In brief
Nestled in the heart of the Santander mountains in Colombia, the village of Guane is one of those rare places where time seems to stand still. Less well known than its neighbor Barichara, this peaceful hamlet seduces visitors with its discreet charm, preserved authenticity and timeless atmosphere. There are no crowds or mass tourism here: Guane offers a quiet interlude, ideal for those seeking to reconnect with simplicity.
With its cobbled streets, white houses with terracotta roofs and mountain backdrop, the village has preserved its colonial architecture intact. But beyond its apparent tranquility, Guane is full of treasures. It is a place rich in history, marked by the indigenous culture of the Guanes, traces of which can be discovered in the village’s small archaeological museum. The famous Camino Real, a paved path linking Barichara to Guane, attracts hikers for its natural beauty and heritage value.
A visit to Guane reveals a rural Colombia that is sincere and deeply engaging. With its majestic landscapes, skilled craftsmanship and warm welcome from the locals, this discreet village is a veritable nugget to be explored without hurry.
Guane
- County: Santander (Andes)
- Founded: 1774
- Altitude: 885 m
- Climate: warm and temperate
- Population: 420
- Safety: very safe
- Recommended duration: 1 afternoon
- Direct access: Barichara, San Gil
Our opinion: the little Barichara ★
Guane, a tiny village that looks like a miniature replica of its illustrious neighbor Barichara, seems frozen in time, nestled in the Santander mountains. With its few quiet streets and white houses lined with silence, it offers a discreet, almost secretive charm. Barichara, in fact, is the ideal starting point for getting there – whether aboard a chiva, a brightly-colored wooden bus, or by taking the mythical Camino Real, a hike as beautiful as it is historic. Most visitors make only a short stopover in Guane, just for a day, before hitting the road again. And the truth is, that’s often enough. The village is tiny, quickly explored and relatively isolated from the transport network. Yet Guane is well worth the detour. Its atmosphere is one of rare tranquillity, and the flow of tourists is almost non-existent – when we visited, we were the only ones strolling around the small, beautifully-kept central square. There, with a coffee or a cool drink in hand, we savor the calm and breathe. The view of the Andes from the mirador completes this gentle and simple interlude. For anyone spending several days in Barichara, a trip to Guane is a must.
When to visit Guane: Guane can be visited at any time of year.
Tourist numbers in Guane: tourist numbers in Guane remain low, offering a peaceful, authentic atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of Barichara. The village mainly attracts hikers on the Camino Real, often for day visits, which limits the constant influx of visitors. With few tourist facilities and unspoilt rural charm, Guane appeals to travellers in search of tranquillity, nature and heritage. Even in high season, the village retains a serene atmosphere, ideal for discovering Colombia off the beaten track.
Climate in Guane: the climate in the Guane region is characterized by alternating wet and dry seasons, with more frequent rainfall between April and May, and again between September and October. These rainy episodes give way to milder periods, notably from June to August and from November to February. Nevertheless, due to the instability typical of areas close to the equator, a sudden downpour can still occur, even when the weather seems fine. As for temperatures, Guane enjoys a mild, pleasant climate all year round, with generally sunny days and highs around 28°C.
Legend: Blue: transport terminal – Yellow: activities & visits – Orange: restaurants
History of Guane
Long before it was a peaceful hamlet, Guane was the heart of a brilliant indigenous civilization that left a deep imprint on the region’s cultural identity. Today, this village steeped in history, nestled in the Andean heights, blends pre-Columbian memory, colonial heritage and rural authenticity, along its trails, traditions and flavours.
The indigenous Guane civilization
Before the Spanish conquest, the Guanes were a people of the Chibcha family, settled on the Jéridas plateau, today located in the department of Santander, mainly in the present-day territories of Los Santos, Jordán, Cabrera, Barichara and Curití. Their society was structured into caciquats, headed by a supreme chief called Guanentá (or Guane), with local caciques reporting to him. They lived in scattered hamlets, with no private property: each tribe managed its territory collectively.
The Guane language, now extinct, belonged to the Chibcha family. Long associated with the Muisca language, it may in fact have come from migratory groups from the Orinoco (plains east of Colombia and extending into Venezuela) or the Venezuelan coast. This language rapidly died out after the arrival of the Spanish.
