nature tourism Archives - Sula Travel Agency

Tolima, a Little Known Destination in Colombia with a Lot to Offer!

Posted on 23/02/202126/02/2021 by Frank59872

Tolima is a department in Colombia where music is its distinctive expression… until now. In recent times, nature tourism has drawn the attention as a new attraction.

Birdwatching and nature tourism are new there, and emerged after the signing of the peace process. With it, people began to see bird watching and nature tourism as an economic opportunity.

Where is Tolima?

Tolima is located in the center-west of Colombia, in the Andean region. Its capital city is Ibagué, and it locates on the eastern flank of the Central Andes, in the center of the department. It is known as the Musical Capital of Colombia.

Tolima department borders to the north with Caldas, to the east with Cundinamarca, to the south with Huila and to the west with Valle del Cauca, Quindío and Risaralda departments.

So, if you are in the coffee region, or in Bogota or Cali, it will be very easy for you to visit this region by car, or by plane.

Perales National Airport is located in the east of the city of Ibagué and is the main airport in Tolima. It is in the process of becoming an international airport.

Rare food alert: One of the most famous meals in Colombia is the lechona. The lechona borned in Tolima. This is a dish based on pork meat, stuffed with peas and rice, and mixed inside the pork itself.

Lechona dish served in a Bijao leaf, with lemon and arepa.

Lechona dish served in a Bijao leaf. — Lechona dish served in a Bijao leaf, with lemon and arepa.

It is baked in the oven, leaving the pork skin browned and toasted. It is served with a portion of the skin, in a Bijao leaf, previously passed through the fire, as a plate. This leaf is similar to the banana leaf, but it is not edible.

What does it mean Tolima?

The are several stories about the name Tolima. One of them tells that the word comes from the Panche term tolima, tulima or dulima, which means river of snow or cloud.

Another story refers to an indigenous woman called Tulima, or Yulima. Yulima was an indigenous queen and priestess who protected a religious sanctuary. This place was very rich in gold deposits, near Machín Volcano and Nevado del Tolima.

The Spaniards assaulted her and took her as a prisoner. They led her in chains to Ibagué, in whose main square the conquerors burned her alive.

While she was dying she received blessings from Father Cobos to help her soul elevates to heaven. The department preserved her legendary name as a perennial tribute to her martyrdom.

Tolima as a Nature Destination

Tolima covers an area of 149,800 hectares. It extends from the upper Magdalena valley in the east to the Tolima snow-capped mountain in the northwest.

Thus, the department of Tolima has a huge variety of ecosystems and life zones. There you will find tropical dry forests at 2800 meters above sea level, to the paramo life zone, at approximately 5280 meters above sea level.

This broad altitudinal variation arises into a great variety of climates and topographic aspects. This variation, in turn, results in a high number of habitats for a wide diversity of species, birds among them.

Additionally, the mountainous landscapes of Tolima makes it a very good region to visit for hiking.

Los Nevados Natural National Park in Tolima.

Also, the Magdalena River, the most important river of Colombia, crosses Tolima from south to north enriching the landscape. The city of Honda was one of its main ports in the colonial past (watch the video below).

The natural wealth of Tolima has allowed the development of several important tourist activities. Furthermore, several national natural parks belong to the department of Tolima and are reserves of water, flora and fauna: Los Nevados National Natural Park, Las Hermosas National Natural Park, and Nevado del Huila National Natural Park.

Aquatic Tourism

There are several aquatic parks in the lowland areas of Tolima you can visit with your family. Also, you can do rafting on the Sumapaz river in Melgar, Carmen de Apicalá, Coello, Flandes and Suárez.

In the north, at Mariquita, Honda, Ambalema and Falan towns, you can combine historical colonial tourism with water parks.

Sport Fishing and Water Sports

To the south is the Prado reservoir focused on sport fishing and water sports. This region also has a lot of indigenous history. There you will find Amerindian expressions in ceramics made by the Pijao communities.

The area also has incredible landscapes such as the Pacandé Mountain and the northern side of the Tatacoa Desert.

Hiking and Trekking

In the center of the department, Ibagué, Murillo and Líbano towns are close to Los Nevados National Park. There, mountaineering is the main attraction.

Check our tour to Nevado del Tolima here.

Birdwatching in Tolima

More and more people is discovering the biodiversity of birdlife in Tolima. Today, Tolima is 14 in the eBird’ species list of departments of Colombia, with 809 bird species reported.

Besides this, it is 8th in the Top 10 departments with more checklists, with around 14300.

5th Tolima Bird Festival – La Rivera Route ©Cortolima

In Tolima, a Bird Festival is also held every year. The most recent version was in 2019, being the fifth one. This festival features cultural and academic activities, as well as bird watching tours.

Tolima Birdwatching Routes

Private and public entities work together to protect and conserve the birds biodiversity of Tolima. Thus, since 2018, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ornithological Association Anthocephala, and Cortolima developed a total of 33 birdwatching routes in Tolima.

13 of these birding routes are near to Ibagué and the Río Viejo wetland in San Luis.

The main routes established in Tolima include:

Toche Canyon,
Combeima Canyon,
The northern route (Honda, Mariquita, Fresno and Falán),
Las Hermosas in Chaparral,
San Antonio,
Planadas,
Galilea forest,
Murillo – Armero route,
Roncesvalles,
Falán – Mariquita,
Clarita Botero en Ibagué
“Raúl Echeverry” Botanical Garden in Líbano, and
San Jorge Botanical Garden, among others.

One of the most important routes that you should not miss is the Toche Canyon Route. The Toche Canyon locates between the cities of Cajamarca and Ibagué.

There there are ten species of parrots, among them the Indigo-winged Parrot, the Yellow-eared Parrot and the Golden-plumed Parakeet. These species live in the ecosystem offered by the most conserved forest of wax palm in the country.

