While the entrance to the canyon is in Mesetas, most tours leave from nearby San Juan de Arama which is approximately a seven-hour drive from Bogotá. However, the route consists of roads carved into the mountainside, so be prepared for delays due to landslides, road blocks, or crashes. It’s wiser to take the bus to San Juan de Arama instead of driving because the route’s hairpin turns, tunnels, and steep descent can be dangerous for someone unfamiliar with the area. There are also flights available from Bogotá to the town of Villavicencio, which is a three-hour drive from San Juan de Arama and avoids a harrowing and unpredictable mountain journey. A few tour companies offer trips to the canyon leaving from Villavicencio.

Visiting the canyon is free, but visitors are only allowed to enter with a guide and rafting tour. Single-day tours generally last about five hours and require rafting to the canyon so you should be in moderate physical shape. There are also multiple-day packages available that include accommodations plus other local activities. Visitors can find modest cabins and homes serving as hotels near the beginning of the tour in Mesetas, as well as San Juan de Arama; and there are also camping and glamping options available. Most of the lodging options also operate restaurants.

Bring or wear proper non-slip water shoes, a hat, sunblock, and insect repellent, and be prepared for warm temperatures. Visiting from December to March is ideal for clearer and calmer waters (class 2 or 3 rapids), blue skies, and sunny days. From May through December, expect more intense rapids (class 4), muddy water, and cloudier days with peeks of sunshine.