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Each November, the municipality of San Juan de Arama, about 120 kilometers from Villavicencio, pays homage to its nickname "Gateway to the Sierra de la Macarena" with the Folkloric and Tourism Festival named in honor of this iconic mountain range in the Meta department.
The festival begins early Friday morning with a musical dawn and offers a diverse program throughout the weekend. Activities celebrate "lanera" culture and the natural wealth of the region.
Traditional sports from the Colombian and Venezuelan plains, such as bull tailing—where a rider attempts to take down a bull by its tail—and other events showcasing the skills of plains work are some of the most anticipated events of the festival.
The festival also features the characteristic "joropódromo" along the main streets of San Juan de Arama. In addition, there are rural and food fairs where attendees can taste typical regional dishes and purchase local products.
The Sierra de la Macarena Folkloric and Tourism Festival (Festival Folclórico y Turístico Sierra de la Macarena) is an opportunity to highlight "llanera" identity and promote sustainable tourism in San Juan de Arama and the beautiful Sierra de la Macarena.
