Buga
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Buga

Buga

Valle del Cauca colonial city known for the Basílica del Señor de los Milagros pilgrimage

Buga is a small colonial city in the Valle del Cauca, set between green mountains about 75 kilometres east of Cali. It is best known as a pilgrimage destination — the Basílica del Señor de los Milagros draws millions of Colombian visitors each year — but the surrounding countryside makes it worth a stop for anyone travelling through the region.

The town itself has a pleasant, low-key colonial centre with whitewashed buildings and a leafy plaza. The Laguna de Sonso, a wetland reserve nearby, is one of the best birdwatching spots in the valley. The mountains above town offer hiking, paragliding, and access to nature reserves along the western slope of the Cordillera Central.

Guide

Eating Out

Buga's eating options are modest. The streets around the basilica are lined with food stalls and cheap restaurants catering to pilgrims — empanadas, bandeja paisa, jugos de fruta. For a sit-down meal, the restaurants around the central plaza Cabal are a better choice than the tourist strip near the church.

Guide

Things to Do

Most visitors to Buga come for one reason: the basilica. But the colonial centre repays a couple of hours on foot, and the wetland reserve at Laguna de Sonso is a worthwhile half-day excursion for anyone with an interest in birds. The mountains above town are accessible and offer hiking and views over the Valle del Cauca.