San Miguel de Agreda de Mocoa is the name of the capital of the Department of Putumayo, located in the south of the country. It is a special destination for those who want to start a journey through the Amazon, discover unique landscapes, and enjoy adventure tourism.

Founded in 1551, it has an average temperature of 24°C and is located on the banks of the Mocoa River. It can be reached by land or air.

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In the city, it is recommended to visit Parque General Santander —its main square— where the government buildings, cafés, ice cream shops, and the Cathedral of San Miguel Arcángel are located, a construction from the early 20th century notable for its woodwork.

Magical places you must visit in Mocoa

This town is surrounded by various places of interest for nature lovers. Here are some of the most important ones:

End of the World Waterfalls

This destination is very popular among visitors. After a short 6 km drive, you begin a hike of about an hour and a half along an ancient rocky path of moderate difficulty that leads to these waterfalls.

Bathe in the waterfalls of Mocoa
Photo: Mauricio Arana, ProColombia

Along the way, you can find different swimming spots with crystal-clear waterfalls, forests, lagoons, and caves. It’s impressive to see how the water flow has polished the rocks, making them look like tiles.

One of these places is Pozo Negro, named for its dark-colored water caused by a depth of more than ten meters. Another recommended spot is Pozo Almorzadero, known for its variety of water colors. There’s also a restaurant with a great view.

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After that, you’ll reach the Stone Bridge, a natural attraction shaped by the flowing water. When crossing it, you can see a seventy-meter waterfall surrounded by butterflies and vegetation illuminated by sunlight, creating a spectacular scene.

Hornoyaco

Located at kilometer 2 on the Mocoa-Villagarzón road, Hornoyaco is a 55-meter-high waterfall that splits into two streams. It is reached after an approximately one-hour hike to the top, surrounded by dense jungle vegetation. During the descent, you can enjoy the sound of the water until reaching the natural pool formed at the base, where visitors usually take a relaxing bath or practice rappelling.

Paway Nature Reserve

This reserve was originally a butterfly farm and is now an ecotourism education center. It offers the opportunity to stay overnight in a treehouse, built 25 meters above the ground, with the best view of the region.

Discover the Paway Butterfly Farm of Mocoa
Photo: ProColombia

It is the ideal place to learn in-depth about butterflies and their importance within the ecosystem. Visitors can also go birdwatching and enjoy a crystal-clear natural pool formed by a small stream that runs through the area.

Amazon Experimental Center

Located at kilometer 8 on the road to Villa Pinzón, this environmental observatory welcomes visitors. It is an excellent place for studying nature and producing new knowledge about the Amazon. Covering 131 hectares of natural forest, it includes projects such as fish farming stations, a botanical garden of medicinal plants, a forest nursery for reforestation, and the Suruma station, which shelters rescued Amazonian species that can no longer be released.

Licamancha Caves

Licamancha is a natural cave that can be explored with a certified local guide. It is located in the Serranía de los Churumbelos National Natural Park and is accessible by land via the Mocoa–Pitalito road.

It is recommended to walk for about two hours through the internal caves, which reach up to fifteen meters high, and observe various animals such as bats, reptiles, and fish species.

Eyes of God

This waterfall measures 35 meters high and is particularly striking due to its rocky composition. The water seems to flow directly from the rock, creating a unique visual effect.

It can be reached by the same path that leads to the End of the World Waterfalls. It is considered a sacred place by the indigenous communities of the Pastos of Putumayo, and visits must be coordinated with them.

In Mocoa, you can experience the best adventures in nature and exploration.