Top 10 Places From Encanto You Can Visit
#10: Los Estoraques
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When we follow Mirabel inside Bruno’s room we enter an unexpected landscape of vertical rock formations. It’s a sight that is awe-inspiring, overwhelming, and a little bit spooky. When it came to this memorable interior design, the directors took their inspiration from Colombia’s great outdoors. Though it was only established in 1988, the national park of Los Estoraques, is an ancient and otherworldly natural wonder. Located in the department of Norte de Santander, the site is distinguished by its unique rock columns and pedestals, which were formed by thousands of years of erosion. Their surreal beauty proved to be the perfect visual setting for Bruno’s mysterious powers.
#9: Medellín
With Encanto being set entirely in an idyllic small town, you might wonder what the movie takes from Colombia’s second largest city. But there is one character in particular who would be completely at home in Medellin. Known as both The City of Eternal Spring and the City of Flowers, Medellin would undoubtedly welcome the botanically brilliant Isabela with open arms. The vivid flowers she creates all over her hometown would shine at the city’s annual Feria de la Flores. This festival includes a parade showcasing hundreds of stunning floral arrangements carried by local farmworkers, and is even referenced in the film. If Isabela is your favorite Madrigal then Medellin should be top of your list to see her power in action.
#8: Valledupar
Colombia’s rich and diverse musical tradition is celebrated in the Encanto soundtrack. While you might be familiar with salsa or cumbia (among others), a trip to the northeastern city of Valledupar will help you get acquainted with a lesser known style of music that is uniquely Colombian. Vallenato is a type of folk music that blends elements of African, European, and native styles. This is reflected in its three main instruments, the caja drum, the accordion, and the indigenous rhythm instrument called a guacharaca. You might spot some drums and accordions in Encanto’s vallenato inspired opening number. If this infectious song has made you a fan of vallenato, a fall trip to Valledupar will let you enjoy all you can handle at their annual festival.
#7: Aracataca
There is no symbol more important in Encanto than the yellow butterfly. Not just a representation of transformation and resilience, though, these butterflies are also a nod to celebrated Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez. As a child living in Aracataca the yellow butterflies around his grandparents house made a deep impression on him. The magical realist would go on to incorporate them as a symbol in his future novels, most notably in “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” Today you can visit that same house, now a museum, and see if you can spot any butterflies yourself. And if that’s not enough, hop down south to the Jardin Botánico del Quindío in Eje Cafetero, the coffee axis, to enjoy one of the world’s best butterfly gardens.
#6: Chocó Rainforest
Of the rooms that we get to see in the Madrigal casita, Antonio’s is definitely the most impressive. We’ll let you know when we figure out how to get that into a bedroom, but for the time being you can journey into its real life inspiration, the stunning Chocó Rainforest. This sprawling pacific paradise is one of the most biodiverse locations in Colombia. It is home to as many as 10,000 species of plants, as well as countless animals. Many of these are included among Antonio’s friends, like jaguars, tapirs, capybaras, and toucans. If you’re not content just exploring by day, places like the Reserva Natural Tanimboca provide treehouses for overnight stays, which will give you a more authentically Antonio experience.
#5: Bogotá
Colombia’s busy, modern capital may seem a world away from Encanto, but Bogota was a big source of inspiration for the film’s creative team. For instance, the Madrigal casita with its large interior courtyard was designed based on the historical colonial era homes of the city’s La Candelaria district. Meanwhile, a visit to the National Museum of Colombia will lend insight into Colombia’s unique heritage. The 20,000 piece collection will help you appreciate how well Encanto depicts the blend of indigenous, African, and European influences in Colombian culture. Also, a close look at the Madrigal engagement dinner reveals they are fans of Bogota cuisine. Ajiaco, a traditional soup from the city, is visible on the table.
#4: Cartagena
The village of Encanto looks too beautiful to exist anywhere except a Disney movie. Incredibly, though, stepping into the world of the film could be as easy as booking a flight to Cartagena. The seaside city is one of most well-preserved colonial metropolises in South America. In its walled Old City you can find narrow streets lined by colorful houses that will definitely look familiar. In fact, Cartagena’s famous flower-drenched balconies were the direct inspiration for the ones seen in Encanto. For a similar, quieter, time warp experience, head a couple hours south to the village of San Basilio de Palenque. The first free African town in the Americas has retained its distinct cultural traditions for centuries despite its close proximity to a major city.
#3: Cocora Valley
If you want to step foot into the actual, literal setting of Encanto, look no further than Cocora Valley. Set in the Andean foothills of the Eje Cafetero, it would be harder not to be inspired by the dramatic landscape. The steeply rolling green hills seem to go on forever, and the Quindío wax palm trees, a symbol of Colombia, can grow an astounding 200 feet tall. The first time Encanto’s directors saw Cocora Valley they knew they had found the Madrigal’s home. The nearby town of Salento is a perfect base to explore from. Aside from providing visitors with opportunities for hiking and horseback riding, Salento boasts great food, and colorful architecture that also made its way into Encanto.
#2: Barichara
As you can see, lots of Colombian locations contributed to the look of Encanto. But if you want the closest match to the village itself, there’s no place better than Barichara. Found roughly seven hours north of Bogota, director Jared Bush described it as a town lost in time. Indeed, Barichara is one of the 17 perfectly preserved heritage towns recognized by Colombia, and seeing it feels like stepping back into the 18th century. The village’s winding cobblestone streets, red tile roofs, and colorful accents are mirrored in Encanto. It’s the vibe of Barichara, though, as a timeless fairytale place that is the most obvious in its film counterpart.
#1: Caño Cristales
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Though the candle is regarded as the source of the Madrigal family’s powers, there’s definitely something special about the river in Encanto. Early on, Alma and Pedro cross it just before Alma receives the miracle, and later it is the scene of some much needed family healing. The colorful waters could only be movie magic right? Nope. Deep in the Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena flows the Caño Cristales, also known as the Liquid Rainbow. Every year between July and November a plant called Macarenia clavigera turns the water red, yellow, blue, and green. Knowing there’s an actual rainbow river flowing out there on this planet gives special meaning to the world of Encanto and it’s magical realism.
