It was officially named the tourist capital of the region in 2004, thanks to its outdoor activity opportunities such as rafting, caving, kayaking and hiking.

San Gil's history goes back to pre-Columbian times, when it was inhabited by native indigenous people called the Guanes.

The town was officially founded on March 17, 1689, by Don Gil Cabrera Dávalos and Leonardo Correa de Betancourt.

"Comuneros" rebels came from nearby regions, united, traveled to the capital, Bogota, and fought for the nation's independence, a process which occurred during the early 1820s.

San Gil's main square is called Parque la Libertad (Liberty Park), which is the most common meeting place in the town and a hub for night life.

It also has a 6.3 km (3.91 mi) long cable car, one of the longest in the world in its category,[10] offering a ride across the canyon and into the plateau called Mesa de los Santos.