is plenty to explore in and around this underrated destination.
Santa Marta: Take an overnight bus up to the Caribbean coast to discover another side to Colombia. Santa Marta is the gateway to some of Colombia’s top attractions including The Lost City Trek and Tayrona National Park.
Contributors
South America Backpacker is a ‘travel diary for everyone’. This article has been written with the help of backpackers and local experts. We would like to thank…
🙏 Alex Sizer | Contributor to South America Backpacker
🙏 Staff at We Are Colombia Hostel
Lisa Barham
Lisa is a writer and traveller who left her nine-to-five in London for life on the road. Today, she spends her time solo backpacking, navigating through life and unfamiliar streets. After eating, hiking and surfing her way through Southeast Asia, she headed for a new adventure in South America, to travel through the continent learning Spanish, and a few other valuable lessons along the way!
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