The Eastern Plains of Colombia are part of the Orinoquía region, a fascinating territory whose natural beauty and cultural richness make it an ideal destination to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, unique tourist attractions, and astonishing biodiversity.
In this travel guide, based on our own experience, we share with you the best tourist destinations in the Orinoquía region. Additionally, we will recommend some tours and activities to encourage you to explore tourism in the Colombian Llanos.
Let’s get started!
Tourist Attractions in the Orinoquía Region:
1. Guejar Canyon, Meta
If you love adventure and unexplored landscapes, one of the must-visit tourist attractions in the Orinoquía region is the astonishing Guejar Canyon. This destination is located between the municipalities of Mesetas and San Juan de Arama, in the department of Meta, just three hours from Villavicencio.
The Guejar River Canyon is a fascinating place between the Eastern Plains and the foothills. For years, this destination remained hidden due to armed conflict. However, thanks to numerous public and private initiatives, it has resurfaced as a safe place, ideal for experiencing community-based tourism.
So, if you’re wondering what to do in the Llanos region, rafting in Guejar Canyon is an excellent option. This activity involves navigating the river’s rapids on an inflatable raft. In this destination, the route is suitable even for beginners, as most of the journey is quite calm.
Get a tour quote for Guejar Canyon
Guejar is one of the top tourist attractions in the Colombian Llanos, with rafting being the main activity. However, if you have at least three days, you will have enough time to explore other stunning places such as Arenales Waterfalls, Telares de Cristal, and Charco Azul.
How to get to Guejar: First, you need to reach Villavicencio, the capital of Meta. You can travel by land from Bogotá, which takes at least six hours, or by plane from Medellín or Cali. From Villavicencio, you must take a bus or drive for another three hours to the municipality of Mesetas, the starting point for the adventure.
If you’re planning to visit Guejar between January and March, you can take the opportunity to explore the beautiful Guape Canyon, located in the nearby municipality of La Uribe. This is the best season to enjoy tubing in this impressive canyon—one of Colombia’s hidden gems worth exploring.
Click here to inquire about trips to Guejar and Guape Canyon
Discover Amazing Hotel Deals Now!
Recommended Tour: Rafting in Guejar Canyon - 3 Days / 2 Nights
Embark on an exhilarating adventure as you safely explore the Guejar River Canyon and its stunning surroundings, engaging in thrilling activities like rafting in one of Colombia’s most beautiful locations.
This tour starts in Mesetas and includes rafting on the Guejar River, a visit to Arenales Waterfall, and a hike to the Paradise of Waterfalls. The package also includes accommodation, meals, certified guides, safety equipment rental, and travel insurance. Please note that guides speak Spanish.
Available every weekend and during holidays.
Price per person: $947,000 COP.
2. Caño Cristales: Tourist Attractions in the Eastern Plains of Colombia
We continue this list of tourist attractions in the Colombian Llanos with the spectacular Caño Cristales, located in the department of Meta, in the municipality of La Macarena. This destination is in the heart of La Macarena National Park, where the Orinoquía, the Andes, and the Amazon converge.
Caño Cristales is one of the main tourist attractions in the Orinoquía region and, without exaggeration, one of the most impressive in the world. It is the only place where you can admire the Macarenia clavigera, an endemic plant that, when exposed to sunlight, dyes the river with the colors of the rainbow.
In the crystal-clear waters of Caño Cristales, you can witness a palette of colors ranging from red, green, yellow, and blue, creating a unique and unrepeatable natural spectacle. Moreover, this destination is perfect for hiking, enjoying a refreshing swim in its natural pools, and observing the richness of its flora and fauna.
Get a full-package trip quote for Caño Cristales!
Caño Cristales is one of the must-visit sites in the Eastern Plains for a trip of contemplation and disconnection. The main plan here is to hike along the Caño Cristalitos, Los Pianos, and El Águila trails, where you can see the colorful river and swim in designated areas. It is recommended to spend at least three days at this destination.
How to get to Caño Cristales: First, you need to take a flight to the municipality of La Macarena; generally, there are only direct routes from Bogotá. Then, from La Macarena, you must board a boat that will take you in 30 minutes to the national park, and from there, continue your journey in a 4×4 vehicle to the entrance.
