top of page
The Hill
Colombia's Affectionate City
Distance from other cities:
Cali 1 Hour
Buga 30 Minutes
This is the "City of Love" of Colombia. History has bestowed this name upon it, and today its people, with their simplicity and kindness, undoubtedly live up to it. This place will make you feel welcome and is full of stories to tell and plans to discover.
The name El Cerrito comes from an artificial hill, created with earth extracted from a tunnel that connects old haciendas in the municipal capital.
This guide to El Cerrito has all the relevant information to plan your visit: you'll find what to do and/or visit, accommodations, transportation, budget, and more.
What to Visit?
Below, you'll find the most outstanding places and incredible experiences in this municipality, as its tourism offerings are among the best in the Valle del Cauca region. Wine tastings with food pairings, chocolate tours, and experiences immersed in nature are just some of the things you can enjoy.
for a start..
El Cerrito is a large municipality and, although it has a beautiful main square , its tourist activities are concentrated in the township of Santa Elena and other more alternative ones in Tenerife.
In Santa Elena, you can visit the main square , which features a statue of María and Efraín from Jorge Isaacs' famous book. You can also visit María's tomb in the cemetery, sample the local cuisine, and enjoy various extreme sports activities , such as paragliding, ATV tours, and others that we'll explain later.
In Tenerife, you'll enjoy incredible landscapes. You can go to the moorlands and visit a wax palm sanctuary , as well as learn about crops, since this is the agricultural breadbasket of the valley.
Wine and Land Paradise
In addition to preserving an incredible generational legacy and producing wines in the region, they offer an experience that will allow you to understand and learn the entire wine process.
You will tour the vineyards, learn about grapes and wines, go through the bottling process and enjoy a delicious tasting with food pairing.
It's the perfect plan for anyone: friends, family, or a partner! The Cauca Valley definitely has it all, and yes, folks... delicious wines too!
Contact Vino y Tierra Paraiso via WhatsApp at 3162560777📲 Reservations required
Relive our experience 📽️
Delicao Chocotour
At Delicao you can learn the entire process of transforming cocoa into chocolate; it's a must-see and perfect for anyone: friends, family, partners, etc.
You can tour their plantations, learn a lot about this world, and make your own chocolate bar to, of course, eat, as well as try several of their other chocolates. We happened to be there with a lovely family, and without a doubt, the children's favorite part was tasting the chocolate.
It's really cool to find these kinds of initiatives in the Cauca Valley, which honor the peasant roots, the ancestors, and the incredible Colombian products.
Delicao WhatsApp contact 3132509026📲 GO WITH RESERVATION
Relive our experience 📽️
Cava Solera
A wine plan alone isn't enough, and why not take advantage of the fact that this region is a producer?
At Cava Solera, a beautiful family history is preserved and delicious wines are produced in the region with local production, offering an experience that will allow you to understand and learn the entire wine production process.
You'll tour the vineyard, learn about grapes, the fermentation process, bottling, and much more. It's the perfect plan for anyone: friends, family, or a partner!
In addition, you can finish with a delicious cheese board, tasting and pairing of course.
Contact Cava Solera via WhatsApp: 3156278381 📲 RESERVATION REQUIRED
Relive our experience 📽️
Sugarcane Museum
Providencia Ecological Park, or better known as the Sugar Cane Museum , is located at Hacienda Piedechinche, a former 17th-century sugar plantation, restored for the purpose of housing the museum.
Its main objective is to showcase the historical, cultural, and economic importance of sugarcane in Colombia. This open-air museum allows you to connect with and appreciate nature as you explore its trails, learning about its history from the colonial era when production was artisanal, to modernization. You can also view the museum's collection of machinery and tools.
Its location is good, it is just a few minutes from the main road and any vehicle can reach it, plus it has parking.
Contact us via WhatsApp at Providencia Ecological Park: 3226129537📲
Relive our experience 📽️
Hacienda El Paraiso
Here, Jorge Isaacs' 'María' came to life, recognized as one of the most important works of Latin American romanticism; this place was declared a National Monument and a Cultural Heritage Site of the Nation.
