city, southeastern Colombia. It lies along the right bank of the Guaviare River, in a transition area between the Llanos (grassland plains) to the north and tropical, semideciduous rainforests to the south. Despite its isolation from neighbouring economic centres, San José del Guaviare has surpassed in population and economic importance the town of Mitú, which lies 200 miles (320 km) southeast.

The principal economic activities are cattle raising and farming. An unimproved road extends between San José del Guaviare and northern points such as Bogotá. Pop. (2003 prelim.) 20,778.