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A place like San Jose del Guaviare is not easy to prospect. We couldn’t find any information on the internet – Spanish, French, English, Chinese
Where to start? Who should we meet? How is the bus?
Nothing, nada, nitchts.
I won’t accuse Google – please don’t kill my ranking – or my fellow bloggers.
Actually, nobody is at fault.
Ten years ago, San Jose del Guaviare was a FARC’s stronghold. Even the government didn’t want to get there.
But the political situation has changed a lot in Colombia. And now, this town is a paradise filled with secret gems, colorful rivers, Colombian cowboys and aguardiente.
It’s time for the world to know about this place. It’s time that I give you the newest tips to explore it. It’s time for you to be the next Indiana Jones.
How to Get to San Jose del Guaviare
You have to leave from Bogota. There is also another secret path but I will speak about it later in this article.
A] How to fly to San Jose del Guaviare?
Flying is always the easiest and most comfortable way to get somewhere in Colombia.
However, there are still a few inconveniences
- You can’t observe the landscapes
- There is no daily flight. It means you have less flexibility
- You pollute a lot more
- They can cancel your trip in case of bad weather conditions
- You can’t buy your flight ticket online if you’re not in Colombia – Fortunately, we are here 🙂
Flights Bogota - San Jose del Guaviare (+)
The only airline company to get to San Jose del Guaviare is Satena. They fly out of Bogota. Here is how to get to the airport.
Not all districts are equal in Bogota. Find out the best ones.
Flight Bogota – San Jose del Guaviare | Duration : 1h30 | Price: Around 220 000 COP / 70 $
- Monday (Afternoon)
- Wednesday (Early Morning)
- Saturday (Early Morning)
The prices and dates can change. Check on Satena website before planning your trip.
The airport is near the center.
Important: The lugagge allowance change according the model of Aircraft
B] Is it possible to take a bus?
Bus Bogota - San Jose del guaviare (+)
Yes, it is!
Once again, the departures are from the main bus terminal (Salitre) in Bogota.
Look for the bus company Flota La Macarena.
There are buses leaving every day, days and nights.
Bus Bogota – San Jose del Guaviare | Duration: 9 – 10 hours | Prices: Around 70 000 COP / 22 $
You can’t book them on the internet. However, there are the departure times.
TIP: Take a night bus to save time. Our night bus wasn’t great… The bus leaving at 10h30 PM should be better – Platino VIP
C] Caño Cristales then San Jose del Guaviare
Boat La Macarena - San Jose del guaviare (+)
After an amazing trip to the rainbow river, you can decide to extend your adventure to San Jose del Guaviare.
Don’t take the jeep. It will be a horrible muddy path for 10 hours.
Fortunately, there is a boat leaving every week – almost – on Mondays during the raining season from June to November.
Boat La Macarena – S.J.D Guaviare | Departure time: 8h00 am | Cootransfluvial | Duration: 10 hours | Price: 120 000 COP
Don’t forget to check out our Map of Colombia to find your next destination!
How to leave from San Jose del Guaviare
Because you don’t want to stay forever in San Jose del Guaviare – Sorry Andres -, you also need to know how to leave the city.
There are 2 options:
- Bogota
- La Macarena
A] Fly back to Bogota Satena
Flight San jose del Guaviare - Bogota (+)
The flights San Jose del Guaviare – Bogota are not every day.
- Monday (Afternoon)
- Wednesday (Morning)
Satu r day (Morning)
Flight S.J.D Guaviare – Bogota | Duration: 1h15 | Price: Around 220 000 COP / 70 $ | Website
The airport is near the center. Order a taxi for 7 – 10 000 C0P and arrive 1 hour in advance at the airport.
B] Take the bus from San Jose del Guaviare to Bogota with La Flota Macarena
At the hour I write this article, the schedule isn’t available online.
Fortunately, I took a picture 🙂
Bus S.J.D Guaviare – Bogota | Duration: 9 – 10 hours | Prices: Around 70 000 COP / 22 $
TIP: Take a night bus to save time. The bus leaving at 22h00 PM should be the best
C] After San Jose del Guaviare, explore la Macarena
Boat San Jose del Guaviare - La Macarena (+)
There is a boat leaving to La Macarena every Saturday.
I don’t recommend you to take the jeep. The trip is longer and extremely muddy.
How do we know it? Because we did it ^^
We planned to take the boat all the way to La Macarena. Unfortunately, there was a strike that day. So we had to take a boat then a jeep to La Macarena. The ride was insane! Plus, we had a massive hangover from the previous night…
I let you watch our video 🙂
Boat S.J.D Guaviare – La Macarena | Departure time: 9h00 am | Cootransfluvial | Duration: 10 hours | Price: 120 000 COP
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Things to do in San Jose del Guaviare
The town of San Jose del Guaviare isn’t sexy.
But we had loads of fun to spend the week there.
First, the town is 100% safe. We could hang out with our cameras and phones without being worried to use them.
