Best time to travel to Colombia

Tatacoa Desert in Colombia

Enjoy the beauty of Colombia's second largest dry area with rocky landscapes, amazing cacti, and silence while laying in a hammock

Best time: June–August (all year round)

Tatacoa Desert
Tatacoa Desert
Tatacoa Desert

The Tatacoa Desert actually isn't a real desert. It's an amazing tropical dry-forest where you can reconnect with nature, enjoy beautiful landscapes, rent a bike, and enjoy the sunset or meteor showers.

Apart from this, you can take a guided tour and explore the desert visiting Xilópalos Valley, Red Cuzco, Tatacoa zoo, the Astrosur Observatory, and the Gray desert.

Don't miss a chance to see one of the most famous festivals in Colombia—the Festival of the Stars. Every year in July between the 17th and the 20th this festival takes place in the desert. This event has lectures from astronomy experts as well. Don't worry about accommodation, there are a few options. Villa Paraiso provides private rooms or you can sleep in the desert in posadas provided by local people.

The Tatacoa desert is hot all year-round but the best time to visit is during dry season from June to August.

Practical info

What is the date of the Festival of the Stars in Tatacoa desert?

In July every year, the Festival of the Stars takes place in Tatacoa desert. With meteor showers and astronomy experts, it is one of Colombia's most popular festivals. Show more

Where can I get a bike for vacationing Tatacoa desert?

There are bike rentals around the entrance of Tatacoa desert. Accommodation providers can also offer bikes to rent on a budget. You can cover much ground on your bike and enjoy the Xilópalos Valley, Red Cuzco, Tatacoa zoo, and the gray desert. Show more

How is Tatacoa desert different from a tropical dry forest?

While Tatacoa desert is technically first and foremost a tropical dry forest due to features such as cacti and rocky landscapes, colloquial usage calls it a desert. It has its own ecosystem, and you will find that many of the species in the area are adapted to this unique environment. Tropical dry forests typically have long droughts and a shorter rainy season. Show more

When is the optimal time to view meteor showers in Tatacoa desert?

Meteor showers can be seen all year round, but you can catch them best between June and August during the dry season when the skies are clear. To get the most out of the spectacle, visit during a moonless or new moon night, and bring plenty of warm gear, such as clothing or blankets. Show more

What kind of accommodation is available in Tatacoa desert?

Villa Paraiso offers private rooms, bathrooms, and even a pool in the Tatacoa desert. Another option is staying in posadas with shared kitchen and bathrooms. Alternatively, with prior permission, you can spend the night camping for free in the desert itself. Show more

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