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Voykit pocket guide · Colombia
San Martin de los Llanos
Skip unless you have a specific reason to visit this small Llanos town: a half-day stop on the way to La Macarena or a quick look at colonial houses and the mirador.
San Martin de los Llanos is a quiet town in the Meta department, known for its colonial houses, a free mirador and a coleo stadium. Most travellers pass through on the bus from Villavicencio to La Macarena or Granada. There is no major sight that justifies a dedicated trip.
- Country
- Colombia
- Best months
- Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- COP
- Money
- Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $). Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants; cash is needed for small shops, markets and rural areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget COP 40,000–60,000 excl. bed · Mid COP 60,000–100,000 excl. bed · High COP 100,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.
- Emergency
- Police 123 · Fire and ambulance 123
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110–120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.; Guides: COP 20,000–50,000 per person per day.; Taxis: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus Villavicencio–San Martin | COP 10,000 |
| Bus Bogotá–San Martin | COP 30,000 |
| Fruit juice and fast food at La Espanolita | COP 5,000–10,000 |
| Hotel El Estero single room | COP 33,000 |
| Hotel El Estero double room | COP 50,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VVC · La Vanguardia Airport (Villavicencio)
- About 1.5 h by bus; check
Typical fares
- Bus Villavicencio → San Martin
- about COP 10,000, 1.5 h (check)
- Bus Bogotá → San Martin
- about COP 30,000, 4 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable. For the mirador, a short uphill walk or a mototaxi (check price).
See and do
Known for
- Colonial houses
- Mirador
- Estadio de coleo
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| La Macarena | Bus from San Martin, about 4 h | About 4.5 h |
| Villavicencio | Bus, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Yopal | Bus via Villavicencio, about 4–5 h | About 5–6 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- All hotels and hostels are within a few blocks of the main square.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is the bus station? | ¿Dónde está la terminal de buses?DON-deh es-TAH lah ter-mee-NAL deh BOO-ses |
| I need a taxi | Necesito un taxineh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAHK-see |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, cheek kiss between women and mixed pairs; avoid: Launching into requests without a greeting
- Politeness: 'Con gusto', 'a la orden'; avoid: Blunt commands
- Topics: Coffee, football, food; avoid: Escobar jokes, drug talk
- Showing valuables: Keep phones away; avoid: 'Dar papaya'
Scams and watch-outs
- Buses to La Macarena may fill up: buy your ticket a day ahead.
- The mirador has no shade: bring water and sun protection.
- ATMs are limited; carry enough cash for your stay.
San Martin is generally safe for daytime visits. Standard precautions: avoid walking alone after dark in unlit areas and keep valuables out of sight.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San Martin de los Llanos yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Colonial houses
- Mirador
- Estadio de coleo
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- San Martin municipal website: www.sanmartin-meta.gov.co
- Wikivoyage: San Martin de los Llanos, revision 4941659 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4941659
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/san-martin-de-los-llanos). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.