Colombia travel blog by Mark Berman -
January 2021
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Hot and sweaty, the tropical climate in Neiva located beside the Magdalena River south of Girardot and east of Cali. A city not usually visited while on the tourist
trail in Colombia. However, you can get a quick flight here from Bogota with EasyFly which is what I did to start a leg of travel to some unknown places in the
south of the country. My route for this trip was Neiva, Florencia, San Agustin, Mocoa, Pasto and Tumaco. Apart from Pasto, all new places for me! The River Park
Like all
river cities in South America that I know and there are many, the river of course is an attraction. A place to stroll under large trees and enjoy the nature that is
all around you - birds, butterflies, exotic plants and flowers. Noticeable for me is that Neiva could make their river park and malecon a lot nicer and safer. Like
the city of
Monteria in the north-west where they have done a terrific job in creating a safe, family-orientated river park and malecon. Best time to walk along
the riverfront in Neiva is early morning or late afternoon as the heat becomes quite intense in the middle of the day.
In & Around Neiva
Santander Central Park is where
hotels, restaurants and shops in Neiva are located and everything to see in the city is accessible from here. See the Gothic cathedral (1957), the white colonial
church (a national monument) which was rebuilt in 1791 and the large fountain. Between Santander Park and the river is Plaza Civica Los Libertadores where you can
see the monuments - Monumento Quinto Centenario (a tribute to locals) and Barcino (a man taming a bull). The Tatacoa Desert, 38kms from Neiva makes a good day trip
from the city.
South To Florencia
From Neiva it takes 5hrs by road southward to get to
Florencia which is where I headed next!