Acacías, Meta: Things to Do, How to Get There & Tourism in the Llanos
Acacías is the cultural city of the Eastern Plains (Llanos) — an ideal destination for anyone who loves llanero culture, rivers, nature and beautiful landscapes.
The town of Acacías is a great place to enjoy a different kind of weekend and discover llanero culture and beautiful scenery.
Acacías is the second-largest city in the Meta department, with around 80,000 inhabitants. In recent years it has been a national player in the oil boom, becoming the second-largest producing municipality, as well as a promoter of llanero culture and tourism. The town has gradually become a destination for many families — ideal for a weekend visit.
How to get to Acacías
Acacías is connected to Bogotá via Route 40 to Villavicencio, where you turn left onto Route 65, the Ruta del Embrujo Llanero. The distance between Acacías and Bogotá is 140 km, and the trip takes a little over 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Several bus companies run the route between Villavicencio and Acacías.
Distances from Acacías: Villavicencio 30 km, Guamal 12 km, Bogotá 145 km.
Places to visit in Acacías
The town has a varied selection of hotels and ecotourism ranches (fincas), swimming spots with clean water, and lively streets with well-developed shopping and nightlife near the Río Acacías riverfront (Malecón).
The town has several tourist attractions, places to visit and points of interest:
Carlos María Hernández Municipal Public Library
An educational space open to the whole community, which also lets the public visit its facilities and learn about the services it offers.
Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Carmen
It stands opposite the main square (Parque Principal).
Parque Principal (Main Square)
A pleasant spot where locals go to share an ice cream with friends and family, and where children can rent electric cars and motorbikes.
Nightclubs
Where you will find the town's best clubs: Don Juan and La Tienda.
Malecón Río Acacías
An excellent spot to bathe in the clean waters of the Río Acacías, as well as to share ice cream and the typical dishes served there. The Acacías riverfront is the weekend meeting point for many families. It is 1,500 meters from the main square.
Skate Park
An ideal place for children and teenagers to have fun skateboarding in brand-new facilities.
Typical restaurant
El Orejano restaurant serves typical and national dishes, with live llanero music (weekends).
Omar Armando Baquero Soler Arena
Where the community gathers for sports and championships across different disciplines.
Manga de Coleo Palma Real
A venue at the entrance to Acacías coming from Villavicencio. It is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacle of coleo and, more broadly, the plains cattle work that is a major tourist draw in the region.
Monument to the Virgen del Carmen
This monument is striking as a testament to the devotion of the people of Acacías to the Virgen del Carmen.
Map of Acacías attractions
Festivals and events
Festival del Retorno (Homecoming Festival)
The renowned Festival del Retorno is the most important event held in Acacías, during the long weekend in October. It runs for four days across three stages in different parts of the town:
Stage 1: dedicated to llanero music, hosting the Luis Ariel Rey Children's Voices Tournament, the International Llanero Music Tournament, the International Retorno Pageant, Noche Acacireña with singers born in Acacías, and performances by the best llanero-music artists of the moment. Alongside the llanero-stage activities, the Zapateando por Acacías Tournament is held.
Stage 2: dedicated to the National Dance Gathering, performed by guest dance troupes from different regions of the country.
Stage 3: dedicated to orchestras, featuring the best singers and renowned national and international orchestras.
And more: within the Festival del Retorno, the following activities also take place: the "Zapateando por Acacías" Llanero Dance Contest on Saturday morning; Joropera Colper, an event that brings together at least 800 couples dancing the same choreography simultaneously, held on Sunday from 2 p.m.; a Coleo Tournament on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from midday; among others.
Day of Tribute to Llanero Culture
This event takes place on the first Friday of each month in the main square from 4 p.m. It is a tribute to and celebration of llanero culture. Children and young people training in dance, singing and traditional instruments perform, along with professional llanero dance groups and singers of regional and national renown.
International Dance Day
Established by UNESCO for April 29 each year, International Dance Day brings together local dance groups and special guests to put on a show for residents and visitors. In Acacías the event is organized on the Sunday closest to this date, so it can be enjoyed by the large crowds who gather in the main square.
International Music Day
Established by UNESCO for October 1 each year, International Music Day brings together music groups of various genres to put on a show for residents and visitors. In Acacías the event is organized on the Sunday closest to this date, so it can be enjoyed by the large crowds who gather in the main square.
Inter-institutional Acacireño Talent Tournament
This event takes place on the Sunday of the first long weekend of November in the main square. Students from the artistic and cultural training programs run by the Acacías Institute of Culture and Tourism perform. The program includes singing, llanero and national dance, llanero musical instruments and keyboard. It is an important show that promotes llanero and national culture in its many forms, while showcasing the quality of the training of the town's children and teenagers.
Anniversary of the Municipality of Acacías
Held on August 7 each year in the main square. It begins at 8 a.m. with a parade of marching bands from the armed forces, the police, INPEC, rescue services and schools, celebrating the city's anniversary. In the afternoon there is a llanero music show, the election of the Civic Queen of Acacías and the first stage of the "Luis Ariel Rey" Children's Voices Tournament, plus performances by professional llanero dance groups and singers of municipal, regional, national and international renown.
Map to get to Acacías, Meta
Frequently asked questions about Acacías
It is the second city of Meta, in the Eastern Plains (Llanos), about 30 km from Villavicencio. It is a destination for llanero culture, rivers and swimming spots.
From Bogotá (about 2 h 45) via the Autopista al Llano to Villavicencio and then the Ruta del Embrujo Llanero. From Villavicencio it is just 30 km, with frequent buses.
Enjoy the swimming spots and rivers, the Río Acacías riverfront, discover llanero culture (joropo and local food) and visit ecotourism ranches.
Its llanero fairs and festivals stand out, with joropo, horseback rides and cultural activities, making it one of Meta's cultural cities.
There are hotels and ecotourism ranches, many with a pool and river access, ideal for a family weekend.
Warm weather all year; the dry season is the most comfortable time to enjoy the rivers and swimming spots.