Belén de los Andaquíes is a municipality in Caquetá, Colombia that is known as the touristic capital of the department. It is surrounded by the Pescado, Sarabando, and San Juan rivers, which provide many eco-tourism opportunities like waterfalls and swimming areas. The town was founded in 1917 and derives its name from the religious tradition of its founders and the indigenous Andaquí people who originally inhabited the land. There are several notable places to visit in Belén de los Andaquíes like El Eden natural swimming pool, Sarabando River, the Catholic church, and the Alto Fragua Indi Wasí National Natural Park.
5. Belén de los Andaquíes , highlander’s land, it is the home of honest , decorous, hospital and worker people. It is encircled of three important hydrographic springs such as the Pescado, the Sarabando and the San Juán rivers, reason why it has a big eco-touristic capacity which contains a lot of waterfalls, natural bathing resorts, rapids and ecologic paths. They let the tourists delight with an exuberant beauty that shows the joining between the piedmont of the eastern mountain range and the great Amazonian ecosystem; because of all these reasons this municipality has been established as the best touristic town in Caquetá department.
7. Historical Review Belén de los Andaquíes was founded in February of 1917, 17 by the Cappuccino missionary FRAY JACINTO MARIA DE QUITO , on Santo Thomas plain in the southern foothills of Caquetá at the banks of El Pescado river. The name of “Belén” comes from of the religious tradition of its founders, to exalt the place were Jesus Christy was born and “Andaquies” serves as a recognition to the natives who occupied this territory some centuries ago.
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9. The Andaquíes natives occupied this land, they were located in the middle mountain zone of this Municipality, their activities were agriculture, fishing and hunting; they were scattered in small groups to the long and wide of this territory. When colonists arrived to explode keno and rubber in the XXVIII century decimated the native population.
10. It includes 1.111 Km2 of which 60% are in the Amazonian plain and other 40% in the mountainous area. The oldest road to go from Huila to Caquetá, known as “Trocha Belén-Acevedo”, it has been used since 19 th century by the Franciscan friars. By the middle of the century a new process of settlement began due to the effect of the political violence. The new settlers came from the rural area of the Andes’ zone, they arrived to this land lacking of resources for a living, but the first settlers helped them to survive in this wild jungle.
11. Cattle-raising sector has been the most important economic aspect in the region , it has had the institutional support too. The cattle population is 48.000 heads of which in this township. Agricultural activity presents difficulties in marketing and low technological development, the difficulty transportation has generated a decrease in crop production, for that reason it is planted only what is necessary for consumption.
13. This paradise is located on the Amazonian foothills, at 1º23’ North latitude, 75º50’ south latitude of Greenwich meridian and 42 Km from Florencia, Caquetá department on the south way. The warm weather is prevailing with a temperature ranging from 12ºC in the highlands to 26ºC in the warmest parts FLORENCIA MORELIA BELEN DE LOS ANDAQUIES
14. Arriving to Belén is possible by car. Being in this beautiful land takes around 40 minutes from Florencia. You can take a taxi in the Florencia’s bus station from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets have a low price, while you travel you will have an amazing Caqueta’s country view.
15. Also you will have the opportunity to pass throw Morelia that is an special town where you would taste its delicious “empanadas”
17. There is another kind of food that you must taste e.g. “Papa rellena”, “Masorca asada” and “Empanadas” all of them are delicious food and you can buy it in the Central Park Restaurants offer some typical food, for instance “Caldo’e pescao”,”Caldo’e cucha”, “bocachico en salsa” and another else, it is a recognized food by its aphrodisiac properties that give a lot of energy.
18. Here you can stay in village hotels, they offer comfortable rooms and a excellent service for a low cost, rooms with fun and private bathroom, in this hotels there is TV room too.
19. INTERESTING PLACES Belén de los Andaquies is a well known town for its beautiful touristic places, the Pescado bridge, El Eden, the Central Park, the Sarabando river, the Catholic church, the last Andaquí monument and much more.
20. ALTO FRAGUA INDI WASI NATIONAL NATURAL PARK It was created by means of 0198 resolution in February the 25 in 2002 by The Environment and Development Ministry, it has 77.336 ha of area, the 30% of this park is located in the Belén’s territory. Indi Wasi means in Inganan language “sun’s house"
21. EL EDEN NATURAL SWIMMING POOL It is a quiet place, if you want to be relaxed you have to come here, where you will find log cabins, natural swimming pools, spectacular waterfalls. You also will delight its famous “sancocho de gallina”. It is located to 2 kilometers from Belén on the way side to Florencia .
22. EL SARABANDO RIVER It is one of the best places to enjoy on holidays, in its delicious water you will feel like being in the Heaven. There is a lot of space for preparing your own meal and enjoy it with your family on the river side. The village people sell chicken and firewood to cook a delicious “sancocho”.
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24. SAGRADO CORAZON DE JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH The most of people from Belén are catholic, we have a beautiful catholic church in front to the Central Park, it is an excellent place to talk with our lord Jesus Christy . In April we have an special celebration of the holly week.
25. CENTRAL PARK CENTRAL PARK Its lots of trees give to it a big shadow to rest and drink something, it is possible to appreciate the “Los Pescadores” monument, it represents a old tradition of this town. In front of this park we have the disco to go in the night to dance and drink liquor.
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27. EL ULTIMO ANDAQUI MONUMENT It gives the welcome to tourists that arrive at this town, it is located in the gate of Belén. This monument symbolize an Andaqui native, who emerges from the ground, he raises his hands in sign of rebellion, a pair of hands are trying to come back him into the underground. Made by Emiro Garzon