Top Birds of Tolima

Here’s a taste of what’s to come in a future post. The most representative bird species in Tolima are:

Tolima Blossomcrown – Anthocephala berlepschi
Tolima Dove – Leptotila conoveri
Indigo-winged Parrot – Hapalopsittaca fuertesi
Yellow-eared Parrot – Ognorhynchus icterotis
Velvet-fronted Euphonia – Euphonia concinna
Crested Ant-Tanager – Habia cristata
Yellow-headed Brushfinch – Atlapetes flaviceps
Rufous-fronted Parakeet – Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons
Indigo-capped Hummingbird – Amazilia cyanifrons
Apical Flycatcher – Myiarchus apicalis
Brown-banded Antpitta – Grallaria milleri
Buffy Helmetcrest – Oxypogon stuebelii

Tolima Blossomcrown – *Anthocephala berlepschi* at Ukuku Lodge, Tolima

Find the Tolima birding routes and highlights in our entry Tolima Birding Routes: from the Andean Snows to the Magdalena Valley.

So, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Tolima! In future posts we will tell you how we did during our visit.

For more information about birding trips to Colombia and the birds of Colombia, visit our entry The Complete Colombia Birdwatching Guide: Tourism & Conservation.

If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!

References

Tolima Regional Autonomous Corporation – cortolima.gov.co
Anthocephala, Ornithology Association of Tolima.

About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

The Paleontologist’s Perfect Fossil Trip in Villa de Leyva, Colombia

Posted on 22/01/202118/02/2021 by Frank59872

Villa de Leyva, Colombia, is located in the Colombian Eastern Cordillera, in the department of Boyacá and, according to the Muisca denomination, in the Alto Valle de Saquencipá.

This town has an incredible historical, cultural and natural heritage, and it is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Colombia.

Villa de Leyva was declared a national monument in 1954 because of its architecture, its museums, the traditions of its inhabitants and its history. Since the beginning of the XXI century, it became part of the Network of heritage towns of Colombia.

Environmental features of Villa de Leyva

The town of Villa de Leyva is about 3 hours by car from Bogotá. The nearest capital city is Tunja, which is a two-hour drive away.

It is between 2,000 and 3,200 meters above sea level. In terms of climate, it has three climatic zones: Dry, Sub-Humid,and Humid. October is the rainiest month and the first months of the year are the driest. Villa de Leyva’s average temperature is between 17°C and 18°C.

The “Dinosaurs” of Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva did not always have the current climatic and geographic conditions, and its fauna and flora have also changed.

Many people believe that in Villa de Leyva there were dinosaurs. The truth is that there were marine reptiles, which are different from dinosaurs.

We all sin of calling “dinosaur” to any big, rare and extinct creature of which only a few skeletons are preserved. But, in reality, many of those fossilized remains have nothing to do with dinosaurs. This will be a story of another post…

Half of the Colombian territory was covered by the Sea

During the Cretaceous, about 145 to 65 million years ago, the sea covered a large part of the Colombian territory, including the area of Villa de Leyva.

This sea was inhabited by many organisms that are now extinct, but that dominated the oceans at that time. With the uplift of the Andean Mountain Range, this internal sea withdrew, exposing the rocks that were formed from sediments deposited during the Cretaceous.

Today we can find in these rocks a fossil record of great paleontological value.

The Fossils of Villa de Leyva

Some examples of these fossils are the famous ammonites, which are the most common in stores and facades of the town. There are also the marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, which are exhibited in museums and some private collections.

Illustrated *Kronosaurus boyacensis*, Villa de Leyva (Colombia) CC BY 3.0 Dmitry Bogdanov

Among the marine reptiles found in Villa de Leyva are: plesiosaurs, pliosaurs, ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, and the famous Kronosaurus boyacensis. The specimen is exhibited in the Fossil Museum (El Fósil, a private collection).

*Kronosaurus boyacensis*, Villa de Leyva (Colombia) CC BY-SA 2.5

This individual is the designated specimen (i.e., holotype) whose characteristics define this species of kronosaur endemic to Colombia.

These, and many more fossils found in Villa de Leyva and its surroundings (such as turtles, mollusks, crustaceans, and other marine organisms), allow us to reconstruct the geological and paleontological history of Colombia and the planet.

Researchers from El Fósil Museum explain that the marine environment is very suitable for fossils to be preserved.

This is because dead animals that fall to the bottom of the sea are covered by sticky sediments that quickly cover them, thus preserving them.

The importance of Fossil Records

Fossils are of great importance to understand the climatic and geographic changes that occurred in our country and our planet throughout its history. This will allow us to have clues about how future changes may occur.

For this reason, fossil material should only be collected for scientific purposes. This material has no legal economic value.

So, please, DO NOT BUY FOSSILS. Do not contribute to the growth of fossil trafficking in Colombia.

With the looting of fossils destined for sale, not only is humanity’s heritage being trafficked, but a great deal of useful information for science and understanding of the environment is being stolen.

Paleontology and Archeology Attractions Of Villa de Leyva

Prehistoric Museum

The Museum has been functioning for more than 30 years as a space to investigate and deepen in prehistory and anthropology, projecting it to the pedagogical, artistic and cultural field.

There are about 25 sculptures in ferroconcrete, made by the master Luis Alberto Acuña. These sculptures are of prehistoric animals and samples of fossils found in the natural context of Villa de Leyva.

Paleontological Museum

This museum is attached to the Faculty of Sciences of the National University of Colombia. It houses a great paleontological and cultural heritage, highlighting the fossil pieces dating from the Cretaceous period (130 million years ago approx.). It has 2425 pieces in its collection and 441 pieces in the exhibition.

The museum’s house is a colonial architectural jewel built in 1570 by the Spaniards, where the Molino de la Osada or “de Losada” used to work.

Besides paleontology, there is the Arboretum project called “Padre Gustavo Huertas”. The project has a collection of about 130 species of the typical ecosystems of the country. This living collection of native species is used for research and conservation purposes.

The Fossil Museum

El Fósil Museum was founded in 1977 by the initiative of the farmers of the region after their discovery of a specimen of pliosaur when they were working in the field.

It was named by science as Kronosaurus boyacensis Hampe. This pliosaur fossil specimen is the most complete found to date in the world.