The Guane economy was agricultural and self-sufficient. Corn was the main staple, transformed into mazamorra, bread, cakes, arepas and ritual chicha. They also cultivated cassava, potatoes, plantains, beans, cocoa and other crops. Cotton was used for clothing and matrimonial dowries. Women wove traditional fique skirts, capes and bags, while pottery provided jars, utensils and ritual objects. Unfamiliar with metallurgy, they used tools made of hardwood or carved flint.
Spiritually, their worldview was animistic (a way of perceiving the world in which everything that exists – living beings, objects, natural elements, phenomena – is endowed with a soul, a spirit or some form of consciousness). They worshipped idols in shrines, later destroyed by the Spanish. Cranial deformation was common, perhaps linked to beauty or warrior status. Marriage was exogamous, with dowry in cloth or jewels, and chiefs could have several wives.
Funeral rites were complex: mummification, burials with offerings, secondary burials (bones placed in decorated urns), accompanied by feasting and chicha. A plant (fique) was planted on the grave, marking the sacred link to the earth and the ancestors.
Politically, the Guanes were not members of the Muisca confederation, although they shared the Chibcha culture. Their neighbors were the Yariguíes, with whom they had frequent conflicts. The Suárez River marked the border with other territories. Until colonization, the Guanes maintained their own identity.
Spanish colonization and its effects
First contact with the Spaniards dates back to 1530-1540, when Captain Martín Galeano conquered the Guane province in 1540. He followed the Suárez valley and appropriated the land for the Spanish Crown. A strong resistance, notably led by the cacique Chanchón, was broken by geographical constraints.
The Spaniards then set up native camps, villages under Church control. The
The demographic effects were catastrophic: European epidemics, wars, forced labor in mines (such as the Río del Oro) and haciendas.
Several new colonial villages appear. The most important was Barichara, officially founded in 1742. Móncora was renamed Guane, and became a jurisdiction in 1774.
Evangelization intensified, notably by the Jesuits and Dominicans. Although
Politically, Guane became part of the New Kingdom of Granada. After the decline of mining, the economy is based on agricultural haciendas. Land was distributed among settlers. Afterindependence, Guane was a modest village, integrated into Barichara in 1888, losing its autonomy and several of its hamlets.
About the village of Guane
Today, Guane retains a strong cultural identity. The village is renowned for its craft traditions, indigenous gastronomy and, above all, its Archaeological and Paleontological Museum, where you can admire pre-Hispanic ceramics and a Guane tomb dating from 1658. The indigenous past lives on in this peaceful Andean village.
The Camino Real between Barichara and Guane
The Camino Real is a historic paved path linking Barichara to Guane. Originally laid out by the indigenous Guane people, it was restored in 1864 by the German engineer George von Lengerke. Between 5.5 and 6 km long, it can be walked in around 2 hours. Classified as a National Monument in 1977, this trail offers a gentle hike with spectacular views of the Suárez River canyon. Along the way, you can observe local potters, vineyards and herds of goats. At the halfway point there’s a popular private lookout, the “Mirador de la Piedra”, where you can take a break and drink a fresh juice. Good footwear, light clothing, a hat, sunscreen and plenty ofwater are recommended.
Nature and views
Guane is surrounded by an arid landscape of tropical dry forest and rock formations. The views from the Camino Real and the surrounding area are breathtaking: the Saravita quebrada, a tributary of the Río Suárez, flows below, and the Yariguíes mountains rise up in the distance. Tropical birds such as garrapateros and caracaras can often be seen, as can butterflies flitting between cacti and shrubs. The soil is teeming with marine fossils – snails, petrified turtles – relics of a time when this region was covered by the sea. The “Mirador de la Piedra ” is undoubtedly one of the best viewpoints, with a broad perspective over the valley as far as Barichara. Other secondary trails take you on to La Fuente or Villanueva, through gallery forests and agricultural areas.
Crafts and traditions
The Guane heritage lives on in local craftsmanship.
Typical gastronomy
Guane cuisine, like that of the whole of Santander, is based on peeled corn and goat. Flagship dishes includearepa santandereana(peeled corn pancake) and mazamorra limpia, a thick soup made with corn, pork chops, potatoes and beans. Roasted cabrito is another classic: young goat meat marinated ingarlic, cumin and annatto, then slow-roasted. It is often accompanied by pepitoria(stewed offal with rice, egg and peas), fried manioc or onion and coriander salad. For dessert, enjoy goat’s milk sweets or sabajón(homemade liqueur). During the rainy season(March to May), the famous hormigas culonas are harvested: giant ants roasted with salt, considered an aphrodisiac delicacy.
