los llanos: colombia’s exciting frontier
"Los Llanos" is a geographical region of northern South America spread between Colombia and Venezuela in the Orinoco river basin. The Colombian Eastern Plains has 214 thousand square kilometres and occupies four departments: Arauca, Casanare, Vichada, and Meta. The inhabitants of the region, the Llaneros, are cheerful, hospitable people and excellent horsemen.
You will not see the sunset again in the same way, after traveling to the Eastern Plains in Colombia: admire the sunset while listening to the vibrant harp strings that will move each fiber of your body. Go ahead and travel around the region to incredible places, such as Caño Cristales and the Manacacías River. Dance to the rhythm of the joropo with the people of the area, always ready to teach you the traditional ‘zapateo’.
Thinking about the Eastern Plains is to bring to mind a series of landscapes that look like photographic postcards of paradise: extensive plains that extend to the horizon, sunsets that will delight your senses and a variety of animals that you will only find in this region of the country.
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top places & activities in los llanos
wildlife safari
Los Llanos is home to so many interesting creatures to spot. Go on a Los Llanos safari and look for monkeys, anteaters, tortoises, caimans and exotic birds. Chigüiros, also known as capybaras, are the largest rodents in the world and can also be spotted in this area.
horseback riding
Explore Los Llanos on horseback to cover more ground and to cross rivers without getting wet. Learn how to ride from locals, many of whom have been riding horses since they were children.
canoe trips
Meander through rivers and see a new side of this area of Colombia from a boat. Boat trips let people spot unique flora and fauna while enjoying the gentle breeze as the boat glides on majestic rivers.
experience the local culture
Llanero cowboys are known for their skilled horsemanship, cattle herding, and distinctive folk music called "joropo." Their lifestyle reflects a strong connection to the land, emphasizing resilience, independence, and a rich cultural heritage.
birding
Los Llanos, Colombia, is a paradise for birding enthusiasts, home to over 400 bird species. The region's diverse habitats, including wetlands, savannas, and forests, attract species like the Scarlet Ibis, Jabiru, and Orinoco Goose. Birdwatchers can explore these vast plains to spot both resident and migratory birds year-round.
visit caño cristales
Caño Cristales, the so-called rainbow river or river of the five colors, which makes its way through the jungle and whose unique tones come from the aquatic plants, the sand and the stones of the place. Breathe pure air, recharge yourself with the energy from the place and be inspired by the colors, vegetation and sounds of the Colombian jungle.
enjoy the sunset
Los Llanos is known for having marvellous sunrises and sunsets, with vast, open skies painted in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple. The expansive plains amplify the beauty, creating a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere that captures the essence of the region’s natural splendor.
stay in a traditional ranch
Learn about the Colombian cowboy and cowgirl way of life by staying in a traditional ranch, or hato, during a trip to Los Llanos. Visitors can even take part in nightly barbecues and listen to the popular regional music called Joropo.
Best time to go
when is the best time to visit los llanos?
Weather:
Los Llanos experiences a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season, from April to November, brings heavy rainfall and lush landscapes, while the dry season, from December to March, sees higher temperatures and arid conditions. Temperatures generally range from 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F) year-round.
Festivals:
Los Llanos has several events that represent the greatest expression of folklore and customs of this region of Colombia, some of the most important are:
- Festival Nacional de la Canción y Torneo Internacional del Joropo: This celebration was held for the first time in 1960, when the territory of the Meta was elevated to the category of department. This festival is organized in the city of Villavicencio and competitions. You can find competitions of collegiate bulls, contests of works of the plain and typical gastronomy. But also craft shows and artistic exhibitions, such as sculpture and painting. The most prominent singers, musicians, composers and dancers of llanera music participate in the festival.
- Encuentro Mundial de Coleo: This sport originating in this Colombian-Venezuelan region is part of the popular llaneras festivities, as it is intimately linked to its culture. During this event there are artistic activities that include dance and singing competitions, gastronomic festivals and exhibitions. It takes place from March 20 to 22 and it gathers between 200 and 400 collectors from several Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Brazil and Mexico.
Transports
how to get there?
Villavicencio, as well as Bogotá and Medellín, have direct flight connections to La Macarena for access to Caño Cristales, and from Bogota is possible to travel by car to Villavivencio and from there explore the nearby places by car or even fly to La Macarena
To visit Casanare and other areas in los Llanos the best option is a fly from Bogota.
Safety
is it safe to travel to los llanos?
Security
Many people are worried about safety in Colombia because of the country’s dark past. There is no denying Colombia used to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world. In particular, Los Llanos has been affected by guerrilla activity, drug trafficking, and illegal armed groups. However, recent efforts have improved security, though challenges persist in ensuring sustainable peace and development.
The nature reserves and natural parks you can visit during a trip to Los Llanos are safe.
Local
gastronomy
Those who visit the Eastern Plains in Colombia are not only surprised by the landscape, but also by the gastronomy of the area. Much of the meat consumed in the country and exported to other countries comes from this region, so it is expected that the typical dishes of the eastern plains region include meats of excellent quality. Learn which are the typical dishes of this wonderful region!
Mamona: It's beef roasted on a grill. Apparently, it may seem like any other meat, but the way it is seasoned with beer, salt, and traditional herbs gives this tender and soft meat a unique flavor. In general, this typical veal is served with potatoes, cassava and plantain and other meats such as pork, beef and even chicken to complement flavors.
Jalea: it is prepared by cooking the pulp of guava, a Colombian fruit recognized for being the ingredient of traditional Veleño snacks and with which a refreshing juice is also served that is served throughout the country. Due to its thick consistency, it is ideal to serve as a dressing of bread and cookies or to accompany a portion of fresh cheese.
Pineapple Guarapo: It is a drink that is prepared with slices of pineapple, panela scraping, water, and ice according to the taste of each person. It is a natural companion with a sweet taste ideal to complement any dish of traditional Colombian cuisine.
Chiguiro: The way to cook this exotic dish is grilled or baked, slow cooking and accompanied by cassava and plantain. If you want to taste the best chigüiro dishes in Villavicencio, you have to attend the International Joropo Festival, where the dish is considered par excellence and is in various presentations.
Tungos Llaneros: If you are a lover of tamales and wraps, you will love the tungos llaneros. This dish, which comes from the whole family of wrapped in Colombia, is one of the dishes that we can not miss, since it can be consumed at any meal and at any time of the day. This wrap consists of cooked rice, peasant cheese, sugar and sour milk, all wrapped in a bijao banana leaf.
Pisillo: The "Pisillo" is a common preparation that is made mainly with dried beef minced in thin strips. This is cooked until it softens and you add long-headed onion, garlic and paprika and it is accompanied with cooked cassava. The snack can also be made with fish and bushmeat.
Gofios: They are an ancient tradition in the indigenous llanera slope, they are amasijos of roasted and ground corn that accompanies the llanero in the long days in the plain. Corn or cassava flours, hydrated with water and flavored with honey or chili, were the staple food of the indigenous diet of the jungle communities.
more travel tips to visit los llanos
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