South American Handbook 2016 by Ben Box

Author:Ben Box
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Footprint Handbooks
Published: 2015-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Bucaramanga Colour map 1, B3.

The capital of Santander Department, 420 km from Bogotá, was founded in 1622 but was little more than a village until the latter half of the 19th century. The metropolitan area of this modern, commercial city has grown rapidly because of the success of coffee, tobacco and staple crops, but the city’s great problem is space for expansion. Erosion on the lower, western side topples buildings over the edge after heavy rain, leaving behind spectacular deep ravines.

Bucaramanga is known as the ‘city of parks’ for its fine green spaces, such as Mejoras Públicas, de los Niños, San Pío and Las Palmas, but some areas, particularly Parque Centenario, are not very safe even in daylight. The Parque Santander is the heart of the modern city, while the Parque García Rovira is the centre of the colonial area. On it stands the city’s oldest church, Capilla de Los Dolores C 35/Cra 10, a national monument. Just off Parque García Rovira is the Casa de Cultura C 37, No 12-46, T7-642 0163, Mon-Sat 0800-1200, 1400-1800, in a fine colonial building with exhibitions, films and an artesanía display. The Casa de Bolívar C 37, No 12-15, T7-630 4258, Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1400-1800, US$1, where Bolívar stayed in 1828. It is interesting for its connections with Bolívar’s campaign in 1813. The tourist office Instituto Municipal de Cultura, C 30, No 26-117, T7-683 4141, Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1400-1900, is friendly and knowledgeable. The departmental Cultura y Turismo, Secretaria de Desarrollo is at C 37, No 10-30, T633 9666. Migración Colombia is at Cra 11, No 41-13, T7-633 9426.

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