El Fósil Museum, Villa de Leyva, Colombia

The Museum currently exhibits more than 500 pieces of Colombian paleontological heritage.

A special feature of this museum is that it is still run by farmers who are members of the community action board of the Monquirá neighborhood.

The Archaeological Park: Muisca Astronomical Observatory

Near the town of Monquirá there is a group of lithic monuments, of phallic, funerary and astronomical character, catalogued as “Muisca Solar Observatory” in situ.

This ancient observatory was discovered by Dr. Eliécer Silva Celis around 1960. It is composed by stone columns of medium height arranged in a series of rows.

The stone columns are carved in cylindrical forms, and the rows delimit the sacred field to the north and south.

Phallic sculpture at the Muisca Solar Observatory in Moniquirá, Villa de Leyva, Colombia

In addition, there are forty monoliths of phallic character. Those monoliths where a symbol of male fertility for the indigenous people that live there in the past. The purpose of those constructions was to propitiate the action and fecundity of the earth.

A few meters from the Solar Observatory, in the northeastern sector, there is a “Dolmen Tomb”, also built in lithic material.

I hope you liked this brief summary of the paleontological attractions of Villa de Leyva. If you want to know more do not hesitate to contact us.

References

La verdadera historia de los fósiles de Villa de Leyva.
Villa de Leyva’s Mayor’s Office Website
Colombia Travel
SITUR Boyacá

About the author

Sara Colmenares

7 Nature Destinations to Visit with Your Kids in Colombia!

Posted on 19/01/202101/02/2021 by Frank59872

Traveling with kids can be challenging. First of all, you are concerned about their safety. Second, you don’t want them to get bored. Experiences in nature are among the best to ensure fun, learning, and building great and beautiful memories.

Nature offers activities that can strengthen the bonds with your kids, and also provide them with impressions they will carry with them forever.

Colombia has many offers of this type. However in this post I will tell you about the safest and most enjoyable nature experiences in Colombia for your kids (from 4 to 18 y/o)

The Coffee Triangle for Kids

The coffee triangle is a major destination in Colombia, despite its size, there is a great diversity of thermal floors and landscapes. For this reason, three of our recommended destinations are found there.

In addition, this is one of the safest regions in Colombia and with the friendliest people.

1. Hacienda Venecia Coffee Farm in Caldas

The department of Caldas is a coffee destination par excellence. There you can go with your kids and learn about the process of coffee production and also about cocoa, i.e. chocolate!

There are farms like Hacienda Venecia, which have different types of accommodations, several experience tours, different walking trails, and a swimming pool!

What to do?

It is a very safe place, and you will be able to take tours on foot, by bicycle, visit the plantations, get to know the most beautiful birds and butterflies of the coffee region, and enjoy with your kids the coffee landscape.

Explore the Surroundings

Caldas has to offer several destinations for birdwatching. In our post 9.5% of the Birds of the World: Main Spots for Birdwatching in Caldas, you will find the main birding destinations in Caldas.

From Hacienda Venecia you can also explore the surroundings, and visiting the city of Manizales and the Eco park Los Yarumos.

You can also visit the Los Nevados NNP to get to know the paramo, one of the most important ecosystems in Colombia. Know more about this park in our entry Best Things to Know Before Visiting Los Nevados National Natural Park.

You can visit Los Nevados Park towards the Brisas sector, where there is a special platform for bird watching. From there it is possible to watch the Buffy Helmetcrest, and endemic hummingbird of Colombia.

On the way down from there you will find the Hotel Termales del Ruiz. The gardens of this hotel offer a a fun activity that consists of feeding hummingbirds from the palm of your hand.

The sensation of feeling one of these birds landing on your fingers is a beautiful, touching and unique experience that your kids will always remember! If you want to know more about hummingbirds I recommend you to read our entry 17 Unique Hummingbirds of Colombia and Where to Find Them.

Finally, spend a day in places surrounded by plenty of wildlife and nature such as:

The Tinamu Nature Reserve where you can walk in the forest and do some birdwatching. Know more about Tinamú in our entry The Nicest Bird-lodge of Colombia: Tinamu Birding Nature Reserve;
Hacienda El Bosque, where you will visit a dairy farm and have the chance to see and learn about the high mountain birds; and,
Finca Romelia, a place where you can visit an immense collection of orchids and bonsai.

2. Botanical Garden, Panaca Park and the Wax Palm in Salento in Quindío

Quindío is a department where you can have a lot of fun with your kids! You can stay in the city of Armenia, where there are many country hotels with swimming pools. I recommend you the Hotel Sazagua.

Quindío Botanical Garden

From your hotel in Armenia, you can make a day visit to the Botanical Garden of Quindío.

This Botanical Garden holds the most complete and beautiful collections of palms, heliconia, and butterflies of Colombia.

*Heliconius heliconius* at Botanical Garden of Quindio

Panaca Park

Afterward, you can dedicate another day to visit the Panaca Park. If you prefer, you can stay in this park for several days at the Hotel Decameron that is inside it.

Panaca is a park dedicated to country life. There your kids will be able to have interactive experiences with farm animals, attend fun animal shows, go on carriage rides around the farm, and participate in adventure activities such as canopying or crossing tibetan bridges, among others!

The Cocora Valley in Salento

Finally, you can go to Salento and get to know one of the most emblematic landscapes of Colombia: the wax palm fields of Quindío!

Know more about the wax palm in our entries The Unique Wax Palm Forests Landscape Destinations in Colombia and The Wax Palm and Why it is a Must to See When Visiting Colombia.

3. Ukumari Park, the Hot Springs in Santa Rosa, and Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary in Risaralda

Leaving Manizales or Armenia, you can continue to the city of Pereira, and visit one of the most beautiful and oldest zoos in Colombia, the Ukumari bio park.

There your kids will be able to meet the most representative animals of the Colombian Andean forests, such as the Jaguarundi, the Chachalaca, the Black Spider Monkey, the Tapir and the Andean Spectacled Bear.

Afterward, you have two options: visit the Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs or go to the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary.

