Popayan, [1] (Colombian spelling:Popayán) (Pronounced: Po - pa - yan), is a city in southwestern Colombia, capital of the Cauca department. Because of its beautiful colonial houses, it is known as the "white city". Popayán has one of Colombia's main universities and is the students make it a culturally lively city. When the students are away, however, it is a rather calm place.

Understand

Get in

There are frequent connection to Cali (2 hours) and Pasto (6 to 7 hours). There are several busses to San Agustin (7 to 8 hours on a bumpy road). To Tierradentro is about 4 hours.

Get around

See

Many architectural value buildings from colonial atage

[2] See photos from various places

Do

Learn

• http://www.unicauca.edu.co - public university of the Cauca department

Buy

Eat

• Carantanta soup
• Tamales de pipian
• Empanadas de pipian
• Champús
• Manjar Blanco or Payanés
• Manjarillo
• Cortado
• Breva Calada
• Paila's ice cream
• Envuelto
• Rosquilla

Drink

Sleep

• Casa Familiar Turistica, Carrera 5 No. 2-07, Tel:(092)8244853. Calm family run hostel in the historic center. It offers hot showers, kitchen use, laundry service and a good breakfast for COP$3.000. Price for a dormbed is COP$10.000.

Get out

• Purace
• Coconuco Thermals
• Silvia, about one hour from Popayan, in the land of the Guambiano Indians. There is a spectacular market there on Tuesdays.
• Salvajina