San Cipriano River Adventure Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the unique 'brujitas' transport
- Swim in the crystal-clear river waters
- Discover the lush rainforest surroundings
- Learn about local Afro-Colombian culture
- Enjoy a refreshing river tubing adventure
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Cali
- Guided tour of San Cipriano village
- River tubing experience
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
Pass by: Cali belongs to the Pacific region of Colombia, an area that boasts diversity. If there’s something you can’t miss on your trip to Cali is finding yourself in the wonders of San Cipriano natural reservoir.
Pass by: you will take one of the rarest transportations we are sure you’ve ever seen: the “brujita” (which literally means the little witch) is a platform powered by motorcycle on a rail which happens to be the only way of accessing San Cipriano, and it will take you there in 30 minutes.
Once you arrive in San Cripriano you will notice its lush nature and beauty, full of creeks and its crystalline water river in which you could use some tubes to navigate it through. In the guided tour around San Cipriano, you will learn about its people, biodiversity, food and nature.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in Spanish; English-speaking guides may be limited
- Not recommended for individuals with mobility issues
- Availability may vary during the rainy season
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and swimwear
- Bring a waterproof camera or phone case
- Carry cash for personal expenses and tips
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- The Tour Guide will contact you the day before in case you have any questions or assist you with any requirements
- This tour has a private and a shared option. Make sure you understand both and choose the one that best suits you.
Traveler reviews
San Cipriano Reserve
San Cipriano is a wonderful place to walk, disconnect from the city and share with nature. I recommend this shared tour and Juan Camilo is a great guide.
Excellent trip highly recommended
A really exciting excursion, both culturally and in nature. Authentic immersion in local populations. Andrea was very happy and pleasant all the way teaming up with local Guide Joao Andrés.
A unique experience
We had a spectacular time! The community of San Cipriano is very welcoming and friendly. Our guide Paul was excellent, he has a lot. knowledge of the area and we learned a lot from him. He made our day super fun. San Cipriano is beautiful and it is a place that you definitely have to go to when you visit Cali.
Nature's Waterpark
San Cipriano is around 2.5 hours from San Antonio, Cali and is well worth the journey. The car ride alone gives spectacular birds eye views across the city as you climb over the mountains and then decend into green valleys thick with jungle. The second stage of the trip starts when you arrive at a small but bustling street off the main road, where you are efficiently packed onto a contraption known as a "Brujita" or, "Little Witch". A mode of transport which is essentially a wooden pallet with a roof and narrow benches bolted to a dirt bike and nested onto rail tracks that lead through the jungle. Little Witch is accurate as you'll find yourself cackling like a crone as you're buzzed along the tracks and through the forest at 15mph. Upon reaching San Cipriano, a village consisting of two streets lined with rudimentary hostels and eateries, our guide Santiago leads us to the river and our 1st swimming stop. The river is shallow but the current can be very strong and dragged me off my feet and downstream a few times. It's not dangerous for anyone above the age of 15 but can be scary if you're not used to wading in Rivers or using the currents to your advantage. Make sure you bring shoes you can wear in the water as it will help you traverse the riverbed. Santiago then takes us to 3 more swimming spots, we really enjoyed his company and he would challenge us to swimming competitions and Spanish lessons, he would also check the depth of the river by diving down at junctions where you could jump from the banks. After a great lunch of Sawfish and fried plantain with rice, we headed back to the river for our transport back to the 1st swimming spot... an inflatable tube. The tubing was great fun, if the river is shallow, you might want to lift your arse up and above the water if you see incoming boulders... my partner found this out the hard way. Overall our trip was incredible, I highly recommend it. If you like to swim in fast flowing water, jump from 6m riverbanks, don't mind getting changed in a bathroom or out in the open or figuring some things out yourself (like raising your arse) then you'll have an incredible time. If you come here expecting to be molly coddled and treated like a Sultan, then why are you even here?
Unforgettable Day!
Incredible full day surrounded by the nature and beauty of Colombia! The guide and driver were consummate professionals, knowledgeable and true experts on the area and full of great info to share. Impossible to pick a best part…the incredible brujitas ride we will never forget? Best coffee, chorizo and arepa in a great spot on the ride? Hike through the nature preserve to 2 waterfalls? Swim in crystal clear river? Flowers and trees at every turn? Delicious fresh lunch at a local spot outside the reserve? Impossible to pick from so many highlights. Thank you Angela and Carlos for an absolutely unforgettable day!!
