Guadalupe is an off-the-beaten-path gem in Colombia's Santander region. This pueblo of just 1,600 makes for a charming stop on your trails.

Guadalupe is a popular escape for Colombians. However, international tourism is new to the town. Don't be surprised at receiving the odd stare here and there. Don't let it put you off, either. The people of Guadalupe are very friendly. They'll be delighted to see you stop at their town, which they are very proud of.

Following a trip from Lonely Planet, this sense of being off-the-radar isn't likely to last, and international tourism will surely ramp up.

There isn't a lot to do in Guadalupe, but the town isn't what draws people to the area. The real highlight is the surroundings of this postcard-perfect village. There are dense forests, sweeping valleys, plenty of hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, and many viewpoints. All of that is dwarfed by Guadalupe's attraction in chief – La Quebrada Las Gachas. Las Gachas draws comparisons to Colombia's famous Caño Cristales and is responsible for putting Guadalupe on the map. The shallow river basks in vibrant hues of red and purple, giving it an otherworldly appearance. 

What makes Las Gachas such a compelling alternative to Caño Cristales is the price and accessibility.

Getting to Guadalupe can still be a bit of a mission. A testament to its absence from Colombia's Gringo Trail

To reach Guadalupe from San Gil, you'll need to hop between two buses and a shuttle service.

First, you must catch the bus from San Gil to Socorro, a 35-minute journey costing 4,200 COP. 

From Socorro, catch a second bus to Oiba. The journey lasts 45 minutes and costs 6,000 COP.

Once at Oiba, hail one of the Jeep shuttles to reach Guadalupe. This leg of the journey will last an hour and 15 minutes, costing 7,000 COP.

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission should you use them, for which we are incredibly grateful. However, the recommendations are still our own and intended to advise on the very best experiences Guadalupe has to offer.

La Quebrada Las Gachas

The Caño Cristales of Santander is what brought tourism to the sleepy town of Guadalupe. The river owes its vibrant red and deep purple colors to oxidized iron in the river bed. Because the colors aren't the result of blooming algae, Las Gachas' colors don't wither with the changing seasons, unlike Caño Cristales.

Another distinguishing feature is the holes in the river bed. Some of these plunge pools are but a few inches deep. Others are several feet deep as if a sort of natural jacuzzi..

Algae still bloom on the surface at Las Gachas, and walking through the river can be a slippery experience. To avoid taking a tumble, wear some grippy shoes or some thick socks. If feeling brave, treat the algae as a massive slide and skid along the riverbed into one of the plunge pools.

Visiting Las Gachas is free. Reaching the river from town requires a 4-kilometer hike through scenic countryside. While you can hire a guide, it isn't necessary as the trail is straightforward to follow. We advise using Maps.Me, which plots the path to Las Gachas flawlessly. We also suggest taking plenty of water and sunscreen with you for the hike and your time at the river.

If you visit La Quebrada Las Gachas during the week, you may have the entire river to yourself. However, it's busier at the weekends as Colombians escape to the country.

Near Las Gachas, there is also a cave worth exploring, though it's on private property, and there's a 1,000 COP entry fee to pay. The owners of the property are incredibly accommodating. Don't be surprised if they offer to share a drink with you before you make your way to the cave system's entrance.

Cascada La llanera & El Mirador

You'll find Cascada La Llanera and the El Mirador viewpoint an hour and a half walk from Guadalupe. Both are located on private land and are best accessed through a guided tour.

The 8-kilometer hike to the La Llanera waterfall is incredibly scenic. Taking a plunge into the pool below the 60-meter waterfall is a worthy reward for your efforts to reach it. The waterfall isn't too strong, meaning it's possible to take a pew behind the falls or stand under it should you wish.

A further 15 minutes from Cascada La Llanera is the popular El Mirador viewpoint overlooking the valley below and the mountain range beyond. It's a great spot to watch the sunset.

Balneario El Salitre & La Gloria

35-minutes from town on foot, following several dirt roads, is a river very similar to Las Gachas, Balneario El Salitre. While similar, there are several differences between the rivers.

Firstly there's the color. Unlike Las Gachas, El Salitre is a pale grey color, resembling clay. Secondly, El Salitre's plunge pools are much larger than the ones at Las Gachas, with room for several people.

Further along the river, El Salitre opens into a swimming hole called La Gloria. Near La Gloria, you'll find a small restaurant and BBQ facilities, making for a great lunch spot.

El Salitre is free to visit. As the river is lesser-known than Las Gachas, it tends to be quieter than Las Gachas too.

Casa De La Cultura

There's not much to do in Guadalupe. However, one or two places do warrant a visit.

One is Casa de la Cultura. In the main square facing the town's main church, Guadalupe's house of culture is a small museum collating historical items, including photos, clothing, and household objects connected to the pueblo's past. The museum is lovingly run and maintained by those who call Guadalupe home.

Entrance to the museum is free. It's an essential stop if you want to learn more about the town and its past.

