Desierto de la Tatacoa
Desierto de la Tatacoa
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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- Juliana GomezMedellin, Colombia1 contributionMy favorite vacation in ColombiaMy favorite vacation in Colombia when I was visit The Desert Of Tatacoa in Huila, I went there once only in june 2023 with my school friends and my boyfriend. This trip was 9 hours by bus. The people can walk two deserts. In the gray desert I could swim in a nature swimming pool. The people can´t walk alone at night in the desert and they can´t touch the spines of the cactus because is dangerous. In this place there were a lot of nature, there are many animals diferents, there are cactus in diferents shapes and there is a observatory of Tatacoa, where you can see the stars. I loved this place.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 November 2023
- Jasmine38Chichester UKChichester, United Kingdom1,948 contributionsExcellent addition to your Colombia itinerary if travelling southAbout an hours drive from Neiva airport if you're travelling south. Well worth a visit. Really unusual to see both red and grey desserts adjoining. You can walk the trail in each of them in around 2.5 hours. Surrreal landscapes and some fantastic rock formations. If the sky is clear you can also visit the observatory after dark - unfortunately it was quite cloudy when we were there. Be prepared for 30/35 C temps.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 January 2024
- IcaIstria, Croatia11 contributionsDon't miss it!This place is absolutely amazing, it's like walking on another planet. Just find a guide that will drive you to the desert and guide you through it. I would recommend to ask for JOE on the tuk-tuk parking (Villavieja main square) or at any hotel (he is well known). He was a great guide to us, explained us everything about the desert and took us to very good bars and restaurants. Also, he speaks good english, so I would definitely recommend him as the best guide. You can sleep in the desert, but I would recommend to stay in Villavieja because it is a very nice little town and the locals are very friendly and helpful.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
844 reviews
Excellent
597
Very good
199
Average
40
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Ica
Istria, Croatia11 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This place is absolutely amazing, it's like walking on another planet. Just find a guide that will drive you to the desert and guide you through it. I would recommend to ask for JOE on the tuk-tuk parking (Villavieja main square) or at any hotel (he is well known). He was a great guide to us, explained us everything about the desert and took us to very good bars and restaurants. Also, he speaks good english, so I would definitely recommend him as the best guide.
You can sleep in the desert, but I would recommend to stay in Villavieja because it is a very nice little town and the locals are very friendly and helpful.
You can sleep in the desert, but I would recommend to stay in Villavieja because it is a very nice little town and the locals are very friendly and helpful.
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliana Gomez
Medellin, Colombia1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Couples
My favorite vacation in Colombia when I was visit The Desert Of Tatacoa in Huila, I went there once only in june 2023 with my school friends and my boyfriend. This trip was 9 hours by bus.
The people can walk two deserts. In the gray desert I could swim in a nature swimming pool. The people can´t walk alone at night in the desert and they can´t touch the spines of the cactus because is dangerous.
In this place there were a lot of nature, there are many animals diferents, there are cactus in diferents shapes and there is a observatory of Tatacoa, where you can see the stars. I loved this place.
The people can walk two deserts. In the gray desert I could swim in a nature swimming pool. The people can´t walk alone at night in the desert and they can´t touch the spines of the cactus because is dangerous.
In this place there were a lot of nature, there are many animals diferents, there are cactus in diferents shapes and there is a observatory of Tatacoa, where you can see the stars. I loved this place.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fredy Hernández
1 contribution
Nov 2021
I recently visited with my family Desierto de la Tatacoa and it was a wonderful experience. We stayed for three days and we enjoyed the hikes, pools and food. The food was delicious and it was not pricey. The people were very polite and funny, so I think that for this reason the atmosphere in this place is very nice. The tour guide service was great. In general I liked this place and we were satisfied.
Written 6 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Areon
Iquitos Amazon Region, Peru119 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Deserts are beautiful and this one is definitely a place to visit if you love nature. Unfortunately it was cloudy both nights I was there but otherwise I heard the observatory tour is excellent. I was happy just to enjoy the sights during the day and especially the sunsets.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,948 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
About an hours drive from Neiva airport if you're travelling south. Well worth a visit. Really unusual to see both red and grey desserts adjoining. You can walk the trail in each of them in around 2.5 hours. Surrreal landscapes and some fantastic rock formations. If the sky is clear you can also visit the observatory after dark - unfortunately it was quite cloudy when we were there.
Be prepared for 30/35 C temps.
Be prepared for 30/35 C temps.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eliana G
1 contribution
Oct 2019
Tatacoa desert is very beautiful place to visit with friends and family. It’s a dry forest. This place it’s in Huila. There are many paths and rocks. Also, there are dry cannons. You can go since Neiva and Villavieja. In Tatacoa desert you must walk in Los Hoyos zone. Los Hoyos is a zone that you can distinguish because is gray color. You have to walk in Cuzco zone. Cuzco is a beautiful zone that you can characterizes because is red color. After the walk you should swim in a nature pool. You should try local food in this place because can be diferent from what you normally eat.
