San Cipriano, brujitas and the river
Nature reserve of the San Cipriano community, about 2.5 hours from Cali on the road to Buenaventura. You go in from Córdoba on a brujita, a wooden platform pushed by a motorbike along the old train tracks.
- Price
- Brujita round trip COP 18,000 and reserve entry COP 5,000 (2024 prices)
- Price level
- $$$$$
- Duration
- All day
- Address
- Reserva Natural San Cipriano, rural Buenaventura; access through the Córdoba district, on the Cali-Buenaventura road
San Cipriano is a hamlet in rural Buenaventura set inside an 8,564-hectare reserve looked after by the CVC and the community, organized as the Fundación San Cipriano. There's no road: from Córdoba you travel about 6 to 7 kilometers along the old railway line, in about 20 minutes, sitting on a brujita, a wooden board on iron wheels pushed by a motorbike.
What you come for is the river. The water is clear and cold, there are eleven swimming holes and two waterfalls, and the most popular plan is floating down the river on an inner tube. There are also trails, a butterfly house and Pacific food: encocados, piangua (a mangrove clam), crab and products made with viche (a sugarcane spirit).
In September 2024 the brujita cost COP 18,000 round trip and entry to the reserve COP 5,000. After the August 10, 2026 earthquake, the Buga-Buenaventura road was left with controlled, stop-and-go traffic at several points, and the trip from Cali got longer. We found no reports of damage in San Cipriano, but before you go, check the road conditions and that the brujitas are running.
What to see
- The brujita ride along the tracks through the rainforest.
- The clear-water swimming holes of the San Cipriano River.
- Floating down the river on an inner tube.
- The reserve's trails and butterfly house.
Getting there
- By bus from Cali's bus terminal toward Buenaventura, asking to be dropped off in Córdoba, where the brujita ticket booth is.
- By car on the road to the coast and the Buga-Buenaventura road to Córdoba; from there you continue by brujita.
- There's a second entrance through Zaragoza, crossing the San Martín suspension bridge, which the community itself admits isn't in great shape.
Tips
- Leave Cali early: since the earthquake the road to Buenaventura has stop-and-go traffic and the trip takes longer.
- Bring cash in small bills for the brujita, entry and food; don't count on paying by card.
- Ask what time the last brujita back leaves as soon as you arrive; if you miss it, you'll have to spend the night.
- After heavy rain the river rises; if so, don't go into the pools without asking the local guides.
FAQ
How much is the brujita to San Cipriano?
In 2024 it cost COP 18,000 round trip, plus COP 5,000 entry to the reserve. Confirm the price at the Córdoba ticket booth.
Is San Cipriano open after the earthquake?
We found no reports of closure or damage at the reserve. The Buga-Buenaventura road has had controlled traffic since August 12, 2026, so it's worth checking road conditions before you leave.
Can you do it as a day trip from Cali?
Yes. It's about 2.5 hours to Córdoba and 20 minutes by brujita. Leave early to get several hours at the river.
Do you need to go with a tour?
It's not required. You can get there by bus and pay for the brujita in Córdoba; tours from Cali include transportation, brujita and tubing.
On the map
Photos: Carlos Mafla (Gigo6000), CC BY 3.0 · Mario Carvajal, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
