Tourism in Arauca

The department of Arauca is the most authentic and least crowded plains destination in Colombia. Bordering Venezuela along the Arauca River, the department preserves pure llanero culture: joropo, coleo, mamona and infinite savannas where cattle ranches are the axis of life. Saravena and Tame, in the Araucan foothills, have a cooler climate and access to the Cocuy páramos from the plains side. The number of travelers is scarce, guaranteeing authentic experiences without the crowds of mass tourism.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF ARAUCA

The most visited and unmissable destinations and experiences in Arauca:

Attraction	Type	Description
Llanero Ranches — Cattle Hatos	Rural tourism / Cultural	Stay at ranches, horseback riding, coleo, cattle work, joropo music at sunset.
Llanero Folklore Festival — Arauca	Festival / Music	January. Joropo contest, coleo, llanera décima. One of the most authentic plains festivals.
Arauca River — Venezuela Border	Nature / Adventure	Sport fishing for pavón and palometa. The river marks the Colombia-Venezuela border.
Tame and Saravena Foothills	Nature / Ecotourism	Transition between the plains and the Andes. Mountain rivers, waterfalls, bird diversity.
Araucan Coleo	Culture / Sport	Coleo (bull tripping on horseback) in the coliseums of Arauca and Tame is a unique spectacle.

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE IN ARAUCA

The department has access to the El Cocuy National Natural Park from the municipalities of Fortul and Tame. The Araucan plain has the largest moriche palm corridor in Colombia, habitat for parrots and monkeys. The Meta River and its Araucan tributaries are fluvial biodiversity corridors.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF ARAUCA

The Araucan llanero culture is the purest in Colombia: without Caribbean or Andean influences, joropo and coleo are the center of social life. The llanera décima (sung poetic improvisation) is a living oral tradition. The U'wa, Betoye and Sáliva indigenous peoples have reservations in the foothills and plains.

TYPICAL GASTRONOMY OF ARAUCA

Mamona (star dish), corn cachapa, pabellón llanero, hayaca, masato, sugarcane guarapo, river fish (payara, pavón, catfish). Plains beef roasted on a spit is the gastronomic symbol of the department.

HOW TO GET THERE

Santiago Pérez Quiroz airport in Arauca, flights from Bogotá (1 h, Satena). Bus from Bogotá (16 h, not recommended). Saravena has an airport with flights from Bogotá. Tame accessible by bus from Saravena (3 h).

Also check the climate of Arauca and the list of municipalities of Arauca to plan your visit.