How to visit Tatacoa Desert in Colombia
If you like the idea of getting off the beaten track in Colombia, a trip to the Tatacoa Desert may be just what the doctor ordered.
Located in a remote part of the country in the Huila region lies Colombia’s second-largest desert after La Guajira.
The desert itself looks like it’s from outer space, and the deeper you delve, the more you learn about its landscape.
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How to visit Tatacoa Desert
If you are travelling to this Colombian desert via public transport, you will need to get to Villavieja first.
From Villavieja, you’ll then get a moto-taxi that will transport you into the desert.
You’ll want to have your accommodation reserved before you arrive. Or, you run the risk of not finding a room. Especially during the holiday season.
Since lodgings are quite limited here, the last thing you want to do is arrive and get trapped with nowhere to stay.
Stay the night in Villavieja, or for the full stargazing experience, it’s recommended you stay within the desert.
Red Desert adventure
Try to find a place close to the Red Desert, as from here you can begin a hike. The Tatacoa Observatory is also worth a visit. If it is not open, you can walk up to it and have a look around.
I recommend you do a hike with a local guide so you don’t get lost.
Although the desert seems like a huge open space from above, as soon as you get into the labyrinth you begin to lose your sense of direction.
Filled with spiders, snakes, and scorpions, this place is not as deserted as it looks. Many of the animal and plant life have adapted to the low humidity and high temperatures.
Things get very cool at night, so be sure to carry a jumper or woollen jumper. During the day the median temperature is around 28° C but can reach up to 40° C quickly.
As extraterrestrial as this place is and how inviting it looks to explore. It is also the last place on earth you’d want to be lost.
Be sure to carry some water with you — no matter how long you intend to walk for. Since you’ll be drinking lots of water, those collapsable water bottles are a great sustainable option for a trip here.
Along with over 70 different bird species, you can find cacti here that have grown up to five metres high.
Los Hoyos
From the red desert, you can get a moto-taxi to Los Hoyos which is a must-visit for anyone visiting Tatacoa.
Los Hoyos is an outdoor swimming pool formed by natural spring water. Just ask your driver to drop you off at the Piscina and you’ll pay a small entry fee on arrival.
There is a shower, as well as the option to buy drinks and snacks at the venue. Grab yourself a drink and climb to the viewpoint looking down over the pool to see how beautiful of a spot it is to take a swim.
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Where to stay in Tatacoa Desert
One thing to keep in mind while in Tatacoa Desert is that resources are extremely limited.
Many of the accommodation options are “frugal” when compared to those of the city but at the same time true to their surroundings.
Here are 2 hotel recommendations:
- I highly suggest you check out Qji Glamping Biohotel a great budget option just a stone’s throw away from the Astronomical Observatory.
- For a sustainable stay, try Alojamiento Casa de Campo los Cactus which is located halfway between the grey desert and the red desert.
Tatacoa Desert tips
My three main travel tips to keep in mind for travelling to Tatacoa Desert are:
- Carry a sun hat: Since the temperatures can get up to 40 °C, you must keep yourself protected. Some UV skin lotion is a must, and wearing a hat at all times prevents you from headaches. You can swerve the hottest part of the day by avoiding touring the desert during the midday hours.
- Bug spray is a must: Carry a decent insect repellent that you can use, especially during the evenings. The mosquitos here can get pretty aggressive during the evening, so be sure to stay covered.
- Limited power supply: Most of the accommodation in the Tatacoa Desert has limited access to power, so the light will go off. Or in some cases may not even have any electricity. Be sure to carry a torch and a power bank for all your electronic devices.
If you’re backpacking South America, these tools will be useful when travelling to other attractions, so aim to pack before travelling.
Getting to Tatacoa Desert
As mentioned earlier, there are numerous ways you can get to the Tatacoa Desert. However, they all lead to the same nearby town of Villavieja.
From there, you take the mototaxi that will transport you and your luggage to the actual desert. This is also a great opportunity to get any last-minute provisions you may need at standard prices.
How to get to Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá
If you’re travelling to Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá, you’ll want to get to Neiva first. From Neiva, you can get to Villavieja. Then from Villavieja, you take a small moto-taxi into the desert.
How to get to Tatacoa Desert from Salento
Getting from Salento to Tatacoa Desert is also quite straightforward, considering the pit stops involved.
Take a bus from Salento to Armenia. Then, from Armenia’s main terminal, get the bus to Neiva. Then from Villavieja, you take a small moto-taxi into the desert.
