Tuluá is the second biggest town located in the core of the Valle del Cauca, Colombia, South America. Founded around 1741 in southwestern Colombia on the Tuluá River, it has a population of around 200,000. It is in the hearth of Valle del Cauca department.

Description

The city was established by Juan de Lemos y Aguirre, and is a major industrial and commercial center. The city is famous for its attractive women and delicious food. It is well-known throughout Colombia and many parts of South America as a major center of salsa dancing. Located 3° north of the equator, the weather in Tuluá is very tropical, with hot, sunny days punctuated by intense storms. It lies between the two westernmost cordilleras of Colombia, about 50 miles east of the Pacific Ocean port city of Buenaventura.

It's also known as the Corazón del Valle (approximating to Valley´s Heart/Core)and also as La Villa de Céspedes (Town of Lawns). Tuluá is a native name meaning Tierra Fácil (Easy Land). Even though its urban area is small, Tuluá is a big place if you take into account the rural area.

The River Tuluá runs through the urban part. A lot of vegetables and fruit are grown here thanks to the diverse climates.

Tuluá has excellent access to three major cities: Cali, Pereira and Armenia.

Other features include:

• Regional airport Farfán ;
• Soccer Stadium 12 de Octubre (October 12th) with a 17,000 capacity;
• Renowned Hospitals;
• Shopping Malls: La 14 and La Herradura, among others;
• Regional Universities;
• Excellent infrastructure with all the national public utilities:
  • Tuluaguas,
  • Cetsa (electricity),
  • Teletuluá,
  • Gases del Valle,
• Industrial Park.
• Communication Mass Media:
  • Television
  • local newspapers (El Tabloide is the most important).
• Professional Soccer Team (Cortuluá ).
• Sufficient hotels and restaurants.

Tuluá is located:

• 430km from Bogotá, DC., capital of Columbia;
• 100km from Cali, capital of the Departamento del Valle del Cauca;
• 172km from the important Buenaventura, Colombia Harbor, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

Tuluá is famous not only because of violence or great quantity of motorbikes in it. It is also famous due to its people´s sense of humour, tenderness and integrity.

Climate

The weather is hot in the city: 28 degrees Celsius and more. Nights are cool, though.

Entertainment

You can find different ways of entertainment.

If you´re looking for parties, go to Yambú Discoteque, a place where Salsa music is played and where black and white people demonstrate the tolerance. Or go to the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone), where you´ll find your music site: cross over, rock, rancheras, vallenatos etc. as well as fast food places and different restaurants. Another choice is Nariño, the Juanchito for Tulueños.

The best thing you will not regret when you are here is the Feria de Tuluá (Tuluá´s Festival). This takes place every June, in the second or third week. You can find all kinds of things here. Hard to describe with words! Within the festival, of course, music plays an important role - bands, artists, and singers show their capabilities mainly in singing. A musical presentation is held each night, preferably one that mixes emotions.

Tourism

If you want to sight-see, go to the Jardin Botánico Juan María Céspedes (in Mateguadua Village), Barragán , La Moralia , La Marina , or to nearby villages and towns. You can also go and see the Chillicote Lake, with its famous herons, or dive in the natural waters of the Parque de la Guadua.

Gastronomy

Some famous beverages are chicha de maíz, masato and champús.

Typical food: Sancocho, Morcilla or Rellena, Tamal, etc.

And some sweet meals: Desamargado (orange, lemon, pumpkin, grapefruit, and early figs), Natilla (at Christmas time only), Trasnochado (maize, cheese, yucca, and arracacha).

Famous sons

• Faustino Hernán Asprilla - footballer
• Gustavo Alvarez Gardeazabal
• "Poncho" Rentería

External links

• Alcaldía de Tuluá
• El tabloide newspaper