Villagarzón

Villagarzón, or Villa Garzón, is a town of 11,000 people (2015) in Putumayo Department. It is known as the "Heart of Putumayo" for having a rich range of biodiversity.

Understand
It's a small town near Mocoa, on the road to Ecuador. While Mocoa is in the mountains, Villagarzon is on the plain below. Don’t expect to find deep jungle here: deforestation has transformed ancient forests in fields.

The region's economic activity derives from livestock (dairy herds and breeding) and agriculture where the production of chontaduro, cassava, plantain, corn, among others, stands out. Fish farming and minor species are also part of its economic activity, as is logging and hydrocarbon exploitation.

Get in
Villagarzón is 660 km SW of Bogotá on Highway 45.
 * There is a transport terminal, with buses going to most regional cities, and the Ecuadorian border.

See

 * Charco del Indio, a natural waterfall
 * petroglyphs in the part of the Vides River

Do

 * Spas on the Guineo River
 * Chaza,​ or national ball, is a racket sport that is a popular spirt in the town. It was created by the indigenous people who inhabited the current Colombian-Ecuadorian border in the 15th century. It is played on a rectangular field divided by a line drawn on the floor that acts as a net. Each team fields 4 players. The objective of the game is to throw a ball, hitting it with the hand or with the racket​ (called the bombo), so that it bounces within the rival field, ensuring that it does not return it. It bears a certain resemblance and is a predecessor of international tennis, created in the 19th century.