Ever since I first saw pictures of Río La Miel and Embalse Amaní in Norcasia on Instagram I wanted to go – and when I finally went, I did not get disappointed! For me, Norcasia is one of the best ecotourism, outdoor and adventure destinations in Colombia.
Surprisingly, this nature paradise, located in the Caldas department, remains relatively undiscovered by foreign travelers, despite its easy accessibility, even for solo travelers. No matter if you are in Bogotá, Medellín, Ibagué or Manizales, you can easily and cheaply get to Norcasia via La Dorada by bus.
Photo by Travelhapp, View of the Embalse Amani, Rio la Miel Norcasia
Norcasia offers a perfect blend of adventure, nature, and relaxation, and has a moving history of community resilience during the Armed Conflict. It’s a must-visit destination for solo travelers seeking an unforgettable experience off the beaten path.
A beautiful hike through the forest leads you to the hidden Las Pavas waterfall (Salto Las Pavas) where you will find a natural pool and a small cliff to jump into the refreshing water.
Photo by Travelhapp, Las Pavas Waterfall Norcasia
During the enjoyable boat ride on Río La Miel (“The Honey River”) you can swim in beautiful waterfalls and admire the stunning lush vegetation. The pleasantly fresh river water is ideal for fun activities like tubing and body rafting.
Photo by Travelhapp, Waterfall along Rio La Miel Norcasia
Explore the immensely beautiful Amani Lake (Embalse Amani) by boat starting from the Moscovita port. The water level in the Amani lake has been artificially increased to be able to generate hydroelectric energy. You can visit the dam “Presa Pantagora” and learn about its eventful history.
Apart from the dam you can also visit waterfalls and even petroglyphs around the Embalse Amaní.
Photo by Travelhapp, Embalse Amaní in Norcasia by boat
Norcasia features several viewpoints that offer incredible vistas of Embalse Amaní. Most of them are located on one of the following three roads:
Small road to Ecohotel Brisas del Amaní
Via Embalse Amaní
Main road Nariño-Norcasia
On these roads you will also find nice accommodation options and restaurants, ideal to have a romantic dinner while cherishing the panorama. Ecohotel Brisas del Amani (Instagram) has a beautiful rooftop restaurant and all rooms feature lake views.
Photo by Travelhapp, Sunset view from Ecohotel Brisas del Amaní Rooftop
Norcasia offers several beautiful accommodation options immersed in nature and featuring stunning views.
We stayed at nearby Mishel’s Glamping (Google Maps), booked as part of a tour package with Amani Travel (website). While the space is a little bit smaller than it appears on the Internet photos, the hammock, together with the outside Jacuzzi, makes this place a one-of-a-kind experience. Lie in the hammock, enjoy the views, love life…
Photo by Travelhapp, View of Embalse Amaní from a Hammock
Besides Río La Miel, Norcasia features a second river ideal for fun water activities, Río Manso. If you have the courage, you can jump from a bridge into the water or practice body rafting on the rapids.
Photo by Travelhapp, River Manso Norcasia
Norcasia is a classical small Colombian town and not very touristy yet. You can find a lot of traditional restaurants and food stands to experience the local cuisine around the central square.
We liked the relaxed atmosphere at the friendly and colorful cafe and bar Amazilia (Google Maps) a lot!
As a solo traveler, it’s best to contact local tour providers beforehand to arrange your trip. They can help you decide on the best moment to visit Norcasia. The good thing about tours in Norcasia is that you usually pay a fix price, no matter if you are traveling alone or not. (Different from many other destinations in Colombia where the price per person varies depending on the size of the tour group.)
The local tour providers in Norcasia offer affordable packages including accommodation. We booked with Amani Travel (website), one of the most established and experienced local operators, and were very happy with our package and our guides. Norcasia Travel (website) is another seasoned and recommendable operator. In the recent years also several new tour providers have appeared on the map.
The months with the least rain in Norcasia are typically December to March (dry season) and June to September. Climate change and weather phenomena like El Niño and La Niña may influence the situation though, and it is better to double-check before you go.
The average temperature fluctuates all year around 27°C (80.6°F) during the day and around 20°C (68°F) at night.
If you like an off-the-beaten-track-feel, make sure you avoid the Colombian holiday seasons and bank holidays. Find out more in my article regarding the best time to visit Colombia.
Here are some recommendations on things to bring to the Rio la Miel ecotourism paradise in Norcasia:
Swim wear
Water shoes, light tennis shoes, or crocs to cross creeks.
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
Goggles (optional)
From Norcasia you can get to La Dorada (and vice versa) in about an hour by bus on a partly bumpy road. La Dorada is very well connected to other interesting travel destinations in Colombia.
Here are some ideas for stops before or after visiting Norcasia. (The travel time estimates on the Rome2Rio website are a bis optimistic.)
Manizales: This mountain beauty and gateway to adventurous outdoor activities can be reached in about 5 hours by bus (see Rome2Rio) from Norcasia. Read more about Manizales.
Medellin: Colombia’s most hip city is reachable in about 6 hours by bus (see Rome2Rio). Get inspired on what to do in Medellin.
Bogotá: Colombia’s bohemian capital high up in the Andes mountains is about 6 hours away from Norcasia (see Rome2Rio). Get Bogotá Insider Tips.
Ibague: Underrated Ibague is a gateway to the fantastic outdoors of the little visited Tolima department and reachable in just 4 hours by bus from Norcasia (see Rome2Rio). Read more about Ibagué and Tolima.
Honda and the Lost City of Falan: These two hidden gems can be reached in about 2 hours from Norcasia via La Dorada. Discover Honda and the Lost City of Falan.
Rio Claro Nature Reserve: If you are up for more nature immersion, the Rio Claro Nature Reserve close to Doradal (view on Google Maps) is another hidden paradise, just about a 2 hours away from Norcasia (via La Dorada).
Last Update: November 25, 2024
© 2024 Travelhapp S.A.S., Bogotá – Colombia Solo Travel Guide
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