Tatacoa desert

Tatacoa desert

On your vacation to Colombia discover a desert and a sky full of stars

El Desierto de la Tatacoa or the Tatacoa desert is known for its special rocky formations in red and gray tones and for the many cacti you will find there. The landscape is mysterious and it is one of the hottest places in Colombia: the temperature can reach 40 degrees during the day.

By the way, the name Tatacoa desert is not quite correct because it rains more than in a desert. But desert or not, the landscape is beautiful and ideally suited for a nice walk. You prefer to make these at the end of the afternoon when the sun goes down. It is then no longer as strong and the colors of the formations are at their best. Stay overnight in Tatacoa and enjoy the unique starry sky.
Icoon voor Geverifieerd door de community
 
Weather
During the day the temperature can reach 40°C, but at night it can be cold.
Recommended clothing
Comfortable shoes for walking and summer clothing for the high temperatures.
How to get there?
From Bogotá you fly to Neiva, where you take a bus or taxi to Villavieja. From there you drive to the desert, for example by taxi. Of course you can also choose the car for the entire route.
What does this place offer you?
• A desert-like environment with beautiful whimsical “sculptures”.
 • Special fauna and flora (cacti!).
What to do?
• Take a walk through Cusco, the characteristic reddish zone of Tatacoa.
 • Ride a bike or horse to Los Hoyos, where you'll find a swimming pool in the middle of the desert landscape.
 • Enjoy the truly beautiful sky at night.
Typical local dishes
• Cactus wine: wine made from the cactus that is common in the region.
 • Cabrito: marinated sheep or goat meat that is stewed or baked.
Tips
• Visit this special place with a local guide.
 • Stay on the trails and don't climb the small special hills. They are weak and can collapse easily, which can change the ecosystem.
 • Make sure you have enough water with you as temperatures can be very high.
 • If you stay overnight at Tatacoa, wear warm clothes as the temperature can drop significantly at night.
What else to see and do?
• Neiva is the capital of the Huila department where you will find restaurants, shops and nightlife.
 • Palermo is a great place for adventurous tourism – 58 km from Villavieja.
 • Rivera is a village with many hot springs where you can relax – 61 km from Villavieja.
Other recommended destinations
Sierra Nevada de El Cocuy
The national park of El Cocuy is one of the 56 nature parks of Colombia and the most important mountain park.
Caño Cristales Colombia
Caño Cristales
Caño Cristales, also called the river of the five colours, is located south of Bogotá and is one of the most beautiful places in Colombia.
Capurganá
Capurganá, a small town of fishermen and small-scale tourism, is located on the northwest coast of Colombia.
Cartagena de Indias
Cartagena is a town in the north of the country on the Atlantic coast. It was founded in the sixteenth century.
San Augustín
San Agustín is a city in the Andes Mountains in the west of Colombia and is known for its proximity to the Archaeological Park of San Agustín.
San Gil and Barichara
San Gil is located on the road that leads from the capital Bogotá to the north coast.
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Santa Marta - Parque Tayrona
Santa Marta is located on the north coast of Colombia and forms a contrast between the landscapes near the sea and those of the mountains with their snowy peaks.
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Valle de Sibundoy
The Sibundoy Valley is located in the southwest of Colombia. In the valley you find the municipalities of Colón.
The Colombian Amazon region
The Amazon region of Colombia is one of the six natural regions of Colombia.
La Zona Cafetera
The “Zona Cafetera” is a prosperous region in the middle of Colombia that focuses mainly on growing coffee.
Nuqui
Nuquí is an impressive destination for ecological tourism, especially for whale watching.
Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is one of the most beautiful villages in Colombia and known for its impressive white colonial buildings.
Get in touch!
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