From Cúcuta To Bucaramanga: Chicamocha, San Gil & Barichara Adventure

Travel has a funny way of rewriting your plans the moment your feet hit the ground. What started as a simple three-day getaway from Cúcuta to Bucaramanga turned into a whirlwind journey through mountain passes, colonial towns, lush canyons, miscommunications, perfect meals, adrenaline-filled activities, and an unexpected midnight return home. Bucaramanga, San Gil, Barichara — each place left its mark, reshaping our trip into something far more memorable than anything we could have intentionally planned.

This is the real story of what unfolded.

Table of Contents

Leaving Cúcuta at Dawn

Our adventure from Cucuta to Bucaramanga, began on December 3rd, well before the sun had fully warmed the city. At 6:30 a.m., we headed to the bus station for our 7:30 departure. The bus itself? No complaints — comfortable, clean, and steady. But after about 15 minutes, we pulled into another stop and remained there for what felt like an eternity.

We eventually realized we were in Los Patios, a more upscale, organized neighborhood compared to central Cúcuta. At first, the long wait was frustrating, but I actually enjoyed observing the early-morning rhythms of the town — the commuters, the vendors, the traffic. Colombia has a way of turning even a delay into a moment of cultural immersion.

Once we finally got moving, the real beauty began.

Climbing Through the Mountains: Pamplona, Berlin & the High Andes

The road wound upward as we left Norte de Santander behind. We passed through Pamplona, a charming university town draped in cool mountain air, then continued toward Berlin, where the landscape shifted dramatically. At one point, we reached elevations of 11,700 feet. The temperature dropped sharply, and although we weren’t dressed for cold weather, the daylight made it tolerable.

We stopped for almuerzo at a roadside restaurant — the kind of rustic, authentic place that Colombia does so well. A hearty meal, breathtaking mountain scenery, and crisp air made the stop memorable.

Driving onward, we saw expansive green valleys, cows grazing on steep hills, and indigenous faces that reminded me of Peru. It was surreal — a little Andean world all its own.

Arriving in Bucaramanga

Around 2:30 p.m., we rolled into Bucaramanga, often called La Ciudad Bonita — the Beautiful City. We checked into our Airbnb, which happened to be right in the middle of a lively, well-located area with stunning views.

After settling in, we set out to explore nearby sights. Our first stop was Parque San Pío, home to Fernando Botero’s famous bronze sculpture “La Mujer de Pie Desnuda.” From there, we headed to Megamall, where my wife and her son discovered a small ice-skating rink. Neither had ever skated before, so they had a blast slipping, sliding, laughing, and capturing their first experience on the ice.

While they skated, I did what many travelers do: found a casino and donated a little money to the local economy.

After that, we grabbed dinner (I still need to reference the name), then returned to the apartment to rest for the excitement awaiting us the next day.

Flying Over Ruitoque: Our First Paragliding Experience

The next morning, we found a breakfast spot right next door — quick, easy, and perfect before the adventure ahead.

We were booked for Parapente Ruitoque. It was the first time any of us had ever gone paragliding. The weather was perfect, the winds cooperative, and the views over the canyon were nothing short of spectacular.

Floating through the air felt almost unreal — peaceful, exhilarating, and deeply memorable. Easily one of the highlights of the entire trip.

After landing, we grabbed an Uber back toward the city. The driver who picked us up struck up a conversation, hung around a bit, and wasted some of our time with small disagreements, but it all worked out. Travel always comes with characters.

Parque del Agua: Bucaramanga’s Christmas Spirit

Later that evening, we visited Parque del Agua, one of the many reasons Bucaramanga is known as the City of Parks. December transforms the park into a festive, illuminated wonderland. Colombians love Christmas deeply, and it shows — lights, colors, music, and families everywhere enjoying the season.

The park was smaller than we expected, but the charm was undeniable. After exploring, hunger set in, and what followed was one of the best food decisions of the entire trip.

Gordo’s Burger: A Serious Surprise

We checked out several restaurant options but kept striking out — either the menu didn’t appeal or the food wasn’t available. Finally I said, “Let’s just go to this place Gordo’s Burger.” It looked like an old school burger joint in the United States.

And thank God we did.

Colombia isn’t exactly famous for hamburgers, but Bucaramanga is known for high-quality beef and chicken. These burgers proved it. Juicy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned — easily one of the best burgers I’ve had in Colombia. I’d put up with In & Out Burger or Five Guys in the U.S.

This place is an absolute must-recommend.

This trip wasn’t just about traveling from Cucuta to Bucaramanga. The next morning, our pre-arranged driver — someone my wife coordinated entirely in Spanish — picked us up from the Airbnb. Her fluency is a blessing, because after five years of traveling here, the Spanish still hasn’t fully sunk in for me.

