San Agustin Colombia Travel Guide (Getting There, Things To Do, & More)
Planning a trip to San Agustin, Colombia and trying to figure out all the details about how to get there & what to do?
As a former Colombia resident that traveled to San Agustin on my own (solo female), I’ve got all the need to know details about visiting this archeological town.
While San Agustin is a small town that’s a little harder to get to, it was one of the most beautiful places I visited in Colombia and it’s surrounded by fascinating ancient history.
🇨🇴 Overview: Visiting San Agustin, Colombia
When I lived in Colombia I was able to travel all over the country on my own & San Agustin was one of my top must see destinations.
👉 Because of my experiences and local knowledge of Colombia, I can share all the details about San Agustin like ways to get there, safe places to stay, fun things to do, & places to eat.
*️⃣ FAQ: San Agustin is a special place worth visiting because its history dates back thousands of years (even before the Incas), it’s beautiful, it’s a less traveled destination, & it’s a great place to be adventurous (river rafting, hiking, horseback riding, etc.).
🚌 How To Get To San Agustin, Colombia
San Agustin is located in the Huila department of southwest Colombia and it’s not quite as simple to get to as other destinations in the country because it’s a more remote and less traveled destination that even many Colombians have never visited.
Depending on budget & time, these are ways to get to San Agustin, Colombia:
- Cheapest Option: I lived in Pereira on a Colombian salary so I took the overnight bus to Pitalito (under $20), then a 1 hour truck ride to San Agustin ($2)
- Quickest Option: Fly from major cities (Bogota, Medellin, etc.) into Pitalito (the closet airport to San Agustin) and taxi or take the truck into San Agustin (because there aren’t any Ubers here)
- Middle Option: Take the 5 hour van ride in between Popayan & San Agustin (it’s a cool & beautiful route) that costs about $10; it’s a pretty safe drive but there are lots of twists & turns
🏨 Where To Stay (Safe Hotels In San Agustin Huila)
San Agustin is a small town with a few hotel options for budget-friendly, luxury, and a more eco farm-style stay:
- Raices Hotel: I stayed at this budget-friendly hotel in San Agustin and felt safe, but I do recommend the rooms with private bathrooms
- Hotel Gran Plaza: this is a fancier hotel with an outdoor pool, terrace, restaurant, kids club, and help organizing tours
- Hotel Estorake: a fantastic & highly rated farm-style stay outside of the town center, with airport transportation, wifi, tv’s, private bathrooms, & a beautiful environment
*️⃣ Tips: Airbnbs are available, but we don’t recommend them in Colombia because of problems we, as well as some friends, experienced.
🐎 9 Things To Do In San Agustin, Colombia
1. San Agustín Archeological Park
The San Agustín Archeological Park is one of the main sites to see because it houses the largest amount of this ancient cultures sites & sculptures.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the oldest, largest, & most important indigenous sites in the world that dates back to 3,300 BC with what is known as the “cultura Agustiniana” (Augustinian culture).
This is an outdoor park a little outside of town that can be visited alone (the way I did) or on a guided tour. Entrance fees to the San Agustín Archaeological Park are about $13 while a tour will cost around $65 but includes transportation & a private guide.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability For A Private Archeological Park Tour
*️⃣ FAQ: The town of San Agustin was founded in the 1700s, but the pre-Columbian history dates back thousands of years (they believe the civilization may have been Mayan).
2. River Rafting On The Magdalena
Besides the historical importance of San Agustin, this area is also one of the most beautiful regions of Colombia. The Magdalena River & surrounding mountains offer some spectacular and breathtaking views.
Adventurous travelers can take a private river rafting tour to experience this nature up close.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability For A Private Magdalena River Rafting Tour
3. La Chaquira
La Chaquira was one of my favorite historical landmarks to visit in San Agustin for the history, but also for the amazing views.
La Chaquira is typically best visited on a hiking, biking, or horseback riding tour (this is what I did), but no matter what, it should not be left off a San Agustin itinerary.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability For A Horseback Riding Tour
*️⃣ FAQ: Only a small percentage of ruins have actually been uncovered in San Agustin but visitors can still see sculptures, monuments, funeral mounds & tombs, & an intricate water channel/pool.
4. Hiking
There is one main hiking trail in San Agustin that goes past El Tablón, La Chaquira, & El Purutal. It’s a popular route, but it’s important to be cautious & aware (there have been incidents in the past).
5. La Pelota & El Purutal
La Pelota & El Purutal historical sites are some of the most interesting statues to see in San Agustin because they’re colored.
The ancient civilization that built these statues used natural paint from trees to color their statues & monuments. There were (and still are) trees that bled red, yellow, and blue.
These two sites are also great to visit on a hiking, biking, or horseback riding tour.
*️⃣ Tip: San Agustin has plenty of historical sites to see, but most can be seen in a day while adventurous activities will require a few extra days, so 2-3 full days would be perfect in San Agustin, Colombia.
6. Alto de Las Piedras & Alto de Los Ídolos
The Alto de Las Piedras & Alto de Los Ídolos landmarks are not located right in San Agustin, but near the town of Isnos, Colombia. However, they’re only about 30 to 45 minutes away so they’re still worth checking out.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability For A Private Jeep Tour Including These Sites
7. Obando Archeological Park
The Obando Archeological Park is a bit outside of San Agustin, and it’s not the easiest place to get to, but it’s more of a museum explaining the history of these ancient civilizations as well as caves & tombs that can be explored.
*️⃣ Tip: The weather in San Agustin, Colombia is spring-like year round, with lots of cloudy & drizzly days. Always be prepared for rain, or visit in late summer & fall for the driest season.
8. Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is one of the most popular activities in San Agustin, and I agree that it’s more fun to ride horses to these archeological sites than it is to just drive up to them.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability For A Horseback Riding Tour
9. Coffee Farm Tour
While the Coffee Region is best for coffee farm tours, San Agustin has some that can be visited on private tours (and this tour even visits an organic coffee farm).
➡️ Check Prices & Availability For A Private Coffee Farm Tour
🧑🍳 San Agustin, Colombia Restaurants
San Agustin is a pretty small town so there’s not an overabundance of food options (especially healthy options), but even this little Colombian town has vegan, some gluten free, & organic food store options:
- Bici Cafe: Vegan Cafe
- Massalafood: Vegetarian Restaurant
- Fonte Cafe: Vegetarian Options
- El Faro Ambrosia: Vegan Options
- Arlequin: Vegetarian & Vegan Burgers
- Saberes Ancestrales : Organic Health Restaurant
- Ecotienda Alimentación Consciente: Organic Food Store
- Find more options for healthy & allergy friendly restaurants throughout Colombia here
While out exploring or doing activities in San Agustin, Colombia, I suggest bringing healthy & allergy friendly snacks since there aren’t really any options to buy.
*️⃣ Tip: After San Agustin (or before), I suggest checking out the Coffee Region (especially Salento) and Popayan (especially during Semana Santa).
🔁 Wrap Up: Visiting San Agustin, Colombia
On top of the fascinating ancient history of San Agustin, this small town in Colombia is surrounded by beautiful nature, exciting adventurous activities, and fewer tourists compared to other destinations in the country. It might be a little more work to get to, but this archeological area is definitely worth adding to a Colombia itinerary!
