1
Two legends, neither confirmed
Agile monkeys or a boy who imitated them: the lookout’s name is pure Barichara folklore.
Natural lookout · Barichara
Salto del Mico
A rock balcony over the Suárez River canyon, just a short walk from the main square.
1 / 5 · The walk
Head out of town on foot
From the main square, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the edge of the canyon.
2 / 5 · The edge
Suddenly, a sheer drop
The rock ends in a cliff above the Suárez River canyon.
3 / 5 · The canyon
Rock walls and forest
Below, the canyon; ahead, the mountains of Santander.
4 / 5 · The photo
Sitting on the rock
The most sought-after photo in Barichara. Take it well back from the edge—there are no railings.
5 / 5 · The horizon
As far as the eye can see
On clear days, you can make out parts of the town of Galán.
Good to know
Salto del Mico Lookout
It’s the most photographed lookout in Barichara. It’s inside town, you can walk there, and there’s no entrance fee. What it doesn’t have is any protection: the edge is open rock.
- Where
- Southern edge of townA few minutes’ walk from the main square
- Admission
- FreeIt’s an open public space—no one should charge you to get in
- What you’ll see
- The Suárez River canyonAnd parts of Galán on clear days
- When to go
- Early morning or late afternoonWhen the sun is gentler for walking and photos
Be careful: the lookout has no railings. Keep children and pets away from the edge, and don’t get close to the drop for a photo.
The name
Why is it called Salto del Mico?
“Salto del Mico” means “the Monkey’s Leap.” No one knows for sure where the name comes from, and two different stories are told:
1. The leaping monkeys
The most widespread version says that back when dry forest still covered these slopes, monkeys lived here and leapt between the rocks of the cliff. Locals started calling the place by that name in honor of these agile animals.
2. The boy who imitated a monkey
The other version is darker: a boy, trying to impress his friends, supposedly leapt off the cliff imitating a monkey. There’s no historical evidence that it ever happened—today it’s just a piece of local folklore.
Whichever is true, the name stuck—and with it, one of the most breathtaking views in Santander.
History
A lookout with small-town history.
Long ago
According to tradition, dry forest covered these slopes and monkeys moved among the rocks of the cliff.
Today
It’s one of the most visited and photographed spots in Barichara, right inside town.
Stories and fun facts
For a smooth visit.
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It’s free
The land doesn’t belong to any company. If someone tries to charge you admission, be wary.
3
There are no railings
It’s natural rock. The photo sitting on the edge is famous, but it’s best taken with distance and caution.
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Make a morning of it
It’s just a few minutes from the Cathedral, so you can easily see both in one morning.
Gallery
Photos you’ll fall for.
Tap a photo to see it full size.
On video
The canyon, from the air and from the edge.
Barichara, Santander, from a drone · Drones Sky Zoom on YouTube. Aerial shots of Barichara and its surroundings.
Salto del Mico Lookout · Cuéntele a Pablo on YouTube. What it feels like at the edge of the lookout.
Location
A short walk from the main square.
What’s the plan?
Message us and we’ll help you plan your visit to Salto del Mico and pair it with other spots in Barichara.
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Sources
We only share what we could verify. When sources disagree, we say so. Accessed October 1, 2026.
- Blu Radio — El Salto del Mico, el mirador más famoso de Barichara
- Barichara Santander — Salto del Mico
Photo credits
barichara-calle: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
mico-1: Motero colombia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
mico-2: Motero colombia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
mico-3: Pedro Alejandro Ariza Rubiano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
mico-4: PezRojas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Licenses: CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, or public domain (CC0), depending on the photo.