Neiva city - Huila

Distance from Bogotá: 326Km.

Neiva, capital of Huila department has warm climate with an average temperature of 30ºC. The economy depends of agriculture, cattle farming, and commerce that develops thanks to oil exploitation.

The city is considered folkloric city, because develops the best cultural expression of Bambuco.It is considered as a lively city; when people make reference to Neiva, they speak about the festivals and folklore of Bambuco. It is a visited place in San Pedro and San Juan festivities.

How to arrive

For arriving Neiva by plane, it is advisable to take flights of Satena and Aires airlines that offer direct flights from Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. There are flights to Florencia and Mocoa too.

For arriving by land, Neiva has a bus station, located five minutes away from the town, to the south of the city.

Tourist attractions

The city has several tourist places for visiting; it is possible to appreciate the architectonic richness in the constructions with colonial styles. The most visited places in the city are:

Concha  Acústica Jorge Villamil Cordobés: It is destined to have musical presentations, it was built in honor to Jorge Villamil a well-known author in Colombia.

Old Train Station: It is considered National Monument because of its architectonic richness that belongs to 1915, has classic and colonial style. In The Mythological Park, there are several statues of the main characters of Huila legends.

Monumento a los Potros (monument): The monument is a sculpture of Arenas Bentancur in honor to José Eustaquio Rivera, author of the poem that bears the same name.

Santander Park: It is the main square of the city; surroundings are located the most important constructions of the city like the cathedral of “Inmaculada Concepción” with gothic style, the Law Courts and the Colonial Temple.

Isla del Moháán (Park): It is located on the Circunvalar avenue, on the Magdalena park. Inside the park people might practice cycling, riding, fishing, rafting, kayak and climbing.

Cultural events

Folkloric Festival of  Bambuco

The city is the venue of folkloric festival of Bambuco, considered Cultural Heritage, is carried out during San Pedro and San Pablo festivities in June.

It was initiated in honor to San Juan Bautista, a Saint carried by the Spanish. The celebration is one of the biggest festivities of Colombia; Neiva, the capital work on the preparations for welcome to hundred tourists. There are dancing presentations, departmental bands, native music, crafts, composers and folkloric parades.

San Juan and San Pedro Festivities

The festivities reflect the Neiva culture, showed in rural cultures and old traditions. It is carried out on June; during the festival there are dances parades and musical group’s presentations.

Many years ago, the festivity of San Juan was celebrated in June 24; in the countryside many families and groups had walks on the river shores, then arriving to a “ranchería” and taste the traditional roast.

Gastronomy

It is possible to taste delicious typical dishes in San Pedro and San Juan festivity. The most delicious one is roast that consist pork marinade in beer. On the other hand, in Christmas and Christmas Eve people can taste delicious desserts as figs and green papaya in “melado de panela” with almohanadas and cheese, "la cuajada" and so on.

Useful information

* Ministry of Tourism: Cl 3 Carrera 12, Mayor Office: telephone: 837-3061