Villavicencio: Tourism, Things to Do & Sights in the Llanos
Villavicencio, in the Meta department, is the gateway to the Eastern Plains (Llanos) — an ideal destination for anyone who loves nature and beautiful landscapes.
Every year more tourists come to Villavicencio to discover the landscapes and the llanero (plains) culture.
Villavicencio is the capital of the Meta department, with a warm climate all year round — perfect for enjoying pools and the river beaches that run through the region.
How to get to Villavicencio
Villavicencio is connected to Bogotá by the Autopista al Llano highway, a genuine feat of road engineering that crosses bridges, viaducts and tunnels.
The distance between Villavicencio and Bogotá is 112 km, and the trip takes a little over two hours.
Villavicencio also has Vanguardia Airport, on the edge of the city, with flights to Colombia's main cities.
Bus companies
Flota La Macarena
Phone: (+57-1) 421 22 56
Website: flotalamacarena.com
Transportes Autollanos
Phone: (+57-1) 745 0505
Website: autollanos.com
Expreso Bolivariano
Phone: (+57-1) 4249090
Website: bolivariano.com.co
Tourist information
Villavicencio has a range of hotels and other services for visitors. The city is home to numerous universities and several companies.
Parque Santander is the heart of the city; around it stand the Meta Governor's Office and the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, with the City Hall, the Eduardo Carranza Culture House and the Monument to the Founders just a few meters away.
Things to see in Villavicencio
Casa del Joropo, a place devoted to the study, teaching and promotion of this musical rhythm. Address: Calle 44 No 56-21, Barrio Galán.
Parks in Villavicencio
The city has several parks, for example:
- Parque del Hacha: a tribute to José Eustasio Rivera, writer and author of La Vorágine, which tells of the efforts of settlers across the plains and jungles. Address: Calle 36 s/n.
- Parque de la Vida: ideal for a day out with children, with pools and water games. Phone: 318 713 04 61. Address: Avenida Circunvalar – Avenida Catama. Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Website: parque.cofrem.com.co
- Parque Las Malocas: a theme park about llanero culture that recreates a hato llanero (typical ranch). Address: Km 7, Vía Camino Ganadero.
- Bioparque Los Ocarros: a center for the study and conservation of the plains' flora and fauna, with an ecological reserve and various attractions for visitors. Address: Km 3, Villavicencio–Restrepo road, Vereda Vanguardia. Phones: (578) 664 87 13 / 300 815 6222. Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (December 24 and 31 until midday). Facebook: bioparquelosocarros
- Parque Agroecológico Merecure: an eco-tourism complex with different options for visitors. Some of its attractions: Zoo, Pueblito Llanero, Indigenous Reserve and Tucunare Lagoon. Facebook: parquemerecureoficial - Instagram: @parquemerecureoficial
Visit a llanero ranch
One of the main attractions of Villavicencio and Meta is undoubtedly visiting a typical llanero ranch. Here you can see and learn about the work of the men and women of the countryside, mainly cattle ranching. At mealtime you can try the typical carne a la llanera (plains-style grilled beef). The city tourism office offers different options for arranging a visit.
Tourism Office phone: (+57) 8 6731313
Frequently asked questions about Villavicencio
It is the capital of Meta and the gateway to the Eastern Plains (Llanos). It has a warm climate all year, ideal for rivers, pools and plains landscapes.
From Bogotá via the Autopista al Llano highway (112 km, a little over 2 hours, with tunnels and viaducts) or through Vanguardia Airport, with flights to the main cities.
Discover llanero culture: the Casa del Joropo, Parque Las Malocas and the Bioparque Los Ocarros; enjoy the local food (the famous mamona or ternera a la llanera, plains-style veal); and visit ranches and river resorts.
It is the traditional music and dance of the Llanos, played with harp, cuatro and maracas. Villavicencio is its great hub, with the International Joropo Tournament among its highlight events.
Llanero ranches and cattle estates, the rivers and swimming spots of Meta, and the route toward Caño Cristales (La Macarena) and the landscapes of the Orinoquía.
Warm weather all year; the dry season (December–March) is comfortable for getting around, and the big joropo events are held around late June–July.