TOURISM: Santander

The National Natural Park Serranía de Los Yariguíes is located on the West side of the Cordillera Oriental, in the colombian department of Santander. The Serranía de los Yariguíes shows a landscape with various contrasts: rainforests, dry forests, environments ranging from subtropical to moor, etc.

For that reason, this is a protected area, of special interest for the biodiversity conservation. It’s especially important the large amount and diversity of birds: about the 54% of the birds that are known in Colombia, they are in this park. There are, actually, activities that alter the habitat and threat the biodiversity, such as the hunting, ranching, and agriculture.

Also, we can visit the Santuario de fauna y flora Guanenta Alto Río Fonce, another beautiful National Natural Park. It’s located between two departments of Colombia: Boyacá and Santander. Ecosystems that exist in this park are: Andean forest and moor. It has approximately 28 species of frailejones, plants native to the moors of the South American Andes; of which 13 are endemic. It has a considerable number of bird species, too.

The Santuario de fauna y flora Guanenta serves as a natural refuge for vulnerable or endangered species, such as partridge, deer, the spectacled bear, some primates, tapirs and ocelots.

The Parque Nacional del Chicamocha is one of the most visited tourist places in Santander. It’s 54 km. from Bucaramanga, the principal city of the department. It has different places and attractions to foster the values, landscapes and culture from this region of Colombia (Santander).

Its principal attraction is the Chicamocha’s Cableway that crosses the Chicamocha Canyon. Other attractions are the ice rink, the park of ostriches, the monument to the “Santandereanidad”, paragliding, canoeing, etc.

We hope you are encouraged to visit these interesting and diverse National Parks of Santander.