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Cauca Department

Region · 🇨🇴 Colombia
Population 1,491,937
Area 31,198 km²
Time zone America/Bogota
Official website www.gobcauca.gov.co
Cauca Department

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Featured Lists

Ltshears / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cauca Essentials

Cauca features a diverse landscape ranging from the Andean highlands to the Pacific coast. This selection includes the Puracé stratovolcano within its namesake National Natural Park and the colonial heritage of Popayán, represented by the 19th-century Puente del Humilladero and the Museo Arquidiocesano de Arte Religioso. The region’s natural diversity is further highlighted by the volcanic rock formations of the Mandiyaco River canyon and the coastal landmarks of Guapi, including its lighthouse and Pacific beaches.

7 places

Popayán's Must-See Landmarks

Popayán, known as the 'White City,' is defined by its preserved colonial architecture and intellectual heritage. This selection covers the historic center's 19th-century brick bridges and 18th-century mansions converted into museums dedicated to religious art and national figures like General Mosquera. Beyond the city, the list includes the volcanic hot springs of Puracé and the geological formations of the Mandiyaco River canyon, reflecting the diverse landscape of the Cauca department.

11 places

Hidden Gems of Tierradentro

Located in the Colombian highlands of Cauca, this collection highlights the Tierradentro National Archaeological Park and surrounding natural sites. The park is renowned for its hypogea—elaborate underground tombs carved into the volcanic rock and decorated with intricate red and black geometric motifs. Key sites include the deep burial chambers of Alto de San Andrés and the hilltop tombs of Alto del Aguacate. Complementing these ancient wonders are the secluded cascades of la Chorrera and Aida Lucia, set within the lush Andean landscape.

5 places

Religious Sites

This collection highlights the diverse religious architecture of the Cauca department, ranging from the Neoclassical grandeur of Popayán's historic center to the humble community chapels of the Pacific coast and southern jungles. These sites serve as central landmarks for local Catholic traditions, featuring a mix of colonial-era designs and modern reconstructions. The list includes prominent urban cathedrals and smaller rural churches that reflect the region's spiritual history and communal identity.

8 places
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Volcanoes and Mountain Peaks

This selection highlights the prominent summits of the Colombian Massif within the Cauca Department. It features the Nevado del Huila, the nation's highest volcano at 5,364 meters, alongside the active Puracé stratovolcano. The list includes significant ecological landmarks like Cerro Munchique, known for its cloud forest biodiversity, and the Pilimbalá recreational center, which serves as the primary base for high-altitude trekking and access to thermal springs in the Central Cordillera.

10 places

Cauca Department — Map

Cauca Department — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: July, August, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good
  • 23° (feels like 24°) · extremes 13°–27°
  • 14° at night
  • 14 rainy days
  • 1 sunny day
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in February

Good
  • 23° (feels like 24°) · extremes 13°–27°
  • 15° at night
  • 14 rainy days
  • 1 sunny day
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in March

Good
  • 23° (feels like 24°) · extremes 13°–27°
  • 15° at night
  • 18 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 3 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in April

Good
  • 24° · extremes 14°–27°
  • 15° at night
  • 20 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in May

Good
  • 24° · extremes 13°–27°
  • 15° at night
  • 18 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Good
  • 24° · extremes 12°–26°
  • 14° at night
  • 13 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great
  • 25° · extremes 12°–27°
  • 14° at night
  • 9 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great
  • 25° · extremes 12°–28°
  • 14° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great
  • 25° · extremes 12°–28°
  • 14° at night
  • 10 rainy days
  • 1 sunny day
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in October

Good
  • 24° · extremes 13°–27°
  • 15° at night
  • 18 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in November

Good
  • 23° · extremes 13°–26°
  • 15° at night
  • 20 rainy days
  • 0 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in December

Good
  • 23° · extremes 13°–26°
  • 15° at night
  • 17 rainy days
  • 1 sunny day
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 8 · very high

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
Colombian Peso COP $ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Emergency numbers
123
Electricity
Type A / Type B
110 V · 60 Hz
Languages
Spanish
Tap water
Drink with caution
Driving side
Right
Calling code
+57
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Riverside Hotel
Taxi · 8 min
Cauca Department
2h
Walk · 6 min
Corner Café
45 min
Walk · 18 min
Riverside Hotel

Cauca Department – Add to Your Trip

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Related destinations

Colombia Popayán Puracé

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Data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata, Wikipedia, Tripomatic, Official websites, geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0).