Buga

Founded by Sebastian de Belalcázar in 1555, Buga (or Guadalajara de Buga) was among Colombia’s first colonial cities and the historic town is now both a National Monument and one of the top attractions of Valle del Cauca. The undisputed star attraction of Buga is the magnificent Basilica del Señor de los Milagros (Basilica of the Lord of Miracles), which draws more than 3 million annual pilgrims and is famous for its cast iron statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Visiting the sacred site isn’t the only thing to do in Buga, though. Visitors can also admire the architecture of the Cathedral of St. Peter and the Church of Santo Domingo; take in the views from the hilltop Mirador Al Derumbado; or escape the city for the surrounding countryside – canoeing and bird watching in the Laguna de Sonso Natural Park, swimming beneath the Los Pailones waterfalls and hiking or biking in the El Vínculo forest all make popular side trips.