Barichara: The Prettiest Town in Colombia - learn Spanish

This little town is a treasure to visit in Santander

Recently, I visited Barichara with some friends I have made through the EHE Spanish School. Barichara is a small town in Santander (or pueblo in Spanish) which has been named one of the prettiest in Colombia. It’s a great place to visit with family, friends or perhaps even for a romantic getaway! You can easily visit in a day, but it would be recommend spending two or three days if you have more time.

Barichara is historic town with beautiful cobbled stone streets and colonial sites. It has a very similar feel to the better-known Colombian tourist town of Villa de Leyva. However, Barichara has a small population of 7,000, which makes it quieter and more relaxed. The town felt unspoilt and charming, whilst still being tourist friendly. There are a range of awesome restaurants and accommodation to suit travellers on all budgets.

The town was the perfect place to test out my Spanish that I have been learning at school. It is very laid back and the people are friendly and very patient. Say “hola” to one of the locals or shopkeepers and practice your Spanish.

There are many things which make Barichara worth a visit. The best part for me was the view, as the town is situated on the edge of a hill. Be sure to walk to the edge of town to see the beautiful lookouts over the valley, surrounding mountains and the Rio Suarez.

Other things to do include:

Get a ride in a tuk tuk

Check out the sculptures in the Parque de Las Artes

Walk the streets to admire the architecture or go on a longer walk – there are plenty of nature walks both shorter and longer

Snack on some of Santander’s famous ants!

Spend time at the historic churches – the main cathedral in the centre of town has an impressive gold leaf altar – but be sure to walk to the top end of town to the smaller Capilla de Santa Barbara church which is equally impressive.

Getting to Barichara is easy. It is only around 1-hour drive from El Socorro by car, but there are also many bus options available through a number of different transport companies.

Top Tip:

The weather is warm in Barichara! It can get very hot, so plan any walks earlier or later in the day when it is cooler. Pack your sunscreen and hats!

To Learn Spanish in Colombia is a great experience.

Jonathan Bugg
Tasmania, Australia
EHE Spanish School student