Officially known as San Francisco de Sales, this peaceful Colombian town lies on the banks of the Rio Cañas to the north=west of Bogota. The area was originally inhabited by the Panches and Muisca people before the establishment of Spanish-run encomiendas and the town of San Francisco was officially founded in 1857.
Things to do in San Francisco
In the heart of town is the blue-hued Parish Church of San Francisco de Sales, which is topped by a soaring clock tower and steeple. It watches over Parque Central, a leafy square lined with cafes and restaurants where you can watch the world go by. After your meal, you can stroll to the Brazo del Rio Cañas to dip your feet in the rushing waters.
One of San Francisco’s quirkiest attractions is the Museo de la llanta, which is packed with whimsical sculptures made from old tyres. Scrap metal has also been transformed by the resident artists into objects of beauty, with the lush, tropical foliage adding to the experience. The museum is hidden amidst an assortment of atmospheric buildings constructed from stone, bricks and wood.
On the outskirts of San Francisco is El Jardin Encantado, a hummingbird sanctuary that is a popular destination for ornithologists and nature lovers. It lies on the banks of the Rio Cañas at an altitude of 1,500 metres and provides a feeding ground for around 25 of Colombia’s 165 recorded hummingbird species. Settle in to observe the hummingbirds coming to drink the sweet water that is provided at the hanging feeders.
Getting around San Francisco
San Francisco is just over an hour’s drive from Bogota and El Dorado International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to San Francisco and the town is small enough to explore on foot.