Second, there are many bars, clubs, and restaurants. We liked to spend the evening with our crew and the staff of Geotours. It’s perfect to create bonds while sharing beers and histories.
I will tell you about restaurants and bars in San Jose del Guaviare a bit further in this article
A] El Centro Cultural de San Jose del Guaviare
Get some information at the centro Cultural (+)
Some travelers don’t want to book their activities in advance. I wouldn’t recommend to do it in San Jose del Guaviare, especially if you’re a small group (1-2 people) because it can be a lot more expensive. Indeed, the local travel company won’t be able to add you to another group at the last minute.
But, if you don’t mind to pay a private tour, you shouldn’t have too much problem to find someone.
Once in San Jose, go to El centro Cultural to get the best information about the tours and trustful guides.
Centro Cultural | Opening hours: Monday to Friday | 8 am – 6 pm
B] Things to do within the town of San Jose del Guaviare
There are not many things to do in town. But we still found 2 fun activities:
- Wake up at 5h30 am and take pictures of the fish market.
- Drink a beer and observe the sunset on the Guayabero river
- From boat-bar at the port
- From the bar El Mirador
C] The different day trips from San Jose del Guaviare
I’m sure this place will be soon a booming touristic attraction in Colombia.
Located between the Llanos and the Amazonia, San Jose del Guaviare offers various landscapes such as an immense savanna, a deep jungle, endless river banks, and so on.
You need to be a bit organized to visit the maximum of these gorgeous places in a minimum of time.
First but not least, you have to book a guide and transport.
All these places are outside San Joses del Guaviare and there is no public transportation to get there.
We used the service of Geotour, and there were awesome 🙂
We went to the C
- Guide: Around 80 000 COP
- Transporte: 200 000 COP
- Insurance + Various entrances: 100 000 COP
Surprisingly, you can save a few bucks if you pay a Package with a local travel agency instead of booking everything by yourself – We will speak about it late in the article.
For now, let’s see what different day trips you can do
1 - Cerro Azul and the River Guayabero (+)
Located two and a half hours away from San Jose del Guaviare, Cerro Azul is one of the main highlights in the area.
There, an old and unknown civilization drawn hundreds of pictograms on 2 large facades.
The drawings are perfectly well preserved. And that’s weird! Because they are subject to every climatic condition like rain and heat.
How is it possible? What plants did they use?
There are a lot of missing answers.
Moreover, we can find the same pictograms in the National Park Chiribiquete.
On the way back, some tours offer you to take a boat ride through the Raudal -Rapid – de Guayabero. The scenery is impressive and you can even spot of a few dolphins!
2 - Dolphins in the Laguna Damas del Nare (+)
The laguna Damas del Nare is a lagoon rich in planktons located 2 hours away on the Guayabero river.
And do you know who love planktons?
Dolphins!
A family lives there throughout the year, enjoying an orgy of food.
Moreover, they share a cute relationship with the locals residing there. They love to pick the rope throw at them in the lagoon and terrorize the visitors by swimming between their legs.
3 - Puerta de Orion, Caño Sabana (Pink river) & Tranquilandia (+)
Caño Sabana is the little sister of Caño Cristales. There, from June to November, an aquatic plant called Macarenia Clavigera grows in the bed river.
The
On the way to observe this marvelous river, local tours give you the opportunity to start the hike a bit further so you can admire the Puerta de Orion, a huge rock – 12 m high – in the middle of the savanna.
Then, you can chill at the waterfalls in Tranquilandia, hoping to spot a few monkeys.
4 - The intriguing pozos naturales (+)
Back in time, El Guaviare was just a small part of a huge ocean. But things are never set in stone with Mother Nature.
Nowadays, the water has disappeared and made rooms for a soil composed of sedimentary rocks.
Because of the erosion, holes occurred through the ages in a bed river located 30 min away from San Jose del Guaviare. They look like natural jacuzzis. Moreover, some of them are deep enough that you can jump in it!
5 - Serrania de la Lindosa and Los Túneles (+)
As I told you, flows, rains and tides have shaped the landscapes of El Guaviare.
Serrania de la Lindosa and Los Tuneles are 2 perfect places if you want to admire the work of mother nature.
There, massive rocks create a mysterious atmosphere with sceneries comparable at an old abandoned city or a secret maze.
Learn about the different day trips in San Jose Del Guaviare
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Where to stay in San Jose del Guaviare
We were surprised to constate the number of accommodations where you can stay.
There are plenty of options – Except if you’re looking for a luxury establishment.
The climat is very humid in this area of Colombia. Book an hotel with a pool and air-con if you can’t deal with the heat.
$: Less than 18 $ | $$: From 18 to 50 $ | $$$: From 51 to 118 $ | $$$$: More than 118 $
Find our favorite options for staying in San Jose del Guaviare (+)
A] $ – Panorama Hotel – [Cheap & Simple]
Panorama Hotel is one of the cheapest hotels you will be able to find in town. The family in charge is always smiling and ready to help. Rooms are simple but more than acceptable for the price.
