San Agustin Colombia Travel Guide (+ Map)
TL;DR
Our San Agustin travel guide has everything you need to unlock one of Colombia’s most intriguing UNESCO sites – ancient tombs, epic landscapes, and offbeat adventures included.
San Agustin might not strictly be on the beaten track of Colombia – but if you're into archaeology, ancient mysteries, and adventures, it's 100% worth it. This small Andean town is home to the largest collection of megalithic sculptures in Latin America, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a surprisingly chill vibe that history lovers and curious travellers will appreciate.
Travelling San Agustin can be a bit tricky: public transport options are limited and some of the most interesting sites are far apart. That’s exactly why we put together this guide – from how to get there and where to stay, to the must-see archaeological parks and the local spots you won’t want to miss. Whether you're already mapping out your Colombia itinerary or still wondering if San Agustin is worth the detour, we’ve got you covered.
San Agustin Travel Guide
San Agustin Colombia Map
Is San Agustin Worth Visiting?
San Agustín is definitely worth visiting – if you're into archaeology. The San Agustín Archaeological Park boasts the largest collection of megalithic sculptures and religious monuments in Latin America and is recognised as the world’s largest necropolis. The park's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site adds to its appeal for history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts. And don’t get us started about the other, lesser-explored archaeological sites in the area…
However, if ancient cultures, stone carvings, and historical puzzles don’t excite you, San Agustín might not be for you.
Where We Stayed in San Agustin
We stayed at Hostal Bambu and couldn't recommend it more highly. The location is super central, the staff is lovely and the rooms are comfy and have hot water. They have a communal kitchen and they also offer a delicious breakfast.
The highlight is the rooftop terrace with amazing views.
How to Get to San Agustin
Geographically, San Agustin is a logical stop in between the Tatacoa Desert and Popayan for everyone travelling southern Colombia – and so it was for us.
You’ll most likely arrive at the new bus terminal in San Agustin which feels like a scary post-apocalyptic no man’s land. Seriously, there’s nothing there. Not even taxis. Fortunately, our lovely accommodation ordered a driver to pick us up.
Tatacoa Desert to San Agustin
To get from the Tatacoa Desert to San Agustin, you first have to catch a minivan from Villavieja to Neiva. They run during the daylight hours and take around 1 hour.
Buses from Neiva to San Agustin run several times a day. The bus takes around 6 hours.
Popayan to San Agustin
The bus from Popayan to San Agustin takes around 4.5 hours on a very windy mountain road. Take medication if you’re prone to motion sickness, trust us.
Bogota to San Agustin
There are several direct buses from Bogota to San Agustin. The ride takes at least 11 hours.
How to Get Around San Agustin
The centre of San Agustin is walkable.
If you’re an avid walker, you can even walk to some of the closer archaeological sights like the Archaeological Park or La Chaquira.
We did not really find any good public transport options for other destinations than the Archaeological Park in San Agustin.
Honestly, the most convenient and time-efficient way to get around San Agustin is by going on guided tours.
Things to Do in San Agustin
1. San Agustin Archaeological Park
San Agustín Archaeological Park is the top attraction in town. The site is extensive, so we recommend setting aside 3 to 4 hours to explore it fully.
You can explore several sections of the park: Start with the Bosque de las Estatuas – a scenic jungle path lined with statues. Afterwards, head to Mesitas A and C, continue to the ceremonial fountain Fuente de Lavapatas, and then hike uphill to Alto de Lavapatas, which offers both panoramic views and more statues. On your way back, pass through Mesita B. Within the park, you’ll also find a small museum.
Surprisingly little is known about the mysterious statues and tombs scattered throughout the San Agustín area. One major reason is the absence of any written records that could shed light on their origins. Another more unfortunate reason is that many of the tombs were looted and destroyed by grave robbers, erasing valuable clues that could have helped archaeologists understand their purpose and meaning.
Personally, we opted to visit the park with a tour guide to learn as much as possible about the history.
2. San Agustin Jeep Tour
When in San Agustin, don’t miss out on visiting the surrounding area on a jeep tour. Depending on the tour you chose, you will most likely visit these highlights:
- Estrecho Del Magdalena – a narrow gorge of Rio Magdalena.
- Obando Archaeological Park – tombs similar to those in Tierradentro and a small museum with artefacts older than those in San Agustín.
- Alto de los Idolos Archaeological Park – the highest density of tombs and statues of the Augustinian culture after the Archaeological Park of San Agustin.
- Alto de Las Piedras Archaeological Park with the enigmatic "Double Yo".
- El Salto del Mortino – an impressive waterfall of almost 200 meters in height.
3. San Agustin Horseback Riding
There are three more archaeological sights around San Agustin which are worthwhile a visit:
- La Pelota with original colour preservation.
- La Chaquira where different human and animal figures overlook the canyon of the Magdalena River.
- El Tablon with five roughly 2-meter-tall statues believed to represent female figures.
If you’re a good walker, you can reach all of those sights on foot. We opted for a guided horseback riding tour and had a great time.
4. San Agustin Town
We think that San Agustin is a lovely town. You should try and set aside a couple of hours to visit. It is full of street art from small details to big murals. Our favourite spot was Escalinata a Cerro Templete.
Other cool spots are
- The main park with the main church and the San Agustin sign.
- The Iglesia de Lourdes with the enigmatic statue in front.
5. Museo Precolombino Villa Real
The Museo Precolombino Villa Real is a small private museum which is absolutely worth a visit. It was founded in 1996 by Rosiberio and Libardo Sotelo and is housed in a former early-20th-century mansion that once served as the town’s first boys' school. Its exhibits include a wide range of San Agustín pottery – jugs, urns, bowls, and more – alongside sarcophagi, monolithic figures, stone tools, bead necklaces, fossils, and other archaeological finds.
We got a tour from the owner himself and must say this place is a great addition to the Archaeological Park.
6. Other Things to Do in San Agustin
Other popular activities in San Agustin are rafting on Rio Magdalena and visiting a coffee Finca.
We didn’t opt to do these activities as we had recently gone on similar adventures in San Gil (rafting) and Salento (coffee).
Read about our experiences here:
How Many Days in San Agustin Do You Need
If you’re an archaeology lover, two days in San Agustin should be the bare minimum. If you’re not interested in archaeology, we’re not sure why you would want to go there at all…
San Agustin Itinerary
If you only have two days in San Agustin, we strongly recommend you rely on guided tours to make the most of your time and not miss any of the highlights.
This is the quintessential 2 day San Agustin itinerary:
Day 1
Morning: San Agustin Archaeological Park (on your own or guided)
Afternoon: Horseback riding tour to La Pelota, La Chaquira, and El Tablon.
Day 2
Full day jeep tour to more archaeological sights, waterfalls, and the Magdalena Strait.
Where to Eat in San Agustin
If you only check out one place in San Agustin, let it be Restaurante Tomate. They serve fresh vegetarian food full of veggies for a great price.
Our local recommendation for a traditional menu del dia is El Fogón.
If you’re looking for a seriously local experience, check out the market!
San Agustin Tips
ATMs in San Agustin
We found two ATMs walking around (Banco Agrario and Banco de Bogota) and had no problems getting cash out.
Supermarkets in San Agustin
There’s a huge ARA half a block away from the main park.
Internet in San Agustin
Both our hostel WiFi and our local SIM card worked great.
Is San Agustin Safe
San Agustin is a small city. It felt safe to walk around during the day. We did not find or hear of any nightlife so there’s not really a reason to be out and about late.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.
