Top Things to do in Huila Department
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Top 10 Things to do in Huila Department, Huila Department
Discover the best top things to do in Huila Department, Colombia including San Agustin Archaeological Park, Purace National Natural Park, Desierto de la Tatacoa, Iglesia Colonial, Centro Comercial Santa Lucia Plaza, Catedral de Neiva, Edificio Nacional, Playa Juncal, Santander Park, Malecon del Rio Magdalena.
Restaurants in Huila Department
1. San Agustin Archaeological Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,023 reviews
A mountainous prehistoric site contains many imposing megalithic monuments and tombs with impressive sculptures.
Reviewed By KV1234 - London, United Kingdom
If you don’t want to organise all of your own travel we would recommend contacting Mark at “The Colombian Way” travel agency. All of his tour prices are on his website and very keenly priced. It takes all of the hassle out of your journey and he organises private drivers, English guides and local guides. We booked a range of tours with The Colombian Way over the course of 2 weeks (from Medellin to Armenia, to Salento, to Popayan, to Tierradentro, to San Agustin, to Tatacoa and finishing in Bogota). Mark was very fast in communication and was always available to help out whenever we needed it which was brilliant as the Government were changing what was open at a moments notice. He was also extremely competitive on price being 30% cheaper than another tour operator. The highlight of our trip was the amazing underground tombs of Tierradentro and the magnificent stone sculptures of San Agustin / Isnos (the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America.)… you must do it! The Colombian Way driver transferred us from Tierradentro to San Agustin. A note for those thinking of driving yourself… Google suggests a road that is often closed due to landslides so you have to stay on the main roads and travel 50% further. One of the benefits of using The Colombian Way driver. We arrived in San Agustin in the early afternoon and had time to look around the town centre including the main square which have some of the stone sculptures of the “small men” as I like to call them. The next day we were picked up and transferred to the amazing San Agustin Unesco Archaeological Park where we met our English guide for the day. These were mostly carved between AD 100 and 1200. In the park are an amazing array of separate stone sculptures, in the shapes of animals and warriors and human faces, some mythical, some realistic. They are carved out of volcanic rock - some are over 4 meters tall and weigh several tons. The similarities with the Hindu religion also abound. Did Indians travel here? An amazing place… In the afternoon we were driven 1 hour to Alto de los Idolos where some of the stone sculptures of men are over 2 metres high. Very impressive. On the way back to San Agustin we went via the Magdalena strait, the narrow piece of rock through which the river bottlenecks through. The following day involved a drive via Isnos to hike to Salto de Bordones. We had read there was another site at Isnos called Alto de las Piedras and so we asked to go to that site first. This has the famous Double Yo statue. You must also go here if you have the time. It’s small but impressive. The hike to the waterfall was a little muddy underfoot and you can’t get that close to the falls but they are large so equally impressive. After the hike we were transferred back to San Agustin for a delicious smoky meat barbecue in a local restaurant. Mmm mmm The next day we were transferred from San Agustin to Tatacoa desert. Tierradentro and San Agustin are amazing places. The highlight of our trip.
2. Purace National Natural Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By Thunderingrain - Toronto, Canada
Very much worth the 2 hour drive from Popayan to see an incredible part of the country. At the entrance to the park, at the fork in the road is where you will find a guide - definitely worth the fee and I believe it's mandatory to take a park guide with you. Our guide was friendly and made sure we saw all the spots in our own time. Although he only spoke spanish and us only english communication was easy. If you haven't made it out of the big cities into the mountains I highly recommend visiting this national park
3. Desierto de la Tatacoa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 785 reviews
Reviewed By elianagil08
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.
4. Iglesia Colonial
5. Centro Comercial Santa Lucia Plaza
6. Catedral de Neiva
7. Edificio Nacional
8. Playa Juncal
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
