Villavicencio, the capital of the Meta department, is the gateway to Colombia’s Eastern Plains (Los Llanos Orientales), a geographically unique region characterized by stunning vast grasslands and diverse wildlife.
The area around Villavicencio and the Meta department in general are still rather unexplored in terms of tourism while being extremely rich in natural beauty, meaning you will find a lot of hidden gems here. In fact, Meta is one of Colombia’s most fascinating off-the-beaten path destinations waiting to be discovered by nature and adventure loving solo travelers.
Below you will find our suggested top 21 things to do in Villavicencio (11 activities) and Meta (10 activities).
Enjoy Villavo (as Villavicencio is called by locals)!
From the foothills of the Cordillera Oriental (Eastern Mountain Range), Villavicencio stretches out towards the vast grasslands of the Eastern Plains and works as a gateway to this unique region. The city itself is relatively modern, with a few interesting landmarks in the center. However, the top attractions are located in the surroundings.
The climate in Villavicencio is tropical with average daytime temperatures ranging from 27°C to 32°C (81°F to 90°F). The best time to travel to Meta is roughly between December and March, when it rains less, and from June to November, when Caño Cristales shows off its seven colors.
Listen to live music at Plaza Los Libertadores in the heart of the historic center, admire the beautiful Cathedral Basilica Menor Nuestra Señora del Carmen, walk up to cute Parque Infantil and have a great coffee at Despertamos el Mundo (Google Maps) or some delicious food in one of the nice restaurants around the square.
Photo by Travelhapp, Historic Center of Villavicencio, Plaza los Libertadores
Bosque Bavaria is also known as Natural Reserve of the Halcón Colorado Birds (red-tailed hawks). You can spot a great diversity of bird species in this reserve, including red-tailed hawks (obviously), tanagers, hummingbirds, guacharacos, and many more. Further up north along the Guatiquia river there are several beautiful hiking trails passing by hidden waterfalls.
Contact a local guide to arrange your visit to Bosque Bavaria and its surroundings. For safety reasons you should not go alone. In many off-the-beaten-track destinations in Colombia there is no good trail signage available yet and it’s generally safer to visit nature destinations in a group.
Photo by M. Zieger, CC BY-SA 4.0, Birdwatching in Bosque Bavaria Villavicencio
Take a scenic 6 km uphill hike from the Primavera Urbana Mall in Villavicencio to La Escuela Vereda El Carmen in the mountains (view on Google Maps). You will pass by waterfalls and hanging bridges, and can spot diverse plants, monkeys and birds on your way.
The road up to Frutos y Cafe (Google Maps) is accessible by car, while afterwards it turns into a pedestrian path. There are several restaurants and kiosks along the way. From the La Escuela viewpoint you can theoretically continue to the famous viewpoints of Buenavista (see route on WikiLoc, in Spanish), but be aware that this part of the trail may be quite isolated.
We recommend to do the hike on a Sunday morning, starting sometime between 7AM and 9AM, when there are more people around and the sun is not as intense. During the week, the trail is quite isolated and not considered safe. You should be fit to do the hike as the ascent is quite steep at times.
Photo by Javadumper, CC BY-SA 3.0, Hike to Vereda El Carmen (mod.)
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Villavicencio and its surroundings from the Piedra del Amor and Buena Vista viewpoints in the mountains (view on Google Maps). The Piedra del Amor viewpoint features a nice outdoor terrace where you can savor a cool drink and some food while enjoying the views and peaceful atmosphere.
There is a collective jeep arriving at Panaderia Buenavista (Google Maps) on the main road. At the corner you will see a signpost leading up to the viewpoints.
Photo by Travelhapp, Piedra del Amor, Buenavista, Villavicencio
Enjoy live performances of llanero music and dances and get to know the traditional Joropo style. Several bars and restaurants in Villavicencio feature live concerts by local bands and musicians during the weekend. Try DieJäger Bar Rock (Google Maps), Barbacoa Latina (Google Maps), and Maria Bonita (Google Maps) – or ask your local host for nice places nearby.
Also check Villavicencio’s event calendar, as there are several interesting festivals throughout the year, for example the Festival Llanero in December.
Photo by Alejandro Vega, CC BY-SA 4.0, Villavicencio, Meta (mod.)
Carne a la Llanera (Los Llanos-style meat) is famous allover Colombia for its unique preparation and smoky flavors. Have lunch or dinner at a local restaurant to try traditional dishes such as mamona (barbecued beef) and empanadas llaneras (meat-filled pastries).
A local classic to enjoy llanera cuisine is La Llanerita (Google Maps). For amazing signature cuisine fusing traditional and innovative elements visit Bastimento (Google Maps) in the Primavera Urbana shopping mall which also features outdoor seating with a great view of lush green vegetation. A romantic option offering excellent dishes in a beautiful green setting is La Vida es Bella (Google Maps) at Parque Infantil in the historic center.
