This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Barichara.
Barichara is a city in Colombia that can be found in the hilly area of the Santander region. It is an old colonial town that features much of the architecture it used to have. The streets are cobbled, and the views are famous around the region. Located near the tourist hub of San Gil, but often overlooked due to its size, Barichara is a town worth visiting.
There are not many hostels in Barichara, but you are bound to find a couple in the town itself. The hostels are generally affordable and are a good place to set up a base of operations from which to explore the surrounding area. You could also stay at one of the party hostels in San Gil and use public transit to get to Barichara in the morning.
The main charm of the city lies in the natural and artificial beauty contained in and around the town itself. Residents’ houses are painted in bright colors with unique designs. It is serene, calm, and is definitely not a city for an active adventurer to visit.
A good place to start your exploration is at the central market, where fresh fruit is sold in large amounts. You can also stroll through the maze of cobbled streets and lose yourself in the rich history of Barichara. The main square, right in front of the Church of Immaculate Conception, has benches you can sit on and watch life go by.
One natural attraction, just outside Barichara, is the stone path connecting the towns of Guane and Barichara, called the El Camino Real. It is a hiking path that goes on for nine kilometers and has many rest stops in between. The walk to Guane is a downhill slope, and you can take a shuttle bus back to Barichara instead of having to walk all the way up again.
Written by local enthusiast for Barichara hostels
Jakob Lombardi