Hot springs in Santa Rosa de Cabal

The Thermal Eco park has a spa where you will live a plan full of rest and fun with all your family. There are a 95-meter-high waterfall and five cold water streams that bathe the mountain, forming a dreamlike landscape.

In addition, you will be able to enjoy the Thermal Expedition. This expedition will be fantastic for the kids to know how the thermal waters are born. You will walk in the middle of the mountains of the Coffee Cultural Landscape, through the central Colombian mountain range.

There you will discover the water births, where it emerges from the earth at high temperatures. You will also see a spectacular waterfall of cold water and you will get to know different species of fauna and flora unique in the world. It is an experience full of adrenaline and fun.

Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary

The other option is the Otún Sanctuary. This is a more remote place, but don’t worry, it is perfectly safe. This park protects a sample of the sub-Andean jungle, one of the richest in Colombia.

It is a perfect place to get in full contact with nature, and to walk a lot. You can also observe the native flora and fauna.

4. The Eastern Plains for Kids: Lagos de Menegua

Lagos de Menegua is a hotel-reserve in the heart of the eastern plains of Colombia. It is also a very safe place and has a spectacular landscape. It is home to more than 800 species of mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds, including the traditional chigüiros (or capyvaras), yamus, pumas, crocodiles and lizards of the eastern plains.

What to do?

There you can go on hiking routes, safari, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, spend an afternoon at the pool, and more, all in one place!

Kids fishing mojarras in Lagos de Menegua

At night you can go to see the stars, this is a unique experience since light pollution is very low in this region.

The Lagos de Menegua Bioreserve is one of the few privileged places that still have black skies. It is frequented by astronomers and amateurs from all over the world, for observation and photography of constellations, the Solar System and the Milky Way.

Astrotourism in Lagos de Menegua ©Lagos de Menegua

Its privileged location allows the simultaneous observation of the northern and southern hemispheres – a great experience for the whole family!

Explore the Surroundings

Additionally, from Lagos de Menegua you can go to the city of Puerto Gaitan and there embark on an aquatic safari along the Meta, Manacacias, and Yucao rivers.

You don’t need much luck to be able to see monkeys, turtles, otters, reptiles, and especially the Toninas, the river dolphins. An unforgettable trip for the whole family!

There are two more places that you can visit from Lagos de Menegua: the Obelisk, which is the geographical center of Colombia, and the Ostrich Park, where you will know everything about these birds.

5. San Cipriano Nature Reserve in the Pacific

This is a destination little known by foreigners, but worth visiting with your whole family.

San Cipriano is a natural reserve located in the Colombian Pacific, in the department of Valle del Cauca. This place has one of the purest and cleanest crystalline rivers in Colombia. It is a perfect place to swim and float on tires (tubing) while the slow current drags you through the dense subtropical jungle.

The huge reserve also has numerous hiking trails, which you can walk through day and night.

The “Brujitas”

One of the most exciting parts of the trip is the entrance to the reserve. You will enter in some small carts, called Brujita, which is attached to a train track, and moved by a motorcycle. It is a 30-minute ride where you will feel like you are being engulfed by the rainforest tropical jungle.

What to do?

Spend a day in San Cipriano bathing in the rivers and natural lagoons, walking, and admiring the fauna and flora of this region. There are plenty of animals to see there as toucans, sloths, turtles, and many special birds. You can also stay in the town of San Cipriano, but the hotels offer very basic services.

I recommend you to stay in Cali, or in a closer hotel called Hotel la Huerta. From there, you can go and return on the same day to San Cipriano, and there you will have all the comfort for you and your family.

La Huerta Hotel

This hotel has a swimming pool, a small nature reserve and a vegetable plantation. The hotel manages a farm to table meal plan. There, your kids will learn the processes of organic agriculture, from sowing to eating.

They can also walk among the plantations, observe birds in the forest and surroundings, or simply relax in the pool.

Another advantage of La Huerta Hotel is its proximity to other nice places you can visit with your kids, such as the Yotoco Reserve, where you will meet the howler monkeys; or the Calima Lake Nautical Club, where you can practice water sports such as sailing.

6. The Chicamocha Canyon in Santander

The Chicamocha National Park is another recommended destination if you travel with kids.

You will visit one of the largest and most impressive canyons in South America, while having a lot of fun. Know more about the Chicamocha Canyon in our entry The Chicamocha Canyon, the 1st Largest Canyon in Colombia.

What to do?

There you can enjoy extreme activities such as driving buggies, zip line, paragliding, swinging, and rappeling or canyoning. There are also other activities such as interaction with farm animals, virtual reality experiences and 4D movies.

The park also has an aqua park with large pools and slides. Perfect to ensure fun!

It is a place very close to the city of Bucaramanga, only one hour from Bogotá by plane.

7. Bio-park Guátika and Chicaque Park – Near to Bogotá

If you are in Bogotá, there are many places you can visit with your kids. However, I recommend two places that they might love.

Chicaque Park

First, Chicaque. It is about an hour from downtown Bogotá. This park is a very recommended place for visiting with your kids and meet the high Andean cloud forest of Colombia.

The park has seven thematic trails where you can visit waterfalls, discover butterflies and birds, oaks, and breathtaking views.

There you can also do the zip line and canopy activities, horseback riding, bird watching, and even spend the night at the park’s hotel.

Sleeping in a tree house!

In Chicaque you will find something unique, the possibility of sleeping in the treetops. At this moment, it has two rooms called Nests, with accommodation for 4 to 6 people.

This is a dream experience, as well as unforgettable for the kids, because who didn’t want to sleep in a tree house?

Guátika Park

On the other hand, there is the Guátika biopark, Only three hours from Bogotá, this zoo has everything for family fun.

Guátika is a place that houses, in the best possible way, animals that for various reasons can no longer be in their natural habitat.

More than 500 animals are kept there, diverse species of domestic, exotic and wild fauna, in beautiful open and naturalized spaces.

There, your kids will understand the value of rescuing wildlife and why it is not good to take animals out of their natural environment.

They will also be able to enjoy adventure activities such as climbing, buggy tours, zip-lining and horseback riding.

You can stay at the biopark hotel, which has beautiful country architecture and the best view of the Sugamuxi Valley.

