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Pico Simón Bolívar

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Mountain
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Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)

Weather…

Pico Simón Bolívar is one of the two highest peaks in Colombia, situated within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. With an estimated height of about 5,700 meters, it stands nearly identical in altitude to its twin peak, Pico Cristóbal Colón. The mountain was named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the 'Liberator' of South America, and serves as a significant national landmark. Geologically, the range is composed mainly of igneous rocks and remains isolated from the main Andean cordilleras. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to an extraordinary number of endemic species across various ecological zones, ranging from tropical rainforests to alpine tundras. The summit of Bolívar is covered by glaciers that are currently undergoing rapid retreat due to rising global temperatures. For the indigenous communities of the region, the mountain is an integral part of their spiritual worldview. Because of its remote location and national park status, the area remains largely untouched by modern mass tourism.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C212222232323232322222121
Rain mm3311341097863841101709729

📋 Practical info

🧭
Getting there
Expeditions to this towering twin peak in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta must be organized through specialized mountaineering agencies in Santa Marta or Valledupar.
📅
Best season
The prime climbing window is the short dry season from December to March. Outside these months, heavy snowfall and intense storms make the high-altitude conditions extremely severe.
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Terrain & paths
This is a formidable alpine challenge involving treacherous glacier crossings, loose rock fields, and near-vertical ice walls. Technical mountaineering skills are absolutely vital.
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What to bring
Full expedition gear is mandatory, including crampons, ice axes, helmets, harnesses, and ropes. Heavy-duty thermal clothing is essential to survive the freezing high-altitude winds.
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Parking
Vehicles are typically left far behind at the base towns or indigenous community staging areas. From there, long treks or mule transports carry equipment towards the base camps.
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Safety
Severe altitude sickness, avalanches, and hidden crevasses are constant threats. Proper acclimatization over several days is crucial, and armed escorts are sometimes required.
⏱️
Time needed
A complete expedition to acclimatize, establish camps, summit, and return typically takes anywhere from ten to fourteen days. It is a major undertaking for seasoned climbers only.

Geography

Coordinates
10.83530, -73.68470

Facts

  • Elevation of approximately 5,700 meters
  • Twin peak to Pico Cristóbal Colón
  • Named after the Liberator Simón Bolívar
  • Part of the world's highest coastal range
  • Isolated from the main Andean chain
  • Glacial area has decreased by 80% since 1900

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Pico Cristóbal ColónPico Cristóbal Colón<1 km · SExplore →
Sierra Nevada de Santa MartaSierra Nevada de Santa Marta2 km · SWExplore →
PalominoPalomino19 km · NEExplore →
Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)27 km · SExplore →
Pueblito ChairamaPueblito Chairama34 km · SEExplore →
La Loma Coal MineLa Loma Coal Mine40 km · WExplore →
MincaMinca49 km · SExplore →
ValleduparValledupar49 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Pico Simón Bolívar (1)

Pico La Reina🌿 nature

A prominent peak in the central massif of the Sierra Nevada, offering spectacular views for mountaineers.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is it as high as Cristóbal Colón?
Almost, both are often considered twin peaks at around 5,700m.
Where is it located?
Also in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Are there glaciers there?
Yes, but they are unfortunately shrinking due to climate change.
Is access restricted?
Yes, access is limited out of respect for indigenous cultures.
What is the weather like at the peak?
Extremely cold and often stormy with thin air.
Pico Simón Bolívar: where is it located?
Pico Simón Bolívar is located in Colombia.
Pico Simón Bolívar: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Pico Simón Bolívar: why is it worth visiting?
Pico Simón Bolívar is one of the two highest peaks in Colombia, situated within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Santa Marta — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Santa Marta
One of the oldest existing cities in South America.
Palomino — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Palomino
Palomino is a laid-back coastal town where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the Caribbean Sea.
Minca — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Minca
A lush mountain village in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, famous for coffee farms and waterfalls.
Valledupar — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Valledupar
The musical heart of Vallenato music.
Tayrona — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Tayrona
Tayrona National Park enchants with palm-fringed Caribbean beaches that merge directly into the dense jungle.
Aguachica — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Aguachica
Second largest city in Cesar, an important logistical hub.

Nature

Magdalena River — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Magdalena River
The principal river of Colombia, crossing the country from south to north.

More places

Pico Cristóbal Colón — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Pico Cristóbal Colón
The highest mountain in Colombia, located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta near the Caribbean coast.
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest coastal mountain range in the world, geologically isolated from the Andes.
Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)
An ancient city in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, built by the Tairona culture around 800 AD.
Pueblito Chairama — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Pueblito Chairama
Ruins of an ancient Tairona village in Tayrona National Park, showcasing the stone architecture of the indigenous culture.
Tayrona National Natural Park — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Tayrona National Natural Park
A protected area where dense tropical forest directly meets breathtaking Caribbean beaches.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
A 17th-century hacienda where South American liberator Simón Bolívar spent his last days in 1830.
Tayrona Free Trade Zone — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Tayrona Free Trade Zone
A major industrial park in Santa Marta, serving companies in logistics and export.
Puerto Nuevo (Coal Port) — Pico Simón Bolívar (Colombia)
Puerto Nuevo (Coal Port)
A modern hard coal export port with a direct loading system that minimizes environmental impact.