Although Valledupar has no sea, the river Guatapurí slides down the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and bathes the city. Families come to Hurtado Spa on Friday afternoon to begin the weekend rest. On a rock in the Guatapurí lies the golden statue of Rosario Arciniegas, a girl who, according to legend, became a mermaid by diving into the river’s waters.