Visit Yopal, Casanare, Colombia

Table of Contents

Where is Yopal | When to visit | Getting there and around | Things to do in Yopal | Where to stay | Going out in Yopal

Where is Yopal

Yopal is a municipality and capital city of Casanare located at the limit of the Eastern Range Andean Mountains and has a population of 180,000 inhabitants. This department, enriched by the oil boom, became independent at the end of the 20th century following the separation from Boyaca. It is the second most important city in the eastern llanos of Colombia (after Villavicencio). Still, it is the one that most represents the llanera culture, with its vibrant music and its endless ranches (hatos). Recently, small local agencies have emerged to show travelers the beauty of the department and to help preserve its culture and wildlife.

One thing is sure; you won’t be cold in Yopal. There are 3 seasons to know, which will influence the tours you can organize.

December – March

It is the dry season, without a drop of rain. The savannah turns yellow, and the water holes are scarce. The animals gather around them, so it is easier to watch the wildlife.

• Between October and December, the Copa América de Coleo takes place. The participants must make the bull fall by pulling its tail.
• In December, there is also El Cimarrón de Oro. It is a musical competition of the Joropo, with singing and improvisation contests (like rappers but with cowboys)
• 20/12 starts the Festival del Gaván with 4 days of musicals and cultural events in San Luis de Palenque.

May – October

It’s the wet season, with heavy rains, especially from May to July. The savannah is flooded and colored with flowers. The most remote nature reserves are difficult to access, and experiences such as horseback riding and boating are preferred.

April & November

These are two months of transitions, with the advantages and disadvantages of both seasons. They are perfect months to travel long distances on horseback.

1# Explore the city center

Yopal has little sites of interest to visitors, but it still has something to keep you busy for a few hours (knowing that you will probably arrive the day before your safari).

First, you can visit the Casa Museo 8 de Julio (Mon-Fri; 9-12 & 2-5 pm) to see old photos of Yopal and get a free explanation (in Spanish) of Yopal’s history. The other museum is the Museo Centro Histórico del Oriente.

Then you can go shopping. The hat is an essential element of the Llanero. The best shop to buy it is Florentino. This family makes handmade hats with quality materials. I’ve got one for my dad 🙂

And to buy souvenirs for your loved ones, visit Ámala & Orinoquia Sabor y Arte.

Then relax in the park la Iguana or on the central square before enjoying the city’s many restaurants. The locals love to eat out.

Every Thursday night, from 8 to 10 pm, there is a Joropo music band at the bar of the GHL hotel (Terraza Llanera). It’s best to book in advance.

2# Observe the sunrise above the city

Sunrises are famous in the region of Los Llanos, especially from January to March. Although you will see many of them during your multi-day trip in la savanna, you can add one more to your collection in Yopal. There are two options:

• Hike 40 min to Mirador De La Virgen De Manare. It’s the famous hike in Yopal.
• Take a 15-min cab to Parque Temático Historias De Piedra.

3# Plan a Safari Colombiano

Animal watching in the savanna is why travelers come to Yopal. Many hatos (traditional ranch) have been converted into nature reserves to preserve nature and welcome travelers.

The most famous animals to observe are the giant otter, the giant anteater, the morrocoy tortoise, the anaconda, the caiman, the puma, the jaguar, the capybara, and the deer.

Los llanos also act as restaurants for migratory birds. Bird lovers can easily observe storks, many species of herons, little egrets, roseate spoonbills, sandpipers, snipes, black skimmers, fork-tailed flycatchers, and more.

Depending on the weather and your wishes, you will travel by jeep, canoe, tractor, bicycle, or horse, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

The number of different animals I could observe during my 2 Colombian safaris amazed me. Still, you’ll need to stay several days to increase your odds. I recommend 4 days.

Must read: my 2 reviews to pick the right Colombian Safari.

• The Colombian safari at the Zambrano family nature reserve is the most accessible from Yopal.
• Or, if you prefer a more customized and premium adventure, I recommend contacting Laura.
• And if you speak Spanish and love horses, Heiler will be your man.

4# Plan a day trip to a Hato

If you don’t have much time, consider visiting a hato for the day to learn more about the llanera culture and have the opportunity to observe the animals.

From Yopal, there are two day tours that I recommend. You can visit Hato Mata de Palma (contact the Zambrano Family) or Hato Berlin (contact Heiler). Both hatos are about 2 hours from Yopal.

I recommend that travelers stay in San Luis de Palenque (I love the Posada El Diamante) if they only want to take day trips. You will be 30-40 min away from several hatos.

Read our article to know the best tours in Los Llanos.

Where to sleep? What to do? Where to eat? How do you get from one place to another?