The best time to visit Caño Cristales is from July to November. Therefore, this is one of the top places to visit in the Colombian Llanos during the second half of the year. However, keep in mind that the park has a daily visitor limit, so booking your trip in advance is essential.
Click here to inquire about organized trips to Caño Cristales
Protect your adventure – book your travel insurance here!
Recommended Excursion: Caño Cristales – 3 Days / 2 Nights
Discover the beauty of the world’s most beautiful river! On this trip, you’ll have the opportunity to safely explore the stunning Caño Cristales and Caño Cristalitos. Plus, enjoy wildlife and flora spotting at the mouth of the Losada River.
The package includes all necessary transportation to follow the itinerary from La Macarena. It also covers accommodation in a private room, meals, a traditional Llanero party, and the guidance of local experts who will enrich your experience.
Available dates 2025: July 25-27, July 1-3, August 8-10, August 15-17, August 22-24, August 29-31, September 5-7, September 12-14, September 19-21, September 26-28, October 3-5, October 10-12, and October 17-19.
Price per person: $1,457,000 COP
3. San José del Guaviare, Guaviare
If you’re still wondering what to do in Eastern Plains of Colombia, you should know that Guaviare is one of the tourist destinations that hides great natural attractions for travelers willing to break stereotypes and venture into the area where the Orinoquía region meets the Amazon.
San José del Guaviare is one of the most important towns in the Llanos and the capital of the department. It is the ideal starting point to explore the wonders of the Serranía de La Lindosa, the little sister of the famous Chiribiquete. There, you will find rock paintings, colorful rivers, and forests inhabited by primates and countless bird species.
If you’re looking for tourist activities in the Eastern Plains from Bogotá, traveling to San José del Guaviare is an excellent option. However, always travel with local guides who can help you discover this charming and wonderful destination, where nature and biodiversity take center stage.
Get a weekend trip quote to Guaviare
Search for flights to San José del Guaviare
If you have at least 3 days in San José del Guaviare, you will have enough time to visit the rock paintings of Cerro Azul or Nuevo Tolima, enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Natural Pools or Tranquilandia, and explore Puerta de Orión, Laguna Damas del Nare, or the Guayabero River.
How to get to San José del Guaviare: You can take a flight or a bus from Bogotá. It is important to mention that the main attractions are outside the town, so it is practically essential to book an organized trip that includes 4×4 vehicle transportation, guides, and necessary permits. Get a quote here.
Is it safe to travel to Guaviare? Although Guaviare, like other destinations in the Colombian Llanos, was heavily affected by armed conflict and drug trafficking, today, the rise of tourism has significantly contributed to improving security in the region.
If you decide to travel on your own, we recommend staying in one of these places: Hotel El Aeropuerto, Casa de Greiff, Centro Vacacional Las Palmas, and Casa Guaviare.
Ask here about available trips to Guaviare
Tips for finding good, beautiful, and budget-friendly accommodation: The best way to get the best price on lodging is to book in advance. If you wait until the last minute, the most affordable and top-rated options may already be sold out, leaving you with fewer choices.
Our favorite platform for finding the best deals is Booking.com. Click here to save up to 15% or more on your stay. In many cases, you can book without a credit card, pay at the property, and cancel without penalty.
Additionally, if you book frequently, you’ll get exclusive discounts, free breakfasts, and room upgrades at no extra cost, helping you save even more on your trip.
Book your stay today with 15% off or more! Click here!
Recommended: Wonders of San José del Guaviare - 3 Days / 2 Nights
Discover the magic of Guaviare! This unexplored destination in Colombia will take you through majestic forests, vast savannas, crystal-clear rivers, and the enigmatic rock paintings created by ancient indigenous peoples. Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience!
The trip includes a visit to the cave paintings of Cerro Azul, Natural Bridges, Pozo Picapiedra, Laguna Herradura, Puerta de Orión, Piscina del Amor and a tour of the Raudal del Río Guayabero. In addition to the guided activities, the package includes lodging, food and medical insurance.
Scheduled dates 2025: March 28 to 31, April 11 to 14, April 18 to 21 and April 25 to 28.
