Discover Colombia and Explore the Fossils of La Venta near Huila in the Tatacoa Desert
- Wayne Munday
- Dec 16, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Sip back and explore Colombia’s rich geological and cultural heritage, from the Tatacoa Desert to Bogotá. At La Venta, located in the Upper Magdalena Valley Basin, an extraordinary Miocene fossil site preserves mammals, reptiles, birds, and plants dating 13.5–11.8 million years ago. These fossils reveal the evolutionary history of tropical ecosystems during the Miocene Climate Transition. Visitors can explore the Cuzco and Los Hoyos landscapes, with striking sandstone formations and semi-dry tropical forests. Complementing this paleontological wonder, Bogotá offers colonial architecture, the Gold Museum, the Botero Museum, Monserrate’s panoramic views, and vibrant culinary districts. This combination of fossil heritage, desert landscapes, and cultural attractions makes Colombia a must-visit destination for nature, history, and adventure enthusiasts.
South America's isolation during the Miocene allowed for the evolution of unusual terrestrial and freshwater fauna and flora. The fossil assemblage at La Venta includes the mammals of Metatherians, Xenarthrans (mammals resembling sloths, armadillos and anteaters), and South American native ungulates such as litopterns and toxodonts as well as toothed cetaceans, caviomorph rodents, bats, birds, sirenians, chiropterans, platyrrhine primates as well as crustaceans, freshwater fishes with bony and cartilaginous skeletons, amphibians, reptiles including lizards, snakes, aquatic and terrestrial crocodylomorphs, turtles, and tortoises.
Notably this happened in Central America before tectonic activity led to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and the closure of the Central American Seaway during the Pliocene 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago that allowed for the migration of species between the continents of North America and South America during the Great American Biotic Interchange.
The La Venta fossil assemblage is found within a 1,100 meters thick sedimentary rock succession of La Victoria formation and the Villavieja formations of the the Honda Group in the northern part of the Upper Magdalena Valley.
The fossil record here tells an invaluable story of how the impact of global environmental change played out in the evolution of isolated plants and animals on a huge floodplain of rivers, lakes and wetland of meandering, braided and anastomosing rivers found within Andean foreland basin and Pebas Mega-Wetland System.
The La Venta fossils gives an insight in what species survived and what did not. This fossil record evolution of the South American tropical biodiversity during the Miocene is displayed at the Museo de Historia Natural La Tatacoa.
The Tatacoa Desert is only few hours’ drive from the region’s capitol of Nieva or from El Espinal. Nestled at altitude between the Central and Oriental Cordilleras beyond the plantations along the Magdalena river. The Tatacoa Desert was once described as "Valle de Tristezas" or the "Valley of the Sorrows" by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada who led the expedition to seize this region then known as New Granada on behalf of Spain.
The word "Tatacoa" refers to an extinct species of rattlesnake. Two distinct regions are visible within the Tatacoa Desert. Firstly, the red coloured sandstone red ridges, pillars and cliffs of the Cuzco landscape and the lighter grey coloured Los Hoyos hoodoo landscape. Tatacoa is not just a desert but a semi-dry tropical forest second largest arid expanse in the country after the Guajira Peninsula northern end of the country Venezuelan border.
If you thinking of visiting Colombia why not consider Bogotá as a base. This the vibrant capital city of Colombia is a captivating travel destination that seamlessly blends history and culture. Nestled at 2,640 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains this city metropolis offers an array of attractions for travellers seeking adventure, art, and gastronomic delights.
The historic district of La Candelaria is a must-visit, with its cobblestone streets, colourful colonial buildings, and iconic landmarks such as Plaza Bolívar and the grand Primatial Cathedral.
Art enthusiasts will revel in Bogotá’s thriving art scene, highlighted by the Gold Museum, which showcases an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, and the Botero Museum, home to works by Colombia’s celebrated artist Fernando Botero.
For panoramic views of the city, a trip to Monserrate, a mountain overlooking Bogotá, is unforgettable. Accessible by funicular, cable car, or a scenic hike, Monserrate offers breath taking vistas and a serene atmosphere.
Bogotá is also a culinary hotspot, offering everything from traditional Colombian dishes like ajiaco and empanadas to innovative fusion cuisine. The lively Chapinero an affluent district including Zona G and Zona Rosa or Zona T districts are popular for fine dining and nightlife. The city’s parks, such as Simón Bolívar Park, provide green oases for relaxation, while the bustling markets like Usaquén are perfect for shopping for handicrafts and souvenirs. With its dynamic blend of old and new, Bogotá promises a unique experience, making it a destination that truly captures the heart of Colombia.
Before Travelling to Colombia
For people travelling on a full “British Citizen” passport from the UK please follow UK government’s travel checklist to understand and advice before travelling to Colombia on the current rules for the most common types of travel.
