Neiva is situated in the southern west part of Colombia, in the department Huila, by the river Magdalena. It is a really hot city – and not only in the metaphoric way – the average temperature is 27 Celsius degrees!
Neiva is still developing, even though it is tiny like for Colombian standards. It is big enough for you to find everything you need and tiny enough for you to feel the typical, Latino vibe. Where to go to feel those vibrations? Locals unanimously recommend an afternoon walk by the Santander park, which you will find in the city’s centre. The other face of Neiva? Mostly funny, as it is very party place – beautiful, sunny weather and Colombian love to music means that dancing and singing seems to never ends no matter what is the day of the week.
If you will the chance, go to Neiva at the turn of June and July. In that time takes place celebrations, during which apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul are commemorated. At the same time happens Festival Folclórico y Reinado Nacional del Bambuco, the biggest event of this type in the region and one of the most important in the southern part of the country. Within it locals organize parades and dance to the rhythm of regional, Colombian music Bambuco. Especially lovely look women dressed in traditional dresses huilenses, adorned with sequins, embroidery and flowers.
After emotions provided by festival, you surely will get hungry! One of the places worth recommending is bistro 14/54, whose name refer to its address which is Carrera 12 14-54. You can get there fresh seafood, as well as steaks, dishes very popular in that part of Colombia. Eagerly visited is also a restaurant El Solar by Calle 17 con Carrera 7, in which you will certainly find something for yourself, as the menus is full of dishes of many cuisines from all over the world.
