Welcome to Buesaco, Nariño.

Buesaco: A Hidden Gem in Northern Colombia

Nestled in the northern part of Colombia's Nariño department, just a short 35-minute drive from Pasto and accessible by a 20-hour bus ride from Bogotá, Buesaco has emerged as a captivating destination in recent years. Its strategic location near Chachagüí municipality, which boasts an airport less than an hour away, and its proximity to cities like La Unión make it a standout on the region's tourist map.

Buesaco's allure lies in its delightful climate, warm hospitality, and the breathtaking mountains enveloping the town. Consequently, it has become a must-visit spot for travelers eager to explore southern Colombia. The town offers a diverse array of restaurants and accommodations to cater to both locals and visitors.

One of Buesaco's distinctive features is its charming main street, a must-explore route for many tourists, particularly on weekends when they arrive from the numerous spas in the area and visits to the renowned Cañón del Juanambú.

To navigate the town and explore its picturesque countryside, Buesaco boasts an extensive network of motorcyclists and motorcycle taxis, providing a local and regional experience. This web portal aims to spotlight its extensive commercial offerings and showcase its treasures to the world.

Exploring the Charms of Buesaco: Coffee, History, and Nature

Buesaco, a quaint town nestled in the heart of the Juanambú Canyon, an exuberant Andean valley with a history as dramatic as its striking green cliffs. Nearly two centuries ago, the region witnessed some of the bloodiest clashes between guerrillas and paramilitary groups in Colombian history. Today, its exceptional specialty coffees are helping script a brighter future. Buesaco, blessed with ideal altitude, dedicated producers, and ancient volcanic ash soils, now produces some of Colombia's finest coffees, known for their elegant profiles, subtle fruity notes, and hints of flowers and molasses.

The city of Buesaco perches atop the Andes mountains in Nariño, housing the Promotora de Cafés de Altura with its offices, cupping lab, and warehouses. The cooperative collects coffee from small producers hidden in the slopes surrounding the city, meticulously cupping coffees throughout the harvest season to create uniform lots in terms of bean size and cup profile. Buesaco's Washed coffee is celebrated for its cleanliness and balance, thanks to producers who meticulously wash the coffee in parchment. The cooperative, Cooperativa Especiales, holds a regional reputation for quality and fair compensation, also serving as a significant source of local employment and on-the-job education.

Buesaco annually celebrates Carnival, a lively affair filled with costumes and parades. Many coffee producers, who cultivate various crops alongside coffee, call Buesaco their commercial hub. The town features an array of shops and offices, along with community attractions like a soccer field and gyms. José and Karen Gómez manage the Promotora de Cafés de Altura, with both families owning farms in the Buesaco area.

History and Culture

Buesaco carries a rich ethnic history, once part of the Quillasingas tribe. This tribe occupied the region now known as the municipality of Buesaco, though exact settlements remain elusive due to the violent Spanish conquest and limited archaeological research.

Buesaco's historical legacy includes the Battle of Juanambú on April 12, 1814, when General Antonio Nariño's victory over the royalist General Eimerich saw the national flag raised on Buesaco's heights.

**Cultural and Touristic Highlights**

Buesaco is renowned for its cultural and touristic events:

- Patronage festivals of María Inmaculada Concepción on December 7 and 8.

- Red Carnival on January 7.

- Ecological Day on January 8 in the Juanambú hamlet.

- A local band sponsored by the municipal government and the Casa de la Cultura.

- Musical and theater groups in various hamlets.

- The museum in Santa Fe hamlet, exhibiting gobelin works.

- Artisan groups showcasing their products at the annual band festival.

In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Buesaco is celebrated for its agricultural products, including its renowned coffee. Tourists can explore attractions like the Cañón del Juanambú, the Gruta de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes in Pajajoy, the Museo Arqueológico de Jubanguana in Santa Fe, and more. Buesaco is indeed a hidden gem waiting to be discovered in the Colombian Andes.