'''San Gil''' is a city with a population of 50,000 in the Santander region in Colombia.
Get in
San Gil is on the road between Bucaramanga and Bogota, hence there are frequent connections to Bucaramanga (two and a half hours), Tunja and Bogota
The bus terminal is two kilometers west of the city center. A taxi cost COP$ 2.700 or take one of the frequent ''busetas''.
See
'''Parque El Gallineral''', Malecón at calle 6. Pleasant park for a stroll. Also has a swimming pool or you can dip in the Rio Fonce. Entrance fee COP$ 4.000.
'''Cascadas de Juan Curi''' beautiful waterfalls outs side of town on the rod to Charala. lovely 1 hour walk there and back from starting point near Paramo.
Do
San Gil is the pionering place for '''rafting'''. A 10km 1,25 hour trip along the Rio Fonce (class II or III in wet season) cost COP$ 25.000. Also rafting on grade 4+ 5 in River Suarez. Tour companies are clustered around the entrance of park El Gallineral and also offer longer rafting trips, caving, parapente, paintballing, kayaking, hydrospeed and rapelling
'''Colombia Rafting Expeditions''' organises all adventure activities as well as being the experts at Big Rapids and kayaking. Carrera 10 No.7-83 Tel (57 7)724 5800 or 311 283 8647. [http://www.colombiarafting.com colombia rafting]
Buy
Artesanias
Eat
Arepa Santandereana
Cabrito con pepitoria
Chorizos del Valle
Arroz de Penaflor
Restaurants
El Mana en Calle 10 near the corner of 9 is one of the best and is open at night.
For the best Goat in town try Las Esteras.
Drink
Sleep
Prices in most San Gil hotels double on long weekends and places are heavily booked. Book in advance for Easter, Christmas and all long weekends.
'''Hotel Alcantuz''', Carrera 11 No 10-15. Friendly local hotel with nice, clean rooms starting at 25,000 per night. Cable TV, Wi-Fi, large windows.
'''Hotel Capri''', Calle 10 No 9-31. Tel 7243767. hotelcaprisangil@yahool.com. Very nice spotless hotel with a range of rooms and prices. Rooms with balconies are recommended. Cable TV, hot water, Wi-Fi.
'''Hotel San Carlos''', Carrera 11 No 11-25, 7-724-2542. Cheap but clean. A single room cost COP$ 10.000.
'''Hotel El Viajero''', Carrera 11 No 11-07, 7-724-1956. A room with private bathroom cost COP$ 25.000.
Macondo Hostel. acondo Guesthouse. alle 12 #7-26. 24 4463 - 311 8282 905. ttp://www.macondohostel.com. Backpackers hostel run by an australian; dorm 13,000 COP/night, private double 26,000/30,000 with balcony and town view. includes kitchen use, book exchange, hammocks. laundry service, drinks & internet available. Tours can be booked through the hostel. free high speed wi-fi. The owner/manager is particularly friendly and organises inexpensive tours.
Hostal Casa Monkora. alle 9 8-65. -723-7917. ttp://www.hostalmonkorasangil.com. 14.000. The hostel offers both dormitory and private room accommodation. A total of three dorm rooms are available, two of which have 6 beds and the third has a total of 8 beds. The price is set at 14,000 Pesos. Two private rooms are also available at a cost of 28,000 Pesos for two people or 22,000 Pesos for a single occupancy. For those on a tighter budget, camping is also available for 6,000 Pesos or 10,000 including the hire of a tent.
Hostel features all the usual amenities: hammocks, kitchen, laundry, TV & DVD, free coffee, internet & wi-fi, classes, local information, outdoor activities, etc.
</sleep>
Get out
The little colonial village of '''Barichara''' makes a good day trip. There are buses going every hour and leave from the corner of Carrera 11 and Calle 15. From Barichara it is a lovely 2 hour walk along an historic Spanish road to Guane. Buses return to Barichara several times a day. It is recommended to walk Barichara to Guane and not the other direction, since that would be entirely uphill.