Extra

Santa Marta – Minca
Medellín – Guatapé
Cali and the Cali Zoo

If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!

About the author

Sara Colmenares

The Top Post-Covid-19 Destinations for Conservation Lovers in Colombia

Posted on 26/10/202026/10/2020 by Frank59872

Colombia bets on four new post-Covid-19 nature tourism routes! MinComercio, Colombia Productiva, and the Natural Wealth Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the support of the UNWTO, EAN University, and Ruta N, created the Colombia Riqueza Natural Prize, an award for the transformation in nature tourism.

In order for us to continue being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, the government of Colombia will continue to focus on identifying initiatives that promote the natural wealth of the country. The main goals are:

Highlighting Colombia’s biodiversity.
Reactivate the nature tourism sector.
Helping local communities in different regions of Colombia.

This is key to boosting nature tourism in the phase of economic recovery that followed the Covid-19 crisis. And, also, to keep showing and promoting the best of Colombia.

The prize was looking for the transformation of Nature Tourism in the face of the contingency of the COVID-19. The idea was to encourage the reactivation of the nature tourism sector and support environmental conservation and local communities economies.

“This award will not only serve to strengthen our plans to revitalize nature tourism, but it also highlights the importance of being one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet and the second most biodiverse”
– said the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, José Manuel Restrepo.

A Prize for a Post-Covid-19 Economic Recovery

According to Martha Aponte, USAID’s deputy director in Colombia, nature tourism can contribute to the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity as well as to economic development.

For this to happen, it is indispensable to discourage tourism that threatens the health of our ecosystems. Nature tourism should be seen as a tool to improve the well-being of local communities, conserve resources, and educate visitors.

The post-Covid-19 economic recovery phase will support the identification of initiatives that protect natural resources and, at the same time, promote nature tourism in Colombia under the current situation.

In this regard, Camilo Fernández de Soto, President of Colombia Productiva, explained that in Colombia nature tourism needs to:

Implement more efficient processes,
Improve the quality of its offer,
Accelerate the digital transformation,
Implement digital marketing strategies, and
Adopt sustainability as the fundamental part of the experiences.

The award seeks to support the work of nature tourism into overcome its main issues in order to continue attracting more local and international travelers, especially in the context of post-Covid-19 economic recovery.

The winners will receive up to USD 50,000 to make their projects a reality in different regions of the country.

The Applications

During one month 1,185 projects applied to this prize. All of them coming from the 32 departments of the country.

54% were submitted by legal entities, while 46% were submitted by individuals. Most of the initiatives were submitted by micro and small businesses, foundations, and NGOs.

Proposals were also received from indigenous organizations, collective territories, peasant associations, community councils, and even large companies. Additionally, 84% of the proposals had not received any pre-award funding.

The Judges

The jury was composed of Brigitte Baptiste, rector of EAN University; Camilo Fernández de Soto, president of Colombia Productiva; Gilberto Salcedo, vice-president of Tourism for ProColombia; Natalia Bayona, director of Innovation and Transformation for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); Ricardo Sánchez, director of USAID’s Natural Wealth Program; Ximena García, advisor to USAID’s environmental office; and Agostinho João de Almeida, director of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Finalists

From the total number of projects, 15 finalists were selected and evaluated by the high-level jury.

In addition to the resources funded by USAID’s Natural Wealth Program, the winning initiatives will receive specialized accompaniment from EAN University and Ruta N to execute their projects.

Also, the 15 finalists will receive scholarships from the World Tourism Organization and EAN University in tourism management.

The Top 4 Winning Initiatives

Among the 15 finalists, only four projects won the prize. All these projects are aimed at the conservation and sustainability of Colombian ecosystems. All of them highlight the country’s biodiversity, and focus on addressing the economic impact of Covid-19 on the nature tourism sector, which has been one of the most affected by the pandemic.

The winning projects highlight Colombia’s unique biodiversity:

Caribbean Region: ‘Seaflower Meaningful Diving’ (in San Andres Island).
Andean – Chocó Forest Region: ‘Establishing the first birding route for visually impaired people in South America’ (in Valle del Cauca).
Orinoquia Region: ‘Ensuring a future for jaguars in the only jaguar watching destination (in Casanare).
Orinoquia – Amazon Region: ‘Reactivation of nature and cultural immersion tourism in the Matavén jungle’ (in Vichada).

All projects have one year for their development and implementation.

San Andres & Providencia Coral Reef Diving Destination

An experience that will use augmented reality and learning for you to enjoy diving the coral reefs of San Andres Island, and helping its conservation.

Seaflower Meaningful Diving, Diving With a Purpose

This is a project focused on promoting collaboration between islanders, fishermen, and tourists to finance education, conservation, restoration, and management projects of coral reefs in the San Andrés Archipelago.

This project proposes the implementation of e-courses, complemented with gamification and augmented reality, allowing people to start their diving experience and preparation from home. Also, experiencing from home how is the activity of nursing corals.

At the destination, travelers will be able to obtain three rewards:

The Green Fins certificate, as responsible and environmentally friendly diving operators
The Reef Check Trainers, for participation in coral monitoring, and/or
The Reef Repair Trainers, for participation in coral reef restoration.

Coral gardening, Coral reef restoration, Reef Giving, Responsible consumerism. Picture by coralesdepaz.org

Inclusive Bird Watching Destination

A captivating experience that will allow visually impaired people to enjoy the wonders of the San Antonio Cloud Forest and its hundreds of bird species, in one of the most biodiverse areas of South America: the Valle del Cauca.

First Birding Route for People with Visual Disabilities in South America

This is a project carried out in order to find a new way of approaching, recognizing, and linking with nature for the population with visual disabilities.

This contributes to the enjoyment and identification of the species of most representative birds of the Andean region of Colombia, in the AICA/IBA San Antonio Fog Forest – Km. 18, in Cali. Know more about San Antonio Forest in our entry Know the Winged Jewels Held by San Antonio Cloud Forest – Km 18.

