Pitalito

Located 188 kilometers south of Neiva, in the Magdalena River valley, Pitalito is the second most important municipality in the Department of Huila and the gateway to the famous San Agustín Archaeological Park.

Founded on June 13, 1818, this town - with an average temperature of 15º Celsius - is known for its fertile lands, home to the cultivation of native fruits such as passion fruit, blackberry, nance, and granadilla.

The geographical location of this town, situated at the vertex formed by the Eastern and Central mountain ranges, allows it to enjoy a favorable climate for tourism and agriculture.

How to get there?

You can reach Pitalito by land from Neiva, Medellín, Cali, and Popayán or by air via small aircraft landing at Contador Airport. Once you arrive at this destination, you'll immediately notice the warm connection with its inhabitants, who are friendly, knowledgeable, and hardworking.

Its name is derived from the Quechua word for a thin thread, "Pital," or Cabuya. This municipality is located at the entrance to the Macizo Colombiano, in the valley known as de Laboyos, which gives its residents the demonym “laboyanos.”

This city is known by several nicknames, such as the Capital of the Macizo Colombiano and the Southern Colombian Highway Star, due to its strategic location connecting the southern departments of the country.

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This region has a unique fortune. Several streams constantly feed three major water resources that surround it: the Guarapas, Guachicos, and Magdalena rivers. This characteristic makes the city surrounded by an endemic ecosystem of immeasurable wealth. To the northwest of Pitalito, there is a swampy area called Humedal La Coneca, and a significant ecological reserve called Laguna de Guaitipan.

This lagoon is a water mirror extending over twelve hectares. It is named after an indigenous chieftainess, also called Gaitana, a fierce leader who commanded a tribe of over fifteen thousand men defending their territory from cruel invaders during the conquest era.

It is an ideal area for canoeing with paddles, always accompanied by local guides who will tell you the countless myths of the place, amid this authentic natural sanctuary. Camping and fishing are allowed in the lagoon.

This green sector of southern Colombia, abundant with large shade trees, picturesque flowers, fruit trees, and guadua, boasts one of the country's best coffee varieties.

Not only is high-quality coffee produced here due to the altitude and soil benefits, but also the highest quantity of beans nationally. Its strong aroma and balanced acidity have earned this emblematic product awards like the “Cup of Excellence.”

With an increasing economic development due to significant sources such as agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, pig farming, and tourism, this beautiful municipality boasts excellent production of crafts made from clay, bamboo, wood, and cabuya, which are sold nationally and internationally with great success due to their extraordinary beauty.

Things to do in Pitalito

We recommend buying some clay figures, especially the chivas. These are representations of colorful and noisy local public transport vehicles, full of details. These pieces can be seen at the Pitalito National Craft Fair, a space where over 28,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors gather for one of the region's most important commercial events.

Art is part of the region. Majestic murals and large-scale sculptures adorn its streets. Each piece reveals a strong artistic vocation where ancestral legacy is evident; the aesthetics of the millennial culture of San Agustín can be seen in the forms displayed to the public, giving a sense of respect and admiration for ancestors. Items for the home are also made from beautiful river stones using indigenous techniques, such as mortars, metates, fountains, and statues.

In the urban area, the José Hilario López Main Park stands out, an emblematic plaza filled with trees and palm trees that protect you from sunlight during the day; and are illuminated at night to accompany visitors' conversations or to watch street performers while enjoying the cool breeze.

Within the plaza is the San Agustín Temple, the main center of faith and gathering for the inhabitants of Pitalito. This church is a modern architectural construction featuring a prominent tower with a lookout.

The Natural Beauty of Pitalito

The natural attractions surrounding Pitalito are countless. The Peñas Blancas Serranía Natural Park boasts over 84,000 hectares of forests that provide water to around eighty aqueducts. In this serranía, you can find ecological trails, numerous caves and waterfalls suitable for spelunking, birdwatching, and identifying plant species like Black Oak, Orchids, Guadua, and animals such as the Tapir, the Red Duck, the Andean Bear, and the Orange Warbler among other endangered species. This protected area is connected with the Guácharos-Puracé Biological Corridor Regional Natural Park and the Puracé and Churumbelos Serranía.

The Guácharos Cave National Natural Park is one of the must-see destinations in Pitalito, with numerous geological formations shaped into caves over time by the river. This area protects endangered species, especially an endemic bird species known as Guácharos, which spend the day in dark, deep caves.

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In the neighborhoods of Anserma, Guamal Charguayaco, and Guacallo, you can find petroglyphs, or rock carvings, a legacy of an indigenous culture that occupied the territory around 3,500 BC and has historical connections with the San Agustín Archaeological Park, located 33 kilometers by land.

Another very common activity among visitors to this region is horseback riding. The people of Laboyano have a deep connection with horses, which, beyond being used for work as transportation, play a significant role in cultural activities.

Famous are the Grade A equestrian fairs held in the city, showcasing the most beautiful specimens of the Colombian Paso Fino breed.

Other sites of interest to visit in Pitalito and its surroundings include:

• The Yamboro agroecological technopark.
• The Marenga farm, which has a water mirror, the natural habitat of the Red Duck (Anas Cyanoptera).
• The Matanzas hot springs.
• The Orchid Park.
• The natural pools of the Guarapas River.

Pitalito is the gateway to the San Agustín Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the largest place in the world where remains of a culture from several periods of humanity can be found. The oldest objects or remains date back to the Archaic period.

Come to Pitalito!

If you like nature, adventure, history, and archaeology or simply want to discover a surprising place in the mountains where the Magdalena River begins, Pitalito is the next destination for your vacation. A place of dense nature and friendly people that promises to give you the best experiences for a guaranteed rest and disconnection.