A town and in the Santander Department of northeastern Colombia.

 The town was very influential in the history of Colombia. It was here that the revolt of the Comuneros of 1781 began against the oppression of Spanish rule.

It may be a small town in the state of Santander, less well-known than Bucaramanga or San Gil, but it has a big place in Colombia’s history. Two hundred years ago, on the eve of Colombia’s Independence, the country’s three main cities were Bogotá, Cartagena… and Socorro. In fact the city was the capital of Colombia – for a day – and played a key part in the Independence movement

On a three or four day trip, El Socorro can be the ideal base to enjoy the best of the Santander department: from the adrenaline of rafting the Suarez river – one of the best in the country for water sports – to the dreamy tranquility of Barichara, a colonial village of picture postcard perfection and now a national monument and just an hour away from El Socorro is the Chicamocha canyon. Deeper than the more famous Grand Canyon in the U.S. – it boasts spectacular views.