A unique geological setting that attracts travelers from all over the world.
News Colombia.
Deep in the Eastern mountain range, among the mountains that outline the Colombian northeast, there is a place that seems frozen in time and protected by nature itself. It is about Bethlehem Beacha small municipality in Norte de Santander that, despite its size, has one of the most surprising landscapes in the country: a system of natural rock walls that function as a geological shield around the town. This environment has turned the municipality into one of the best kept secrets of national tourism.
See: The forgotten ruins of the Hermitage of La Peña: a hidden treasure on the hills of Bogotá
Belén Beach is recognized as one of the Heritage Towns of Colombiaa distinction that highlights its impeccably preserved colonial architecture. Its cobbled streets and white-fronted houses with wooden windows and doors evoke the quiet life of a past that still breathes in every corner. However, what really distinguishes the municipality are the immense rock formations that surround it and that, seen from a distance, look like walls built by giants.
These natural structures are part of the area known as The Storachesa unique natural park in the country that houses columns, spiers, canyons and stone sculptures shaped by thousands of years of erosion. It is a landscape that surprises visitors with its almost lunar appearance, where wind and water have sculpted whimsical figures that challenge the imagination. It is these rock walls that embrace and protect the town, acting as a natural monument that frames its beauty.
Despite its inhospitable appearance, Los Estoraques coexists in harmony with the daily life of the inhabitants of La Playa de Belén. The residents have learned to live with this geological treasure that surrounds them, integrating it into their cultural identity and their economic activities. The area is a reference for hiking, photography and ecological tourism, attracting travelers who seek landscapes different from the traditional ones of the country.
The municipality also preserves traditions that strengthen its charm. The local festivities, the typical gastronomy and the hospitality of its inhabitants turn the trip into a close and authentic experience. Furthermore, the effort to keep their customs alive has allowed La Playa de Belén to be seen as a model of heritage conservation in the region.
Today, this town hidden between natural walls remains one of the most surprising destinations in Colombia. Far from the urban noise and surrounded by a landscape that seems hand-carved, La Playa de Belén rises as a refuge of history, nature and magic. A place where the country reveals, once again, that its beauty is not only in its large cities or beaches, but also in these corners that seem to emerge from a story.
Here, five places to visit in La Playa de Belén
You may be interested in:
