Places & Sites 
RIOFRÍO
Región Central
Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Riofrío, the Tourist Reserve
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Riofrío, the Tourist Reserve
Riofrío: The municipality of Riofrío is known as «La Reserva Turística» (The Tourist Reserve) because it has a variety of landscapes typical of Valle del Cauca, ecological wealth, and diverse wildlife. Most of the municipality of Riofrío is mountainous and has great water resources, with nine rivers including the Cauca, Riofrío, Cuancua, Piedras, Volcanes, Tesorito, Limones, Lindo, and Culebras rivers. It also has a variety of agriculture, including coffee, sugarcane, eucalyptus, cacao, and panela cane, among other crops that support the municipality’s economy. Located in the Centro subregion, it sits 112.1 km from the departmental capital, Cali.
Other names
Reserva turística (Tourist Reserve)
Riofrío (also spelled Río Frío) is the municipality in central Valle del Cauca known as "the tourist reserve": it is 112 km from Cali, nine rivers run through it, and it offers river swimming spots, ecoparks and rural villages such as Salónica and Fenicia. It is a weekend trip for anyone looking for cold water, mountains and local food away from the busiest spots.
Riofrío at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Valle del Cauca, between Trujillo (north), Tuluá and Andalucía (east) and Yotoco (south). |
| Distance from Cali | 112 km by road. |
| Altitude | 908 m above sea level in town. |
| Rivers | Cauca, Riofrío, Cuancua, Piedras, Volcanes, Tesorito, Limones, Lindo and Culebras. |
| Rural villages for tourism | Salónica and Fenicia. |
Things to do in Riofrío
- Vayjú Ecopark: at kilometer 6 on the road to Salónica, with pools, kayaking, a zip line, horseback rides and cabins. It is the attraction the town government promotes most. See the Vayjú Ecopark guide.
- River swimming spots: the Riofrío River, the Piedras River and the Cuancua swimming spot are the best known among locals.
- Salónica and Fenicia: mountain villages with scenery, traditional buildings and rural life; in the hamlet of La Judea, in Salónica, there is farm lodging.
- Town center: the main square, with cool afternoons, and the churches of Santa María Magdalena and Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
- Nature: the Piedra Pintada Nature Reserve, the Duende páramo and the Madre Vieja wetland, for longer hikes.
What to eat in Riofrío
The food is classic Valle del Cauca cooking: arroz atollado, wood-fired hen sancocho, pandeyuca and pandebono. Desserts include grape arequipe, figs, cocadas and desamargado. The town also holds the Festival del Bofe y la Fritanga, with music, dance and traditional food.
How to get to Riofrío
From Cali: take the Pan-American Highway north to Buga; from there continue toward Mediacanoa and take the Mediacanoa–La Virginia road to Riofrío. It is 112 km, about two hours by car.
From Buga: the trip via Mediacanoa takes about an hour. If you are going to Vayjú Ecopark, from town take the paved road toward Salónica.
Gallery of Riofrío, the Tourist Reserve
Algunos lugares de Riofrío:
Population
14,716 inhabitants
Climate
Dry tropical
Altitude
908 m above sea level
Founded
July 22, 1567
Local food
What you can't leave without trying
Beverages
Jugo de caña de azúcar o guarapo (sugarcane juice)
Lulada
Borojó juice
Champús
Masato
Dishes
Sancocho de gallina (hen soup)
Tamal valluno
Arroz atollado
Appetizers and snacks
Pandeyuca
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Arepa valluna
Empanadas
Aborrajado
Pandebono
Marranitas
Tostadas de plátano
Chontaduro (con sal y/o miel)
Mango biche
Desserts and sweets
Arequipe de uva
Panela
Calabaza
Cebo
Papaya verde
Cidra
Brevas
Cocadas
Desamargado
Champús
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Tourism in Riofrío
7 ways to explore the city. Open each category for details.
Churches +
Iglesia San María Magdalena, la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Ecotourism +
Reserva Ecológica Fedena, rincón Ecológico Nuestra Herencia, bosque Alto Andino
Swimming spots +
Vayju, balneario Cuancua, balneario los Ríos, río Riofrío, río Piedras
Páramos and reserves +
Reserva Natural de Piedra Pintada, páramo del Duende, humedal Madre Vieja
Lagoon +
Laguna de cantarrana
Cultural +
La Plaza principal, la Casa del Abuelo
Recreational center +
El Centro Recreacional Ricardo Alvarado Cruz
Fairs and festivals of Riofrío
The cultural calendar that moves the city
Festival del Bofe y la Fritanga
Dances, musicians from different cultures, days full of music and cultural enjoyment, and of course plenty of fritanga (mixed grilled meats), the dish that characterizes the festival
Frequently asked questions about Riofrío
Where is Riofrío, Valle del Cauca?
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In central Valle del Cauca, 112 km from Cali, between Trujillo, Tuluá, Andalucía and Yotoco.
Why is Riofrío called the tourist reserve?
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Because of its natural wealth: nine rivers, mountain areas, reserves such as Piedra Pintada and river swimming spots, plus rural villages such as Salónica and Fenicia.
What swimming spots are there in Riofrío?
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Vayjú Ecopark, with pools and lodging, and river spots such as the Riofrío River, the Piedras River and the Cuancua swimming spot.
How long does the trip from Cali to Riofrío take?
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About two hours by car on the Pan-American Highway to Buga and then via Mediacanoa; it is 112 km.
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