Photo by Travelhapp, Restaurants around Parque Infantil
Casa de la Cultura Jorge Eliécer Gaitán is a cultural center in the historic center of Villavicencio, hosting art and cultural exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Check their event calendar when you visit.
Try typical fruits of the region, such as Arazá, Copoazú, and Borojó, at Villavicencio’s bustling and colorful street markets, for example Mercado Popular or Llanabastos.
This memorial park honors the more than 288,000 victims of the armed conflict between the guerrilla and the paramilitaries in the Meta department and features an immense wall engraved with a timeline depicting acts of peace and war in the past 70 years.
Shopping Malls are usually the last thing we are interested in when traveling. However, Primavera Urbana in Villavicencio is different. A lot of attention has been put on integrating the mall with its original natural setting. There is a beautiful short hiking trail right in front of the mall and we saw a colorful Toucan while exploring this little oasis!
Amor Perfecto on the upper floor is a great place to enjoy a delicious coffee while admiring the little waterfalls immersed in lush greenery below.
From the Primavera Urbana Shopping mall it’s a relaxed 30 minutes walk to Parque los Fundadores, another green oasis and sculpture park in Villavicencio which features beautiful light installations in December and January.
Photo by Travelhapp, Primavera Urbana, View from Bastimento restaurant
The following travel destinations in the Meta department are either near Villavicencio (within a 3-hours reach) or easy to access from Villavicencio.
Just about 45 minutes from Villavicencio and 20 minutes from Restrepo, you will find Sanctuary and Eco Hotel Cosmogenesis (Google Maps), immersed in a serene and magical natural setting. Cosmogenesis is a peaceful oasis where you can relax and unwind, participate in yoga and meditation sessions, take walks along a small jungle path, enjoy massages and savor delicious organic food from their permaculture garden. Cosmogenesis also offers accommodation in beautiful traditional cabañas.
At 5PM in the afternoon hundreds of Ibis birds arrive at a huge tree in the middle of a small lake and in the drier months of the year you can spot the fascinating Scarlet Ibis among them. The spectacle of these unique birds flapping their deep red wings is incredible.
Cosmogenesis sometimes hosts traditional medicine ceremonies. Check their Instagram account for updates!
Photo by Travelhapp, Cosmogenesis Sanctuary, Restrepo
Photo by Travelhapp, Scarlet Ibis at Cosmogenesis Sanctuary
Restrepo is located about 30 minutes from Villavicencio at the foothills of the Eastern Mountain Range (Cordillera Oriental), and features spectacular natural surroundings full of hidden treasures, including pristine waterfalls and primordial caves inhabited by the mystical Guacharo birds which make incredible ancestral sounds that touch the soul.
In Restrepo you can engage in countless outdoor and adventure activities, like canyoning, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, bird watching, and more. Daniel from Tourestrepo Verde (Instagram) is a great local guide who knows all about the area
Cumaral is a laid-back rural town by the Guacavia river, about 45 minutes by bus from Villavicencio (Rome2Rio) and 15 minutes from Restrepo. It is dubbed the “Balcony of the Eastern Plains” for the scenic views it offers from its hills.
Cerro Bendito (Google Maps), with its beautiful outdoor seating, is a perfect place to enjoy these views. This viewpoint is located a bit outside of town and not so easy to reach for a solo traveler. It’s a nice option to include in a day tour with a local guide, though.
Photo by Travelhapp, View from Cerro Bendito, Cumaral
The municipality of Acacias, 30 minutes by bus from Villavicencio (Rome2Rio), is characterized by beautiful rivers and waterfalls. The hidden Caño El Sagu, located between the villages San Pablo and El Pañuelo, features impressive rock formations and offers opportunities for hiking, canyoning and rappelling.
Close to Alto Acaciitas, several mesmerizing waterfalls are hidden amidst lush greenery, including the Meraki and Caños Negros waterfalls. From Ecoturismo Meraki (Google Maps) high up in the mountains you can start an amazing hike through the deep forest passing by four magical waterfalls. Once you get out of the forest you are rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the mountain landscape. If you don’t have your own transport it’s best to go with a local tour provider like Viajando por toda Colombia (Instagram).
Ecoturismo Meraki charges a small entrance fee to do the hike and also offers a restaurant and a shop where you can buy hats for sun protection, and more.
Watch our video on TikTok to see more of the Meraki Waterfalls Hike.
Photo by Travelhapp, Meraki Waterfalls Acacías
Cubarral is an upcoming adventure travel destination offering opportunities for rafting on the Ariari river, canyoning, rappelling and rock climbing, among others. To relax after your adventures you can take a bath in the natural jacuzzis of the hidden Esmeralda waterfalls (Cascadas Esmeralda).
