Bucaramanga's Feria Bonita wrapped its 77th edition on September 13, after nearly two weeks of concerts, parades and events across the city. But once the last festival stage goes quiet, Santander does not stop being worth the trip: less than an hour from Bucaramanga there are reservoirs, waterfalls and small towns that are worth a full weekend, festival or not. If you are still in the mood to keep the getaway going, or just looking for something close by for the rest of the year, here is an honest guide to where to go.
The reservoir everyone is talking about
One of the fastest growing getaways near the city is the Topocoro Reservoir, known locally as the sea of Santander. Comfenalco Santander recently opened the Los Trinitarios Water Park in the municipality of Betulia, a project covering more than 131,000 square meters with capacity for over 4,000 visitors. At the same time, the Santander government is moving forward with a nautical and tourism infrastructure project directly on the reservoir, including its own pier and access road, though construction is still in an early stage. It is not a coincidence people are talking about this place: Santander welcomed 38,458 international tourists in 2025, up 5.5 percent from the year before, and the reservoir is part of what is driving that number.
What a weekend on the water actually looks like
Getting to this stretch of the reservoir from Bucaramanga takes about 50 minutes via the old road to Barrancabermeja, past the La Renta rest stop. Once you arrive, the water takes over: kayak and paddleboard for a slower pace, jet ski and wakeboard for more adrenaline, and several lookout points where the sunset over the reservoir is reason enough for the drive. You do not need a full weekend to enjoy it, plenty of families from Bucaramanga head up just for the day and drive back that same night. But more people are choosing to stay longer, and some are already thinking about having a place of their own on this shore instead of depending on a single day trip.
When the plan sticks with you
That is exactly the kind of decision behind Altos de Yariguíes Country Club, a development of 138 lots and a commercial area built and sold directly by Proyecto Girasoles S.A.S., only 500 meters from the reservoir's water sports facilities. The project already has paved roads, solar powered street lighting, underground electrical wiring and a social club with a panoramic pool, social bar and ecological trails, and its model home is built and open for in person tours. It is not the only plan in the area, but it is one of the few that lets you live this same getaway every weekend, not only when your schedule allows it.
Whether you come for a day, a weekend, or because you are thinking about something more permanent, Santander keeps giving reasons to come back long after Feria Bonita's stages go quiet. If the idea of having your own place by the water stuck with you, you can get to know Altos de Yariguíes with no obligation.