Bucaramanga - Review

Bucaramanga, Lonely Planet guide book says that there is not much to do here. It is mostly filled with college students and partying. Well they are right about the the college students and partying. There is a bit to do in Bucaramanga despite what the guide book says. Here are some places to check out:

Centro

Centro is a the financial and busy area of Bucaramanga. It is busy during the day and even more busy during Noon time. You can take a the Metrolinea (Metro Bus system of Bucaramanga) and stopping at the San Mateo stop. Afterwards walk eastward (right) on Calle 35. On this street is a lot of street vendors. I love markets, they are great photo opportunities. Also a lot of street food can be found here as well.

Once you walk down Calle 35 you will come across Parque Santader. It is a small park where you can relax. Across the street is a large cathedral named Catedral De La Sagrada Familia. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Bucaramanga. Take peak inside, it is a view to look at.

If you walk up Carrera 19 (right where the cathedral is) you will come across Parque Centenario and Right across Santander Theatre.

You can walk a few blocks and walk back down Calle 35 and stop to grab something to eat on the way to Plaza Luis Carlos Galan, which is between Carrera 12 and Carrera 11. There is a lot to see around here including the Cathedral San Laureano. There are a lot of people walking around, sitting and relaxing as well, especially in Parque Garcia Rovira. The park was lined with palm trees which seemed a bit out of place, but made it quaint.

Carrera 33 and Around

To the east of Carrera 33 is the area known as Cabaccera, a very posh area of Bucaramanga. There is a not a lot here. It reminds me of Bel Aire in Las Angeloe, mostly nice houses in mountainous tree coverage. As an American the houses were just like any nice suburb, but to Colombians the area is posh. There is the college UNAB lose by and the walk around the area is very nice.

Closer to Carrera 33 and not far from Cabaccera is Parque San Pio. The park is very nice and lush and around are a lot of very nice hotels. A great area to stay for most travelers. The hotels here are for those with a larger budget. As you walk up north you will find a lot to eat and shop around here. Restaurants, bars and clubs line Carrera 33. At night this area lights up with the nightlife.

Parque De Agua

An over rated park, mostly designed for kids. Gorgeous photos can be taken here night. The hours here are very limited. It is north of Carrera 33 on Carrera 34 (which splits off of 33). Close by on Carrera 33A is a gigantic megamall.

Paragliding

Want something fun and exciting with a great view? Or perhaps you want to pee your pants with fear and get sick. A great way to do either would to paraglide over Bucaramanga. South of Bucaramanga is a small town of riouteque where you can come across Parque de Aguilas (Eagle Park) and parapante experts of Las Aguilas. Rates start at 50.000 pesos and go up based on more time wanted. Check out their website (in Spanish):

http://www.voladerolasaguilas.com.co

Chicamocha

A national park of Colombia, Chicamocha is part beauty of nature and part theme park. The park is based off of Chicamocha Canyon which is a large canyon equivalent to the Grand Canyon except it offers a small zoo, zip lines, paragliding and one of the largest cable cars in the world. The cable car takes you across the canyon to Panachi where there are shops and relaxing places to eat. The entrance to Chicamocha for tourists is 75.000 pesos. If you take a tour package from a tourism center you can take advantage of river rafting, paragliding and spelunking.

So these are just a few things some one can do in Bucaramanga. I only scratched the surface. There is much more small things in the outskirts some one can do. Like visit the foods of Floridablanca or even the quiet town of Giron to the west. And guide books mostly say to skip this area. So which of these many places interest you? Have you ever been to a great place that some one said it wasn’t worth going to? Let us know.

Erick Redcloud

A partially blind Graphic Designer, Freelance Travel Photographer, Artist, Buddhist and Vegetarian who loves to travel. Erick loves traveling by being with the locals and going off the beaten path. He is the founder and owner of Pathlesstravels and loves inspiring others to follow their dreams, whether it is to travel or something completely different. He started Pathlesstravels to hone is photography skills and to meet amazing people, and to help a friend break into journalism. Check out his photography at his link.