Zapatoca is a municipality renowned for its natural and cultural attractions. It boasts an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, earning it the nickname “The Village with Silk-Like Climate.” The village is also known for its beautiful facades, featuring architectural styles ranging from colonial to republican, adorned with vibrant flowers. Painted utility boxes and lampposts with scenic landscapes, spacious streets, and beautiful plinths add to its charm.
The local culture and continuous folk and artistic activities enrich the village, where tranquility is a significant part of its wealth. The village takes pride in its cultural events and hosts three main festivals every year: the International Dance Festival, the International Choir Festival, and the Bell Festival.
Furthermore, the municipality stands out for its cultural tourism, with a significant history in religious matters. It is referred to as the “Levitical City” due to the presence of more than 150 priests, 200 nuns, 11 bishops, and a cardinal. Additionally, the municipality houses 14 chapels and 2 churches, all of them operational and holding high architectural value.
Zapatoca is unique in Colombia and the entire continent due to its geological heritage, which includes the best-preserved rock sequence from the Lower Cretaceous, particularly from the Valanginian-Hauterivian period. This allows us to learn about the history of the sea that existed in Colombia approximately 135 million years ago, featuring unique fossils found nowhere else in the world.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Job opportunities for all
Zapatoca promotes job generation at all levels and inclusivity in various positions, including young individuals, whether they are men, women, or part of the LGBTI community. This includes single mothers, displaced persons, individuals with disabilities, and more. An example of this commitment is the operator of Cueva del Nitro, who employs six individuals, the majority of whom are young women and heads of their households. Employment opportunities are also formalized for immigrants who are offered the same opportunities. Additionally, the town provides continuous training through SENA (National Service for Learning) in various areas.
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Innovative Experiences for Tourists
The village has developed innovative experiences that attract tourists.
The presentation of rural music groups in public spaces, regional folk dance festivals and the ongoing development of products related to tourism clusters and coffee, aiming to innovate in routes that offer experiences in coffee planting, production, preparation and coffee tasting.
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Strong involvement of the private sector
The private sector is committed to the development of tourism in the village. The Association for the Tourism Development of TURIZAP, which has been active for the past 8 years brings together entrepreneurs from the sector to promote the destination, encourage collaborative work, improve the quality of life for residents, and achieve continuous improvement.
This entity also holds the presidency of the Tourism Federation of Santander (FEDETUR), setting an example as a guild at the departmental level. It leads the organization, development, and promotion of the Santander destination.
