The Colombian plains are known for their vast landscape, rich biodiversity and unique plains culture. But if you’re reading this article, you’re probably already familiar with its charms and are looking for all the details to plan your trip to the Colombian plains, aren’t you? During our stay we took notes on everything and in this post we want to share with you many travel tips that will be of great help before and during your stay.
In this article, we have set out to make your visit to the Colombian plains a memorable one, so we’ll walk you through the first steps of organising your adventure and offer you tools to make the most of your time. With the help of the Passporter App, you will not only be able to plan your itinerary thoroughly, but also organise your travel documents, tickets and accommodation in an orderly fashion. Ready to start this unique experience?
1. Prepare the documentation for travelling to the Colombian Plains
We know you’re eager to start your trip to the Colombian plains, but don’t rush because first of all you have to sort out all the travel documentation. You’ll see that it’s not diffucult, but it does take some time.
- Visa-free travellers: For citizens of many countries in Latin America, the European Union and some others, it is not necessary to obtain a visa for short tourist stays of up to 90 days. It is advisable to check the specific policy for each country. As in some cases, this stay can be extended up to 180 days while in Colombia. You will need to present a valid passport, a return ticket and in some cases, proof of financial solvency or a letter of invitation may be a requirement.
- If your nationality requires a visa to enter Colombia, you will need to apply through the Colombian embassies or consulates in your country, or through their online form. The process can take a couple of weeks, so we recommend you do it in advance. Some visa categories allow multiple entries and can be valid for up to one year, although the maximum stay generally allowed is 180 days per year, which can be divided into periods of up to 90 days per entry. The fee is €40 for Europeans and Cubans and €82 for all other nationalities.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
2. Choose the date to plan your trip to the Colombian Plains
If you want to make the most of your stay in the Colombian plains, we recommend travelling in the dry season, which runs from December to March. During these months, roads are more passable and outdoor activities such as plains safari, bird-watching and fishing are more enjoyable without the hassle of mud and flooding that rain brings. However, the heat can be intense, so it’s advisable to bring sun protection and drink water.
One of the most outstanding events in the Colombian plains is the International Festival of Plains Culture in Villavicencio, which takes place in December. This festival celebrates the music, dance and traditions of the region with joropos, coleo competitions and concerts. It’s a great time to soak up the local culture while exploring the area.
3. Find out how to get to the Colombian Plains
The Eastern Plains is a vast territory that stretches across eastern Colombia. And it is famous for its extensive plains, which means that there is no just one point of access. And you can reach it in different ways:
- By plane: Villavicencio is known as the “Gateway to the Colombian plains” and is served by regular flights from Bogotá and other major Colombian cities. Airlines operating here include Satena, Easyfly, Vivaair and Avianca. On the other hand, Yopal, the capital of the department of Casanare offers direct flights from Bogotá, Medellín and Bucaramanga.
- By bus: From Bogotá and other major cities there are bus services to Yopal and Villavicencio, with several departures daily. The journey takes just over 3hrs.
- By car: On arrival at Bogotá airport you can hire a car. The roads to Yopal and Villavicencio are in good condition, providing a comfortable road trip from Bogotá and other cities.
In Villavicencio and Yopal the airport is relatively close to the city centre and you can reach it by taxi for around COP20,000. Within the cities the public transport consists mainly of buses and taxis, which are fairly inexpensive. And to explore the region more flexibly, we recommend car hire, as many of the natural attractions and hatos are located in rural areas that are best accessed by road.
4. Find the accommodation that matches your expectations to enjoy the Colombian Plains
You’ve got your documents and tickets ready, now it’s time to look for accommodation. In the Eastern Plains accommodation is seamlessly integrated into the rural life of this vast region. From luxury hotels and resorts to rustic inns and glamping options, you’ll find accommodation ranging from modern comfort to more authentic, nature-connected experiences.
It’s very important to choose the right accommodation, as it’s common for lodges to organise activities such as plains safaris, bird-watching and trekking. Our recommendation is that you start looking for options as soon as possible. You can use the Passporter App, where you can compare and book through Booking easily and securely.
These are some of the best areas to stay in the Colombian plains:
- Villavicencio: As the gateway to the Colombian plains, it offers a variety of hotels and resorts ranging from moderate to expensive. It is ideal for those seeking comfort and easy access to services.
- Yopal: This city is a hub for exploring the department of Casanare. Accommodation here is generally cheaper and provides access to ecotourism and agro-tourism experiences.
- La Macarena: is famous for Caño Cristales, and offers basic inns and hostels, ideal for adventurous tourists and generally inexpensive.
- San José del Guaviare: offers simple, inexpensive accommodation, with easy access to jungle excursions and archaeological sites.
5. Where and what to eat in the Colombian Plains
This is one of our favourite parts of the trip, trying the typical dishes of the region! The gastronomy of the Oriental Plains is distinguished by its grilled meats and local flavours, which reflect the region’s cattle-raising tradition. You’re sure to find the type of meats consumed surprising, such as Chigüiro, a large rodent. In addition to meat, dishes often include cassava, plantain and corn, which are combined to create unique flavours. Here are some of the dishes you should not miss during your visit:
- Mamona (or carne a la llanera): grilled veal with salt and herbs.
