Tatacoa desert

 

Located in the north of the department of Huila -about 50 km from the capital of the department, Neiva-, the Tatacoa desert is the second driest area in Colombia (only behind the La Guajira desert, located in the far north from the country). Although technically speaking, it is important to note that the Tatacoa is actually a tropical dry forest, not a desert. Its weather conditions and the absence of air pollution and human intervention allow one of the best star observations in the country, and one of the best in the world. The Tatacoa Desert is located between two mountain ranges (between which are the peaks of the Nevado de Huila (5750 km)) that absorb all the humidity of the region and give rise to such a dry area without vegetation. Due to its geological conditions, it has also become a place of great paleontological interest.

 

When the Spanish conquistador Juan Alonso followed the Magdalena River in his search for El Dorado, he arrived at the Tatacoa desert and named it Valle de Tristezas. Later, the desert was named Tatacoa after a rattlesnake that is said to survive all conditions.

 When to visit the Tatacoa desert?

The climate in the Tatacoa region is quite constant, so it is possible to visit it at any time. Regardless of what time of year you decide to visit, you can expect a lot of heat.

 Tip: The driest months are June, July and August. This can ensure clearer skies for stargazing.