We discovered San José del Guaviare during a stay of just a few days, but we still have fond memories of it. Visiting Guaviare is a mixture of moving encounters, unique landscapes and a unique natural and cultural wealth!
At present, it’s from the main town in this rural department, San José del Guaviare, that you can discover the beauties of Guaviare. For safety reasons, it is advisable to use local guides to discover the many beautiful natural sites: colorful rivers similar to Caño Cristales, rock paintings unique in the world, encounters with pink Amazonian dolphins, rock formations, savannah landscapes, tropical forest, etc.
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Guaviare General information
What to do in Guaviare
The department of Guaviare is considered the gateway to Amazonia. The Guaviare River marks the natural border between the Orinoquia and Amazon regions.
Historically, Guaviare is a land that has welcomed all the “damned” from Colombia who came here to seek their fortune in various more or less legal activities (rubber, wood, marijuana, coca).
As a result, Guaviare is home to Colombians from every region of the country. There are also still indigenous populations, the original inhabitants of this region, more or less isolated on the territory in various groups: nukak, puinave, guayaberos, guahibos, cubeos piratapuyos, desanos, tucanos, carijonas, kurripakos.
- Capital: San José del Guaviare
- Gentiles: Guaviarense
- Natural region: Amazonia
- Population: 85,000
- Indigenous population: 5,000
- Average altitude. : 300m
- Climate: hot and humid
- Average temperature: 26°C
- Dry season: December to March
- Rainy season: April to November
- When to go: all year round
Visiting San José del Guavaire
What to do in Guaviare
There’s an enormous amount to see and do around San José del Guaviare, but some sites are of particular importance, on a national or even global level!
These include the Cerro Azul site, now known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Amazon” or the“Colombian Lascaux“. This unique site is home to some of the oldest cave paintings on the South American continent, dating back over 12,000 years. Immense swathes of rock entirely covered in red paintings, a unique place.
When visiting Guaviare, you won’t want to miss Tranquilandia, another incredible site. You’ve probably heard of the“Caño cristales“, the river of five colors that is one of the wonders of Colombia, a river located in the neighbouring department of Meta. Well, San José del Guaviare has its “little brother”, a colorful river with the same algae that gives it its distinctive color!
Last but not least, when you think of Amazonia, you think of pink dolphins! Present in various rivers of the Guaviare, we were lucky enough to discover a beautiful social tourism project at Laguna Damas de Nare, and to be able to swim with the dolphins, an unforgettable encounter.
Best things to do in Guaviare
- San Jose del Guaviare
- Laguna Damas de Nare
- Laguna Negra
- Cerro Azul
- Cerro Raudal del Guayabero
- Nuevo Tolima
- Caño Sabana (Rincon de los Torros)
- Tuneles
- Pozos naturales
- Puerta de Orion
All our posts about Guaviare
Visit Guaviare Travel Guide
Where to stay in San José del Guaviare
Visit Guaviare Travel Guide
We discovered Guaviare by radiating out from San José. Here’s our advice on where to stay in San José del Guaviare.
San José del Guaviare
Hotel
Hotel El Aeropuerto
Double room : $300.000 to $350.000 COP
Hotel El Aeropuerto is, as its name suggests, located right next to San José del Guaviare airport. With its swimming pool, nice common areas and all the services of a classic hotel.
San José del Guaviare
Hotel
Hotel Quinto Nivel
Double room : $300.000 to $350.000 COP
The Hotel Quinto Nivel is one of San José del Guaviare’s best-known hotels. Most local agencies lodge their clients in this hotel.
San José del Guaviare
Eco Lodge
Playa Guio
Dormitory : $25.000 to $50.000/Double room : $0 to $100.000 COP
Playa Guio is a haven of peace in the middle of nature, a 20-minute cab ride from the center of San José del Guaviare. On site, you’ll find the warmth of the Melo family, a large common room where you can eat and have a good time, a large hut for those who want to sleep cheaply in a hammock, and two private cabins for those who want privacy.
