About
Huila is a department in the Andean region of Colombia, in South America. It is a land of high mountains, river valleys and open dry terrain, and it makes a rewarding destination for travellers who want to see more than one side of the country.
What draws visitors
- Coffee country. Huila is known for its coffee production, so the countryside is dotted with farms and plantations that are part of the everyday life of the department.
- Archaeological sites. The department holds archaeological sites, which add a historical dimension to a trip that is otherwise shaped by landscape.
- The Tatacoa Desert. Its landscape is unusual, and it is the feature most often linked to Huila by visitors.
Planning a visit
Because Huila combines farmland, archaeology and desert, it suits a trip built around several short excursions rather than a single stop. The contrast between the green Andean slopes and the bare, sculpted ground of the desert is the main reason to come. Travellers interested in coffee can combine a visit to the growing areas with the wider landscape, while those drawn to archaeology will find that the sites give depth to the region's past.
Huila is best approached with a clear idea of which of its three faces you want to explore, since the places are spread across the department and each has its own character. Plan enough time to move between them, and allow for the slower pace that rural travel usually requires.
