San José del Guaviare is a hidden treasure in southeastern Colombia, just 400 km from Bogotá. This vibrant town is the final stop before the road disappears into the Amazon, marking a dramatic transition from the open savannas of the Llanos Orientales to dense rainforest.
San José del Guaviare It’s not just a gateway to the jungle—San José is a land of myths, ancient stories, and ancestral power.
✈️ How to Get to San José del Guaviare
To get to San José del Guaviare from Bogotá, you have two main options:
By bus:
- Duration: Approximately 8 hours
- Departure: From Salitre Terminal in Bogotá
- Route: Southeast through the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales)
- Cost: Around COP $106,000 (TITANIO service – La Macarena bus company)
- Pro tip: Perfect for enjoying scenic landscapes along the way.
🛫 By plane:
- Duration: About 1 hour
- Airlines: Satena and Clic Air
- Departure: El Dorado International Airport (Bogotá)
- Note: Most flights arrive after noon
- ✏️ Recommendation: If you’re on a tight schedule, fly. If you’re up for an affordable, scenic adventure, take the bus.
If you prefer a more affordable and scenic trip, the bus is a great option. However, if you’re short on time, the flight is much faster. Both options have their charm!
🌿 Beyond the Gateway: A Land of Legends and Diversity
San José del Guaviare is strategically located between Serranía de la Lindosa, Chiribiquete National Park, and Sierra de la Macarena. The region is home to ancient rock art, petroglyphs, and sacred landscapes, with stories that span thousands of years..
🏘️ A Town Full of Life and Contrast
San José is larger and more vibrant than expected. You’ll find restaurants, local shops, and friendly people—at a much lower cost of living than Bogotá.
Despite a few military checkpoints, the area feels safe and welcoming. Walking through town, it’s common to see Indigenous communities, including the Nukak and Nükak Makú. Some maintain nomadic lifestyles, while others are more integrated into daily town life. Most communicate in basic Spanish and are known for their distinctive hair color and modern clothing styles.
🧵 From Coca to Community
Years ago, San José del Guaviare was closely tied to coca cultivation, particularly during times of armed conflict. The process, known as coca scraping, was physically demanding and often harmful.
Since the peace accords (around 2016–2017), the region has shifted away from coca as an economic driver. Though isolated crops remain, community tourism has become the new heart of the economy.
Over time, and thanks to the peace agreements from about 6-7 years ago, this activity stopped being predominant. Nowadays, while there are some isolated coca crops, coca is no longer the region’s primary driver. In rural areas of Colombia, like the Sierra Nevada or the Amazon, coca leaves still hold cultural and medicinal value. They are used in ancestral rituals and as a dietary supplement for their properties in oxygenating the blood, improving concentration, and providing energy. However, in Guaviare, its significance seems to have faded along with the plantations.
🌎 Community Tourism: Real Encounters, Real Stories
Local families are working together to offer immersive and authentic experiences:
🥘 Traditional meals,
🌿 Jungle hikes,
🎙️ Storytelling guided by locals steeped in knowledge and myth.
Each experience brings travelers closer to the land, the culture, and the jungle’s spirit.
In upcoming blogs, I’ll share more about the secrets of Guaviare, its legends, and the must-see places. Keep traveling with me on Pegando la Vuelta!
Additionally, if you’re looking for an immersive experience in Guaviare, you can live it with us. Contact us, and we’ll send you all the detailed information!
🌟 Why Visit San José del Guaviare?
If you’re seeking an off-the-beaten-path destination full of culture, nature, and human resilience, San José del Guaviare will surprise you.
In future blogs, we’ll dive into Guaviare’s secrets—its petroglyphs, magical spots, and local legends.
📩 Ready for an Immersive Adventure?
You can experience Guaviare with us!
We organize small-group trips that connect you to local communities, ancestral wisdom, and breathtaking landscapes.
🔗 Contact us and we’ll send you the full trip details:
👉 viajespegandolavuelta.com/trip/ancestral-guaviare
