As every year, the eyes and ears of Colombia will be focused on the stages of the Vallenato Legend Festival, this time in its 59th edition, which will take place in Valledupar from April 29 to May 2. During those days, the accordion, the caja, and the guacharaca, along with the singers, will exert a powerful attraction on attendees. But it will not all be vallenato: the capital of Cesar also has a rich tourism offering that is worth exploring.
The festival is so important for locals and visitors alike that the Mayor’s Office of Valledupar decreed that Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30 will be civic days. This highlights the importance of the vallenato celebration as one of the most representative events in the country, which each year brings together thousands of visitors and boosts local culture and economy.
However, the decree includes exceptions to ensure the provision of essential services and that sectors such as health, emergency response, risk management, security, mobility, and public services, among others, continue to operate normally. “We want Valledupar to shine for its culture, its organization and its good behavior. We will be accompanying each activity to guarantee peaceful coexistence, security, mobility and tourism in every setting,” said the Secretary of Government, Felix Valera Ibanez.
The official refers to tourism because this is a sector that is energized thanks to the Vallenata Legend Festival. Although most people travel to Valledupar at this time to enjoy the best exponents of vallenato, they also seek to enjoy the tourism offering, which is varied and attractive.
Tourist circuits in Valledupar and its surroundings
In Valledupar there is the Santo Ecce Homo hill, a must-stop for lovers of panoramic views. From there, travelers can contemplate how the city stretches between music and the valley, offering a moment of serenity and one of the best postcards of the destination.
The memory of the vallenato icon Diomedes Diaz, also known as “El Cacique de la Junta,” offers the possibility of various tours through the hamlets and anecdotes that were part of his artistic, family and romantic life. The aim is to reconstruct the route of the cacique through the land where he lived, where he fell in love and starred in his own love story, even through the savannas that inspired him to compose his most beautiful songs.
There is also a cultural circuit with a visit to Casa Beto Murgas (Accordion Museum), where visitors can learn about the evolution of the region’s iconic instrument. Also, the Alfonso Lopez Square, which is the folkloric heart of the city, a legendary stage where the Vallenato King is historically crowned and where the true essence of the competition is felt.
Tourists can also, for example, immerse themselves in the Indigenous culture and history of the region through private tours that last from half a day in Valledupar to three days across the region.
For that reason, another option is a getaway to Pueblo Bello, where visitors can learn about the Arhuaco culture through its cosmogony, the iku language, the placement of energy harmonization threads by an Arhuaco authority, sacred sites, the observation and participation in the ancestral weaving process of mochilas with thoughts, and their high-quality coffee crops.
Natural spaces are also a relaxing option, such as the famous Guatapuri River, which has inspired many vallenato hits, and the Hurtado bathing area. Both places are havens amid the city’s warm climate, and they also serve as spots to enjoy local gastronomy, such as sancocho and cheese arepas.
And for those who wish to extend the adventure, the proximity to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta allows a contrast between the rhythm of the festival and the majesty of nature. It is an ideal option to rent a vehicle and explore the surroundings, transforming the trip into an experience of well-being and discovery.