Puracé National Natural Park
Parque Nacional Natural Puracé
An Andean highland national park where you can climb the active Puracé volcano, watch Andean condors, and see the red and green waters of the San Juan hot springs.
Puracé National Natural Park lies about 45 km southeast of Popayán, between 2,500 and 5,000 m above sea level. It is the source of several major Colombian rivers, including the Magdalena and the Cauca. There are two classic activities. First, climb the active Puracé volcano, about 4,650 m high, from the Pilimbalá trailhead with an Indigenous guide. The round trip takes 6 to 8 hours and gives you views of the smoking crater. Second, visit the San Juan hot spring area, where sulfur stains the streams red, green and orange, and a high-altitude wetland offers a viewing point for Andean condors. Entry requires a fee and a guide, and summit access may be closed during volcanic activity.
Opening hours
about 08:00–17:00 (start early for the volcano hike)
Nearby sights
- Coconuco Hot Springs
- Capilla de Belén
- Morro de Tulcán
- Museo de Historia Natural
- Iglesia La Ermita
- Pueblito Patojo
- Museo Arquidiocesano de Arte Religioso
- Iglesia de Santo Domingo & Universidad del Cauca