Avistamiento de Aves 
BUGA
Región Central
Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Buga, Guadalajara de Buga
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Guadalajara de Buga: A Cultural and Tourism Treasure in the Valley
Guadalajara de Buga is a town in central Valle del Cauca, Colombia, about 74 km north of Cali. It is best known for the Basílica del Señor de los Milagros, a major pilgrimage site, and it also has a colonial historic center and, on the outskirts, the Laguna de Sonso, a wetland for birdwatching. It is an easy day trip from Cali or Tuluá.
Status of the Basílica (checked on 26 September 2026): after the earthquake of 10 August 2026, the interior of the church is closed due to structural damage. Masses are held in the plaza, and the shrine of the Señor de los Milagros can be visited from the back of the building (information from the rector, 7 September 2026). The basilica has not announced a reopening; check milagrosodebuga.com before you travel.
How to get to Buga
| From | Distance | Driving time | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cali | 74 km | 1 h to 1 h 20 min | Troncal de Occidente (Route 25) |
| Tuluá | 20 km | 20 to 25 min | Route 25 |
| Palmira | 50 km | 50 min to 1 h | Route 25 northbound |
By bus: buses to Buga leave the Cali bus terminal (Terminal de Transportes) every day (Líneas del Valle, for example, runs a direct service), and the trip takes about an hour and a half. Check times and fares at the ticket office.
Other names
Ciudad Señora (Stately Lady City), Spiritual Destination of the Americas
Gallery of Buga, Guadalajara de Buga
Algunos lugares de Buga:
Population
116,893 inhabitants
Climate
Dry tropical
Altitude
966 m above sea level
Founded
March 4, 1573
Local food
What you can't leave without trying
Starters, snacks, and fruits
Pandeyuca (cassava bread rolls)
Empanadas
Aborrajado (fried ripe plantain with cheese)
Pandebono
Marranitas (fried green plantain with pork)
Fried plantain chips
Chontaduro (with salt and/or honey)
Green mango
Main dishes
Sancocho de gallina (hen soup)
Tamal valluno
Arroz atollado
Beverages
Lulada
Cholado
Jugo de borojó (borojó fruit juice)
Champús
Masato
Desserts and sweets
Manjar blanco bugueño (Buga-style milk caramel)
Colaciones (sugar candies)
Biscochuelos (sponge cakes)
Melado (cane syrup sweets)
Fig sweets
Bocadillo de guayaba (guava paste)
Dulce cortado (curdled milk sweet)
Desamargado
Alfeñiques (sugar paste candies)
Moscorrofios
Melcochas (taffy)
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Tourism in Buga
6 ways to explore the city. Open each category for details.
Architectural and historical heritage +
The Old Railway Station, the Casa de la Cultura, the house of Captain Luis Velásquez de Rengifo and the Casa de Hacienda "La Julia"
Religious buildings +
Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol, Capilla de San Francisco, Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Capilla de la Merced and Iglesia de Santa Bárbara
Ecotourism +
Laguna de Sonso (El Chircal) nature reserve, Río Guadalajara National Protective Forest Reserve, Chiquique and Chimbilaco streams, Los Pailones, El Vínculo Regional Natural Park (INCIVA), Ciénaga El Conchal
Theaters and museums +
Teatro Municipal Ernesto Salcedo Ospina
Parks +
Las Hermosas National Natural Park, Simón Bolívar park and José María Cabal park
Hotels +
Hostal del Regidor, Hotel Guadalajara and Hotel Casa del Peregrino, run by the Redemptorist Fathers' foundation
Fairs and festivals of Buga
The cultural calendar that moves the city
Feria Exposición Nacional Agropecuaria de Buga (National Agricultural Exposition Fair of Buga)
This fair features various events such as technology, crafts, and business pavilions, including beauty pageants, horseback parades (cabalgatas), comparsas (costumed parade groups), a vintage car parade, agricultural business roundtables, a livestock auction, cultural events, activities for children, and more.
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Festibuga
This festival is held at the end of August, featuring both established and up-and-coming artists, with numerous local and international orchestras and bands representing the local culture.
Festival Bugarte
This festival showcases film and visual arts.
Borders of Buga
Neighboring municipalities and territories
North
Municipio de San Pedro
South
Municipios de Ginebra y de Cerrito
West
Municipio de Yotoco
East
Departamento del Tolima
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