One of the greatest mysteries of pre-Columbian civilizations can be found at the San Agustín Archaeological Park, which, along with Alto de las Piedras and Alto de los Ídolos, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. These are located around San Agustín, a town known as the archaeological capital of the Huila department.

Blessed with lush vegetation and dramatic canyons carved into volcanic rock, San Agustín welcomes you with a variety of gastronomy (including achira biscuits, Huilense roasted meat, sancocho, fresh fruit juices, and traditional chicha), freshly ground coffee, and warm locals eager to share the best of their culture and archaeological history.

Cultural Tourism in the Archaeological Capital

The San Agustín culture dates back to the 33rd century BC, making it one of the three oldest cultures in South America, after Caral and Chavín in Peru. Part of the Colombian Massif preserves fascinating archaeological sculptures and monoliths, many of which were discovered only in the 18th century.

What we know about this culture is thanks to the work of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH), which has been conducting research, conservation, and dissemination since 1935. During your tours of the San Agustín Archaeological Park (open to the public since 1944) and Isnos, you’ll see funerary structures uncovered over the years by national and international archaeologists.

Statue of a flutist, San Agustín Archaeological Park, Huila, Colombia.
Photo by Jess Kraft.

Recommendations for your visit: 

  • The climate in San Agustín is cool, averaging 18°C, so we recommend warm clothing, waterproof gear, and comfortable boots. Don’t forget your camera, and protect the archaeological treasures by not touching them. Buy park tickets at designated points and keep them with you during your visit.
  • Entrance to the San Agustín Archaeological Park (2024) is COP 45,000 for adults, COP 20,000 for students, and COP 65,000 for foreigners.
  • Note that the park is closed every Tuesday of the year, December 25, and January 1. Its hours are from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
  • You can reach San Agustín by road from cities such as Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín, or by air to Neiva or Pitalito, then onward to San Agustín.
  • You can explore the various parks and stops around San Agustín by foot, on horseback, or by car; choose the option that suits your preferences and needs.

Next, you’ll find an unmissable tour to discover more about this archaeological history:

San Agustín Archaeological Park

Luis Duque Gómez House-Museum, San Agustín Archaeological Park, Huila, Colombia.
Photo from the ICANH Website.

 

This park is located between the municipalities of Isnos and San Agustín, just 30 minutes apart. Part of the San Agustín-Tierradentro archaeological corridor, this park is considered one of the most important archaeological spaces in the country and the largest necropolis in the world.

These sculptures were part of the funerary rites of the ancient inhabitants of the region, who had deep beliefs in the afterlife and worshipped numerous gods. Animals were strongly associated with their cosmogony, so it is common to see representations of animals and natural elements. Another exciting aspect of this park is that you’ll find evidence of a culture skilled in working with stone, as well as ceramics, wood, and goldsmithing.

In the 78-hectare park, you’ll find the Luis Duque Gómez Museum House, named after the Colombian archaeologist and scholar, which houses a varied collection of archaeological objects. We also recommend visiting the Forest of Statues, where you’ll find stone statues in varying stages of craftsmanship.

Alto de Las Piedras Archaeological Park and Alto de los Ídolos

Tomb in Alto de los Ídolos, Huila, Colombia.
Photo by Luis Alejandro Bernal Romero.

 

Located around the municipality of Isnos, 30 kilometers from San Agustín, the Alto de los Ídolos and Alto de las Piedras Archaeological Parks are known for their well-preserved funerary structures with traces of paint. Here, you’ll find tombs over a thousand years old, carved into rock and decorated according to the beliefs of the indigenous communities that once inhabited the area.

Entrance to both is included with your San Agustín Park ticket, which is valid for two days, so we recommend stopping by these destinations to complement your visit.

Obando Archaeological Park

Obando Museum Park, Huila, Colombia.
Photo from La Voz de la Región website. 

 

Obando is a district of San Agustín located 15 km from the town center. Here, there are funerary urns, caves that were once sacred sites, and pavilions displaying pottery pieces, clay vessels, gold replicas, paintings, banana fiber weavings, and elements of the period’s gastronomy.

In 1992, 30 tombs were discovered in Obando, of which only eight can be seen today. Artifacts like ceramic vessels, hard stone flakes, obsidian flakes, necklace beads, and polished stone axes were extracted from the tombs. Research confirmed that these are even older than those found in the San Agustín Archaeological Park.

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Other Ceremonial and Archaelogical Sites

Top right: tombs in Alto de Las Chinas, statue of La Chaquira, gold artifact in the ethnographic museum of El Tablón, stone carving at Alto de las Patas, and painted statue in La Pelota and El Purutal.

Near San Agustín, you’ll find more fascinating archaeological sites to explore:

  • El Tablón: A village 3.0 km (1.86 mi.) from the town center, featuring six tombs, five statues, and an ethnographic museum highlighting agricultural, weaving, and manufacturing tools.
  • La Chaquira: 1.2 km (0.75 mi.) from El Tablón, this ceremonial site features a two-meter-tall female figure carved in situ, with raised arms gazing upwards towards the canyon and the Magdalena River. Nearby, you’ll find carvings representing human faces and animal figures.
  • Alto de Lavapatas: 5.0 km (3.11 mi.) from San Agustín, this monument carved in the middle of a stream is believed to have been a place for religious ceremonies and ritual baths.
  • Alto de Las Chinas: 4.8 km (2.98 mi) from San Agustín, this site was once called La Florida. Here, you’ll find three funerary chambers on a large mound, eleven medium-height cylindrical monoliths, stone grooves, two sarcophagi, and four tombs.
  • La Pelota and El Purutal: Located 9 km (5.59 mi) from the town center, this archaeological site features two ceremonial mounds. The statues here represent religious figures with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic masks, combining the mouth of a feline with fish-like attributes. Tributes were made around these statues to ensure fertility and good harvests.

Discover the wonders hidden in the Colombian Massif and the surroundings of Huila with Iván Tours Colombia and Destino Colombia.

San Agustín, Huila, Colombia.
Photo from the Awake.travel website.

 

Discover the historical and mythical legacy of this region, which holds both national and international significance. Its lands echo with the ancestral and spiritual heritage, chosen by our ancestors for the abundance of water and fertile lands. Visit this unique tourist destination, and prepare to be amazed!

 

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