The initiative transforms birdwatching tourism in Colombia into an inclusive activity and fosters new market niches. In addition, it takes into account the creation of a special sound guide for the visually impaired population and the training of tourist guides in the region.

Oiga Mire Lea Festival – Birding activity with visually impaired people at San Antonio Cloud Forest with Juan Pablo Culasso and CVC ©Sonidos Invisibles

Jaguar Sighting in Colombia

An experience that allows you to walk the jaguar route and get to Hato La Aurora to visit the first destination for safe jaguar watching in colombia.

First Jaguar Sighting Route in Colombia Post-Covid-19 Destination

Ensuring a future for jaguars in the only jaguar sighting destination in Colombia: Hato La Aurora, in Casanare. This project’s aim is to strengthen this jaguar sighting destination as a strategy for the conservation of big cats and flooded savannas, and coexistence with sustainable productive activities.

The project includes the creation of a guide to good practices for cat watching, the training of guides from the region, and the creation of trails and a portfolio of services associated with nature tourism.

Nature and Immersion Tourism in Vichada

Connect with the indigenous traditions of the Piaroa people in one of the most beautiful jungle areas of Colombia!

Matavén Forest and Piaroa Indigenous People

This project seeks to strengthen nature and immersion tourism products with indigenous communities, as the Piaroa indigenous communities from La Urbana and Pueblo Nuevo, of the Great Matavén Reserve, in Vichada. Its aim is to motivate an economic reactivation and conservation of the region’s biodiversity.

Piapoco Culture at Matavén ©Mauricio Romero Mendoza at Flickr

We are all very happy for the winners. We hope to have wonderful products by 2022 that offer you the best nature destinations in Colombia. Destinations that support our biodiversity, that are inclusive, that use innovative technological tools, and of course, that help the economic reactivation of nature tourism in Colombia.

Stay tuned!

References

https://www.colombiaproductiva.com

About the author

Sara Colmenares

The Treasure of “El Dorado”: The Guatavita Lagoon

Posted on 01/09/202024/09/2020 by Frank59872

The Guatavita lagoon was one of the most sacred of the Muiscas, since the ritual of investiture of the new Zipa (Cacique- chief) was carried out there. This is one of the origins of the El Dorado Legend. The famous Muisca Raft that is exhibited in the Gold Museum of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia is evidence that this type of ritual was celebrated in the lakes of the region. Find out more about the museums of Colombia in The 117 Museums Guide of Colombia for Culture Travelers travel guide.

Guatavita comes from the Chibcha language GUA-TA-VITA, which translated into Spanish means “tillage of the tip” or “end of the mountain range”, as stated by the linguist Joaquín Acosta Ortegón in his Chibcha dictionary. The Chronicler Fray Pedro Simón, in his “Historical News”, said that Guatavita was called Guatafita, which means “thing set on high”, stating that it was the Spaniards who made the change from F to V to give it more phonetic sweetness to that name.

Origins of El Dorado Legend

According to the Muisca tradition, in Guatavita the cacique Sua was married to a beautiful princess from another tribe. Sua was very fond of chicha and bacchanals, and his wife, with whom he had a daughter, fell in love with a warrior who was courting her.

The lovers were caught by Sua, and he subjected the warrior to horrendous tortures, to the point of taking his heart out and serving it to his wife. The woman fled in despair, took her daughter in her arms and dove with her into the lagoon.

The cacique ordered the priests to recover his family. They informed him that the woman was now living under water, where a large snake had betrothed her. The cacique demanded that his daughter be brought to him, and they brought him a child without eyes. Sua, disheartened, returned her to the waters and ordered that from that day on, the best emeralds and gold filigrees be thrown into the lagoon (if you want to know about filigrees watch our video Santa Fe de Antioquia). The purpose of the ceremony was to beg the queen to ask the gods for prosperity and bonanza for her people.

Every full moon, Guatavita’s snake emerged from the waters to remind the people about the offerings, the priests watched his appearance as a sign of prosperity.

The Golden Indigenous

El Dorado Legend, gold statue at the Gold Museum, Bogotá, Colombia, picture by Pedro Szekely, from flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia.

With the Spanish invasion, the ritual acquired a new meaning. They were told that a ritual was carried out when a new cacique, usually the nephew, son of a sister of the previous cacique, was in power.

The heir prepared himself within a six years period before the ceremony. He had to purified himself through fasting, and confined himself in a cave where he could not see the sun or eat food with salt or chili.

Some chroniclers have narrated it this way:

“…In that Guatavita lagoon, a great raft of reeds was made, decorated as brightly as possible… They undressed the successor, smeared him with a sticky soil and sprinkled him with gold powder and ground, so that in the raft everything was covered with this metal…

The golden indigenous man made his offering by pouring all the gold and emeralds he carried into the middle of the lagoon, and the four chiefs who went with him did the same. During the way back to land in the raft, they started a party, with bagpipes and “fotutos”, with dances in their own way, with which ceremony they received the new cacique who was recognized as lord and prince …”

From this ceremony was taken that so celebrated name of El Dorado.

The Search for the Treasure

The history of the “golden indigenous” gave rise to the “El Dorado”, a mythical place that the conquistadors sought from the Andes to the Amazon, with such eagerness that within a week, in 1539, three expeditions led by Sebastián de Belalcázar, Nicolás de Federmán and Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, from Peru, Venezuela and Santa Marta, respectively, coincided in Guatavita.

There were several attempts to drain the lagoon to find its hidden treasures, among which the most important were that of Captain Lázaro Fonte, who was able to extract several pieces of fine gold, and that of Antonio de Sepúlveda in the 16th century, who also managed to remove emeralds and ceramic pieces.

In 1580, a merchant named Juan Sepulveda employed 5,000 indigenous men and dug a canal to drain it. The water level dropped as much as 20 meters, but then the canal collapsed and the King of Spain refused to continue financing the enterprise. Sepulveda had to abandon, despite having rescued several pieces of filigree and an emerald the size of a fist.

Unsuccessful attempts continued throughout the colony, but the legendary gold continues to fuel treasure hunters’ dreams to this day. In an old German book published in 1911, for example, there is even a photograph, supposedly real, of the totally drained lagoon.

