Valledupar, the capital city of Cesar department in the north of Colombia, is a small city in a gorgeous and privileged location sandwiched between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serrania de Perija mountains. It is famous for vallenato music, the insistent, accordion-led songs which you will undoubtedly hear emanating from every bar and bus in Colombia’s Caribbean north. However, there is more to the city than just music; Valledupar is surrounded by gorgeous mountains, icy cold rivers laden with huge rounded boulders, and is home to a pretty little colonial center as well. So here is a photo gallery to hopefully convince you to add Valledupar to your Colombia itinerary next time you’re up north…
Chris
Sara Osti on
Hey Chris!!! I am about to accept a job offer in Valledupar, but I would like to hear from someone that has already been there. I have read in other blogs negative comments so I d like to know a bit more.
Thank you in advance
Chris on
Hi Sara, thanks for your comment. Personally I have always liked Valledupar and have visited 3 times. The cities’ main selling point is it’s location: the access to the Sierra Nevada, beautiful rivers and mountains etc. is wonderful, and the Vallenato culture in the city is great fun. There are sketchy parts, like any city, but you won’t have any issue making friends with the people, they’re really friendly. You can email me at [email protected] and we can talk in more detail there.
Joe Teven on
Hi Chris,
I cant find much info on Valledupar which is annoying and exciting at the same time! Do you think there are day/two day hikes with a guide / easy accessible route in the near by mountains ?
Cheers
Joe
Chris on
Hi Joe,
It’s true, Valledupar isn’t the most well-represented place for tourist information! We’re trying to change that post-by-post! The best trips from the city are to indigenous villages and swimming spots at local rivers – La Mina, Rio Badillo, Atanquez for example. In terms of trying to organize guides or longer trips I would contact Hostel Provincia in Valledupar – as the only real backpacker spot in town they should be a good source of that info.
Let me know if you have any more questions, and enjoy Valledupar!
Chris