From a paraglider the Chicamocha looks like a silver thread. From a raft it's something else: rock walls rising on both sides, canyon sun, and a river whose mood shifts with the season.
San Gil's town hall lists it alongside the Fonce and the Suárez as Santander's three big rafting rivers, gentler in the dry season and fiercer when the rains come.
We don't know whether the hostel arranges it; ask at the front desk and let them point you to operators and dates.
What it feels like
More expedition than outing: huge scenery, dry heat and rapids that depend heavily on the season.
Ideal for
- People who've done the Fonce
- Fans of arid landscapes
- Travellers with extra days in the region
Facts with sources
- Seasons
- The town hall describes class 1–4 rapids in the dry season and 3–5 in the rainy season.Source 1
- Format
- Per the town hall, trips range from a few hours to multi-day expeditions.Source 1
- The river
- The Chicamocha carved the canyon of the same name and joins the Suárez and Fonce to form the Sogamoso.Source 2
What we don't know yet
We'd rather say so than make it up. The team confirms these with the operator:
- Whether the hostel arranges it
- Which operators run it and from where
- Duration and logistics
- Experience requirements
Ask the front desk
- Do you know operators who run the Chicamocha?
- Is now a good season for it?
- Is it a day trip or overnight?
Safety & season
Difficulty changes a lot with the rains. Only go with qualified operators and confirm season, level and requirements with them.
Sources
- Rafting (opens in a new tab) — Alcaldía de San Gil, retrieved 22 Oct 2026
- Cañón del Chicamocha (opens in a new tab) — Wikipedia (es), retrieved 22 Oct 2026
