For us, a visit to Huila is a must on any trip to Colombia. The Tatacoa desert and the archaeological sites of San Agustin are, of course, the best-known destinations. But Huila is much more than that, and this department deserves a real detour and in-depth discovery!
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Huila General information
Huila Travel Guide in Colombia
Department of Huila
- Capital: Neiva
- Natural region: Andes
- Population: 1 million
- Max. altitude 5364m (Nevado del huila)
Weather
- Varied climates: hot, temperate, cold
- Average minimum temperature: 0°C (Nevado)
- Average max. temperature: 35°C (Tatacoa)
Best things to do in Huila
Huila Travel Guide in Colombia
The department of Huila boasts a wide variety of landscapes, due to the differences in temperature levels. From the desert of Tatacoa to the eternal snows of Nevado del Huila, from the heat of Neiva to the humid paramos of Puracé Natural Park, the differences in temperature, climate and ecosystems are enormous!
Huila is also the cradle of an extinct pre-Columbian civilization, which left enigmatic sculptures about which little is known. This mystery surrounding the archaeological sites makes San Agustin one of Colombia’s most visited destinations.
Best things to visit in Huila
- Villavieja and the Tatacoa desert
- Neiva and the La Rivera thermal baths
- La Jagua and its fique handicrafts
- Palermo, its waterfalls and hat-making crafts
- Paicol and the Serpiente waterfall
- Nevado del Huila
- Puracé natural park
- The chiva makers of Pitalito
- San Agustin and its archaeological parks
- Bordones salto and Isnos panela factories
All our posts about Huila region in Colombia
Huila Travel Guide
We spent 12 days in the Huila department and loved it! We passed through the Tatacoa desert, which is clearly worth the detour. The spectacle of the landscape and the colors of the red desert are truly impressive. Then we headed down to San Agustin, where we spent a long week enjoying a truly wonderful experience. We can’t wait to return to this department and visit every corner of the Huila!
Where to stay in Huila, Colombia
Huila Travel Guide
Here we’ve compiled our recommendations for hotels in the Huila destinations we visited.
San Agustin, the best hotels
Hostal
Casa de François
Dormitory : $25.000 to $50.000/Double room : $150.000 to $200.000 COP
As the name suggests, this is a hotel run by a Frenchman, and I hear it’s very nice. The hotel is located at the top of a hill from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. It’s a property surrounded by gardens, with every comfort and a range of accommodation to suit all budgets. From dormitories to small cabins.
San Agustin, the best hotels
Eco Lodge
El Maco Finca Ecologica
Double room : $100.000 to $150.000 COP
El Maco is an ecological finca set in the middle of nature, offering excellent value for money. The finca also has a sauna and a restaurant.
San Agustin, the best hotels
Hotel
Hotel Finca El Cielo
Double room : $0 to $100.000 COP
Finca El Cielo is where we stayed in San Agustin and we recommend it 100%! The hotel is beautiful, the garden magnificent, the welcome is perfect, and even though it’s a bit far from the village, you can get to various archaeological sites on foot.
Neiva, the best hotels
Hotel
Sevilla Hotel
Double room : $100.000 to $150.000 COP
This is the hotel where we stayed in Neiva. We recommend it, it’s very well located, in a quiet area but close to everything, and it’s great value for money.
Tatacoa desert
Finca
Casa Los Cactus Finca
Double room : $0 to $100.000 COP
A finca in the middle of the desert and cabins made from recycled bottles. A whole universe to discover for this budget accommodation in the middle of the desert!
Villavieja, the best hotels
Hotel
Tatacoa Star Eco Hotel
Double room : $150.000 to $200.000 COP
Hotel perfectly located in the village of Villavieja, great service, great welcome, great breakfast, great setting.
Tatacoa desert
Eco Lodge
Mana Star Lounge
Double room : $200.000 to $250.000 COP
The Mana star is located between the gray and red deserts of Tatacoa. They offer secluded cabins, with full catering and a warm welcome.
Tatacoa desert
Eco Lodge
Qji Glamping Ecohotel
Double room : $200.000 to $250.000 COP
Cabins in the middle of the Tatacoa desert, that’s what Qji Glamping offers. In the Grey Desert area, far from any nuisance, the site is perfect for disconnecting and enjoying the starry sky!
Villavieja, the best hotels
Hotel
Hotel Colonial Villavieja
Double room : $150.000 to $200.000 COP
Small colonial hotel close to the center of Villavieja village, in a quiet location. The small interior patio is beautifully decorated, the breakfast is good and the big plus: the swimming pool!