Get the Best Bus from Bogota to San Agustin, Colombia

Reviewed

on: 2023-02-01

by: Lisa Gembrini

Quick Facts

  • Duration

    11 hours 00 minutes

  • Rating

  • Experience

    archaeological, sacred sites, hiking

  • Best Price

    USD $ 36

  • Maximum comfort or class

    Good

  • Departures

    Multiple departures daily

  • Recommended by

    1134 travelers

Price may fluctuate due to seasonal demand and other market-driven and regulatory events.

How to get to San Agustin by Bus

One of the many pre-Colombian statues that rest in the San Agustin area of Colombia.

Are you planning a trip to San Agustin, Colombia? If so, the San Agustin Tourism bard counts you among the 1,500 travelers every month looking for the most convenient and cost-efficient way to get there, with 92% of them rating the bus as in the “very good” or “excellent” categories for the mode of transportation.

In this article, we'll discuss the best options for getting to San Agustin by bus from Bogota, including the cost, duration, and other important details. We'll also go over some tips for making your bus journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Cost of Bus Travel from Bogota to San Agustin

The cost of taking a bus from Bogota to San Agustin depends on a few factors, including the type of bus you choose and the company you travel with. Generally speaking, the cost of a bus ticket from Bogota to San Agustin ranges from $36 to $40 USD.

Some other factors can affect the price:

When you go

Weekdays are the ideal time to travel since there is generally less crowding and the ticket prices tend to be lower. San Agustín is a popular tourist destination with its ever-running nature show, providing plenty of activities and attractions throughout the week. If you must travel on the weekend, Saturday is your best bet, as it is usually the day when most weekenders have already reached their destination.

When you book

Avoid leaving your travel arrangements until the last minute. Most of the time, you will find that offices have closed after selling out, or you will be met with a long process due to staff being busy or not wanting to deal with desperate customers. Furthermore, there will likely be many people ahead of you in line, who may have an advantage due to their ability to speak Spanish and their negotiation skills.
It is much better to plan ahead and book online so that you don't have to worry about the situation when you arrive and can rely on having your ticket in hand.

Other minor factors

There are also some other mitigating factors that can impact the price.  These include the more obvious like a luxury bus that seats fewer people with more ample leg room and wider seats.  Also, buses departing from larger cities have greater access fees to the terminals and therefore pass those fees on to customers, whereas in smaller towns the fees are lower or nonexistent.  Then there are the more opaque reasons like if the bus plans to make extra stops, then its price to travel will be cheaper than a more direct route; or if the company is running a promotional campaign that reduces the fare below their normal rate. 

What are the buses like in Colombia?

If you plan on spending any time in Bogota, you will certainly make use of the TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). It's a convenient way to get around the city at a low cost, and it also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Nevertheless, it is not like the long-distance buses found in Colombia, which can range from aged jaloppies carrying farmers, chickens, and musicians to luxurious air-conditioned double-decker coaches. If you are traveling from Bogota to San Agustin, you can expect those on the higher end of this spectrum, as these buses are built to travel over long distances and come with several onboard conveniences like climate control, electrical outlets, and wi-fi, and either toilets or planned stops at cafeterias with professionally maintained public bathrooms.

How long is the bus ride to San Agustín?

The ride from Bogotá to San Agustín is 525 kilometers and takes a minimum of 10 hours if you are utilizing a direct route without any transfers.  However, most buses require a change to a separate bus in Neiva or Pitalito, which are the regional hubs, and this can involve a delay of an additional three hours or more, depending on the time of day you’re arriving. However, a transfer may be preferable if you want to take a pause in these larger cities and walk around or grab something to eat before continuing on the journey to San Agustin.

What are the bus schedules from Bogotá to San Agustín?

There are not that many, and they all leave at night.  This clearly underscores what bus companies have learned from the demands of their passengers over time, that they want to sleep on the bus to perhaps avoid paying an extra night’s lodging in Bogotá and wake up in San Agustín around breakfast time. 

There are currently four scheduled departures leaving Bogotá between 19:00 and 21:00 (7-9 pm). So, basically, there’s a relatively compact night caravan with limited options to choose from, which is why you want to reserve in advance. 

Where can I book bus tickets from Bogotá to San Agustín?

You have two options here:

Online

Purchasing a ticket online is the quickest, most affordable, and most reliable way to reserve a bus anywhere in Latin America. Select the date, time, and price that works best for you by clicking the Reserve Now button above. You can board the coach as soon as you arrive at the terminal and present your ticket on your phone.

