Arauca, place of majestic landscapes and ancestral culture

Photo caption: Sunset of orange and yellow tones in the plains of Arauca, Colombia.

Credit: Jess Kraft // Shutterstock.com

Arauca is a region with herds and immense farms, which are traveled on horseback to the rhythm of their traditional songs, the farm, and sounds of nature. A region that proudly counts the historical fact of the liberation campaign reflecting the character, strength and courage of the llanero.

Arauca is a department  that is part of the Amazon and Orinoquía region.  A biodiverse place, full of different tourist plans based on the daily exploits and experiences of the locals. In its history it stands out for being known as the cradle of freedom, where Simón Bolívar traced or different plans that led to achieve freedom.

Top Destinations in Arauca

Credit: Addison Slentz

Photo caption: Landscape ofthe Cocuy National Natural Park

The Cocuy National Natural Park

This park has an area of 306,000 hectares with different ecosystems such as basal jungle, Andean forest, moors and subpáramos,  which allows hiking, climbing and photography activities, thanks to its landscapes and richness in fauna and flora.

Estuaries of the plains

The estuaries are depressions that are located near  the rivers,  which are filled with their waters and in the rainy season they are nourished,   preserving themselves even in times of drought, which generates an ideal ecosystem for multiple species of birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians.

Santa Barbara Cathedral

The estuaries are depressions that are located near  the rivers,  which are filled with their waters and in the rainy season they are nourished,   preserving themselves even in times of drought, which generates an ideal ecosystem for multiple species of birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians.

Tourism of Adventure

Thanks to the geographical characteristics of the savannahs of the region, a new tourist interest emerges that has attracted visitors from all regions of the country and abroad to carry out adventure activities such as the rally. This has allowed to make the region much more popular, since in these events samples of traditional rhythms and gastronomy are incorporated.

Gastronomy exotic

There is an incomparable offer that is based on what the plain itself provides.Typical dishes are exotic since they have recipes based on proteins such as venado, chigüiro, pork, babilla, galápago and others; all this is accompanied by other traditional dishes such as soups, arepas, tumbos, dried meat and hayacas, which are gastronomic traditions shared with the brother country of Venezuela.

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Credit: Julio Duarte

Photo caption: The llaneros still preserve the teachings of their ancestors and the great stories that arise in more than 30 or 40 days herding cattle throughout the Orinoquía and Amazonia.

Get to know the oral tradition of the deparment of Arauca

Songs, poems, stories and other narratives are created by the llaneros from their experiences, their sunrises, dangers, challenges o fthe savannah and of course,  the Arauca river that has inspired countless songs that are sung when doing dairy work and other activities.

Some of the outstanding writers of the region are: Silvia Aponte, Miguel Mateus  and Humberto Amaya Luzardo.

Cultural Richness: Mysticism and Traditions

Credit: Alenavlad

Photo caption: The hands of the artist that make the heart of the llanero and his visitorsvibrate.

The llanero festival is an exhibition that is celebrated in different regions of the department, in which the samples of interpretation of the harp and the joropo as a traditional dance stand out.  In it,  the colorful costumes of the women, inspired by the landscape, the feat and strength of the men in their rhythmic zapateos,  which make thissample, a great experience forlocals and tourists.

In the llanera culture, the espadrille has been highlighted as the main crafts of the department, this accompanied by hats and pieces made of wood, leather and morichepalm.

In Arauca you will always find a place that will welcome you with sunrises and sunsets that will make your heart beat with passion. Live their parties, their tourist plans and know the kindness of the locals.