The El Paraíso estate is a colonial-style house built between 1816 and 1828. It was acquired by Jorge Enrique Isaacs, the author's father, in 1854, and has witnessed history and romance. Touring the estate is like stepping back into the era described in the novel, the 1850s, and reliving special moments from it.
Its location is very good, next to a road, very close to other attractions in the region and any vehicle is suitable to visit this place.
Relive our experience 📽️
Extreme Tour
The ATV tour from Extreme Tour Santa Elena is an adrenaline-filled and fun experience . You'll also pass through beautiful sugarcane fields in our Cauca Valley, cross rivers, and much more.
They also offer day trips, buggy tours, paragliding, and canyoning . They have a country hotel, La Mellicera, with various accommodation options to suit your tastes and budget. It also has two swimming pools, play areas, restaurants, and much more, perfect for putting together your complete weekend getaway.
Contact WhatsApp Extreme Tour Santa Elena 3182968599📲
Relive our experience 📽️
Finca el Mirador La Laguna
It's an incredible place for nature lovers, offering accommodation options in rooms, cabins, a camping area, or day trips to disconnect and enjoy the peace of our beautiful Cauca Valley.
Enjoying a delicious coffee, sleeping under the stars, waking up to the birds singing, the sound of the river are just some of the things you will enjoy in this place.
They also have a restaurant, of course, and the food is delicious, so you won't have to worry about anything.
Its location is privileged, at the top of Cerrito going up through Santa Elena, we recommend a 4x4 truck to get there or a motorcycle, but if you don't have this transport you can arrange the pick-up with them.
Contact Finca El Mirador La Laguna via WhatsApp at 3188005421📲 Reservations required
Relive our experience 📽️
The Inn of the Sierra
It's an incredible castle with accommodation options, day passes and much more to enjoy nature, relax outdoors or in the natural water pool, and enjoy one of the best views of the Valley and its incredible sunsets.
Its location is excellent, very close to the Hacienda El Paraíso and other tourist attractions of Santa Elena.
Contact El Mesón de La Sierra via WhatsApp: 3223051116📲 Reservations required
The outdoor massage plan right at sunset is very good and you can't miss it, you can arrange it with the hotel or, if you prefer a home service, you can talk directly to Johan at 3135158013.
Relive our experience 📽️
Páramo and Laguna Negra
Currently, it is possible to explore the moorland , but obviously it must be through a guided tour.
You will have the opportunity to live a rural experience and connect with nature, with yourself and, in general, your environment in a more conscious, empathetic and respectful way.
Alex, our guide, is dedicated to promoting environmental education and biodiversity awareness. He acts as a guardian and protector of this place and undoubtedly deserves recognition for his contribution to this incredible treasure of the valley.
Note: Tenerife, which is the starting point of this experience, is approximately 2-3 hours from Cali. If you don't have your own vehicle, you can get there by Chiva bus.
Contact us on WhatsApp: Let's go to the Paramo or hiking with Alex 3154414059📲 RESERVATION REQUIRED
Relive our experience 📽️
How to get to El Cerrito?
from Cali
from Cali
By private vehicle: Take the road to Palmira and follow the signs. You'll find a toll booth each way, approximately $11,000 COP each way. IMPORTANT: There are speed cameras on this road.
By public transport: From the Cali transport terminal, the fare costs approximately $10,000 - $15,000 per trip.
If you go to Tenerife, you can take a Chiva bus which will drop you off in the village in approximately 3 hours.
Where to stay?
In El Cerrito you'll find all kinds of accommodations: hotels, country inns, glamping sites, and even castles. We recommend booking in advance, according to your plans.
Zona camping:
-
Finca el Mirador La Laguna
Hotels and/or room accommodation:
Finca el Mirador La Laguna
The Mesón de La Sierra
The Twins
Budget
The budget may vary depending on the plans you choose. Below is a table with approximate prices for each experience and other expenses. It's important to note that these prices are estimates and may change at any time. This information is not valid for commercial purposes and does not constitute a commitment to rates. For up-to-date and accurate rates based on the number of people, season, and other factors, we recommend contacting each location directly.
Other destinations in the Cauca Valley...
bottom of page