The Guape Canyon is an impressive Colombian destination located in the Meta department, captivating visitors with its towering rock walls, caves, and natural pools.
In this travel guide, based on our own experience, we’ll tell you where the Guape River Canyon is, how to get there from Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, and everything you need to know to visit it.
Let’s start planning your adventure!
Where is the Guape Canyon and How to Get There
The Guape Canyon is located in the municipality of La Uribe, in the Meta department of Colombia. It lies between the mountains of the Andes, the Sierra de La Macarena, and the Eastern Plains, about 4 hours by land from Villavicencio.
To get to Guape Canyon from Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, or any other city, the first step is to travel to Villavicencio, the capital of Meta, either by plane or road. From there, you must continue by land to the municipality of La Uribe.
Although it is possible to take a bus from the Villavicencio Transport Terminal to La Uribe, the journey takes over 4 hours, and public transportation availability is limited. For this reason, the most comfortable and safest option is to travel in your own 4×4 vehicle or book an organized tour that includes transfers.
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Recommended Tour: 3 Days of Rafting & Adventure in Guejar Canyon
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: $975,400 COP.
When to Visit Guape Canyon, Colombia
Now that you know how to get to Guape Canyon, keep in mind that while the municipality of La Uribe can be visited year-round, access to the canyon is only possible between January and mid-March. These months correspond to the dry season, when the river level drops, allowing exploration of the canyon.
Therefore, the best time to visit the Guape River and enjoy its main activity, tubing, is at the beginning of the year. During the rest of the year, the river flow increases, making access to the canyon impossible, so traveling off-season would mean missing the opportunity to experience it.
Tip: Take advantage of your visit to Guape Canyon to spend a couple of days in the nearby town of Mesetas. There, you can complement your experience with rafting in the Güejar River Canyon and visiting the beautiful waterfalls of the Serranía de La Macarena.
Click here to get a quote for your trip to Güejar and Guape
Recommended: 5 Must-See Destinations in the Eastern Plains
How to find cheap last-minute flights Although it’s always best to book in advance, we know that’s not always possible. In those cases, Skyscanner is a great tool for finding the best fares and deals worldwide.
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What to Do in Guape Canyon and Its Surroundings
1. Tubing in the Canyon: Fun Aboard a Float
The main attraction of Guape Canyon is tubing, an exciting adventure activity that involves floating down the river on an inner tube. It’s a fun and safe experience, as long as it is done responsibly, with local guides and the proper equipment.
Guape is the perfect setting for tubing. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in a stunning environment where the water carves through a narrow canyon, home to hundreds of birds, extraordinary rock formations, and multiple water springs cascading from the mountains above.
The tubing route through Guape Canyon usually lasts about 4 hours and covers approximately 3.5 kilometers. Along the way, you’ll navigate several rapids that add excitement to the adventure and make stops to rest, enjoy the river, have a snack, and admire the breathtaking natural beauty around you.
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Get a Quote for an All-Inclusive Tour to the Canyon
Tips for finding great and affordable accommodation: The best way to secure the lowest prices is to book early. If you wait until the last minute, the cheapest and highest-rated places will likely be sold out, and you’ll have to settle for what’s left.
Our favorite platform for finding hotel deals is Booking.com. By booking through this link, you can save up to 15% on your next stay. The best part is that, in many cases, you can pay directly at the property, and cancel for free if your plans change.
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2. Visit Mesetas and Explore the Güejar Canyon
As we mentioned earlier, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit the municipality of Mesetas, located 2 hours from Guape. Here, you’ll find the incredible Güejar Canyon, a hidden natural treasure featuring some of the most stunning landscapes in the region.
In Güejar, you can go rafting down the river and be amazed by its towering rock formations, some over 20 meters high. These formations are part of the ancient Guiana Shield, a geological structure that stretches from Venezuela to Ecuador and Brazil, passing through Colombia.
If you’re a nature and adventure lover, Mesetas and La Uribe offer even more reasons to explore Meta, a destination that combines breathtaking landscapes with sustainable tourism and peace. Additionally, another must-see in the region is the spectacular Caño Cristales, famous for being the “River of Seven Colors.”
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Click here to get information about tours in Güejar
Want to save time and money on your next trip? Planning with the right tools can make all the difference. To find cheap flights, we recommend Skyscanner.com, which operates worldwide and compares hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to help you find the best fares.
For accommodation, our go-to platform is Booking.com, where you can save up to 15% and access exclusive benefits. Complete your trip by organizing your tours and guided visits through Civitatis.com, where you’ll find everything from free walking tours to excursions around the world.
If you’re traveling abroad, stay connected with an eSim from Holafly and enjoy a 5% exclusive discount for being a Travelgrafía reader. And don’t forget your travel insurance from Protegetuviaje.com, it offers excellent coverage, 24/7 assistance, and great value for money.
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3. Be Amazed by the Beauty of Arenales Waterfall
Another great reason to spend a few days in Mesetas—besides visiting the Güejar Canyon—is the stunning Arenales Waterfall. This majestic waterfall stands at over 90 meters (295 feet) high, forming a natural beach and a pool at its base where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding nature.
Visiting Arenales Waterfall is a full-day adventure. To get there, you must leave early from Mesetas in a 4×4 vehicle, travel to the La Argentina village, and then hike approximately 1.5 hours along a trail with steep ascents and descents before reaching the waterfall.
When planning your trip to Guape, we recommend setting aside at least three days to explore nearby attractions like the Güejar River (get a tour quote here). If you plan to travel independently, keep in mind that the road between Villavicencio and Mesetas is paved.
By the way, if you’re eager to keep exploring Colombia and discovering authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations, here are some travel guides that will be very helpful:
Ciudad Perdida: The Best Tour from Santa Marta
Unmissable Activities in the Colombian Amazon
Things to Do in San José del Guaviare
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Other Experiences You Might Be Interested In:
Caño Cristales: 3-Day Excursion to Colombia’s Rainbow River
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.
FINAL dates for the 2025 season: October 24-26, October 31 - November 2, November 7-9, and November 14-16.
Price per person: $1,503,000 COP
🔥 (Take advantage of the 2025 rate to book your 2026 trip)
Multi-day tour: 3 Days of Nature & Adventure in Norcasia, La Miel River & Amaní
On this trip, you’ll have the chance to discover an unexplored, safe, and beautiful destination. You’ll visit Norcasia, navigate the La Miel River, swim in natural pools, and enjoy water activities such as tubing, body rafting, and snorkeling.
The package includes a boat ride along the La Miel River, Amaní Reservoir, and Pantágoras Dam, a body rafting or tubing activity, and a visit to the Manso River. Accommodation, meals, and all necessary internal transfers to complete the itinerary are also included. Please note that local guides speak only Spanish.
Tour available every weekend.
Price per person: $574,000 COP
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