Everyone told me not to go to Cauca.
I get it. The headlines here don’t exactly paint a picture of sunshine and rainbows — rather they’re flooded with news alerts about bombings, kidnappings, and violence in this mountainous region. But I knew there were stories I wanted to hear, so I packed up my motorcycle and made my way into Colombia’s most infamous department.
What I found in Cauca couldn’t have been farther from the picture I’d been painted. The capital city of Popayán was overflowing with pilgrims from around the world participating in the Semana Santa traditions — the oldest of their kind in Latin America. The mountains were filled with diverse indigenous nations, who tend to the plants, the land, and the beliefs they’ve worked long to preserve. These two worlds coexist and interact, and yet are over too often overshadowed by the violence that has long plagued this region.
My trip to Cauca was truly one of the most profound experiences I’ve had on my travels throughout Colombia. In my conversations with spiritual leaders, indigenous elders, and pilgrims from around the world, I saw a side of Cauca that isn’t often shared, a place of deep spirituality and tradition. What an honor to experience it, and I hope you’ll enjoy following along in the video!
More About Cauca
If I’ve written any articles about Cauca, you’ll see them listed here!
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In my journey to visit all 32 departments of Colombia I’ve written extensively about the different places I’ve traveled and people I’ve met. Click below to view all of my guides, stories, and tips from my travels around Colombia.
Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.