Bucaramanga, Colombia

Things To Do In Bucaramanga

Bucaramanga is known as “the pretty city of Colombia” for its scenic parks and landscapes. Whether you want to enjoy the picturesque parks and natural beauty or take in local cultural attractions, Bucaramanga has plenty of things to do. Here are just a few of the best things to see in this welcoming city:

Saint Pío Park

One of the most popular parks in Bucaramanga is Saint Pío Park, an urban green space that offers a tree-filled sanctuary in the middle of the city. The park is a great place to people-watch or relax. The centerpiece of the park is a large bronze sculpture of a nude woman by renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero using his signature Boterísmo style—sweeping, exaggerated proportions.

Agua Park

For more green solace in the city, check out Agua Park, a nature reserve with waterfalls, ponds, fountains, and lush local flora and fauna, including different flowers and fish. The park is a peaceful place to unwind and revel in nature. During the wintertime, the park has a popular lights display to celebrate the Christmas season.

Eloy Valenzuela Botanical Gardens

For colorful flora, check out the expansive Eloy Valenzuela Botanical Gardens, about 10 minutes south of Bucaramanga. The vibrant botanical garden stretches across 19 acres (5,000 square meters) and has 3,500 species of native plants including orchids, palms, and mosses. You can also relax by the lake, enjoy walking on trails, and see wildlife including squirrels, butterflies, ducks, and iguanas.

Museo De Arte Moderno De Bucaramanga

This modern art museum includes indoor exhibits with paintings, drawings, and other art as well as a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden with murals.

Parque Garcia Rovira

For a historic place to socialize or people-watch, head to Parque Garcia Rovira. The palm-lined park is a popular meeting spot. The park’s namesake, José Custodio Cayetano García Rovira, was a soldier from Bucaramanga who is recognized as a martyr of the nation’s independence. There is a sculpture of him in his honor and the park is centrally located next to government buildings such as the Santander Governorate and the Bucaramanga Mayor’s Office.

Parque Cerro Del Santísimo

See sweeping views of Bucaramanga and a massive statue of Jesus at Parque Cerro del Santísimo. The unique park is in Floridablanca, an area bordering Bucaramanga. You can take a cable car up to the top of the hill and then climb to the top of Jesus’ head, which stands 131 feet (40 meters) high.

The Sagrada Familia Cathedral

In front of Parque Santander is the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, a historic religious structure that was constructed over almost a century (from 1770 to 1865). The elegant building features two white towers and a yellow and green dome (the colors of the city’s flag), as well as stained-glass windows, a ceramic cupola brought from Mexico, and religious paintings by Luis Alberto Acuña and Oscar Rodríguez Naranjo.

Skybar

For some of the best views of Bucaramanga, head to Skybar, located on the top floor of the Holiday Inn Hotel Bucaramanga. Sip some wine or dine on the rooftop against the bright backdrop of the city’s skyline. There is also a rooftop pool that adds to the ambiance.

Retirement Information

Bucaramanga, Colombia is an excellent place to retire for a low cost of living, plentiful green space, and a relaxed pace of life. The many beautiful parks, friendly locals, and warm climate make Bucaramanga a serene place to retire. Colombia has some of the best health care in Latin America and you will find affordable prices for everything from physical therapy to doctor visits. A massage therapy session costs between US$16 and US$40 and a dental appointment will cost you about US$45.

Safety In Bucaramanga

Bucaramanga is a middle-class city that is generally peaceful and away from major crime hubs. Colombia developed a notorious reputation during the 1970s and 1980s when drug lords like Pablo Escobar ran the cities, but Colombia is much safer than it used to be.

It’s always good to take safety precautions in any city, such as locking your doors and being aware of your surroundings.

The areas that expats and tourists populate in Colombia have a strong police presence to ensure your safety. Generally, it’s best to avoid the Colombia-Venezuela border. You can also check the U.S. State. Department’s website for any updates and travel advisories.

Moving And Visas

You can move to Bucaramanga, Colombia, with much less hassle and red tape than many locations. It’s always a good idea to visit before moving, and you can easily travel to Bucaramanga from the United States or Canada for up to 90 days in a row or 180 days in a year without a visa.

For longer stays and moving to Colombia, there are temporary and permanent visa options. You can apply for a temporary visa online or at a Colombian consulate in your home country. A temporary visa usually lasts from one to three years. There are different types of visas for moving to Colombia, and you can apply for the one that best suits your lifestyle.

For retirees, there is a Special Temporary Pensioner’s Visa in Colombia. This is one of the subcategories of the Migrant Type M Visa. For this visa, you have to demonstrate that you receive a pension equivalent to no less than three minimum legal monthly wages. The current minimum wage in Colombia is equal to about US$275 per month, meaning you will need to prove you have a pension equal to US$825 to qualify for the temporary retirement visa. You will have the possibility to renew this visa each time the term is ending.

To apply for the retirement visa, you will need:

• A completed and signed visa application, Form DP-FO-67,
• A valid passport or travel document with at least two blank pages,
• A copy of the main page from your passport as well as a copy of the page with your last Colombian visa and most recent entry stamp for Colombia,
• Two passport-sized color photos, or for applications at a Colombian Consulate, three photos,
• Certification issued by a government or approved authority stating that you receive a pension of not less than three current minimum legal monthly wages.

If you want a permanent visa in Colombia, you can apply for a residency visa, which has no expiration date (but you need to renew your identification card every five years). For the permanent visa, you need to invest at least US$155,000 (based on exchange rates) in real estate or in creating a company in Colombia. After five years of residency, you can begin applying for citizenship.

Visa costs range from US$50 to US$500, depending on the visa, and there is additionally an application fee of US$52. Once you receive your temporary or permanent visa, you must register with the Foreign Registry of Migración Colombia and apply for a Colombian identification card, called a cédula. You will need your cédula for many things in Colombia, including opening a bank account, so it’s important to keep your ID current.

Weather In Bucaramanga