Day 8 – Popayán

We started early morning from Cali, taking a taxi to the bus terminal (COP 6,600) and catching the 7am bus to Popayán. Having been informed by our hotel staff to catch the ‘Expreso’ bus, we were told that there are no express buses to Popayán at that time; and that the bus will make multiple stops along the way. It took three hours (COP 16,000 per person) to reach the bus terminal, located about 1.5 km from our hostel. Although it could have been a quick walk, we had booked the bicycle tour starting at 10 am, and our us reached the terminal at 10:10 am. That made us take a taxi to the hostel!

Having checked-in, we were all set to take the tour and luckily for us, we were the only two people on the tour, it being the day after Christmas.

HostelTrail Hostel Value Location Cleanliness Rooms Service Breakfast included: No. Address: Carrera 11 No. 4-16, Popayán Phone: +57 314 696 0805 Email: popayan@hosteltrail.com Website: www.hosteltrailpopayan.com The de-facto place for every backpacker to stay, HostelTrail is managed by a Scottish couple who owns Popayán Tours and is well-known for their English-speaking guides and tours they offer around the South American continent. Located on Calle 4, just a few meters walking distance from the main square, this is the best place to stay if you’re on a budget. Considering a major tourist destination in Colombia, Popayán has a lot of hotels and hostels, but HostelTrail is value for your money. We got a double bed room (two separate beds) that was comfortable and not-so-big. It was good enough for two adults without any tables or desks to keep stuff on, but had a decent-sized closet. A single bathroom is shared between all the rooms on the floor. Breakfast is not included in the price of COP 27,750 a night per person. The hostel has wifi that hardly worked when we were there. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly; and keep the hostel secure by locking the front door. [Rooms] [Lobby area]

There’s a separate post on the bicycle tour and how we met a local artist at the end of tour. Check it out:

Bicycle tour & meeting a local artist Highlights: Costs COP 50,000 Dip in the thermal waters A 30 km downhill bicycle tour in the mountains, organized by Popayán Tours. Met a local artist in a cafeteria, where we got invited to her home and had an experience and friendship of a lifetime.

Feeling satisfied and complete with the tour, we headed to the post office on Calle 4 to get the stamp of Popayán in our Postal Stamps Travelogue book.

Riding back to the hostel, we had a shower, relaxed for a while and headed out to explore the ‘white city’ just before sunset when the temperatures were down.

The best way to understand this town is walking around the small alleys, or perhaps sitting at Parque de Caldas, which is the central square. Popayán comes to life at night with all the monuments and buildings lit up giving it a very surreal and traditional touch.

Quite tired with the bicycle ride and walking around, along with a fellow traveler from our hostel, we had dinner at the Italian restaurant La Cosecha Parrillada.

[Popayan at night]

[Popayan at night]

[Popayan at night]

[Popayan at night]

[Popayan at night]

Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = COP 2200 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.