Last updated on July 21st, 2023 at 07:08 pm
Dear readers
My name is Frank and I run a travel agency in Bogota, Colombia. Have fun while reading!
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Why visit San Jose del Guaviare?
Today’s San José del Guaviare served for many years as a stopping place for settlers traveling to Calamar (another rubber mining community 80 km/50 miles away). San José del Guaviare is the capital of the department of Guaviare and is located in the southeast of the country on the river of the same name.
The community was founded on March 19, 1938, when some men passing through decided to name the place after Saint San José. In gratitude, they added the name of the river that was next to their little houses.
Over the years and with the large influx of people traveling to Calamar, the population grew. Many chose to stay in San José del Guaviare as it was close to the Rubber Department. In 1943 and 1958 structures such as a granary, churches and finally the first fishing company were built in the area.
These buildings helped increase the population of San José del Guaviare. Even if it doesn’t sound that flashy, San José del Guaviare offers one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Colombia.
Tourist activities an attractions in San Jose del Guaviare
The beauty of Colombia’s flora and fauna is undeniable, but this destination isn’t for everyone. However, if you like being in contact with nature, this is a great destination for your next vacation.
San José de Guaviare – a natural paradise
In the vicinity of the municipality of San José del Guaviare you will find numerous natural attractions.
Cave paintings
47 kilometers from San José del Guaviare is La Serranía de La Lindosa, a gigantic rock formation. There are about 1,200 square meters of ancient indigenous rock paintings.
According to experts, these paintings could be around 12,000 years old.
Rivers and lagoons
In Guaviare there are a large number of rivers, lagoons and streams.
Tranquilandia
A few kilometers from San José del Guaviare is Tranquilandia, a natural pool where the water is colored green, pink, purple and intense red. Many people call this goal the “caño cristales del Guaviare” (Crystalline River of the Guaviare).
Lagoon Damas del Nare
65 kilometers from San José del Guaviare is the Damas del Nare Lagoon, where you can swim with freshwater dolphins.
The dolphins are already used to the presence of humans, as locals say they have always lived in harmony with them. Hiring knowledgeable staff is recommended to have the best possible experience.
Natural fountains
Just 8 km (5 miles) from the capital of Guaviare, there are natural fountains that could be called natural pools in the river, but whose water has red and orange tones due to the richness of the vegetal and mineral soils.
Rock formations
18 kilometers from San José del Guaviare is the town of Piedra, where you can find gigantic structures of labyrinths and corridors. This place is under the observation of scientists, as they have not yet been able to determine with certainty whether these formations were formed with human help.
Regardless of how the stone city came to be, it is still one of the most mystical places to visit in Colombia.
Best time to visit San Jose del Guaviare
It’s always a good time to visit Guaviare.
- The months with the least rainfall are from December to February, but the average temperature is 32°C.
- From February to June, the chance of precipitation is high, but the average temperature is only 27°C.
- From July to November, the chance of rain is slightly higher and the average temperature is around 30°C.
If you like the colorful Balneario If you want to see Tranquilandia (the river colored by a rainbow-colored plant), you should plan your visit between June and November, as this is when the Macarenia clavijera (aquatic plant) grows.
Cultural program in San José del Guaviare
There are two important celebrations in San José del Guaviare.
Feast of the Colonies
Held annually in June, it is celebrated in honor of San José (the saint after whom the departmental capital is named).
At this festival there are folkloric performances such as typical dances, parades and cultural manifestations, and there is also space for gastronomic tastings.
International Festival of Yuruparí de Oro
Every August, homage is paid to the legend of Yurupari, a hero of the indigenous peoples of Colombia and Brazil.
There are folk shows such as a coplas contest, craft markets and the Coleo events, which reenact the activities of cowboys with oxen and bulls.
Typical cuisine of San José del Guaviare
Some recipes that you cannot miss in San José del Guaviare are:
Pescado moqueado
An indigenous recipe in which certain types of fish (dorado, rayado, and pujon) are wrapped in banana leaves and then cooked over a fire for about two hours.
Chicha de Moriche
It is a fermented drink where the moriche palm is the main ingredient.
The drink is made by removing the pulp from the seeds and soaking them in water.
The mixture is then strained to remove impurities and the juice can finally be sweetened with panela (cane sugar).
