Popayán travel guide

Getting there

The airport is 20 minutes’ walk from the centre. Popayán’s bus terminal is near the airport, 15 minutes’ walk from the centre (Ruta 2-Centro bus, terminal to centre, US$0.30, or taxi, US$1.65). Luggage can be stored safely (receipt given); there is a charge to use the toilets. From the bus station, walk up Carrera 11 and take a left at Calle 4 to reach the centre. Take care if you cross any of the bridges over the river going north, especially at night.

Air

To Bogotá with Avianca (Cra 7, No 5-77) and Satena (Cra 9, No 4-14), daily. To Guapi, 3 times a week with Satena.

Bus

To Bogotá, Expreso Bolivariano, US$36, 12-16 hrs. To Cali, US$5.50, 2½-3 hrs, or Velotax microbus, US$9, colectivos leave from the main plaza. To Pasto, US$15, 4-6 hrs, spectacular scenery (sit on right). To Ipiales, Expreso Bolivariano, US$16, 6-7 hrs, runs every hour but many buses arrive full from Cali, book in advance. To San Agustín via La Plata, Coomotor, 13 hrs, US$13, once a day. Via Isnos, Cootranshuila or Estelar, several a day mainly midmorning to afternoon, US$15.50, 6-8 hrs. Sit on the left for the best views. To Tierradentro (Cruce de Pisimbalá, also known as Cruce de San Andrés or San Andrés de Pisimbalá), 5 daily 0500-1500, US$8, 4-6 hrs continues to La Plata. To La Plata, US$9, 5 hrs, with Cootranshuila also Sotracauca. To Puracé, Cootranshuila US$1.20, 2 hrs.

Taxi

No meters; normal price within city is US$1.65.

Warning

Avoid travelling by night between Popayán and San Agustín, the roads have been reported dangerous in the past. Additionally, they are in very bad condition. Also we have received many reports of theft on the buses between these towns; do not trust ‘helpfuls’ and do not put bags on the luggage rack.

Bus

From Popayán, daily Coomotorista and Belalcázar, several busetas in the morning (US$2.50).

Language classes

The HostelTrail Guesthouse organizes Spanish lessons with graduates from the Universidad del Cauca, US$6.50 per hr for up to 10 hrs, US$5.50 per hr for courses longer than 10 hrs. Also language exchanges with students of English.

Banks

Banco Cooperativo, Cra 6, Banco del Estado, and others will change TCs. Some, eg Banco Popular, C 4, No 5-48, will give cash advances against Visa cards or Banco del Occidente against MasterCard. Banco de Bogotá, C 4, No 6-44. Davivienda, Cra 9, No 00, gives largest withdrawals. Bancolombia, Cra 6, No 4-49. Titan, good rates offered, Cra 7, No 6-40, T2-824 4659, inside CC Luis Martínez, Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1400-1700, Sat 0830-1200. They also offer an international money transfer service. There are other cambios, but their rates are poor.

Internet

Cafeto Internet, Cr 9, No 5-42, T2-824 3400. Good value, open late.

Post office

Correos de Colombia/Adpostal, C 14, No 2-56, T2-8244564.

Security

DAS, C 4, No 10B-66, T2-8231889 ext 108.

Telephone

Telecom, Cra 4 y C 3; closes 2000. You can make international calls for less than 3 mins.