Castilla La Nueva

Day Trips

Begin with a guided hike through the lush Macagual Forest Reserve led by a local naturalist who highlights exotic flora and fauna. Listen to the chorus of tropical birds as beams of sunlight filter through the canopy overhead. This serene trek offers an intimate connection with nature and insights into ongoing conservation efforts.

Enjoy a riverside picnic lunch beside a gentle stream before exploring hidden waterfalls tucked deep within the forest. Dip your feet in the cool water while watching howler monkeys swinging overhead. Continue photographing rare orchids and vibrant butterflies as you wander along forest trails.

Return to your eco-lodge for a farm-to-table dinner featuring freshly harvested ingredients from nearby farms. Gather around a crackling fire pit to share classic Llanero stories and enjoy traditional music under a starlit sky. Fall asleep in your cozy cabin, serenaded by the chorus of nocturnal wildlife.

Start the day at a local coffee plantation where you will learn about sustainable farming practices from dedicated growers. Participate in picking ripe coffee cherries and gain hands-on experience in processing beans. Enjoy the aroma of freshly roasted coffee during a tasting session overlooking rolling green hills.

Share a traditional Llanero lunch prepared with regional produce and sample dishes like cazuela de frijol and arepa con queso. Tour the drying patios and roasting facilities to see how green beans transform into the perfect cup. Engage in a barista workshop where you grind, brew and cup your own coffee creations.

Relax on the plantation veranda as the sun sets, sipping the same blend you helped produce. Swap stories with hosts and fellow travelers under lantern light. Unwind in a cozy farmhouse room, lulled by gentle night breezes carrying the scent of coffee blossoms.

Meet your trusted horse at a rustic ranch before setting off on a guided ride along the banks of the Guayuriba River. Feel the gentle rhythm of hoofbeats as you traverse shaded trails flanked by towering palms. Pause at scenic overlooks to absorb the beauty of mist rising from the water below.

Stop for a riverside lunch of grilled fish and plantains served picnic-style on a sandy shore. Wade in the clear, cool river to refresh and observe colorful fish darting between smooth stones. Continue your ride through open pastures and small villages, greeting friendly locals along the way.

Return to the ranch for a hearty BBQ dinner accompanied by live Llanero harp and guitar music. Gather around a bonfire to share laughs and tales of the day’s adventures. Rest in a traditional caballeriza-style guest room, dreaming of the next ride.

Visit a nearby village to meet skilled artisans weaving intricate baskets and crafting pottery using ancestral techniques. Participate in a hands-on workshop where you learn to weave a small palm basket or shape clay on a rudimentary wheel. Gain appreciation for the cultural heritage woven into every handcrafted piece.

Enjoy lunch in the artisan community center featuring home-cooked specialties like empanadas and sancocho. Attend a demonstration of woodcarving or beading and try your hand at these detailed crafts. Exchange stories with the artisans to learn about the history and symbolism behind their work.

Return to Castilla la Nueva and dine at a local family-run restaurant known for its warm hospitality. Savor traditional desserts such as cocadas and brevas con arequipe while reflecting on the day’s creations. Wind down in comfortable lodgings decorated with examples of the day’s handmade art.

Rise early and head to Laguna Azul with a local bird guide on the lookout for kingfishers, herons, and the rare Agami heron. Scan the reeds at dawn as mist dances above the tranquil blue waters. Learn to identify calls and plumage in this biodiverse wetland habitat.

Enjoy a simple packed lunch on the shore while spotting neotropic cormorants and the occasional caiman basking nearby. Continue your binocular-assisted exploration along boardwalks and observation platforms. Photograph endemic species such as the slaty-tailed trogon and vibrant tanagers.

Return to town for a light dinner of grilled corn and fresh cheese under a canopy of palm trees. Share birdwatching highlights with your guide and fellow enthusiasts over hot chocolate. Retreat to a cozy guesthouse room decorated with local bird paintings.

Depart early for a scenic drive to natural thermal springs nestled in a lush hillside. Soak in warm, mineral-rich pools that soothe muscles and invigorate the senses. Practice mindful stretching on the poolside deck as you listen to bird calls and bubbling waters.

Indulge in a healthy lunch of fresh salads, grilled fish, and tropical fruits at the on-site wellness restaurant. Treat yourself to a traditional Llanero clay mask or a rejuvenating massage using local oil blends. Stroll through aromatic gardens and relax on hammocks shaded by guava and mango trees.

Return to Castilla la Nueva and dine on light fare at a farm-to-table bistro serving locally grown vegetables. Marvel at the sunset hues reflecting off the nearby river as you sip herbal tea. Unwind in the serene ambiance of your boutique hotel, ready for restful sleep.

Start with a guided market visit where you will sample exotic fruits like lulo, guanábana, and uchuva. Chat with vendors about traditional ingredients and watch cooking demonstrations of local staples. Purchase fresh spices and artisanal cheeses for lunch.

Join a professional chef for a cooking class focused on regional dishes such as pintado en salsa and tamal llanero. Learn to grind spices, wrap corn dough in banana leaves, and simmer sauces to perfection. Feast on your creations accompanied by music from a live cuatro performance.

Embark on a food crawl through town, sampling street snacks like chorizo and empanadas filled with local cheese. Sip a refreshing guarapo or sugar cane juice as you stroll under festive lights. Return to your lodgings content, with new recipes to share at home.

Board a traditional wooden canoe at dawn and paddle along winding waterways lined with lush bamboo groves. Spot river otters and toucans perched high in the canopy. Enjoy the calm of the morning as mist rises off the glassy water surface.

Arrive at Finca Guadual, a remote riverside farm, for a hearty lunch made from ingredients grown onsite. Tour the sustainable agriculture plots where cacao, plantain, and vegetables flourish naturally. Engage in a cacao tasting and learn the bean-to-bar chocolate process.

Float back to Castilla la Nueva as the sky fills with pastel sunset shades. Relax your arms and reflect on the sights and sounds of the river ecosystem. Enjoy a communal dinner at your lodge, swapping stories with fellow paddlers before drifting to sleep.

Set off on a moderate hike through rolling hills to reach Mirador de la Nebliosa, famed for its sweeping valley vistas. Trek through fields of wild orchids and encounter grazing cattle dotting the landscape. Reach the summit as dawn breaks, unveiling a sea of mist-clad mountains.

Descend to a nearby finca for a rustic lunch of grilled meats, yucca, and fresh salads. Meet the farm family and learn about their agroecological practices while touring coffee and fruit plantations. Sip freshly pressed sugar cane juice under the shade of palm trees.

Return to town along a scenic backroad, stopping at roadside stands offering arequipe and fresh fruit juices. Dine at a cozy cantina featuring live folk music and homemade empanadas. Retire to your comfortable room, lulled by soft guitar melodies drifting through the windows.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before exploring the town’s colorful plaza and historic church. Shop for local souvenirs such as handcrafted hammocks and natural skincare products made from regional botanicals. Chat with friendly residents who share stories of local legends and traditions.

Take a short afternoon siesta or request a yoga session in the hotel garden. Later, sample regional sweets at the town’s best bakery, trying dulce de guayaba pastries and coconut candied fruits. Prepare for an evening of celestial wonder.

Head to a secluded viewpoint outside town equipped with telescopes guided by an amateur astronomer. Gaze at the Milky Way, Jupiter’s moons, and shooting stars while sipping hot herbal tea. Conclude the night at a lively local bar with live Llanero music and dancing under a canopy of stars.