Wifi: Yes | Clothes washing: Yes | Breakfast: No | Air-con: Yes | Kitchen: Yes
The + + + | Panorama hotel
- Cheap
- Friendly
- Near the center
The – – – | Panorama hotel
- No Swimming pool
- Weak Water pressure
B] $$ – Hostel Guaviare – [ Only Hostel]
The owner had the great idea to turn her mother’s house into a hostel where travelers can meet and share. Private rooms and Dorms.
Wifi: Yes | Clothes washing: Yes | Breakfast: No | Air-con: No | Kitchen: Yes
The + + + | Guaviare hostel
- Lovely house
- Friendly owner
C] $$ – Portico Hotel – [Clean & Pools]
A Nice hotel with classic rooms and
Wifi: Weak | Clothes wash: Yes | Breakfast: No | Air-con: Yes | Kitchen: No
The + + + | Portico Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Clean rooms and showers
The – – – | Portico Hotel
- Rooms can be noisy if people are playing in the pool
D] $$$ – Aeropuerto Hotel – [Upscale]
Aeropuerto is the hotel offering the best rooms and services in San Jose del Guaviare. The rooms are moderns and comfortable. Plus, you can relax in the pools and the gardens.
Wifi: Yes | Clothes wash: Yes | Breakfast: Yes | Air-con: Yes | Kitchen: No
The + + + | Aeropuerto hotel in
- Modern
- Location
- Pools
- Good Wifi
The – – – | Aeropuerto hotel in
- Cold Water
- Basic breakfast
Where to go out in San Jose del Guaviare
A] Where to eat in San Jose del Guaviare
List of our favorite restaurants (+)
Nomadas was my favorite restaurant for the night. They serve different delicious meals around 22 000 COP. No menu del día.
El Dorado de Omar is a perfect restaurant if you wanna eat a big fish with your menu del día. Around 18 000 COP
Carnes y Carnes is for
El Mirador del B
El Ranchon is one of the upscale restaurants in town but the menu del dia is affordable. 10 000 COP
B] Where to Go out in San Jose del Guaviare
List of our favorite bars (+)
Bars and clubs are open every day in San Jose del Guaviare. But the inhabitants usually go out on Saturdays.
The Zona Rosa – party district – is composed of 2 streets near the main square. Follow the lights and music beats, you can’t miss it.
Banana Disco club and La Cantina are 2 funky clubs with a mix of Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. A bottle of aguardiente cost 70 000 COP and there is no cover.
Also, enjoy the sunset on the river Guayabero from EL Mirador or El Barquito Sol Y Arena. Cheap Beers.
And in case you wanna drink a good coffee or juice, don’t hesitate to pay a visit to Marroqui cafe. Their internet is fast!
Do you have to pay a package to visit San Jose del Guaviare?
The answer is no.
You can book your accommodations online and pay a bus ticket at the bus terminal in Bogota.
Once you are in San Jose del Guaviare, go to the Cultural center and find a guide who will organize your day trips – you can’t do otherwise.
However, it will be more time consuming and more expensive.
Tip: Don’t book your tour with a national travel agency. Try to find a local travel agency in town. Thus, you will avoid paying an intermediary.
A] Package tours in San Jose del Guaviare: Cheaper or not?
I use the data from the local travel agency Geotour. We had a great experience with them and we are happy to consider them as dream maker partners.
There are other local travel agencies in San Jose del Guaviare, and I’m sure some of them are doing a great job too.
1 – Visit San Jose del Guaviare without a tour
Let’s say you are a couple who wants to explore San Jose del Guaviare 4 days / 3 nights
Considering you arrive at the last minute, you’ll have to stay one extra day and night to organize your trip.
Moreover, it will be hard to join another small group – As it’s not very touristic yet.
See the calculations
- 4 nights El Portico : 90 000 COP * 4 = 360 000 COP
- 5 breakfasts – 2 pers : 10 000 * 2 * 5 = 100 000 COP
- 5 Lunches – 2 pers : 20 000 * 2 * 5 = 200 000 COP
- 5 dinners – 2 pers : 20 000 * 2 * 5 = 200 000 COP
- 4 day trips: 380 000 COP * 4 = 1 520 000 COP | Jeep + Private guide + entrances
Total: 2 380 000 COP | 5 days | 2 Pers
2 – Visit San Jose Del Guavoare With a package Tour
If you prevent Geotour (or us) in advance, they can give you the best dates to be with another group and share the costs.
For the same activities and accommodations, you could pay – Prices 2018 / 2019:
- 1 700 000 COP for 2 pers | Group of 9 pers in total
- 2 000 000 COP for 2 pers | Group of 6 pers in total
- 2 500 000 COP for 2 pers | Group of 4 pers in total
As you can see, prices are pretty similar but you get a lot more advantages:
- Geotour helps you to book your bus tickets
- They organize everything for you – Peace of mind!
- You meet other travelers – You will be able to avoid your travel buddy
- The staff hang out with you at night
- You know they are doing an excellent job
Important
All the tours are in Spanish. But the explanations are pretty basic anyway.
The best period is from May to November
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