It is located on the eastern slope of the Colombian Massif, the mountainous area where the Central and Oriental Cordilleras merge.

[3] In June 26, 1593, Captain Bernardo de Vargas Machuca, a Spaniard from the city of Simancas reported having reached the settlement on the side of the Iscansé river.

In the year 1600, the Andakies and Aguanungas, indigenous tribes from these region, rebelled and destroyed the towns of Mocoa and Simancas.

In order to protect the memory of the town, a commemorative plate was placed by the local community on the walls of the Church of Santa Rosa in the center of the town that reads: Translation: The most recent foundation of Santa Rosa is attributed to Eduwiges Becerra and Benito Mavesoy who allegedly donated the land in year 1870.

After August 30, 1872, Leonidas Gómez from Almaguer, Quina's agent, changed the name of Villa or Town of Simancas to Santa Rosa.