My first trip in Colombia was to Barichara, a small town in the department of Santander that is often considered one of the most beautiful towns in the country. Since I live in Santander, I was excited to explore more of the region, and even just getting there was an adventure in itself. We took a bus for about five hours through the mountains, traveling along steep, winding roads with lots of twists and turns. I even got pretty carsick along the way, but the journey was absolutely worth it.
If you have ever watched Encanto, the Disney movie about a Colombian family with magical abilities who live in a magical house called Casita (little house), the movie actually draws inspiration from Barichara, which is known for its colonial architecture and charming streets. We stayed in a cute Airbnb for two nights, which gave us plenty of time to explore and experience the small town.
On our first day, we spent time walking around the town, exploring the little shops and enjoying a delicious dinner. We kept the day relatively relaxed because our main activity was planned for the following morning: a hike through the surrounding mountains.
