Forming part of the Valle del Cauca, Buga was founded in 1555 by Giraldo Gil de Estupiñan. It is one of the oldest cities in Colombia and the first in the Valle del Cauca to be designated as a “Pueblo Patrimonio”. Buga is an important hub for the surrounding cattle farms and is famed for its miracle-working image of Christ.
Things to do in Buga
In the heart of Buga is the Basílica del Señor de los Milagros, a pink-coloured church inaugurated in 1907. It features twin towers that rise to 33 metres in height and houses beautiful stained-glass windows. Also within the church is a sacred image of Christ that is believed to work miracles and a museum showcasing religious artefacts.
While exploring the streets of Buga, keep an eye out for the city’s historic railway station, which is notable for its colonial architecture. Don’t miss the Academia de Historia Leonardo Tascon, where you’ll find paintings depicting local heroes. On display is a letter written by the independence leader Simon Bolivar about his stay in Buga during the 1820s.
Sprawling west of Buga is Lago Calima, which is the largest artificial lake in Colombia. Construction began on the lake in 1961 and it now serves as a popular hub for water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing. Nearby is the Calima Archaeological Museum, which exhibits an impressive collection of artefacts from pre-Columbian Indigenous cultures.
Getting around Buga
Buga is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Cali and 45 minutes from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Americas. Long-distance buses connect to Buga and travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions. The centre of Buga can easily be explored on foot.