In the book is narrated that some W. Cooper, representative of the English company Contractors Limited, had shown two German tourists photographs of objects taken from the lagoon as rings, snakes, frogs and men’s heads, made of gold. This Cooper told them that the value of the gold found since 1909 amounted to at least 500 pounds, which paid several times the investment of the expedition.

Recovery of Guatavita Lagoon

What is certain is that the Guatavita lagoon, when you visit it for the first time, is smaller than you could imagine… given the size of the legend!. But the sad thing is that this happened after it was emptied of more than half its contents by gold diggers, English and Germans, among others, until the end of the 19th century. These treasure hunters opened a hole in the mountain to drain the water to take out the gold pieces that rested at the bottom of the lagoon.

Fortunately, the failure of all these expeditions appeased the greed of the gold diggers. Initially, the place was reduced to abandonment, and at the beginning of the 21st century the park was closed to the public to try to recover it.

Today, a good part of its splendor has been reborn, with the frailejones, bromeliads, lichens, arnicas and multicolored mosses. The true treasure is the lagoon and the páramos of Colombia, because from there the water flows to all the surrounding regions.

Currently, the lagoon is located in an environmentally protected area where you can access a trail that crosses an impressive mountainous area, full of vegetation and typical species of the Colombian páramo.

We recommend you to visit the Guatavita Lagoon after visiting the Golden Museum in Bogotá.

How to Get to Guatavita Lagoon

Guatavita town is located 75 kilometers northeast of Bogotá, bordering the municipalities of Sesquilé and Machetá to the north; Gachetá and Junín to the east; Guasca and Sopó to the south; and Tocancipá and Gachancipá to the west.

However, Guatavita Lagoon is 8 km from the road that borders the Tominé reservoir, besides the town.

The Guatavita lagoon today is a Regional Natural Reserve of the System of Protected areas of Colombia. Entrance fee for foreigners is around of 13,000 COP (3.5 USD). After paying, you will be led by a local specialized guide, in small groups, through a natural path along the paramo.

Local guides are from the Muisca community which still inhabits the region.

Accomodation near Guatavita Lagoon

You can find accommodation in the town of Guatavita or in the nearby parks associated with the reservoir circuit that exist throughout the region. This accommodation, offered by the parks, is of the shared cabin type, with a minimum cost of 215,000 COP (60 USD), depending on the number of people.

Recommendations

To enjoy it to the fullest, we recommend you take comfortable, warm and waterproof clothing, as the average temperature of the place is 13ºC and rainfall is frequent. However, none of this will prevent you from having a deep connection with nature and with the ancestral past that this lagoon hides, and that makes it an authentic cultural heritage of the country.

If you want to know more about Colombian nature tours, or want to visit Guatavita Lagoon, follow us, write us comments, or just contact us.

References

Corporación Autónoma Regional CAR
Sacred Places of America. Juan Tafur. OCEANO-AMBAR, 2009.
Wikipedia
Colparques Website
El Tiempo News Archives
Pueblos Originarios Cosmogonía Blog

About the author

Sara Colmenares

Responsible Travelers and Nature Reserves in Colombia

Posted on 07/07/202008/07/2020 by Frank59872

One of the great attractions of Colombia is, without a doubt, the beauty of its nature reserves. These places offer a unique sensory experience in which visitors can contemplate the landscapes, let themselves be carried away by the sounds of nature, participate in ecotourism activities and disconnect from the routine and noise of the city. According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies, IDEAM (2014 and 2015), Colombia has a total of 98 marine and terrestrial ecosystems (74 natural and 24 transformed). The creation of protected areas has had a very beneficial impact in terms of protecting water resources and water supply. However, the country needs it to serve as much, if not more, for the effectiveness of these areas in conserving Colombia’s rich biodiversity.

Protected areas and their systems contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and provide space for recreation and ecotourism development, benefiting local populations, regions and the business sector (Natural National Parks of Colombia, 2014). In addition to the protected areas, there are several figures aimed at the conservation of Colombia’s natural and cultural wealth, such as Ramsar sites, biosphere reserves, Peasant Reserve Areas, among others.

Nature Reserves in Colombia

There are three types of nature reserves in Colombia: UNESCO-declared biosphere reserves, public reserves and private civil society nature reserves. The Biosphere Reserves in Colombia are places that innovate and demonstrate the relationship that human beings can achieve with nature in the effort to combine conservation and sustainable development. Currently, Colombia has five biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO: The Andean Belt (Cinturón Andino – 1979), El Tuparro (1979), Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (1979), Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (2000) and Seaflower (2000). We will tell you about them in another entry.

In relation to the other types of reserves, the public reserves are known as Nature Reserves and the private reserves are known as Civil Society Nature Reserves. In Colombia there are only two public Nature Reserves which are the Nukak Nature Reserve in Guaviare, and the Puinawai Nature Reserve in Guainía, both of which are not open to tourism. For this reason, in this post I will focus on the private reserves, since they are mostly the ones that offer the main services and destinations for ecotourism in Colombia.

What is a Civil Society Nature Reserve?

Colombian legislation defines this type of nature reserve as “a part or as the whole of the area of a property that conserves a sample of a natural ecosystem and is managed under the principles of sustainability in the use of natural resources”. In Colombia, any person who owns a rural or natural property can register a natural reserve as long as they demonstrate that they have the interest and commitment to conserve a sample of one or several natural ecosystems and, at the same time, develop sustainable production activities with low environmental impact and friendly to biodiversity. It does not matter the size of the reserve as long as it represents a sample of natural ecosystem.

When a nature reserve is registered with the National Parks of Colombia, it is legally recognized and becomes part of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), and incorporated into the National Registry of Protected Areas (RUNAP). One of the main benefits of Colombia’s protected areas is the preservation of natural resources and the promotion of the care of flora and fauna species, especially those at risk of extinction. The owner who registers a natural reserve in Colombia gains: (1) participation rights in the planning processes of development programs, (2) prior consent for the execution of public investments that affect them, and (3) the right to receive government incentives, among others. At the same time, the owner must safeguard the integrity of the territory and report any activity or situation that is endangering the protected area.

