Cauca Department · Colombia
Popayán travel guide
Popayán is a city in Cauca Department, Colombia, home to about 301,000 people.
- Best months
- June to August
- Nearest airport
- PPN0 km · Guillermo León Valencia Airport
- Currency
- COPColombian peso
- Time zone
- America/Bogota
- Language
- Spanish
About
About Popayán
Popayán is the capital of the Colombian department of Cauca. It is located in the Pubenza Valley in southwestern Colombia between the Western Mountain Range and Central Mountain Range.
The city was founded in 1537 by Sebastian de Belalcazar. Because of its beautiful colonial houses, it is known as the "white city". Popayan has played a major role in Colombia's history dating back to the early days of the Spanish conquest and into the 20th century. A number of Colombian presidents were born in Popayan including, most recently, Guillermo Leon Valencia from 1962 to 1966. Other well-known citizens include Francisco Jose de Caldas (1768-1816) and Camilo Torres (1766-1816). Popayán has one of Colombia's oldest universities: the Universidad del Cauca, founded in 1827.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Popayán
See
Since Popayan was a seat of power during Spanish colonial times, there are numerous architectural gems in the city. Some of the most impressive are, naturally, churches.
- Iglesia de San Francisco
- Iglesia La Ermita
- Belen
- Parque de Caldas
- Puente del Humilladero
- El Morro de Tulcán
Do
The city is world-renowned for its Easter celebrations, or the Semana Santa. In fact, the celebrations are the second largest in the world (after Seville, Spain) and are a major sight! Every night during Semana Santa, there are processions in the streets and tens of thousands of people line the sidewalks to watch as floats pass by with religious motifs. The floats are carried on the shoulders of human volunteers. It's a great honour to be selected for the Semana Santa processions but the floats can weigh up to 500 kg and so dislocated shoulders are frequent. It's a major cultural event that is witnessed by people from all over the country.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Popayán
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Popayán are June to August. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C; November is the wettest, with about 333 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Popayán: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Guillermo León Valencia Airport (PPN), about 0.0 km from the city centre in a straight line; Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO, 124 km) and Antonio Nariño Airport (PSO, 140 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Popayan's airport does not have heavy traffic but you can reach the city by air. There are about four daily flights from Bogota to Popayan and vice versa. The airport is open between 6AM and 6PM. There are no flights between Cali and Popayan. The airport in the neighbouring city of Cali (100-minute car ride) serves many domestic and international destinations. There are numerous bus companies available. One of the most reliable bus operators is Expreso Bolivariano. Avoid Expreso Puerto Tejada and Expreso Palmira.
Getting around
Popayan is a small city and it is an easy 10-15 minute walk between the bus station and the centre. The historical centre is fairly compact and best explored on foot. Taxis are plentiful and can bring you at the bus terminal for around COP$3,000.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
PPN · Guillermo León Valencia Airport
CLO · Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport
PSO · Antonio Nariño Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Popayán
Eat
In 2005, Popayan became the first city to be designated a City of Gastronomy as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative. For cheap and genuine food, try the market near Plaza Bolivar, north of the Puente del Humilladero. Meals from COP$5,000.
Drink
Aguardiente caucano is a drink based on Anis and has a higher alcohol content than wine. It's the favorite drink at informal parties.
Stay safe
Popayán is in Cauca, which was considered one of the most dangerous departments in Colombia in 2011. In 2011 several car bombs rocked central Popayán, with the authorities blaming local armed and mafia groups for the actions. Stay alert for information regarding drug traffickers, guerrillas and paramilitaries, as this city and its surroundings sees the presence of armed groups.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Popayán: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Popayán?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Popayán are June to August. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C; November is the wettest, with about 333 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Popayán?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Guillermo León Valencia Airport (PPN), about 0.0 km from the city centre in a straight line; Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO, 124 km) and Antonio Nariño Airport (PSO, 140 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Popayán?
Colombian peso (COP).
Nearby
Destinations near Popayán
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.