Written 3 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Astrid W
Bogota, Colombia134 contributions
Dec 2021
Beautiful and peaceful place. Visit the red and gray areas. Make sure to visit by sunset too as it’s awesome. You can take a tuk tuk from Villavieja and then visit viewpoints or walk around the desert. If you go stargazing, make sure you visit when there is no full moon as you won’t be able to see any stars.
Written 23 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolina W
4 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
Unfortunatly I could not find this hostal on Trip Advisor. So I will do it like this.
I stayed in the beautifull Tatacoa Desierto for one night at hostal Noches de Saturno.
I had a cabana fo 30.000 cop a night, with own shower and toilet.
The hostel is the first one after you pass the observatorium.
The people are very friendly and helpfull. I did a horse tour true the desierto, just me and the very friendly guide and had a great time. The hostel has a swimmingpool, very nice to cool of.
I stayed in the beautifull Tatacoa Desierto for one night at hostal Noches de Saturno.
I had a cabana fo 30.000 cop a night, with own shower and toilet.
The hostel is the first one after you pass the observatorium.
The people are very friendly and helpfull. I did a horse tour true the desierto, just me and the very friendly guide and had a great time. The hostel has a swimmingpool, very nice to cool of.
Written 18 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elis2626
The Netherlands34 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Be aware of SCAM! Read before you go there!!
We booked a room in the village near by the Tatacoa Dessert. The whole reason for going to this village was seeing the Tatacoa Dessert ( red & grey dessert ), Astronomy Centre and the pool. I recommend going to this place if you are AWARE of the following;
The hotel owners work together with the tuck tuck owners and sell the tours for so much more. They trap you in a scam. We ended up paying for a tour 260.000 cop which originally costs around 45.000 cop! The hotel owners made it sound like a whole day tour with so many extras but we ended up getting the standard tour.
Here some guidelines about the prices;
You are good to go with the standard tour which costs around 45.000 cop. You get into a tuck tuck that takes you to red, grey dessert and the pool. You pay this 45.000 cop for one tuck tuck not each person.
If you want to do the tour by yourself you can get a tuck tuck to the dessert. This costs around 10.000 cop. Do not pay more then this! Again it is not each person but one tuck tuck.
When you want to visit the astronomy centre by the tuck tuck the price is again around 10.000 for a tuck tuck.
The hotel owners and the tuck tuck guys are all working together and trying to get you in to a trap to SCAM you and let you pay much much more than you are supposed to pay.
Please hit the like button if you think this information was helpful and if you think everybody should read this befire they go there and get scammed.
You should definitely go to the dessert and astronomy centre but be aware of the scam. I post also pictures sothat you can see how beautiful this place is.
We booked a room in the village near by the Tatacoa Dessert. The whole reason for going to this village was seeing the Tatacoa Dessert ( red & grey dessert ), Astronomy Centre and the pool. I recommend going to this place if you are AWARE of the following;
The hotel owners work together with the tuck tuck owners and sell the tours for so much more. They trap you in a scam. We ended up paying for a tour 260.000 cop which originally costs around 45.000 cop! The hotel owners made it sound like a whole day tour with so many extras but we ended up getting the standard tour.
Here some guidelines about the prices;
You are good to go with the standard tour which costs around 45.000 cop. You get into a tuck tuck that takes you to red, grey dessert and the pool. You pay this 45.000 cop for one tuck tuck not each person.
If you want to do the tour by yourself you can get a tuck tuck to the dessert. This costs around 10.000 cop. Do not pay more then this! Again it is not each person but one tuck tuck.
When you want to visit the astronomy centre by the tuck tuck the price is again around 10.000 for a tuck tuck.
The hotel owners and the tuck tuck guys are all working together and trying to get you in to a trap to SCAM you and let you pay much much more than you are supposed to pay.
Please hit the like button if you think this information was helpful and if you think everybody should read this befire they go there and get scammed.
You should definitely go to the dessert and astronomy centre but be aware of the scam. I post also pictures sothat you can see how beautiful this place is.
Written 14 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriele G
London, UK180 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
I did all I could to start a thread of reviews for El Chopo, because this man deserves it. El Chopo means the 'smallest in the family' as he will happily explain to you. But Don Chopo is a grown man with plenty to offer on the whereabouts of the Desierto de la Tatacoa. Let's be clear: I think anybody visiting the desert without a guide is missing out. There is absolutely no point in wandering around without proper guidance. The place is just too hot and to inhospitable for foreigners without a clue.
El Chopp offered two walking options: caminata corta (short walk) of two and a half hours and caminata larga (long walk) which we took almost 5 and a half hours to complete but can be done in less than 4 if you wake up very early. Both walks need to be done before or after the hottests hours of the day (11 am to 4 pm).
In he short walk we visited:
We concluded it with a stop at the observatory where every night around 6,30/7 pm ( go figure Colombian time keeping) an astronomer talks about the stars and let's you use some quite powerful instruments to look at planets, constellations, etc.