In-person

As previously stated, the only true benefit of booking in person is that it enables you to be more spontaneous, which is definitely all well and good. If you decide to visit the terminal in person to shop, plan to arrive several hours early, and carry all of your luggage with you. It can take a lot longer than you anticipate, and you won't have time to go back to your hotel to recover your belongings. In addition, bus terminals, particularly those in Colombia, are sizable establishments, and you won't want to exert yourself by slogging through lines only to discover that by the time you reach the front, all seats have already been claimed. It is a terrible way to spend your time in Bogotá.

What to do in San Agustín

One of the many pre-Colombian statues that rest in the San Agustin area of Colombia.

San Agustin, Colombia is a small but vibrant town in the southern part of the country that draws in visitors with its beautiful landscapes and diverse culture. Located in the Department of Huila, San Agustin is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombia. With its unique mix of traditional and modern architecture, stunning natural scenery, and plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained, San Agustin is sure to provide every traveler with an unforgettable experience. Here are five of the best things to do in San Agustin for a first-time visitor. 

#1. Visit the Archaeological Park of San Agustin

The Archaeological Park of San Agustin is one of the most popular attractions in the area and a must-see for any first-time visitor. This park contains numerous archaeological sites and ancient sculptures that date back up to 3,000 years, including pre-Columbian megalithic monuments, statues, burial mounds, terraces, and funerary buildings. Additionally, it has the Fuente de Lavapatas site, a sacred structure excavated in a stream's bedrock. Visitors can explore the park on foot or take a guided tour to learn more about the region’s ancient history. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes located in the park, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. 

#2. Hike to the San Agustin Waterfalls

San Agustin is home to a number of stunning waterfalls, which makes it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The most popular of these is El Cinco, a thundering waterfall located just outside of town, which is particularly impressive during the rainy season when it reaches its peak levels. Other nearby waterfalls include Tres Chorros, La Filangoa, and Bolivar, all in the valleys and ravines surrounding the town. Visitors can take a guided tour of the waterfalls or explore them on their own. 

#3. Non-Waterfall Hikes

Surrounded by so much beautiful wilderness, visitors should take advantage of this by going on some stunning hikes around San Agustín. The most popular hike is the Viracocha trek because it promises you lots of bird species to spot. Other popular hikes include one from the Magdalena river up to a Hare Krishna temple, as well as an archaeologically themed hiking trail called Tablón-Chaquira-Pelota.  See more information on all these trails with maps. 

#4. Visit the San Agustin Church

San Agustin Church is an iconic landmark located in the heart of the city. This church was built in the 16th century and is still in use today. Visitors can take a guided tour of the church and learn more about the history and architecture of the building. The church is also a great place to take in the views of the city and the surrounding landscape. 

#5. Go Zip lining over the Magdalena Canyon

For those seeking an adrenaline-filled experience, zip-lining over Magdalena Canyon in San Agustin Colombia is a perfect adventure. It will give you a chance to experience nature and the beauty of the canyon in a way that cannot be experienced anywhere else. This canyon is the one you travel through between the main highway and the secondary road that leads into the town of San Agustin.  The mountain range is one of the deepest in the world, with canyon walls reaching heights of up to 1000 meters and making the view from the zip line over the canyon absolutely breathtaking. The zip line service is over two kilometers long and reaches speeds of up to 80km/h, including a safety briefing and a guide that will help guide you through the adventure. 

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many things to do in San Agustin for a first-time visitor. With its stunning scenery, rich culture, and plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained, this city is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.  Taking a bus from Bogota to San Agustin is a great way to get to San Agustin in an affordable and convenient way. The cost of a bus ticket from Bogota to San Agustin ranges from $20 to $50 USD, and the duration of the journey is typically between 10 and 14 hours. Once you arrive, you’ll quickly agree the trip was worth it as you step into another world that transports you to a time of the ancients.

Route Map

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often do the buses return to Bogota from San Agustin?
There are five departures daily that all leave between 4 am and noon and go to Neiva where you can easily transfer to many departures to Bogota.
Is San Agustín safe to be wandering about?
In the past, there was a presence of FARC rebels in the area that created a lasting stain on the area as a haven for revolutionary rebels. This has long since faded out when the civil war in Colombia reached an accord with the rebels, and San Agustin now is a booming area for safe and pleasurable tourism.
Can you rent bikes in San Agustin if I’m not a walker?
Yes, there are several outfitters who rent bikes to go on trails. Do bear in mind that the San Agustin area is very hilly and rugged, so you should be physically fit and prepared even for a bicycle trip, and you may come to realize that walking is easier.
What are the ticket policies?
It depends on the carrier you choose, but their specific policies can be previewed during checkout or in the summaries printed on your ticket email. For a general overview, see the Ticket Policy page.

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