If you're lucky, your visit to Guadalupe may fall under one of the movie nights the museum organizes in the main square. These events are attended by most of the town.

Parque Principal Guadalupe

Colombia is dominated by central plazas and an adjacent church. In Guadalupe, this is Parque Principal Guadalupe and Parroquia Santuario Nuestra de Senora de Guadalupe. While there isn't anything to do in the square, bar a stop at the adjacent Casa de la Cultura, it's a great place to relax.

Surrounded by dozens of towering palm trees, the plaza is perfect for sitting back with some coffee and watching the world go by. The square is also the only place in Guadalupe with free public WiFi, so if you want to get some work done, this is the place to do it.

In a small town where international tourism is a new phenomenon, accommodation options are in short supply. Though a few stand out.

Casa Hostal La Quinta Porra

Casa Hostal La Quinta Porra is a popular option amongst travelers. Located just a block from the main square in an old building with modern interior and furnishings, much of what Guadalupe offers is easily accessible from the hostel.

The hostel is owned by a charming teacher named Cesar Tellaz. Cesar is a pleasant host, eager to engage with guests, and happy to lead guided tours to nearby attractions in his spare time.

Guests staying at La Quinta Porra enjoy a communal kitchen to make meals. Not to mention shared bathrooms, free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a common room area.

The hostel exclusively features private rooms priced at 25,000 COP. However, it is possible to pitch your own tent out back in the designated camping area for 10,000 COP.

If booking at La Quinta Porra, don't expect to find it on Hostelworld or Booking.com. You'll need to book via the hostel's Facebook page.

Hostal Donde Jose

Hostal Donde Jose is the original hostel in Guadalupe and is based just steps from the jeep drop-off in the town's main square.

Guests at Donde Jose benefit from free WiFi. There is also a communal kitchen to make your own meals, a fridge/freezer, laundry facilities, and an outdoor terrace.

The hostel is comprised of dormitories and private rooms. Dorms are small, geared towards sleeping just three people, and priced at 20,000 COP. Regarding private rooms, you can bag a standard room with a shared bathroom for only 20,000 COP. Alternatively, a six-bed family room is perfect for groups - priced at a reasonable 75,000 COP.

Hostal Donde Jose is owned by a chap called Jose Navarro, the only accredited guide in town and largely responsible for putting Guadalupe on the map. Those who visit Guadalupe nearly always reference Jose as one of the highlights of visiting this tiny pueblo.

He is a generous man, attentive and hospitable to guests. From his hostel, Jose runs several tours to hotspots in the local area, including Las Gachas, El Salitre, La Gloria, and La Llanera Cascada, to name but a few. He charges 50,000 COP for guided tours, though he is never pushy in promoting them.

Suppose you opt not to take a tour but still need some pointers. Jose will happily provide directions and information without expecting a peso in return.

Restaurant Bonanza

Restaurant Bonanza is another establishment under Jose Navarro's ownership; it's also the traveler's choice in Guadalupe. You'll find the restaurant on the corner of Parque Principal Guadalupe just a short walk from Jose's hostel, Hostel Donde Jose.

Bonanza is open for breakfast and lunch before closing relatively early in the evening. Expect meals to set you back by 12,000 COP.

For breakfast, expect scrambled eggs, arepa, cheese, and bread served with a hot drink.

Lunch and dinner are set menus featuring grilled meat, rice, plantains, and a salad served with juice. While meals are free of frills, they are of excellent quality, and it's hard to complain for such a modest price.

Omar Parilla

Omar Parilla is a town favorite. The restaurant is a few minutes from the square. It is renowned for its carnivorous dishes, though veggie options are available.

The restaurant is open from lunch through to dinner in the evenings. Before 6 PM, food is limited to snacks such as empanadas, sandwiches, and pizzas. While this selection is limited, it is still very well priced. You can expect to pay 6,000 COP for a filling lunch.

During the evenings, service is extended to accommodate a range of delicious burgers and meat dishes. If dining at Omar Parilla for dinner, you can expect to pay between 10,000-20,000 COP for main courses.

The restaurant also serves several drinks throughout the day. Coffee, both hot and iced, are available from 3,000 COP. Other iced drinks are available from 2,500-7,000 COP.

Temperatures in Guadalupe are consistent throughout the year. Averages sit at around 26ºC. That said, the weather in Guadalupe is prone to overcast skies year-round. July and August are the months least susceptible to grey skies.

If hoping to avoid Guadalupe's wet season, plan your visit between January-February and July-September.

Guadalupe is still obscure on the gringo trail. International tourists are few and far between, so there is no peak. However, the town is known much better amongst locals. You can expect weekends to be noticeably busier as Colombians head to the countryside for a short getaway.

The best months to visit Guadalupe are July and August. However, that won't align with many travelers' itineraries due to the climates in other, more popular destinations. If traveling through Colombia earlier in the year, aim to hit up Guadalupe sometime in February.

Our Map Of Guadalupe, Colombia