If a strong drink is desired, it can be left to ferment for two days.
Casabe de yuca
At first glance it looks like a tortilla, but it’s something completely different because the cassava is made only with yucca, which gives it a similar appearance to a tortilla, but its texture is much harder.
Where to eat in San Jose del Guaviare?
There are many opportunities to eat typical or homemade dishes, but here are some restaurants that offer excellent service.
Catumare Comidas Amazonicas
Colonizadores # 5a-44, San Jose del Guaviare
In this restaurant you will find a wide range of Colombian-Brazilian dishes from the Amazon region.
Tiktak Cafe
Calle 7 # 24-25 San Jose del Guaviare
An excellent place to spend the afternoon with a good coffee and a dessert.
Restaurant El Diamante
Carrera 20 # 12b 7-26, San Jose del Guaviare
This restaurant serves authentic Colombian dishes.
Where to stay in San Jose del Guaviare?
Recommending a hotel to stay in is usually quite a complicated task as it depends on the tastes of each individual. However, I will tell you some of the most interesting hotels for your trip to San José del Guaviare
Hotel Quinto Nivel
Calle 7 #24-25, San José del Guaviare
CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEST RATES FOR HOTEL QUINTO NIVEL HOTEL
Luxurious facilities with a variety of services offered by the hotel.
El Aeroporto Hotel
Calle 10 No 23-44, San José del Guaviare, Colombia
CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEST RATES FOR EL AEROPUERTO HOTEL
Excellent location to get in touch with the warm people.
Ecopadera
11 km (6.8 miles) Vereda electrical Retiro On the National Road, San José del Guaviare, Colombia
CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEST RATES FOR ECOPRADERA
The hotel offers a nature experience but is a bit off the beaten track of tourist attractions.
How to get to San José del Guaviare?
Getting to San José del Guaviare can be a little tricky, but there are a number of ways you can get there.
By plane
You can reach Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Torres Airport on the outskirts of the city.
The airlines that offer connections are as follows:
By bus
Another way to get to San José del Guaviare is by bus, which is cheaper but takes much longer – estimated to take up to 9 hours from the Colombian capital (Bogotá).
The easiest way to buy tickets is through Pinbus.
How to get around in San José del Guaviare?
Transportation within the city center is limited to the use of single rate taxis due to the small size of the area.
Colombia Travel Guides
Here you will find travel guides for the most popular regions in Colombia, which we have put together during our extensive travels around the country.
- Colombia Travel Guide
- Bogota Travel Guide
- Medellin Travel Guide
- Santa Marta Travel Guide
- Cartagena Travel Guide
- La Guajira Travel Guide
- Llanos Travel Guide
- Providencia Travel Guide
- Coffee Triangle Travel Guide
- Amazonas Travel Guide
- Choco Travel Guide
- Santander Travel Guide
- Boyaca Travel Guide
- Villa de Leyva Travel Guide
- San Andres Island Travel Guide
- Tayrona Park Travel Guide
- Palomino Travel Guide
- Cali Travel Guide
- Heritage Towns Colombia Travel Guide
- 7 Wonders of Colombia
- Chicamocha Canyon Travel Guide
- Colombia Golf Travel Guide
- Colombia Museums Guide
Travel Guides to Colombia’s Small Towns
Here you will find travel guides for less popular destinations in Colombia. Some of these destinations are even real insider tips and not even known to the Colombians as travel destinations.
- Monteria Colombia Travel Guide
- Magangue Colombia Travel Guide
- Turbo Colombia Travel Guide
- Arauca Colombia Travel Guide
- San José del Guaviare Colombia Travel Guide
- Pasto Colombia Travel Guide
- Tunja Colombia Travel Guide
- Armenia Colombia Travel Guide
- Villavicencio Colombia Travel Guide
- Ibague Colombia Travel Guide
- Quibdo Colombia Travel Guide
- Manizales Colombia Travel Guide
- Yopal Colombia Travel Guide
- Popayan Colombia Travel Guide
- Barranquilla Colombia Travel Guide
- Barrancabermeja Colombia Travel Guide
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- Ipiales Colombia Travel Guide
- Mitu Colombia Travel Guide
- Mocoa Colombia Travel Guide
- Puerto Carreno Colombia Travel Guide
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- Cucuta Colombia Travel Guide
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