Adventure in San Gil: extreme sports in Colombia

All of South America is nature, exoticism and adventure. But if you are looking for a place that really makes the adrenaline rush through your veins, you will find it in San Gil, the epicenter of the extreme sports in Colombia.

Municipality of the department of Santander and located 5 hours from Bogotá, it is a magnet for lovers of Adventure activities on this side of the Atlantic. Its mild climate and majestic nature full of rivers, waterfalls, caves and mountains make it ideal for this.

There, tourists graduate in extreme sports and rafting, canyoning, caving, rappelling and paragliding are offered throughout its 150 square kilometers.

Nattule invites you to discover it with six activities only suitable for the intrepid:

1. Rafting and hydrospeed on the Fonce River

Rafting was the strong bet of the municipality when in the 90s began to become fashionable extreme sports in Colombia. The inhabitants of San Gil thus became pioneers in offering this type of activities.

Fighting whitewater

The options for rafting in Colombia are varied, but the majority of those who do it coincide on the Fonce River, the main artery of San Gil. The river runs through the El Gallineral Natural Park, a natural sanctuary in the middle of the municipality, and has rapids of different categories as well as impressive views.

The descent usually begins in La Arenera and ends 10 kilometers downstream, in the heart of El Gallineral Natural Park. You will descend among the majestic vegetation that surrounds the river, in which some ceibo specimens that are more than 300 years old stand out. With luck, you will also be able to see some iguanas, as they usually approach the shores.

Fonce River

In addition to rafting, another of the extreme sports in Colombia Increasingly in demand is hydrospeed. And the waters of the Fonce River are perfect for practicing it. It consists of going down the rapids with a floating board on which your body rests, which leaves you at the mercy of the rushing waters. For this reason, you have to show even more agility to avoid rocks than in rafting.

If you are an expert in these sports and want to try something more extreme, you can dare to venture into the waters of the Suárez River, the bravest in Colombia.

On the contrary, if you don't have much experience in these sports but would love to start, start with this hydrospeed activity with the Genil River before trying it with the Colombian rivers.

Guaranteed fun on hydrospeed

2. Rappelling at the Juan Curí waterfall

Colombia is full of curious rock formations that make it an ideal destination for practicing rappelling, an exciting activity in which you must descend ravines helped by ropes and climbing equipment.

Sometimes the descent is done through high waterfalls, which adds more excitement to the adventure. This modality is known, within the extreme sports in Colombia, like torrentism.

“Torrentism” or descending waterfalls

One of the best places to practice rappelling in Colombia is the Juan Curí waterfall. Located in the Juan Curí Waterfalls Ecological Park, this waterfall is considered the highest and most difficult in the country with its 200 meters high. After passing it you will fall into a natural well about 2 meters deep. Quite a challenge to challenge you.

You can complete your visit to the waterfall with a horseback ride or a hiking route to enjoy the landscapes that surround you.

Rappelling at the Juan Curí waterfall © Arianwen

Do you want to enter the world of rappelling? This rappelling activity in Cantabria It's what you were waiting for.

3. Caving in the Indio and Vaca caves

Exciting and curious, caving is an activity that is increasingly in demand by adventurers who seek extreme sports in Colombia. It is advisable to always do it with an expert guide, as the caves entail dangers that are sometimes overlooked due to inexperience.

In Santander there are several interesting caves. Some of them are:

Indian Cave

It is located in the municipality of Páramo, in the north of the country, about 12 kilometers from San Gil. This cave is accessed by going down a 70 meter long pulley and you can swim out.

Indian Cave © Marcela Flórez

You will have to go through three large rooms connected by narrow ducts and passing through small, deep puddles. During the tour you will notice the presence of bats that live in the walls and cavities. The unique noise of its flapping wings helps you enter the magical atmosphere of the cave.

To get out you must arm yourself with courage, since you have to jump into a natural well from about 5 meters high. Without a doubt, an experience that is difficult to forget.

Cow Cave

About 10 minutes from San Gil, is the cow cave, listed as the most extreme in Santander.

