Discover the enchanting Huila department, full of intriguing stories, ancient sites, stunning landscapes, as well as coffee plantations and cocoa farms. Wander amidst pre-columbian sculptures, discover marine fossils in the desert, visit the village of witches, enjoy incredible views from unique viewpoints, taste and endless variety of coffee and cacao flavors – in Huila you can do all of this, and more.
The Magdalena River Valley offers various activities for water sports, adventure and outdoor enthusiasts, including river rafting, kayaking and canoeing, paddle boarding, rock-climbing and mountain biking. From many places in Huila you can see the beautiful snow-capped volcano Nevado del Huila.
The Huila region is still little visited by international travelers, but for me it is one of the most magical regions of Colombia. Here are some ideas for unique things to do in Huila.
Visit the archeological park of San Agustin and Isnos, a fascinating UNESCO world heritage site, giving a glimpse into the mystery of Huila’s pre-columbian past. Experience the mysticism of these sites and their natural surroundings. San Agustin is a very pleasant town to spend a few relaxing days in close connection with nature. Find out what to do in San Agustin, Huila.
Photo by Travelhapp, El Purutal statues, San Agustin Archeological Park
Huila is renowned for its exquisite coffee. The recently created Magical Coffee Route (Ruta Mágica del Café) offers a unique journey through various municipalities famous for their charm and exceptional coffee. The route features stunning viewpoints, nature reserves for birdwatching and hiking (El Carriquí, the Barranquero, Miraflores National Park, etc.), barista demonstrations, gastronomic delights, and cultural landmarks.
Garzón (Google Maps) is a great base to delve into this experience and discover the various flavors of the region in the beautiful natural settings of local plantations. Garzón can be reached in approximately 2 hours by bus from Neiva (Rome2Rio).
Photo by Travelhapp, Coffee Plantation near Garzon, Huila
In just 15 minutes, you can get from Garzón to La Jagua, known as the “village of witches”. According to legends, the indigenous people of the Tama nation practiced sorcery at the meeting point of the Suaza and Magdalena rivers before colonial times. After the Spanish arrived witch hunting started and several local women supposedly fell victims to the Inquisition.
Today picturesque and artsy La Jagua enchants visitors with its colorful little houses, interesting cultural offer and stunning setting by the Magdalena River, perfect for outdoor activities like biking and hiking.
La Jagua is also home to the internationally recognized Colombian artist and sculptor Emiro Garzón. In his works he often pays tribute to the everyday life of workers in Colombia and to the strengths of women. View some of his work in our Instagram Feed. If you are lucky, you may be able to meet this exceptionally modest and friendly guy in his workshop.
Photo by Travelhapp, La Jagua
Photo by Travelhapp, La Jagua, Down by the River
Explore the unique Mars-like landscape of the Tatacoa Desert near Villavieja, learn about the reason why it features marine fossils, and watch the bright and silent starry desert sky at night. Villavieja (Google Maps) is located approximately 1 hour north of Neiva, towards Bogotá.
Photo by Travelhapp, Tatacoa Desert Huila
Huila is not only known for its coffee but also for its exquisite chocolate. Visit a cacao farm near Rivera to learn about the production process and indulge in chocolate tastings.
A great plan for the early morning or late afternoon is relaxing in the Rivera hot springs, immersed in a beautiful landscape with lush vegetation.
Rivera (Google Maps) is strategically located in relative proximity to other interesting travel destinations in Huila, like the Tatacoa Desert, Gigante, Garzon, Yaguará, and Paicol.
Photo by Travelhapp, artesanal chocolate production at a Huila cocoa farm
Photo by Travelhapp, Rivera hot springs in Huila
The pristine Cueva de los Guácharos National Natural Park stretches between the departments of Huila, Cauca and Caqueta, and offers both tranquility and adventure. It’s named after the Guácharo Cave, where you can hear the primordial, scary-beautiful sounds of thousands of guácharo birds in flight. This captivating biodiverse park features several hiking trails, as well as camping sites. To enter the park, you have to be accompanied by a heritage interpreter or a local guide from the Park. Call the National Parks Association in Colombia for more information: +57 601 353 2400
Accessing the Cueva de los Guácharos National Natural Park (Google Maps) is quite a challenge. You need to take a bus from Pitalito to Palestina and then a jeep to La Mensura. From there, it’s a 5-hour trek to reach the park entrance. (Make sure you have the required yellow fever vaccination before starting the trek…)
The small, pleasant waterside town Yaguará offers several stunning natural and archeological attractions in its surroundings.
Enjoy scenic views while taking a boat trip on the huge Betania Water reservoir which merges with the iconic Magdalena river. Bike or stroll on the ecological trail along the water front. Hike to Loma de San Pedro and Mirador el Cucharo for stunning panoramic views. Refresh yourself in one of the natural pools near El Bejuco (Charco el Bejuco) and the Moyas de Chichayaco waterfalls. Explore the Tiger cave (La Cueva del Tigre) set amidst a unique landscape. Admire ancient pictograms at Cueva Rica and pre-hispanic petroglyphs at Piedra de las Juntas. We recommend to go in a group and with a local guide to explore the surroundings of Yaguará. To get an impression of this hidden treasure, watch Blaismir’s YouTube video.
Yaguará (Google Maps) is located 1 hour South of Neiva.
Charco el Bejuco, video by Blaismir (in Spanish)
Photo (mod.) by Javier Lopez, Betania Water Reservoir Yaguará, CC BY 3.0
Paicol lies nestled amidst the mountains alongside the Paéz River and delights with its colonial charm, featuring white houses, cobblestone streets and ancient haciendas. The picturesque town offers a range of accommodation options for every budget.
Paicol is an up and coming adventure travel destination thanks to its extraordinary natural setting, featuring rivers, mountains, waterfalls, caverns and caves. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, caving, and rafting.
You can reach Paicol (Google Maps) in about 2 hours from Neiva and in 1,5 hours from Garzon.
Photo (mod.) by Jaime Hernando Duarte, Paéz river near Paicol, CC BY-SA 2.0
Many regions of Colombia were previously inaccessible to tourism due to the armed conflict. As a result, you’ll find many areas where tourism infrastructure is still in development, making Colombia an exhilarating destination for adventurous solo travelers seeking virgin experiences. One exciting ongoing project in Huila involves the installation of IMBA-certified bicycle route signage along the Magical Coffee Route between Garzón and Gigante. Check Huila Bike’s Facebook Page for Updates.
Near Gigante, watch out, if you can spot the profile of a giant face in the Cerro Matambo mountain!
From Neiva, the capital of the Huila department, it’s easy to move on to other interesting travel destinations in Colombia by bus. Here are some options.
Ibagué (3h by bus): Ibagué, the capital of the fascinating Tolima department, is an off-the-beaten track outdoor paradise. Check out what to do in an near Ibague
Honda (5h by bus): The picturesque river town Honda and the nearby Lost City of Falan are two of Colombia’s best hidden treasures.
Armenia (6h by bus): Armenia is one of the cardinal cities in Colombia’s renowned coffee triangle and a great base to explore the coffee region of Quindío. Find out what to do in and around Armenia
Bogotá (5h by bus): Colombia’s culture-rich capital, situated over 2600 m high in the Andes mountains, can be easily reached from Neiva overland. Get insider tips on things to do in Bogotá
Last Update: November 12, 2024
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