Tulua

Introduction

Tuluá sits in the heart of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, and serves as a major industrial and commercial centre for the region. Founded around 1741 by Juan de Lemos y Aguirre, it is known by several affectionate names, including the Corazón del Valle, La Villa de Céspedes and Tierra Fácil.

As one of the department's larger cities, Tuluá offers a working, commercial side of the Valle that rewards travellers interested in local life rather than a polished tourist trail. Use its nicknames as your guide: expect a central, easy-going city with a strong regional identity.

Three days in Tulua

Day one: Start in the centre of Tuluá and get your bearings around its historic core, then head out to La Villa for a first taste of the surrounding Valle landscape. In the evening, settle into the easy rhythm of Corazón, where the streets fill with the sounds and smells of local cooking.

Day two: Give the day to the countryside. Make for Tierra Fácil to walk among the green hills and warm, humid air of the Cauca valley, then return to town for a meal of regional dishes. If you have energy left, wander the centre again and take in the architecture tied to the city's founding by Juan de Lemos y Aguirre.

Day three: Slow down. Spend the morning around Céspedes and the quieter corners of the centre, then use the afternoon to revisit whatever you liked best, whether that is the food, the views toward the Valle, or simply the pace of life in Tuluá before you move on.