Our driver Cesar turned out to be not just transportation, but a mini-tour guide. Friendly, knowledgeable, and proud of his region, he shared stories, facts, and insights as we made our way through Floridablanca, Piedecuesta, Aratoca, Mesa de Los Santos (coffee or cafe) with stops at Mercado Campesin0 and onward toward the Chicamocha Canyon.

Eventually, he dropped us at the bottom of Chicamocha National Park, often called South America’s Grand Canyon. And it truly lives up to the name. Speaking of names, our driver Cesar was excellent and I highly recommend. He was referred to us from a gentleman from the Parapente place, who turned out to be the owner of the business. Cesar picked us up promptly at 7:30 a.m. and the journey began.

We had planned on taking a bus to San Gil but this situation turned out to be so much better. It’s not only a good thing my wife is Colombian and speaks Spanish, she’s also quite attractive. We would have paid roughly $30 dollars, for three people on a bus and pay for a separate trip to Chicamocha with other transportation logistics versus basically a private tour visiting more sites and stops with more flexibilty for about $500000 pesos ($130 usd) plus we bought Cesar lunch (Almuezar).

Chicamocha National Park: Canyons, Cable Cars & Comedy

To reach the main park, you take a cable car across the canyon — a long, scenic ride offering jaw-dropping views. Once on the other side, we explored the park’s cultural exhibits, viewpoints, and historical displays.

My wife’s son did a bungee-style jump, then all three of us tried a short zipline. That’s where things got interesting. Because I didn’t understand the instructions in Spanish, I ended up going first. The ride was smooth… but the landing? Let’s just say it was a cartoonish crash-into-the-mat moment. No injuries, but definitely a memory.

We continued exploring the park until the driver picked us up and took us to a restaurant overlooking the canyon — stunning views, delicious food. He continued sharing local knowledge the whole way, and I was honestly impressed. Having worked in tourism for years, I can confidently say he delivered excellent service.

He dropped us at San Gil Plaza, a modern mall with residences attached, where our Airbnb was located. Perfect setup for the night.

A Day Trip to Barichara — One of Colombia’s Most Beautiful Towns

The next morning, after breakfast, we caught a taxi for the short ride to Barichara, often called the most beautiful pueblo in Colombia. The drive itself felt like being on a Hawaiian island — lush hillsides, remote restaurants perched in the middle of nowhere, and warm breezes.

Once in town, we headed to El Puntal, a restaurant recommended by one of my video guys. He had gone there for the inexpensive lunch of the day. We arrived later, so the menu was different, but no matter — the food was outstanding, the ambiance perfect, and the view unforgettable.

After lunch, we explored the main square and visited the central church before taking a tuk-tuk up to a cliffside viewpoint with sweeping landscapes that looked like they belonged in a painting.

Barichara at dusk is magical — warm lights, colonial charm, and that peaceful vibe small Colombian towns do so well.

We caught a taxi back to San Gil for our final night.

A Relaxed Final Morning in San Gil

We checked out at 11:00 a.m. and had time to explore before our 3:30 p.m. bus. We crossed the bridge into downtown, wandered through the plaza filled with artisans and local vendors, and visited another beautiful church.

Eventually, we settled at the mall again, found spaghetti (something we’d been craving), and waited for departure time.

That’s when the adventure took an unexpected turn.

The Return Trip That Wasn’t What We Expected

On this trip from Cucuta to Bucaramanga, we thought we had a direct return to Cúcuta. Instead, after about two hours, the bus stopped, and they told us to get off and board another. Only then did we realize we were back in Bucaramanga.

From there, we switched buses again and retraced the same mountain route we had taken days earlier — including the freezing high-altitude stop for dinner.

By the time we rolled into Cúcuta, it was 1:30 in the morning. Exhausted, cold, and ready for bed, we finally made it home.

Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Imperfect Travel

Well, the trip from Cucuta to Bucaramanga wasn’t the exact trip we planned — it was better.

Paragliding over Ruitoque, wandering through Bucaramanga’s parks, discovering the best burgers in the city, crossing a canyon by cable car, exploring one of Colombia’s most beautiful pueblos, and returning home at 1:30 a.m. after an unexpected series of bus transfers… it’s the kind of trip that reminds you why travel matters.

Not everything goes smoothly. Not every plan works. But the surprises, the missteps, and the unplanned moments are often what make the best stories.

And this journey — from Cúcuta to Bucaramanga to Chicamocha to San Gil to Barichara and pueblos in between — became one of our most memorable Colombian adventures yet.

If you’re in the area and need a good driver/tour guide, reach out to Cesar @ +57 314 226-1057