The Colombian llanos holidays
The Colombian llanos holidays at a glance
Los Llanos Colombia is an immense region of tropical prairies and seasonal wetlands, wedged between the peaks and valleys of the Andes and the sweltering lowlands of Amazonia, and draining into the Orinoco basin. Sparsely populated and rarely visited, it’s one of the country’s most authentic wilderness destinations, and one that regularly features in our Los Llanos travel guide recommendations for clients after somewhere genuinely far off the beaten track.
Traditional cattle ranches known as hatos dominate the landscape, preserving a slice of Colombia cowboy culture that’s changed little over generations. You’ll typically stay in working farmsteads and guesthouses out here, giving you a rare chance to experience real Llanero hospitality rather than watching it from a distance.
For us, the region’s greatest draw is its wildlife, and it’s a highlight of our Colombia nature holidays across the country. As the seasons shift, the grasslands transform into wetlands and the whole landscape comes alive: capybara roam the plains, caiman bask along the waterways, monkeys squabble in patches of forest, anacondas slip silently through the wetlands and giant storks pick their way across the savannah.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to The Colombian llanos
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
This off-the-beaten track destination is Colombia’s answer to the Wild West, with cattle ranches, wide open plains and a traditional farming way of life.
When to visit The Colombian llanos
The Llanos changes dramatically through the seasons, with wildlife viewing opportunities varying throughout the year.
This season attracts the most visitors, although Los Llanos remains a fairly quiet and undiscovered destination. The hot, sunny weather and reduced rainfall means watering holes are limited, attracting flocks of thousands of birds, including ducks, herons, ibisesa and giant storks. You’ll also stand good chances of spotting other wildlife in the region, including capybara, anacondas, alligators and monkeys.
While April remains fairly dry, May marks the beginning of the wet season, when heavy rains flood the plains up to a metre deep. The resulting wetlands attract a wide variety of birds, up to 70 different species, although other types of wildlife are more difficult to spot. This is a good time to kayak through the flooded waterways, which reflect the blazing sunsets of the Llanos
This is the wet season, with increased rainfall which floods the grasslands and plains of los Llanos and creates a temporary wetland landscape. 70 species of water birds are attracted to the area so this is a fantastic time for birding. While driving and hiking become difficult, you can get around the flooded plains by kayak.
By October, the wet season of flooded plains and heavy rainfall draws to a close, with the dry season beginning in November. Thousands of birds flock to the watering holes and you’ll spot ducks, herons, ibisesa and giant storks. Wildlife which was less visible during the wet season returns, including capybara, anacondas, alligators and monkeys.
Top Things to do in The Colombian llanos
The Colombian Llanos is all about wildlife, culture and exploring remote landscapes far from the traditional tourist trail.
Take a safari by tractor or jeep to explore the prairies and wetlands of Colombia’s Los Llanos.
Get to know the lifestyle of the cowboys of Los Llanos – the llaneros – their skills working with livestock, their joropo music and dance.
Observe the abundant wildlife of the savannahs and wetlands of the Llanos in eastern Colombia.
Accommodation in The Colombian llanos
Accommodation here is centred around traditional ranches and guesthouses that immerse you in the region’s rural culture. We particularly love Hato Mata de Palma. Stays here focus on wildlife viewing, authentic Llanero culture and experiencing life on Colombia’s vast plains.
Hato Mata de Palma is a friendly ranch-style farmhouse in the Colombian Los Llanos converted to receive visitors.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made The Colombian llanos Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Off The Beaten Track Colombia: Colonial towns to the Llanos
Places visited: Bogota · Villa de Leyva & Barichara · The Colombian llanos
13 days from £5,350
FAQs about visiting The Colombian llanos
The Colombian llanos is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Los Llanos?
Los Llanos is a year-round destination; wildlife is in evidence every moth of the year. You may wish to avoid the rainiest months, July and August.
- What language is spoken in Los Llanos?
The main language spoken in Los Llanos is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Los Llanos?
The Colombian Peso is the main currency used in Los Llanos. There are banks and ATMs in Yopal where notes in local currency can be withdrawn using a UK credit or debit card. However we recommend that you bring pesos with you from your previous destination, and US dollars cash which can be exchanged locally.
- What is the time difference between Los Llanos and the UK?
The time difference between Los Llanos and the UK is GMT -5 hours.
- What places combine well with Los Llanos?
Bogotá (1 hour by air to Yopal) with connections to many cities in the country, so you can fly in one day from Los Llanos to Leticia in the Amazon, Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, Medellin, the up and come entertainment and gastronomical city, Cali, the salsa capital of the world or Pereira and Armenia in the coffee region.
- How do I get to Los Llanos?
From Bogotá to Yopal a flight takes 1 hour. You can get there more adventurously by road; 7 hours.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.