- Pisillo llanero: dried meat stewed with onions and spices.
- Roasted chigüiro: slices of this large rodent, slowly cooked on the grill.
- Tungos llaneros: cheesy rice tamales wrapped in banana leaves.
- Cachama frita: typical river fish, served fried and accompanied by cassava or plantain.
In addition to these tasty dishes, a typical and refreshing drink of the region is Masato, a fermented drink made from rice or cassava. Traditionally, masato is consumed at festivities and family gatherings, marking moments of celebration and community in the Colombian plains.
6. Choose the activities you want to do in the Colombian Plains
The plains encompass a vast expanse of wide diversity and richness. So it is recommended that you spend at least five days exploring every corner. This vast territory known for its stunning natural landscapes and rich plains culture, offers a wide range of activities in contact with nature and indigenous experiences:
- Caño Cristales: is a river famous for its “five colours”. It is recommended to visit between June and November. Guided tours cost COP 700,000.
- El Tuparro National Natural Park: this scenery of savannahs and rivers is famous for its incredible biodiversity. Admission is free and guided tours are available.
- La Aurora Nature Reserve: ideal for bird and wildlife watching. Safari tours from COP 150,000.
- Rio Meta: ideal for boating and sport fishing. Tours from COP 100,000.
- Puerto Gaitan: the perfect place for pink dolphin watching and cultural festivals.
- Bioparque Los Ocarros: offers a wide variety of local species on display. Admission: COP 10,000.
- Vichada: expeditions to the Maypures River, known as the “eighth wonder of the world”. Tours from COP 200,000.
- Municipality of Arauca: locality known for its cultural background, music and gastronomy of the plains.
- Casanare: famous for its photographic safaris and horseback excursions. From COP 200,000.
7. Organise a trip with friends to the Colombian plains
Travelling with friends offers numerous advantages, such as enjoying the plains scenery together, sharing the cost of transport across the region’s vast terrain and having constant company to exchange impressions of the journey.
However, there may be disagreements about which activities to prioritise due to the different interests of the group. The Passporter app offers an optimal solution by allowing you to plan and organise your trip to the Colombian plains as a group, facilitating coordination and ensuring everyone’s participation. In addition, this platform allows you to create a shared memory album by uploading photos, making your experience truly memorable. Find out more about how to get the most out of this tool in our post. Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.
8. Tips for planning a trip to the Colombian Plains
- The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP).
- Although many establishments accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to carry some cash, especially for small purchases or in rural areas.
- In Colombia, the A and B plug type is used, with a voltage of 110V and a frequency of 60Hz. Be sure to bring an adaptor if your devices have different specifications.
- The official language is Spanish. Learning some basic Spanish phrases can improve your travel experience, especially outside of the big cities.
- It’s advisable to book flights and accommodation in advance. Especially if you plan to visit during the peak tourist season (December-January and Easter).
- Find out about local festivals or special events that may coincide with your visit, such as the ‘Festival Internacional de la Cultura Llanera’ (International Festival of Llanera Culture) in Villavicencio.
- If you decide to hire a car, remember to always check local traffic regulations and road conditions, especially in rural areas.
- Maintain a good level of hydration, especially if you participate in physical activities such as trekking or safaris.
- As in any tourist destination, it is wise to be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded places and on public transport. Avoid carrying visible valuables.
- Wear light clothing, a hat and sunscreen, as temperatures can be quite high.
- Colombia is rich in biodiversity. If you visit natural parks in the Colombian plains, follow the regulations to minimise your environmental impact and contribute to conservation.
- If you wish to have mobile internet during your stay we recommend getting a Holafly eSIM with unlimited data.
- If you’re travelling to remote areas, consider carrying a satellite phone or making sure your mobile phone has coverage.
- Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to the Colombian Plains
Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
- Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. In addition, you can share your experience on how to plan your trip to the Colombian Plains.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Colombian Plains
Visiting the Colombian Plains between December and March is ideal because of the dry climate which favours outdoor activities, although the heat can be intense.
To travel to Colombia the vast majority of Latin American and European Union countries will be able to travel with a valid passport and a return ticket. All other nationalities must apply for a visa through the embassy, consulate or online form.
The Colombian Plains are generally safe for travel, especially in the more touristy areas and urban centres such as Villavicencio and Yopal. However, as in any large rural region, it is recommended to travel with caution, to be informed about local conditions before visiting and, if possible, to travel with guides or in organised groups.
In the Colombian Plains, it is advisable to consume bottled or purified water, especially in rural or less developed areas, to avoid health problems.
Download the free Passporter App to create the perfect travel itinerary in the Colombian Plains.
Some of the most characteristic dishes of the Eastern Plains are mamona (or carne a la llanera), pisillo llanero, chigüiro asado, tungos llaneros, cachama frita.
To get to the Eastern Plains in Colombia you can fly to Villavicencio or Yopal from several major cities such as Bogotá, Medellín and Bucaramanga. Alternatively, there are regular bus services to Yopal and Villavicencio from Bogotá and other cities, or you can choose to travel by car, especially from Bogotá, where you can rent vehicles and enjoy good roads.
The best areas to stay in the Eastern Plains are: Villavicencio, Yopal, La Macarena, San José del Guaviare.
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