What to see and do in Guane
In Guane
The village of Guane, with just a few streets, has a timeless atmosphere and well-preserved colonial charm. Despite its small size, it has many points of interest, beyond its picturesque streets that give the impression of going back in time.
Parque Principal
The Parque Principal de Guane is the heart of the village, a peaceful spot surrounded by white houses with red-tiled roofs. Lined with benches and trees, the square is dominated by the Santa Lucía church. It’s the ideal place to soak up the village’s tranquil atmosphere, observe local life and admire the typical colonial architecture.
Parroquia San Isidro
The Parroquia San Isidro de Guane, also known as the Santa Lucía church, dates back to 1622. It features traditional stone architecture with a wooden roof, reflecting the region’s colonial heritage. The church houses a venerated image of Saint Lucia, the patron saint, and is a popular place of pilgrimage, particularly on December 13.
Museo Arquelógico y Paleontológico
On the eastern side of the main square stands the Archaeological and Paleontological Museum, founded in 1970 by the priest Isaías Ardila Díaz. This fascinating site houses thousands of years’ worth of marine fossils, as well as a collection of objects that once belonged to the Guane people: pottery, necklaces and funerary urns in 3 rooms.
10,000 COP / person
Open daily from 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00
Mirador
The mirador de Guane offers breathtaking views of the surrounding green valleys and Andean mountains, including the Río Suárez canyon. It’s a peaceful spot, ideal for taking a break, contemplating the landscape or enjoying a fresh juice. At dawn or dusk, the light is particularly magical.
Free
Always open
Around Guane
In the vicinity of the village of Guane, you can follow ancient paths steeped in history, the famous “caminos reales“, remnants of the traditional roads that once linked the villages of the region.
Caminos reales: This term refers to the ancient main roads built during the Spanish colonial era, linking cities, colonies and the most remote regions of the empire. In the Santander region, these trails were first traced by the indigenous Guanes before being used by settlers, and then rehabilitated around 1860 by foreign merchants such as the German Geo von Lengerke. He turned them into genuine trade routes, facilitating the transport of products such as tobacco, cotton, cinchona, hats and gold. Today, these historic trails have become popular hiking routes.
Camino real Guane – Zapatoca
The Camino Real between Guane and Zapatoca is an old colonial trail through spectacular landscapes of tropical dry forest, deep valleys and rock formations. Less frequented than the Barichara trail, it is longer and more demanding, ideal for seasoned hikers (ascent +2300m°). This trail links two villages rich in history, culture and tradition.
Free, easily done alone with Google Maps or Maps.me
Distance: 45km / Duration (one way): 18h / Difficulty: difficult
Camino real Guane – Barichara
The Camino Real between Guane and Barichara is an ancient cobbled trail of some 6 km, first traced by the indigenous Guanes and then restored in the 19th century. It offers an accessible walk, punctuated by spectacular Andean landscapes, cacti and majestic viewpoints. This is one of Santander’s most emblematic hikes, ideal for discovering local history and nature.
Free, easily done alone with Google Maps or Maps.me
Distance: 6km / Duration (one way): 2h / Difficulty: medium
How to get to Guane ?
Guane is only accessible by public transport from the nearby village of Barichara and the town of San Gil. As a result, no direct routes are available from cities such as Armenia, Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali, Medellín or Santa Marta.
The nearest airport to Guane is Bucaramanga Airport (BGA), 50 km away.
Getting to Guane from Barichara on foot (camino real): if you’re staying in Barichara, the most pleasant option for getting to Guane is undoubtedly to walk along the famous Camino Real. This ancestral paved path, about 6 kilometers long, descends through the Andean hills and offers superb panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains. The hike lasts between 1h30 and 2h, depending on your pace, and is a wonderful immersion in nature and local history, as the path was laid out in colonial times, and even much earlier, by the indigenous peoples. We strongly recommend that you do the route in the direction Barichara → Guane: most of the route is downhill, making it more accessible even to casual walkers. In the other direction (Guane → Barichara), the climb can be quite strenuous, especially in the sunshine.