Travesía Aventura (Facebook) is a local tour agency offering a range of outdoor and water activities in Cubarral. Check the weather conditions with them before you go.
Photo by Jupiter Images, River Rafting
It’s a 3-hour bus trip from Villavicencio to Mesetas (Rome2Rio), home to the impressive Cañón del Río Guejar. This piece of paradise is one of Colombia’s best kept secrets. The Cañón del Río Guejar features stunning rock formations, beautiful natural pools and an emerald river inviting you to engage in white water rafting and to search for hidden waterfalls and caves.
Close to Mesetas you can admire the unique 40m high “Telares de Cristal” waterfall (“Curtain of Crystals”). View the waterfall in sunlight and you will easily understand where the name comes from. In 45 minutes from Mesetas you reach the 100 m high Santo Domingo waterfall (Salto De Santo Domingo) immersed in dense forest (view on Google Maps). Its bottom is covered with soft white sand that massage your feet.
You can find several great local tour agencies in Mesetas. Llano Tours (website) is the project of passionate young local entrepreneurs offering an interesting range of activities around Mesetas, Lejanias and La Uribe.
Photo by Nicolás Díez Cruz, CC BY-SA 4.0, Río Guejar (mod.)
Another magical region full of hidden treasures is the even more off-the-beaten-track municipality of La Uribe, 2 hours from Mesetas. Here you find natural wonders like the Guape canyon and hidden waterfalls like Cascada El Ángel, Cascada del Amor and Cortinas Del Diamante.
The area of La Uribe has been basically unaccessible before the peace contract in 2016 due to the Armed Conflict in Colombia. Contact a local tour agency to explore this untapped paradise. Guape Tours (Instagram) is a Community Tourism endeavor committed to support peace construction in the region.
In 15 minutes by boat from Puerto Gaitán you reach Las Bocas, the meeting point of the Meta, Manacacías, and Yucao rivers, immersed between enormous sandbanks. Here you have good chances to see the magical pink river dolphins (“toninas”). Additionally, you may spot turtles, caimans, flying fish, and different species of birds. The Manacacías River also features some impressive beaches and invites to engage in water sport activities.
The bus ride from Villavicencio to Puerto Gaitan (Rome2Rio) takes about 3 hours.
Photo by MikeLane45, Pink Dolphin
Known as the “river of 7 colors” or “Liquid Rainbow,” this natural wonder is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. It shines in different colors between June and November, due to an interplay of sunlight and unique aquatic plants.
Caño Cristales is part of the vast La Macarena Highland National Natural Park (Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de La Macarena), which features different ecosystems and a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Currently it’s only safe and easy to get to Caño Cristales by taking a plane to nearby La Macarena. Satena operates direct flights from Villavicencio to La Macarena (about 35 minutes travel time) between in June and November.
Photo by Pedro Szekely, CC BY-SA 2.0, Caño Cristales (mod.)
About 2.5 hours from Villavicencio, on the way to Yopal, you can find the beautifully set, mineral-rich Encanto de Guaicaramo hot springs, a great place to pamper your body and mind.
Traveling alone is generally easy in Colombia since public transport connections are good, travel expenses are low, and locals are open and friendly.
Some activities are easier, more fun, or safer in a group, for example hikes and treks. Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to find like-minded solo travelers to team up with.
As always when traveling alone it’s good to apply some precautions. Please have a look at our Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in Colombia and Solo Travel Guide.
Villavicencio is the gateway to some of Colombia’s most unexplored and magical destinations and well connected to the capital, Bogotá.
Yopal (Casanare): Yopal is the capital of the Casanare department of Colombia, a paradise for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. The llanos of Casanare are home to capybaras, giant anteaters, jaguars, pumas, tapirs, different types of monkeys, and about 500 bird species. You get to Yopal in 5 hours by bus from Villavicencio (see Rome2Rio).
San José del Guaviare: Fascinating San José del Guaviare is the access point to the Chiribiquete National Natural Park, a UNESCO world heritage site featuring incredible, ancient rock paintings set in a surreal tabletop mountain landscape. The bus trip from Villavicencio to San Jose del Guaviare takes about 7 hours (see Rome2Rio).
Bogotá: To get back to Colombia’s vibrant capital, it takes about 3 hours by bus (see Rome2Rio). Get Insider Tips on Things to do in Bogotá.
Last Update: November 27, 2024
Image Credit: Title Image by Pedro Szekely, CC BY-SA 2.0, Caño Cristales (mod.)
Read more:
Colombia Travel Inspirations: Top Attractions and Hidden Gems
Colombia Travel Tips: General Information and Travel Advice for Solo Travelers
Colombia Slow Travel Itineraries: Discover Colombia by bus and overland
Off-the-beaten-track Destinations and Hidden Gems in Colombia
