"San Agustín" Top 5 Page for this destination San Agustín by mircaskirca

San Agustín Travel Guide: 81 reviews and 336 photos

Eagle with a snake, Parque Arqueologico - San Agustín

Archeological Capital of Colombia

San Agustín is a small and tranquil town, the place from where to explore the nearby archeological sites. Pre-Columbian ceremonial centre with ancient tombs, burial sights and hundreds of carved stone statues is one of the most important archeological sites in South America. Set in a spectacular Colombian landscape of lush mountains, valleys and rolling hills bordering Río Magdalena (Colombia's largest river), San Agustin is UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures on the continent. The statues originated from a civilization that flourished from the 1st to the 8th centuries, but very little is known about the culture that made these statues.

The sculptures represent a variety of mysterious figures of gods, animals (jaguars, snakes, frogs and birds), humans and monsters. There are fantastic sites just outside town in the Parque Arqueologico. The main sites further away include El Tablon, La Chakira, La Pelota and Alto de los Idolos. Some can be visited independently on foot and others by horse riding or jeep tours.

lush mountains and Río Magdalena

Last visit to San Agustín: Dec 2008
Intro Updated Mar 5, 2009
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Reviews (18)

Bosque de las Estatuas Things to Do (13)

Bosque de las Estatuas (Forest of Statues) is a little tropical forest with 39 stone figures of different origins. They... more travel advice

Alto de Lavapatas Things to Do (13)

From Fuente de Lavapatas a path winds up to the Alto de Lavapatas where the oldest archeological site is located. The... more travel advice

Parque Arqueológico Things to Do (13)

Founded in 1935 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Parque Arqueológico is the biggest archeological site... more travel advice

La Chaquira Things to Do (13)

From El Tablón there is a 3 km dirt downhill path through the countryside. In a spectacular setting half way down a... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (11)

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pikuu Jul 17, 2009 at 5:51 AM

Looking at your page I feel the breath of prehistory, the times of lost civilization: mysteries, rituals, strange art... across the jungle journey to the past. Well-composed, useful set of info and picturesque photos. As usual... GREAT!!!!!
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richiecdisc May 27, 2009 at 10:18 AM

Ice cold buses and guerillas, oh my! Guarapo de caña is a favorite and anise liquor isn't so bad either. Hostel sound a bit like place we stayed in Ecuadorean Andes. You see, the price does depend on the # of people. Good thing you got on that jeep!
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willy_wonka Apr 30, 2009 at 12:19 AM

a fantastic page mira! these statues and this area kind of reminds me of quirigiua, in guatemala. i love the stelaes set in the lush jungles! well done on a great page!
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toonsarah Mar 23, 2009 at 5:00 AM

Ingrid (trekki) told me I would love this page and she was right! Especially La Chaquira, and the statues in Alto de los Ídolos, Alto de las Piedras & El Purutal in particular. The finca sounds wonderful :-) What did your horoscope say?
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SapineKuu Mar 14, 2009 at 8:48 AM

Hey, your a woman of hidden talents:) Didn't know you were master horsewoman;)
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Nemorino Mar 13, 2009 at 9:42 AM

A fine new page about this scenic area. Great that you could combine horseback riding with an archeological tour. Also that's an interesting tip on the traditional way of sugar preparation.
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luwan Mar 9, 2009 at 11:58 AM

horse riding!!! muito legal! / a-d-o-r-e-i o quarto do el maco!
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Bwana_Brown Mar 7, 2009 at 6:01 AM

Wow, you really had some great adventures while in San Agustin area! That was a lucky break to be able to join the tour group and to see so many wonderful scenes and sites! Your accoms sounds fab and very interesting Transportation tips too!
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Trekki Mar 5, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Wow, this is dreamland!! Not only the landscape is magic, the Pre-Colombian statues and centres are fascinating! And of course Pacho & horses. El Maco is exactly what I want to do one day .-)
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MalenaN Mar 5, 2009 at 9:38 AM

San Agustin is such a beautiful place and I had a great time there! Your tips bring back many good memories! I wanted to go on a horseriding trip with Pacho, but two other people wanted to walk, so we took a walking tour with him.