Valledupar is the capital of the department of Cesar in Eastern Andino and the birthplace of Vallenato music.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Known as the “forest city”, Valledupar is considered the greenest city in Colombia. As the birthplace of Vallenato music, the city is representative of a unique part of the Colombian culture. The city has around 350,000 inhabitants and enjoys year-round sunshine. The average temperature is 30 °C and the driest months are from December to February.
In the urban area transportation services are provided by taxis and by private bus companies covering the entire city by shared routes. Lately, a new form of transportation has been developing: the informal auto (mototaxi). Local buses depart from the square around the market.
Plaza Alfonso Lopez. Indian village of Nabucimake (get a shared taxi to Pueblo Bello (COP$20,000) and then another one to Nabusimake (COP$15,000)). (updated Mar 2026) Museo del Acordeón, Cra. 17 #9A-18, ☏ +57 300 8368877. 2 tours: 10am and 3pm. Learn all about Valledupar's acclaimed vallenato music. COP$35000. (updated Sep 2023) Casa De La Mama De Diomedez Diaz, Carrera 17 (adjacent to Museo del Acordeón). Former home of a vallenato musician (Diomedez Diaz). (updated Oct 2020) Callejón De La Purrututú, between Carreras 6 and 7 near Calle 13c (not far from the plaza), ☏ +57 300 5906243. Valledupar historical museum. (updated Oct 2020) El Cuartico, Cra. 14a #9C - 05.
Go for a swim in the river, though be aware that it gets packed on weekends and holidays. Festival de la leyenda Vallenata. Competition of vallenato band taking place in the last week of April. Expect a big crowd. Witness interesting traditions and culture of the Arhuaca people here or in their secluded town of Nabusimake. Enjoy traditional and Spanish colonial architecture.
Try some of the Fritos from the street vendors. Specially carimañolas (fried yuka filled with different types of meat) are delicious. It is typical of the Cesar's State. Corozo juice is also very popular in the city.
Discothèques La Licorera: Carrera 9 # 9 - 36 Plaza Mayor: Carrera 6 #15-70, Plaza Alfonso López La iguana: Carrera 9 #10-44 Kankurua: Calle 16a # 7 - 61 Coffee shops Café Plaza Mayor: Good location and nice bar. Three music ambiances. (Carrera 6 #15-70, Plaza Alfonso López) Juan Valdez: Guatapurí Plaza (Av. Hurtado Diag. 10 No. 6N-15) Restaurants Compae chipuco: Carrera 6ta con calle 16. Ask for "el almuerzo" at lunch and "menu del dia" it´s the cheap option. Antore Pizza: Calle 12 Nro 17-46 Tel: (5) 573-3030 La Razón: Typical food. Carrera 6 Nro 11-03 Tel: (5) 584-6051 Jerusalem: Carrera 9 Nro 7c-29
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Valledupar typically sees ~36°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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