San Agustín travel guide

Bus

To Bogotá by buseta (Taxis Verdes, C 3, No 11-02, T8373068, 0500, 0700 and 1900 direct, US$23, 9 hrs or by bus Coomotor, C 3, No 10-71), 4 a day, day buses, US$29. From Bogotá, Taxis Verdes, 0300, 9 hrs, US$21.50. Coomotor, 3 a day at 0730, 0900 and 2100, 10-12 hrs, US$21.50-29 (depending on type of bus). More frequent services to Pitalito with Coomotor or Cootranshuila, 8 hrs, US$24 from which colectivos leave for San Agustín, US$2.70, 45 mins. To Neiva, 6 buses a day, including Coomotor and Cootranshuila, 6 hrs, US$6. To Pitalito 1½ hrs, US$2.70 by colectivo, or any bus to Neiva. To Popayán, services at 0600, 0900, 1100, 1400, and 1630 with Cootranshuila, US$15, or with Estelar (smaller bus, faster). You may have to take a colectivo to Km 5 on Popayán–Pitalito road and catch a bus from there. From Popayán, with Estelar, 7 a day 0800-2130, and Cootranshuila, 6 a day 0600-2100, US$15. Sometimes buses will only stop at San Agustín if there are enough passengers with that destination. Otherwise they drop off at turning and continue to Pitalito. They arrange for colectivos to pick up (no extra charge). To Tierradentro, take early transport to Pitalito (US$2.70), 1 direct bus with Cootransmayo at 0630 otherwise colectivo or taxi. From Pitalito there are direct buses at 1000 and 1400 to La Plata (US$8.30), finally colectivo to Tierradentro (US$4.40). If you miss the connection to La Plata at Pitalito do the same route but go via Garzón (this road is in much better condition) and take a colectivo from La Plata. To Pasto via Mocoa, 11 hrs, take a bus or colectivo to Pitalito, where there are buses or Kia’s (Pony Express) to Mocoa, US$11. From Mocoa to Pasto, US$19. There is also transport from here to Laguna Cocha. This is a far quicker route to Pasto than going via Popayán and relatively safe from guerrilla activity but take advice before going. Do not travel at night and bear in mind that this road is prone to landslides and traffic accidents.

Note

Bus times change constantly. Enquire at bus station or hotel before setting out.

Banks

Travellers are advised to change TCs before arriving in San Agustín; enquire at the travel office and the small shop opposite the police station who may exchange cash. Caja Agraria, C 4/Cra 13, and Ultrahuilca Redeban, Cra 3, No 12-7, will give cash advances against Visa card. Almacén de Todo, opposite the town hall, will cash TCs but at a bad rate.

Internet

Connections are slow in San Agustín. Weblive.com, Cra 12, No 4-14.