Popayán

Popayán (pronounced: Po - pa - 'yan) is a colonial-era city in southwestern Colombia. It is the capital of the Cauca department.

Understand
The city was founded in 1537 by Sebastian de Belalcazar. Because of its beautiful colonial houses, it is known as the "white city". Popayan has played a major role in Colombia's history dating back to the early days of the Spanish conquest and into the 20th century. A number of Colombian presidents were born in Popayan including, most recently, Guillermo Leon Valencia from 1962 to 1966. Other well-known citizens include Francisco Jose de Caldas (1768-1816) and Camilo Torres (1766-1816). Popayán has one of Colombia's oldest universities: the Universidad del Cauca, founded in 1827. The university is well known throughout the country for its Law School, Medical School, and its Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering programs. Nowadays around 220,000 people live in the city.

By plane
Popayan's airport does not have heavy traffic but you can reach the city by air. There are about four daily flights from Bogota to Popayan and vice versa. The airport is open between 6AM and 6PM. There are no flights between Cali and Popayan. The airport in the neighbouring city of Cali (100-minute car ride) serves many domestic and international destinations.

By bus
There are numerous bus companies available. One of the most reliable bus operators is Expreso Bolivariano. Avoid Expreso Puerto Tejada and Expreso Palmira. There is significant guerrilla activity in the countryside near Popayan and it can be risky to travel by land during periods of disturbance if you are not a local. There are daily buses from the border town of Ipiales.
 * from Cali: COP$25,000, 3 hours (Oct 2023)
 * from Armenia: COP$40,000, 7 hours (several a day)
 * from Medellin: COP$60,000, 11 hours (7PM, 8PM, 1AM)
 * from San Agustín: COP$40,000, 5 hours (six a day)
 * from Tierradentro: COP$30,000, 4 hours (5AM, 8AM, 10:30AM, 1PM, 3PM)
 * from Pasto: COP$50,000, roughly 6-7 hours (Oct 2023)
 * from Ipiales: COP$25,000 - 40,000, 7-8 hours (better during the day) - Many buses leave in the early morning.

Get around
Popayan is a small city and it is an easy 10-15 minute walk between the bus station and the centre. The historical centre is fairly compact and best explored on foot. Taxis are plentiful and can bring you at the bus terminal for around COP$3,000.

See
Since Popayan was a seat of power during Spanish colonial times, there are numerous architectural gems in the city. Some of the most impressive are, naturally, churches. Do not miss:



As for government buildings the Gobernacion and the Universidad del Cauca have excellent colonial premises. Also you can see other older religious traditions like of the Amo Jesus Nazareno of Puelenje is a Catholic image, that is worshiped in the temple of Puelenje, district of Popayan, Colombia. Patron Saint of this place. It is a polychrome wood sculpture of Jesus Christ of the eighteenth century made ​​in the Quito school. Is Baroque. The image also scrolls the Holy Wednesday. In the processions of Holy Week in Popayán that are inscribed in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.This religious festival is celebrated by the natives of Puelenje for 15 days, where there are fireworks, processions, religious ceremonies and cultural events as the Chirimia.

Do
The city is world-renowned for its Easter celebrations, or the Semana Santa. In fact, the celebrations are the second largest in the world (after Seville, Spain) and are a major sight! Every night during Semana Santa, there are processions in the streets and tens of thousands of people line the sidewalks to watch as floats pass by with religious motifs. The floats are carried on the shoulders of human volunteers. It's a great honour to be selected for the Semana Santa processions but the floats can weigh up to 500 kg and so dislocated shoulders are frequent. It's a major cultural event that is witnessed by people from all over the country.

Buy
You can buy some handicrafts. They are specially made by Guambiano Indians.

Eat


In 2005, Popayan became the first city to be designated a City of Gastronomy as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. For cheap and genuine food, try the market near Plaza Bolivar, north of the Puente del Humilladero. Meals from COP$5,000.


 * Carantanta: A kind of chip typical from the Cauca departement made from corn, It can be eaten with a soup.
 * Pipian: A sauce made from peanuts. Can be served with tamales or very small "empanadas", which are potato doughnuts.
 * Champús: Drink made from crushed maize, in addition to panela, lulo, pineapple, cinnamon, cloves and leaves of the orange tree.
 * Manjar Blanco or Payanés: a typical sweet cream made from milk, sugar and rice.
 * Manjarillo: dulce de leche with panela (unrefined whole cane sugar).
 * Dulce cortado de leche: another variation of dulce de leche with cloves and cinnamon.
 * Breva Calada: dessert made of figs cooked with panela served on top of white cheese. Usually made for Christmas.
 * Helado de Paila: Ice cream made in a large shallow and heavy copper bowl.
 * Envuelto: Corn cake wrapped in a plantain leef. Can be eaten with cheese.
 * Rosquilla: the Popayan version of the donut.

Vegetarian option:

Stay safe
Popayán is in Cauca, which was considered one of the most dangerous departments in Colombia in 2011. In 2011 several car bombs rocked central Popayán, with the authorities blaming local armed and mafia groups for the actions. stay alert for information regarding drug traffickers, guerrillas and paramilitaries, as this city and its surroundings sees the presence of countless armed groups.

Drink
Aguardiente caucano is a drink based on Anis and it has some degrees of alcohol. It's the favorite drink in informal parties.

Sleep

 * There is a lot of budget accommodation in Carrera 6, just across the Puente del Humilladero, north of the Rio Molino.
 * There is a lot of budget accommodation in Carrera 6, just across the Puente del Humilladero, north of the Rio Molino.
 * There is a lot of budget accommodation in Carrera 6, just across the Puente del Humilladero, north of the Rio Molino.
 * There is a lot of budget accommodation in Carrera 6, just across the Puente del Humilladero, north of the Rio Molino.
 * There is a lot of budget accommodation in Carrera 6, just across the Puente del Humilladero, north of the Rio Molino.
 * There is a lot of budget accommodation in Carrera 6, just across the Puente del Humilladero, north of the Rio Molino.

Go next

 * Coconuco, one hour from Popayan, this small town offers the Hirviendos hot springs. HostelTrail (see Sleep) also runs the most popular trip in Popayan which is a downhill cycling trip to Aguas Hirviendos.  The tour leaves at 10PM from HostelTrail and returns at around 3-4PM in the afternoon.
 * Puracé National Natural Park, a national park two hours from Popayan, where it is possible to trek to the top of the Purace volcano or look for Andean wildlife. The bus leaves for the park at 5am from the main station.
 * Salvajina
 * Silvia, about one hour from Popayan, in the land of the Guambiano Indians. There is a spectacular market there on Tuesdays.
 * San Agustin, a small town with dozens of pre-Colombian statues, waterfalls and beautiful views can be reached in about 5 hours (COP$40,000).