The desert is a privileged spot for star gazing as it offers both the northern and southern emisphere part of the sky, being near the equatorial line.
Unfortunately when we were here the sky was cloudy and so we missed that completely. Rubbish, I know, but what can you do. Let me reassure you it's worth the trip even if you miss the stars.
As for the long walk, we went with a bunch of Colombian friends our age and it was good fun. It was intense because we started out too late in the morning, around 8 am, and paid for it with a super hot sun on our heads for half of the excursion. We visited
El Chopo will show you fossils, guide you in the desert, show you animals and vegetation.
I should also mention that El Chopo arranged transfer from and to the airport of Neiva. That is done with a taxi, while from Villavieja to the desert you will travel with El Chopo taxi, a curious mototaxi that is a legend in the desert.
El Chopo does not speak English although he is studying it night. I am fluent in Spanish and always talked with him in Spanish but I have thought it over and I think even if you only speak English you should tell him, maybe have somembody translate the email for you where you indicate exactly everything you want, your dates, times, etc and he will take care of everything. I think even if he can't explain stuff in the desert it is still worth to walk with him. He made the difference for us.
El Chopp offered two walking options: caminata corta (short walk) of two and a half hours and caminata larga (long walk) which we took almost 5 and a half hours to complete but can be done in less than 4 if you wake up very early. Both walks need to be done before or after the hottests hours of the day (11 am to 4 pm).
In he short walk we visited:
We concluded it with a stop at the observatory where every night around 6,30/7 pm ( go figure Colombian time keeping) an astronomer talks about the stars and let's you use some quite powerful instruments to look at planets, constellations, etc.
The desert is a privileged spot for star gazing as it offers both the northern and southern emisphere part of the sky, being near the equatorial line.
Unfortunately when we were here the sky was cloudy and so we missed that completely. Rubbish, I know, but what can you do. Let me reassure you it's worth the trip even if you miss the stars.
As for the long walk, we went with a bunch of Colombian friends our age and it was good fun. It was intense because we started out too late in the morning, around 8 am, and paid for it with a super hot sun on our heads for half of the excursion. We visited
El Chopo will show you fossils, guide you in the desert, show you animals and vegetation.
I should also mention that El Chopo arranged transfer from and to the airport of Neiva. That is done with a taxi, while from Villavieja to the desert you will travel with El Chopo taxi, a curious mototaxi that is a legend in the desert.
El Chopo does not speak English although he is studying it night. I am fluent in Spanish and always talked with him in Spanish but I have thought it over and I think even if you only speak English you should tell him, maybe have somembody translate the email for you where you indicate exactly everything you want, your dates, times, etc and he will take care of everything. I think even if he can't explain stuff in the desert it is still worth to walk with him. He made the difference for us.
Written 7 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vamos a ir al desierto de Tatacoa pero nos vamos a quedar una noche en Neiva. Sabemos que la mayoría de los tours te recogen en Villavieja pero no sabemos cual es la mejor forma de llegar desde Neiva. Que recomiendan?
Written 6 August 2024
Hola, quisiera saber si en la noche la vía desde el observatorio hasta Neiva es iluminada, señalizada y segura para transitar? Voy en vehículo particular. Gracias
Written 22 July 2024
Luz M
Bogota, Colombia
Hola qué alimentos puedo empacar para cargar en la mochila durante mi visita al desierto de la Tatacoa?
Mi idea es empacar mi comida casera.
Gracias
Written 6 January 2024
Buenas!! Quisiera saber si una niña de 2 años puede ir al desierto.
Recomendaciones por favor para el viaje
Gracias
Written 17 October 2022
Buenas tardes, por favor alguien me puede asesorar? quiero viajar en mi carro desde Cali al desierto de la tatacoa, es muy peligroso y adicional debe ser en camioneta 4x4?
Gracias por la asesoría.
Written 2 August 2022
Saben qué tan accesible es llevar un perro Al tatacoa? Las caminatas, hostales, acampar? Les agradezco
Written 21 June 2022
Hola yo llevé a mi peludo. Lo importante es estar muy pendientes de el y mantenerlo hidratado. La mayoría de hospedajes lo aceptan.
Saludos
Written 25 June 2022
Hola, quiero saber que opciones para acampar puedo encontrar
Written 16 May 2022
cuantos peajes hay para ir al desierto de la tatacoa por la via, Popayán-Coconuco-Purace-san agustin ?
Written 18 April 2022
Hola sebas fui en excursion .. entonces no tengo el dato de los peajes
Written 19 April 2022
Mí hija tiene 2 años y medio podría ir con ella al desierto? Y que recomendaciones debemos tener
Written 12 August 2021
Es un lugar donde las temperaturas son altas, el sol es fuerte y se realizan caminatas largas. Creo que es un paseo más para adultos y niños más grande, que puedan apreciar lo maravilloso del relieve y sus formaciones
Written 13 August 2021
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