Price per person from: $1,700,000 COP
4. Mavecure Hills: What to Do in the Eastern Plains of Colombia
Tourism in the Orinoquía region has been booming in recent years, and a clear example of this is the Mavecure Hills, located in the remote department of Guainía. These monoliths are part of the Guiana Shield, one of the oldest geological formations in the world, spanning Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and the Guianas.
In our opinion, this is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in the Eastern Plains of Colombia, where you can interact with indigenous communities, learn about community tourism projects, spot wildlife in its natural habitat, and witness the meeting point between the plains and the Colombian Amazon.
When visiting this stunning place, keep in mind that you can only hike to the top of Mavicure Hill, which reaches approximately 250 meters in height. From its summit, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Mono, Pajarito, and Diablo hills, as well as the Inírida River. Depending on the season, you may also swim in the river’s beaches.
Request more information about trips to Mavecure
Trips to Mavecure typically last 4 days, giving you enough time to hike to the hilltop before sunrise and take in its panoramic views. Swim in the reddish waters of Caño San Joaquín. Navigate the Orinoco and Guaviare rivers to reach the Inírida River Star. Explore the Matavén jungle.
How to get to the Mavecure Hills: You must take a flight from Bogotá to the town of Inírida, in the Guainía department. From there, you will take a boat for about 2 hours to the indigenous reserves near the hills.
Tip: Mavecure is one of the most remote tourist destinations in the Eastern Plains of Colombia. Flights to Inírida do not operate daily, and communication with indigenous communities can be challenging. For this reason, traveling independently can be complicated. Here you can get a travel quote.
By the way, if you are traveling through Colombia and want to discover some of the country’s most beautiful places, we recommend these travel guides:
10 Plans Near Bogotá: Towns and Natural Attractions
30 Tourist Attractions in Colombia: Top Destinations
10 Towns in Antioquia to Visit Near Medellín
Tour Package: Mavicure Hills from Bogotá - 4 Days / 3 Nights
On this trip, you will discover the vastness of the Mavicure Hills and the Guiana Shield, swim in crystal-clear rivers, engage with indigenous communities, and immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful and unexplored landscapes in Colombia.
The package includes round-trip flights from Bogotá, meals, accommodation, and activities such as climbing Mavicure Hill and visiting the Fluvial Star of Inírida, Caño San Joaquín, and the Honey Route, among many more.
Next confirmed departures 2025: March 14-17, March 28-31, April 4-7, April 11-14, April 25-28, May 2-5, May 30-June 2, June 20-23, June 27-30, and August 15-18.
Price per person from Bogotá starting at: $2,800,000 COP
5. Safari in the Eastern Plains of Colombia
To wrap up this list of tourist destinations in the Orinoquía region, we have one of the best experiences in Colombia’s Eastern Plains: the Llanero Safari through the vast savannas of Casanare, its morichal forests, and traditional cattle ranches.
During the safari, you’ll explore the plains on horseback while searching for animals such as capybaras, deer, and caimans. With a bit of luck, you might even spot pumas or jaguars. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to participate in cattle herding to the rhythm of the traditional cowboy songs.
The ranches where the safari takes place are located in the municipality of San Luis de Palenque. To get there, you must first travel to Yopal, the capital of Casanare. From there, a 4×4 vehicle is required to reach the ranches, as the roads are not fully paved and become difficult to navigate during the rainy season.
Essential Tips for Your Next International Trip: Stay connected effortlessly with an international eSIM that gives you unlimited data to share your best moments, without worrying about expensive roaming charges. Plus, don’t forget to secure travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, cancellations, and more.
👉 Get your international eSIM here and save 5%
👉 Buy your travel insurance here and explore the world with confidence!
Get a quote for the Llanero Safari here
How to find last-minute cheap flights? Booking your tickets in advance is ideal, but we know that’s not always possible. If you’re looking for great fares and want to save money, Skyscanner is an excellent option.
This platform compares flights from multiple airlines to show you the best available fares. Just click here, enter your departure city, destination, and travel dates. In seconds, you’ll see a list of the cheapest options, which you can filter by price, schedule, and layovers.
Is it safe to buy flights on Skyscanner? Yes, but with caution. Skyscanner does not sell tickets directly; instead, it redirects you to airlines and travel agencies. For added security, we recommend purchasing your tickets through the link that takes you directly to the airline’s official website.