Getting to Guane from Barichara by bus
| Company | Cotrasangil |
| Departures | Every 45 minutes from 07:00 to 17:10 |
| Departure point | Parque Principal de Barichara (carrera 6) |
| Arrival | Parque Principal de Guane (calle 7) |
| Duration | Approx. 15 minutes |
| Route type | Direct |
| Price (one-way) | 3,000 COP / person |
Buses returning to Barichara depart every 45 minutes from 07:30 to 17:30, still at the Parque Principal de Guane (calle 7).
Getting to Guane from San Gil by bus
| Company | Cotrasangil |
| Departures | 07h00 – 08h30 – 10h10 – 13h00 – 14h30 – 16h10 |
| Departure point | Terminalito de San Gil |
| Arrival | Parque Principal de Guane (calle 7) |
| Duration | Approx. 1 |
| Route type | Direct |
| Price (one-way) | 10,000 COP / person |
Where to sleep in Guane?
To get the most out of the region, we recommend you move to Barichara, the neighboring village of Guane. Larger and better served, Barichara offers an equally charming setting, but with a much wider range of activities, both in the village itself and in the surrounding area. You’ll find more choice of accommodation, restaurants, local crafts and cultural points of interest. It’s also an excellent starting point for exploring the region: public transport is more accessible and frequent here, making it easier to get to other villages, including Guane. The latter, while adorable and full of character, remains more isolated and limited in terms of tourist infrastructure. So, staying in Barichara offers a good balance between comfort, discovery and authenticity, while still allowing you to visit Guane easily, whether on foot via the Camino Real or by local bus.
LEARN MORE
$ – Economical budgeting
Hostal
Casa Nacuma
Run by Camilo, this small hostel has a peaceful, family atmosphere, with 4-bed dormitories or private rooms. Camilo is also full of good advice for a top stay.
$ – Economical budgeting
Hostal
NOMAD Hostal
Guests praise the peaceful setting in the heart of nature (2 km outside the village), the warm welcome from the staff, the comfort, the beauty of the location, the delicious food and the excellent value for money.
$$ – Average budget
Hotel
Achiotte by Masaya
Well-located hotel with friendly French-speaking staff, comfortable rooms, delicious breakfast and refreshing pool, perfect for recharging your batteries.
$$ – Average budget
Hotel
Hotel Casa del Marques de Bahiachala
Small hotel in a well-kept colonial house with a lovely patio for breakfast. Rooms are simple but clean and rather spacious.
$$$ – High budget
Hotel
Posada del Campanario
Superb hotel in a typical house, perfectly refurbished and subtly decorated, 1min from the main square, but still quiet. The local breakfast is fantastic.
$$$ – High budget
Hotel
Casa Guatí
Beautiful, fairly recent hotel on the outskirts of Barichara (10 minutes from the center), with a swimming pool and lovely views. Very good restaurant and attentive staff offering a number of activities/tours (extra charge).
Where to eat in Guane
Eating out in Guane is an experience as peaceful and authentic as the village itself. This little corner of Santander, renowned for its tranquil atmosphere and colonial beauty, isn’t full of chic restaurants and trendy cafés – and that’s precisely what makes it so charming. Here, meals are served with simplicity, generosity and a real taste for the local.
Although Guane is a modest destination – and many travelers only stop here for a few hours – it’s well worth taking the time to sit in the shade of a porch, order a fresh juice and enjoy a good Santander dish. Whether you want to try cabrito, peeled corn arepas, a good sancocho or simply a peasant coffee facing the mountains, the village is full of little culinary nuggets that enrich the travel experience. In this article, we share with you our best addresses for eating well in Guane, and make your visit a gourmet getaway.
Hormigas culonas: Hormigas culonas, or “big-bottomed ants” in French, are a typically Colombian gastronomic curiosity, particularly widespread in the Santander and Tolima regions. They are large winged ants(Atta laevigata), grilled or fried, and eaten as a crunchy snack, often accompanied by a glass of beer, or as an unusual souvenir to take home. Harvested by hand during the rainy season, these insects are prized for their high protein content and unique texture. Surprising at first glance, they offer a surprisingly pleasant taste in the mouth, somewhere between roasted hazelnut and roasted cocoa – yes, we tasted it! A daring culinary experience for the more curious.
