San Agustín, Huila: Archaeological Park, Tourism & How to Get There
San Agustín is the most important archaeological site in Colombia and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The San Agustín Archaeological Park lies in the Huila department, in the Colombian Massif, at an altitude of 1,730 m.
San Agustín invites you to explore and discover Colombia's past in its astonishing Archaeological Park. The great stone carvings stand out, some of them made as funerary offerings. The culture's golden age is estimated to have been between 200 BC and 800 AD.
How to get to San Agustín
To reach San Agustín you first travel to Neiva and then continue via Pitalito.
Distances from San Agustín: Pitalito 36 km, Neiva 240 km, Bogotá 550 km.
Several bus companies run the Neiva – Pitalito – San Agustín route.
Neiva has Benito Salas Airport, which handles domestic flights.
Tourism in San Agustín
The town of San Agustín has a wide and good selection of places to stay, with options for every budget. Many hotels are in the town itself or on the outskirts along the road to the Archaeological Park. Accommodation includes hotels, country inns, backpacker hostels and campsites.
The town also offers very good food, with restaurants serving typical and international cuisine, and several travel agencies organize tours and outings in the surrounding area.
The Archaeological Park
The Archaeological Park is 2.5 km from the town. It is an easy walk, and you can also get there by taxi or by the buses that stop at the park entrance.
The San Agustín archaeological site has been protected since 1937. Inside it has different sectors known as mesitas (A, B, C and D). You can also visit the famous Forest of Statues, where the stone figures stand, and the Alto de Lavapatas, home to the ceremonial fountain of the same name.
The Archaeological Museum is also here, displaying a valuable collection of objects discovered in the area.
Other archaeological sites to visit
- Alto de los Ídolos and Alto de las Piedras Archaeological Park
- La Chaquira
- Alto de la Pelota and El Purutal
- Quebradillas
Places to visit around San Agustín
Obando: a village famous for its panela (cane sugar) production, which also has a notable Museum and Archaeological Park. 10 km from San Agustín.
Magdalena River Narrows: here the bed of the Magdalena River turns rocky, with curious shapes, and forms the narrowest point of the waterway. 30 km from San Agustín.
Organic coffee farms: on the outskirts of San Agustín there are coffee farms that grow organically; you can learn about the planting, harvesting and production process and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Laguna Magdalena: an outing that must be done with a guide; the lake sits at 3,400 m, in the heart of the Colombian Massif.
Map of San Agustín
Frequently asked questions about San Agustín
It is the most important archaeological site in Colombia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It preserves large stone statues and tombs of a culture whose golden age was between 200 BC and 800 AD.
In the Huila department, in the Colombian Massif, at 1,730 m. The archaeological park is about 2.5 km from the town.
Via Neiva – Pitalito – San Agustín. From San Agustín: Pitalito 36 km, Neiva 240 km and Bogotá 550 km. Neiva has Benito Salas Airport, with domestic flights, and several bus companies cover the route.
The mesitas A, B, C and D, the Forest of Statues, the Alto de Lavapatas with its ceremonial fountain, and the Archaeological Museum. Allow at least half a day.
Visit nearby sites such as the Alto de los Ídolos, the Magdalena River Narrows and the local waterfalls, go horseback riding and tour farms; the town has a good range of hotels, hostels and camping.
It can be visited all year thanks to its mild mountain climate; it is best to choose dry days to explore the park and trails comfortably.