Find your flight at the best price now!
Recommended: Safari in the Eastern Plains, Colombia - 3 Days / 2 Nights
Just 2 hours from the city of Yopal, you will discover a nature reserve where you can experience the Llanos Safari and immerse yourself in local customs and culture. An ideal trip to fall in love with every sunset and observe iconic species such as capybaras, caimans, and much more.
The package includes accommodation in a traditional ranch, meals, a llanos safari on horseback or in a 4x4 vehicle, a walk through the savannah, a night of myths and legends, a canoe ride, artisanal fishing, a morning of milking, and farm activities. Additionally, it includes travel insurance and the company of a local Spanish-speaking guide.
Tour available every day of the year.
Price per person in quadruple accommodation: $2,265,000 COP
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Eastern Plains located? The Llanos, also known as the Orinoquía, are a geographical region shared with Venezuela. On the Colombian side, they include the departments of Casanare, Meta, Arauca, Vichada, and parts of Guaviare and Guainía.
What can you do in the Eastern Plains of Colombia? The best activities include admiring breathtaking landscapes, immersing yourself in ancestral cultures, and enjoying outdoor adventures that take you through crystal-clear rivers, vast savannas, and pristine jungles.
What places should you visit in the Colombia’s Eastern Plains? In our opinion, the must-visit destinations in the Llanos are: Caño Cristales, Casanare, the Güéjar River Canyon, the Cerros de Mavecure, and San José del Guaviare. Which one would you add?
Discover Amazing Hotel Deals Now!
Tip: Save time and money by booking on platforms like GuruWalk, Civitatis, or Denomades. We recommend these sites because, in addition to being secure, they allow you to compare prices, read reviews from other travelers, learn about the itineraries in detail, and know exactly what each tour includes.
GuruWalk: Exclusively for free walking tours worldwide. Civitatis: Offers a wide variety of tours, guided visits, and excursions in hundreds of destinations. Denomades: Specializes in nature and adventure activities in Latin America.
On these platforms, you can book at very competitive prices, sometimes even better than at the destination! Plus, they offer a great variety of payment methods and, in many cases, have flexible cancellation policies that allow you to get a refund up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
Discover your next free tour on GuruWalk
Check out available activities on Civitatis
Book the best tours in Latin America on Denomades
Other Organized Trips You Might Be Interested In:
Recommended Tour: La Guajira, Cabo de la Vela, and Punta Gallinas - 3 days / 2 nights
On this tour, you will visit Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, have time to swim at the beaches of Mayapo, Punta Arcoiris, and Pilón de Azúcar, explore the Taroa dunes desert, the lighthouses, and enjoy the viewpoints of Bahía Honda and Bahía Portete.
The trip starts in the city of Riohacha at 8 a.m. and the package includes transportation in a 4x4 vehicle, accommodation in a typical ranchería, full meals, activities, and travel insurance.
Trip available every day from Riohacha!
Price per person from: $929,000 COP
Recommended Guided Tour: Amazon, Mocagua, and Puerto Nariño - 4 Days / 3 Nights
On this adventure, you’ll explore the jungle, visit Puerto Nariño, and sail along the Amazon River in search of dolphins, piranhas, and wild birds. You’ll also visit the Peruvian community of San Antonio to learn about a responsible tourism project focused on the conservation of sloths and the Victoria Regia water lily.
The package includes boat transfers from Leticia, accommodation in a private room for couples, meals, pink dolphin watching, a night walk in the jungle, and tours of Mocagua, Puerto Nariño, Tarapoto Lakes, and San Antonio (Peru).
This tour is available every day from Leticia!
Price per person from: $1,653,000 COP
We hope you enjoyed this travel guide! If you found our information helpful, consider supporting our work by booking accommodations, tours, and services we recommend, or directly through the following affiliate links:
Booking.com: Top hotels at great prices
Skyscanner.com: Find flights on sale
Guruwalk.com: Free walking tours around the world
Civitatis.com: Guided tours and excursions
Bookaway.com: Bus, ferry, and train tickets
Holafly.com: International eSIM
All photographic and written content on this website is created by Travelgrafía®. If you’d like to share something, please credit us by including our name and a link. Do not use our photos for commercial purposes without our consent..
See you soon!
