Serving as the capital of Cordoba, Monteria is a riverfront city in northern Colombia. It was originally inhabited by Zenu Indians before the arrival of the Spanish in 1777 and was previously known as “San Jeronimo de Buenavista”. Monteria is the birthplace of the “sombrero vueltiao”, a traditional hat that has become a symbol of Colombia.
Things to do in Montería
In the heart of Monteria is the Cathedral San Jerónimo, a whitewashed house of worship that’s built in a Republic style. Admire its elegant facade and arched tower niches before stepping inside to see the beautiful stained-glass windows. The Cathedral San Jeronimo overlooks Bolívar Park, which centres around a statue of “El Libertador”.
Hugging the river bank is Ronda del Sinu Park, which holds the title of Latin America's longest linear park. Keep your eyes peeled for iguanas, monkeys and sloths while exploring its walking paths and cycling trails, then let the kids run loose in one of the children’s playgrounds. In addition to its craft market and open-air theatre, the park features plenty of benches for watching the world go by.
Soak up the elevated views across the Sinu River from El Mirador or ride one of the famous “planchones” (“covered rafts”) across the river to its opposite bank. At the riverfront MUZAC Montería, you’ll find contemporary works by Colombian and international artists. Traditional handicrafts are for sale at the Centro Cultural Guillermo Salgado, which also hosts cultural events throughout the year.
Getting around Montería
Los Garzones International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the city centre and has flights to destinations across Colombia. Long-distance buses connect to Monteria while local buses travel throughout the city. Passenger-only river raft ferries cross the Sinu River.