Tourism in Casanare — Plains, Llanero Wildlife and Orinoquía

Casanare is the heart of the Colombian Llanos Orientales and one of the most unique ecotourism destinations in South America. Its floodable savannas, moriche swamps, creeks and rivers host the world's highest concentration of capybaras, as well as river dolphins, caimans, anacondas, babillas, manatees and over 700 bird species. Its capital is Yopal, an oil city and gateway to the llanero savanna.

Tourism in Casanare is genuinely different from the rest of Colombia: here the attraction is the endless savanna, the dawn among herons and egrets, the work of llaneros on cattle ranches, joropo around an open fire and sport fishing in crystal-clear rivers. The department has 19 municipalities and the high season is the llanero summer (December–March), when wildlife concentrates around waterholes and road accessibility is at its peak.

Main Tourist Attractions

Attraction	Type	Description
Llanero Wildlife Safari (Paz de Ariporo)	Nature / Wildlife	Paz de Ariporo is the epicenter of llanero wildlife spotting in Colombia. In summer (Dec–Mar) creeks dry up and capybaras, caimans, babillas, white herons and ibises concentrate by the hundreds in waterholes. Dawn photographic safari by boat or jeep.
El Palmar Nature Reserve	Ecotourism / Birds	Reserve of moriche palms and gallery forest. Habitat of the roseate spoonbill, cocoi heron, jabiru stork and hundreds of migratory bird species. Walking trails and observation from birdwatching towers.
Meta, Cravo Sur and Pauto Rivers	Nature / Fishing	Sport fishing for pavón (the most sought-after plains species, also called tucunaré), yamu, zapoara and cachama. Dawn boat tour for river dolphin (tonina) and anaconda spotting.
Cattle Ranches (Hatos)	Agrotourism / Culture	Century-old ranches in Nunchia, Pore and Orocué that open their doors to rural tourism: dawn on the savanna, milking Creole cows, cattle shoeing, joropo on the corridor and llanero food cooked over a wood fire.
Coleo and Joropo	Sport / Culture	Coleo (bull tailing on horseback) in the coleo arena is the king sport of the plains. Coleo festivals in Yopal, Trinidad and Paz de Ariporo. Joropo and the llanero harp are cultural heritage of the Orinoquía.
Tinije Lagoon	Nature / Ecotourism	Nationally important wetland in Aguazul. Water bird, babilla, otter and manatee spotting. Dawn canoeing through marsh vegetation.

Typical Cuisine

Casanare's llanero cuisine is from the savannas and open fire. Mamona (llanero veal roasted on a stick slowly over coals) is the most emblematic dish of the Colombian plains. Smoked capybara (meat of the world's largest rodent, tasting between pork and beef), shredded capybara with hogao, fried cachama with patacón, llanero rice with dried meat and corn chicha are the basis of regional gastronomy. Panela guarapo and masato are the traditional drinks.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

Llanero wildlife photo safari in Paz de Ariporo (December–March) is the most unique experience in Colombia for naturalists. Sport fishing for pavón in the Casanare River, kayaking through moriche swamps, mountain biking in the foothills between Yopal and Pisba park, bird watching in the Aguazul morichal and trekking in the Medina mountain range complete the offering.

How to Get There

Yopal has El Alcaraván Airport (EYP) with flights from Bogotá (50 minutes) on Avianca, Latam and Easy Fly. By land from Bogotá: 6 hours via Bogotá–Villavicencio–Yopal road (foothills highway). To Paz de Ariporo: 2 hours by bus from Yopal across the savanna.

Where to Stay

In Yopal: 3-4 star hotels for oil business travelers and tourists. In Paz de Ariporo: cattle ranches with rural tourism accommodation (direct booking). In Aguazul and Trinidad: 2-3 star hotels. Best season: December–March (llanero summer, wildlife concentrated).

Festivities and Events

Yopal International Joropo and Coleo Festival (June), Paz de Ariporo International Coleo Tournament, Aguazul Agricultural Fair. Casanare's joropo competes with Arauca and Meta's in national festivals.

Also check the climate of Casanare, the list of municipalities of Casanare and the complete guide to Colombian festivities.