Popayán
ColombiaAw
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
"La Ciudad Blanca de Colombia" | "Colombia's White City"
Why visit
Popayán rewards travelers seeking colonial Colombia at its most refined, the Cathedral, San Francisco Church, the Puente del Humilladero bridge, the Colegio Mayor university, and excellent regional gastronomy (try carantanta, tamales de pipián, empanadas de pipián with peanut sauce). Holy Week (the four nights before Easter) draws pilgrims from across the country. June to September is the drier window. Use Popayán as a base for the Tierradentro and San Agustín pre-Columbian archaeological sites and the Purí-Caracol Coffee Triangle.
When to avoid
The wider Cauca department has had ongoing security issues from FARC dissidents and ELN guerrillas. Check current advisories and stick to the city and main tourist routes. The Coconuco hot springs road has had robbery incidents, go with a guide. The 1983 earthquake destroyed much of the colonial center. Most of what stands has been restored. Tap water is technically potable but most travelers stick to bottled.
