San Agustín in the Huila department, for me, is one of the most magical places in Colombia, even though I’m more the scientific type… The gripping tales of spectral encounters and mystical phenomena locals told me fit perfectly into the serene landscape filled with archaeological marvels, natural wonders and spiritual energy.
Amidst rolling green hills and hidden waterfalls, San Agustín is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, crowned by its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Agustín Archaeological Park. The town of San Agustín is a very pleasant place to stay, featuring cosy cafes and restaurants with a delicious culinary offer – perfect for solo travelers.
Here are my favorite things to do in San Agustín and in its surroundings.
The San Agustín Archaeological Park is an ideal place for solo travelers to wander and praise beauty. Stroll amidst mysterious pre-columbian statues, altars, ceremonial baths, and tombs, displayed in a stunning natural setting.
The park is split over several locations and includes also Alto de los Ídolos, Alto de las Piedras, and Lavapatas. The main Archaeological Park is located very close to San Agustin and can be reached in less than an hour by foot from the center of San Agustin.
The Archeological Park Alto de los Ídolos is situated between San Agustin and Isnos. While there is access by road, travelers can also embark on a scenic 12-kilometer trek by foot or on horseback, passing through La Chaquira and crossing the Magdalena River via an old wooden bridge.
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), San Agustin Archeological Park Colombia
The beautiful colorful stone sculptures of El Purutal are tucked into the hills around San Agustín. Whether you go on foot, by mountain bike, or on horseback, the journey rewards you with stunning views of green mountains and valleys.
On GetYourGuide you’ll find a top-rated mountain bike tour* covering La Pelota, El Purutal, El Tablón, and La Chaquira. I personally went on horseback – my very first ride ever. Lesson learned: choose your provider carefully… (I went out with the hostel owner, and let’s just say the safety standards were questionable at best.)
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), El Purutal statues, San Agustin Archeological Park
La Chaquira, is an important archaeological site about 50 minutes by foot from the center of San Agustin, situated on a cliff overlooking the Magdalena River. Marvel at ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs and enjoy breathtaking river views.
At Civitatis you can book a private horseback tour to Chaquira and Tablón*. I walked there on my own. The scenery is beautiful and it was safe, but I think I would have felt more relaxed with company. (That’s generally the case on my trips when I’m out in nature as a woman alone and there aren’t many people around.)
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), La Chaquira, San Agustin
San Agustin is a very pleasant place to spend a few days. Enjoy amazing vistas while strolling through the streets, admire the beautiful churches, and visit the Archeological Museum to learn more about San Agustin’s ancient civilization and fascinating pre-columbian history.
Last but not least, relax in the nice cafes and restaurants of San Agustin while sipping delicious regional coffee or enjoying typical food. Here are some recommendations:
The countryside around San Agustin is absolutely gorgeous and ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding. You can enjoy marvelous panoramic views of the area and search for hidden waterfalls. If you like ziplines or swings, visit Finca Camping Caña y Café (Google Maps), reachable in 30 minutes by foot from the San Agustin Archeological Park.
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), San Agustin Countryside
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), San Agustin Surroundings
The Estrecho del Magdalena is a geological spectacle where the mighty Magdalena River narrows extremely and rushes turbulently through a gorge, lined by rock cliffs and surrounded by lush vegetation. This cardinal place is located 15 km from San Agustin and can be accessed via an unpaved road, best by jeep, mountain bike or motorbike.
I organized a motorbike (moto taxi) in San Agustín to get there. If you are fit, there’s also a nice and affordable mountain bike tour to the Estrecho del Magdalena* available on Viator.
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), Estrecho del Magdalena
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), As narrow as the Mighty Magdalena River can get…
Apart from offering additional impressive archeological sites like Alto de las Piedras (Google Maps), Isnos is a great off-the-beaten-path destination for outdoor and nature enthusiasts.
The majestic Bordones waterfall (Google Maps) impresses with its 290-meter drop, while the Salto del Mortiño waterfall on the way to San Agustin offers a lush Andean backdrop and a viewpoint to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. For adrenaline-seekers, rafting along the Magdalena River from Sombrerillos to Versalles makes an exhilarating adventure.
Isnos is also known as the “panela capital” of Huila and offers a firsthand look into traditional panela production. Panela is an ancient, unprocessed, sweetener made from evaporated sugar cane juice, featuring a rich flavor profile.
There is also a private hiking tour to Salto de los Bordones* available on Civitatis, but the price is a bit steep for solo travelers (and becomes much more accessible once you are a group of 3 or more).
Photo (mod.) by Diego Torquemada, Salto de Bordones near Isnos, CC BY 3.0
The magical department Huila has not been explored by many international travelers yet but features a wide range of hidden gems and fascinating off-the-beaten-path destinations with the Tatacoa Desert just being the most famous one. Get inspirations for Exciting Things to do in Huila.
Here are also some great tours from Neiva and Pitalito that can be booked via Civitatis.com*.
Here are some nice accommodation options in and around town that can be booked via Booking.com*. In general, price quality ration in San Agustín is very good.
I traveled alone to San Agustín and really enjoyed it! The town is small and pleasant to explore on foot, and the main archaeological park is very close to the center.
San Agustín feels safe, but as a solo female traveler I like having company on hikes to more remote spots. Sometimes my friendly host accompanied me. Otherwise, it’s easy to meet other solo travelers in hostels or join Colombia Facebook groups.
Feel free to also check out my Colombia Safety Tips and my Solo Travel Guide.
Photo by Nicole (Travelhapp), Hidden Waterfall in San Agustin Huila
San Agustin invites you all year round with pleasurable day time temperatures between 23 and 26°C (73-79°F) and night time temperatures around 13-16°C (55-61°F). The driest months are typically June to September and December to March (climate change and weather phenomena aside).
* By the way, please note that the correct name of the town, in Colombia, is San Agustín, not St. Augustin – and it’s Colombia and not Columbia. (There are frequent confusions about this.)
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Last Update: April 3, 2026
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