Valledupar's appeal is cultural as much as architectural. The city is the spiritual home of vallenato music, and the best way to understand it is simply to be here — in the plazas at night, at a local bar, or ideally during the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata in April. Beyond the music, there are river swimming spots in the foothills and a natural park on the edge of the Sierra Nevada within day-trip range.