It is accessed through water and along the route you will have to walk, crawl, crawl and swim among the great variety of calcareous formations. It is one of the most interesting caves for caving lovers, although it equally leaves the beginner speechless.

Cow Cave

The duration of the tour can vary between 2, 4 or 10 hours, depending on the person's agility and experience.

In Spain we also have wonderful caves, like those found in the Leonese mountains. Discover them with this caving activity in Vegacervera.

4. Bungee jumping over the Fonce River

The culmination of extreme sports in Colombia It is without a doubt bungee jumping. For many it is crazy; It is, however, one of the best activities to challenge vertigo, jumping into the void with only a rope tied to your feet.

Just 2 kilometers from San Gil, passing through the via Charalá, near the Unisangil University, there is a superstructure that was built exclusively for bungee jumping.

With a height of 70 meters above the middle of the Fonce River, this enormous podium rises so that before the perfect jump you can admire the wonderful natural landscape that surrounds you.

Jump over the Fonce River © Laura Vorique

Get ready for an adrenaline rush with this one bungee jumping activity in the Sierra de Alcaraz (Albacete). It is half the height, but this is how it helps you prepare for the Fonce River.

5. Zipline in the Chicamocha National Park

In it Chicamocha National park, one hour north from San Gil, you can get your adrenaline pumping by jumping down one of the 3 zip lines found there.

The longest, 450 meters, crosses the Chicamocha canyon from side to side: an impressive gorge with a depth of almost 2 kilometers, deeper than the Colorado canyon.

In addition to the speed, the great attraction that the zip line provides is the impressive way to appreciate the views. You will want to ride again and again to record the beautiful panoramic views of this enclave crossed by the river on your retina. The adjectives that are most heard about this place after visiting it are: imposing, majestic and fascinating.

Zipline in the Chicamocha canyon

On the zip line, located more than 1,400 meters above sea level, temperatures can be capricious, varying between 11℃ and 32℃ depending on whether it is day or night. It is worth keeping this in mind and it does not hurt to carry an extra layer of clothing in your backpack.

To complete the visit to the National Park you can visit the curious monument of Santandereanidad, in which numerous bronze figures commemorate a march of community members in the 18th century.

Chicamocha National park

To complete the visit to the National Park you can visit the curious monument of Santandereanidad, in which numerous bronze figures commemorate a march of community members in the 18th century.

It's not that impressive, but the views are historic. With this urban zip line activity in Toledo You will get to know the old town of this incredible city from a unique perspective.

6. Paragliding in the Chicamocha and Curití canyon

Paragliding is the ideal option to admire the landscape of Santander. There is no better way to enjoy the nature of this municipality than by air, from where you can contemplate the immensity and spectacular color of the area.

There are two places where it is mainly done:

Chicamocha canyon

If the speed of the zip line has not allowed you to calmly admire this canyon, you have a second chance to do so.

Paragliding in Colombia should be a must-do activity to get to know and appreciate this incredible mountainous area from above.

As you fly over the canyon you can feel the thrill of taking flight in the middle of nature. An experience that lasts about 30 minutes; long enough to retain in your memory that moment when there is only the air, nature and you.

Taking flight © Arianwen

Curiti

If you have never practiced this sport, this place is the best to overcome your fear of heights. The scenic beauty of Curití, together with the Strong air currents make this enclave a perfect place.

Soaring through the heights of more than 1,000 meters, helped by strong winds, will keep you in the sky for longer. Enjoy the scenery under your feet and let the experience completely envelop you.

Flying over Curití © Arianwen

If looking from above is your thing, don't miss this one paragliding activity in the Sierra de Segura (Jaén). Spectacular images of the largest protected area in Spain await you.

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You don't have to ask Tom Brady, Patriots quarterback, if there is more epic in a sprain than in rheumatism to know the answer. Between descending a wild river and taking a hot bath there is no color. To know the difference between tachycardia and calm you have to come to San Gil. One piece of advice: leave your eyes at home. This area of Colombia is not made for you to look at, but for you to live.

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