What to do in and around the Tatacoa Desert? Here is practical information, activities and visits in and around the Tatacoa Desert.
Recommended duration in the Tatacoa Desert
Plan 2 days on site to fully enjoy the site, but one day is enough if your itinerary is tight.
Top places to visit in Tatacoa Desert
First of all, we come here to discover the red desert (El Cuzco) and the gray desert (Los Hoyos). See how explore the Tatacoa Desert.
Must-do activities in the Tatacoa Desert:
- Watching the sunset in the red desert
- Swimming in the Grey Desert Pool
- Go on guided hikes on foot, by bike or on horseback
Next, here are the visits and activities to do around the desert:
Villavieja Tower
Tour is a big word to describe the little walk we took through the streets of this small village.
Here, people are very modest and live in small dwellings without any comfort. The walk is done without any malicious glances, without any insecurity and with exchanges of smiles that fill us with joy.
Astronomical Observatory
8 km from Villavieja, the Tatacoa desert is a privileged site for observing the stars because this place benefits from good atmospheric conditions and the absence of light pollution. Moreover, an astronomical observatory allows you to admire the starry sky for around €5 (every evening at 19 p.m. if the sky is clear!). Entrance to the observatory: 10 COP.
Cheap restaurant in Villavieja
When we arrived in Villavieja in the early afternoon, it was really too hot to go out into the desert. So we decided to go eat and then go explore this tiny village.
Finding a restaurant open at 14 p.m. is not easy. But our stomachs were starving, we persevered and found a very simple and friendly little establishment. Our meal (rice soup + pork accompanied by rice and red beans) will cost us only 7 COP (000 Euros)!
Can we sleep in the Tatacoa desert?
Yes, it is quite possible to sleep in the Tatacoa Desert. You have several accommodation options:
- Camping: You can pitch your tent in designated camping areas. For example, Hostel Estadero Sol de Verano Doña Lilia offers a tent site for 12 pesos per person.
- Hotel: The Star Lounge Hotel with small huts in the heart of the desert.
Practical advice
- Bring water, hat and sunscreen
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat
- Rent a bike or quad for more freedom
- Negotiate the price of tuk-tuks for the day (around 100 COP)