Emerging eco-travel destination on the edge of the Amazon basin
San José del Guaviare is the capital of the department of Guaviare and has 66,000 inhabitants. The city is located at the northern end of the Colombian Amazon region, just over an hour’s flight from Bogotá.
The still unknown San José del Guaviare is most likely not a destination on your Colombia bucket list, but do you like a destination off the beaten track where you can hike in a special and still largely untouched natural environment? Then this destination should definitely be on your bucket list!
Given its location in the transition area from the Llanos to the Amazon, there is a varied landscape with spectacular rock formations and natural whirlpools. The wildlife is equally diverse. These include many species of birds, monkeys, pink river dolphins, anteaters and caimans.
In Tranquilandia you will find this pink river, the lesser-known “sister” of the Caño Cristales, the pink river in the Meta region.
The well-preserved Indian drawings in Nuevo Tolima and Cerro Azul, which were placed under protection in 2018, are also special. But these are not the only reasons why San Jose del Guaviare is so special.
Region of change The Guaviare region is also known as the region of change.
Not so long ago, this area was inaccessible to travelers because of the “conflict”, but since the peace agreement, ecotourism has slowly taken off. Tour operators are working with local indigenous communities and families who used to work in the coca industry and now tell travelers their stories of how tourism has completely changed their lives. As the income from tourism goes to the locals, you know that your money is well spent.
Another advantage of a trip to San Jose del Guaviare: Since tourism is still in its infancy, you’ll be one of the few tourists! A trip to San Jose del Guaviare will therefore inspire you and give you an insight into the history of the country and its people, who prefer to look forwards rather than backwards.
How do you plan a trip to San Jose del Guaviare? This travel guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan a trip to this beautiful part of Colombia.
Photos: Geotours
# ColombiaMyWay Tips
How do you plan your trip to San José el Guaviare?
#1 Check the best time to travel
The rainy season from June to November is the best time to visit. Outside of this time, the rivers and natural “whirlpools” are dry and these are the special attractions in this area
#2 Check the current situation
San José del Guaviare and the tourist attractions in the area are considered safe, but it is good to keep an eye on the current situation and check this via the website of the Dutch government, but especially with locals, such as local tour operators.
#3 Book your flight
You can reach San José del Guaviare with a 1.15h direct flight from Bogotá with Satena or EasyFly. There is also a bus from Bogotá and Villavicencio, but this is currently not recommended due to safety concerns (as of May 2024).
#4 Book your excursions
San José del Guaviare is not a destination that you can visit on your own. The sights are located deep inland, where you can only get to with an off-road vehicle or boat and a local guide.
Option 1: Book a package deal with a tour operator
The easiest way to make the trip. Accommodation, transportation and excursions are included. If you do a group trip (in small groups), it can be much cheaper than if you have to organize everything yourself or in pairs. The costs for transportation, guide, entrance fee and possibly boat can add up.
Pioneer in ecotourism Geotours is one of the pioneers in Guaviare. They work very closely with indigenous communities and former coca farmers who have now opened up their fincas to tourism. So you know your money is well spent when you book a tour with them. What’s more, their tours are consistently rated 5 stars, making them a great choice for your trip to Guaviare. Popular tours include the Cerro Azul day tour which includes a hike to the famous Indian drawings and the 3 days/2 nights -all inclusive- tour which includes a visit to the pink river at Tranquilandia and a hike to the bizarre rock formations at Puerto Orion.
The highlight of this multi-day tour is a boat trip to Laguna del Nare, where you can watch dolphins in the wild and even swim among them.
Option 2: Arrange tours on site
This is a little more tedious (especially if you don’t speak Spanish). Arranging tours locally can be a challenge. There is usually a minimum number of participants required for a tour so you don’t have to pay for a private tour.
#5 Check out our tips for hotels in San José del Guaviare here
San José del Guaviare is a small town and the choice of hotels is not very large. However, there are a few comfortable hotels and guesthouses. Here are our tips:
Price range between $50-$75
- Hotel Quinto Nivel
The special thing about this hotel are the two whirlpools on the roof terrace with a beautiful view
Price range under $50
Check here: more Hotels in San José del Guaviare.
