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Eastern Colombia
to Pamplona and then joins the main highway to Cúcuta; or another, partially paved road that proceeds through San Andrés and Guacas before joining the major north-south highway to Bucaramanga. Both highways are prone to landslides and have several military checkpoints. Updated: Jan 15, 2008.
History
Eastern Colombia
Hernán Pérez de Quesada and a small group of Spaniards in search of the Casa del Sol (house of the sun), rumored to be made of gold, came across the Valle de los Cercados. They called the valley this because the indigenous Chitareros encircled their bohíos (huts) with cane poles. Upon hearing of this discovery, Gonzalo Suárez Rendón, Governor of Tunja and originally from Málaga, Spain, ordered Jerónimo de Aguayo to establish a settlement there. On March 10, 1542, Málaga was founded and named in honor of Suárez Rendón’s hometown. In 1549, with the creation of Pamplona, Málaga fell under its jurisdiction. In the present era, paramilitary forces entered Málaga around 2000, causing an exodus of the population. Colombian military entered approximately three years later, securing the town. The people have since returned, once more making it vibrant. Updated: Jan 15, 2008.
When to Go The rainy season in the Málaga area is from April to May and September to November, with the wettest months being May, October and November. Typically, January, June and December are drier and warmer. The city hosts several universities, which are in session January to June and August to the beginning of December. Updated: Jan 15, 2008. Holidays and Festivals Málaga commemorates its patron saint, San Jerónimo, the first week of January. Besides the usual masses and processions, there is a carrazo (car float) competition pitting different sectors of population against each other, as well as elections of kings, dog and cattle shows and bull fights. During the aguinaldos (the novena leading up to Christmas), 16-24 December, do not be startled by the sight of masked, CousinIt-looking creatures prowling the streets, swinging a brightly painted, inflated cow’s bladder at anyone who dares to challenge www.vivatravelguides.com
them. Nowadays it’s young boys (and even a few girls) carrying on the tradition—but it has much changed. In the past, grown men dressed like this, with much competition among them for the best costume. Money would be collected from would-be wallop victim; those funds were then used to finance the carrazos at the beginning of January. To finish off the year is the Festival de Carrancios, or the burning of Old Man Year, on 31 December. Updated: Jan 15 ,2008.
Getting To and Away from Málaga Málaga has no city bus system and local taxis are virtually non-existent. There is no central bus terminal. Major companies include Copetrán, Cotrans and Concorde. Also, shared taxis leave when full from the corner of Carrera 8 and Calle 12, on Parque García Rovira.
From Málaga: Arrive
Departure Time Price
Capitanejo
3 a.m. -11 p.m.
1 hour
$3
Pamplona
4 a.m. -11 p.m.
5 hours
$13
Bucaramanga
4 a.m. -5 p.m.
7 hours
$19
Bogotá
3 a.m. -11 p.m.
9 hours
$24
Cúcuta
4 a.m. -11 p.m.
7 hours
$18
Málaga’s airport, Aeropuerto Jerónimo de Aguayo, is one kilometer from town. Región Air is the only carrier, with flights once or twice a week to Bucaramanga ($80, 25 minutes). Updated: Jan 15, 2008.
Safety in Málaga
Málaga, everyone says, is a very safe place to stay and that there’s no problem at all at night. Updated: Jan 15, 2008.
Málaga Services Tourism Office
The Oficina de Información Turística de los Andes, Málaga’s tourism office, is in the Casa de la Cultura Simón González Reyes (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m. Corner,