Importance of Private Nature Reserves in Colombia

Much of Colombia’s natural ecosystems are being radically transformed. Factors such as deforestation, the expansion of the agricultural frontier and the accelerated growth of extensive cattle ranching have directly affected the country’s natural ecosystems. Many reserves have gone from being a farm divided into paddocks, with severe erosion, to become recovered and well-developed ecosystems that are home to countless species of birds and mammals, attracting international tourism. But its scope has gone beyond, and many reserves have developed sustainability programs related to waste management, organic plantations, permaculture, planting agroforestry crops. They have even specialized in receiving illegally trafficked wildlife and conducting environmental education programs.

Civil Society Nature Reserves are recognized by the Colombian Government as recipients of (1) compensation measures for biodiversity loss, (2) investments in environmental control, (3) payment for environmental services, and (4) tax exemptions through ecotourism. These benefits have encouraged natural and legal persons of all kinds to create or support nature reserves in Colombia, and this is how, to date, there are more than 900 civil society nature reserves in all the Colombian territory that protect around 202,550 ha of land and marine territories (Source RUNAP). All the civil society nature reserves in Colombia belong to IUCN category IV. Many IUCN category IV protected areas exist in densely populated regions, with relatively high human pressure in terms of potential illegal use and visitor pressure. Category IV reserves require management undertaken voluntarily by local communities or private actors. They also require constant and successful management to sustain them over time, because they normally protect only part of an ecosystem.

This is why ecotourism plays a fundamental role in their maintenance. Private nature reserves help to fill the gaps that public reserves cannot fill. They serve as connectors between patches of natural habitat that have become disconnected from each other. In addition, they foster the development of local communities around them by providing common objectives of conservation and sustainable production. Thus, activities such as bird watching, ecotourism, agrotourism, experiential tourism, wellness tourism, sustainable coffee and cocoa production, sport fishing, among others, have become an employment engine for hundreds of rural citizens who depend directly or indirectly on the guarantees provided by the nature reserves. Likewise, the reserves are important actors in the construction of rural scenarios of peace and dignified life for the farmers.

How is the ecotourism experience in most of Colombia’s nature reserves?

As we mentioned in a past entry, what prevails in Colombia is the offer of basic accommodations in private reserves, sanctuaries and national parks. Despite the importance for environmental protection and local development of the regions, not many places have a full infrastructure for the development of ecotourism. In many of them the accommodation is basic, with rustic houses, built in wood and served by the local farmers themselves, who do not have much idea on how to provide a first class service. In any case, the natural charisma of the Colombian can far surpass these shortcomings. You will see and feel that you will be attended as if you were one of their own family.

There are other services that do not depend only on the community, but on the action of local and national governments. So, many times, the service of drinking water and electricity is limited, especially in the reserves that are located in remote places. The same goes for access roads, which are not maintained, or even exist, and you will have to get there on foot or by horse.

Your visit to a nature reserve in Colombia is very important, because it not only benefits the quality of life of local communities that provide services of any kind, or the protection of the environment, but also encourages and facilitates people’s investments to increase the quality of services. This way, every time you visit them again you will have something new to discover, experience and enjoy!

Check out our trips and also find in our blog the best reviews about the nature reserves you can visit in Colombia.

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About the author

Sara Colmenares

Top 5 of the Best Nature Tourism Experiences in Colombia

Posted on 09/03/202027/01/2021 by Frank59872

The second most biodiverse country on the planet has incredible nature experiences for everyone. With its variety of ecosystems, from rain forests, savannas and deserts to moorlands, cloud forests and glaciers that provide water, and its system of National Natural Parks and Natural Reserves, Colombia is a great place for nature tourism.

In this post, we will talk about the best nature experiences in Colombia.

Exploring the Biodiverse Chocó

In this biodiversity hotspot on the Colombian Pacific coast, you will find many options for an nature experience in Colombia.

Due to the rainfall, the tropical conditions and its isolation from the Amazon basin, the Biogeographic Chocó has an outstanding diversity of fauna and flora, as well as a high level of endemism.

The activity not to be missed is whale watching, which you can enjoy in Bahia Solano, Nuqui and Utria National Natural Park from July to October.

It is amazing to see groups of humpback whales migrating to the warm waters of the Pacific to mate and raise their calves.

This is also a season of turtle and bird migration, so the coasts seem to come alive. Bird watching, scuba diving, snorkelling and hiking are other nature tourism activities you can do in the wonderful Chocó.

The humpback whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*), Bahía Solano, Chocó

Getting lost in the Caribbean

The Caribbean region of Colombia boasts nature, colors and joy. The white sanded beaches of the Caribbean, that merge into tropical lush forests with exotic birds and variety of other animals.

Getting lost in this landscape is one of the best nature tourism experiences you can have in Colombia.

Visit the Tayrona and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Parks to explore the biodiverse forests and mangroves, and the highest coastal mountain in the world, of course.

One of the best sights you can enjoy is the Lost City (or Teyuna), an ancient indigenous civilization built around 650 AD that is currently considered the greatest archaeological finding in Colombia.

You can reach Lost City after a trekking of minimum 4 days, along a trail of over 20 km and a climb of 120 steps made of stone. It is among the best trekking trails in Colombia.

As for Minca, it is a hidden village full of peace, with natural attractions such as waterfalls and rivers, and it is a great birdwatching spot.

The most northern tip of Colombia, and South America, La Guajira, is a one of its kind place. Visit the golden dunes and paradisaical beaches in Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas, the highlands of the Macuira National Natural Park and the Flamingo heaven at Los Flamencos Sanctuary.

During all your days in La Guajira, you interact with the Wayuu indigenous community, which is a rewarding experience.

Birds of La Guajira, White Ibis – *Eudocimus albus*

Adventure in Santander

If you like extreme sports, Santander is the place for you. Adventurous travelers come to this department located in the center of Colombia, north of Bogota, to enjoy paragliding, rafting, hiking, bungee jumping, buggies, rock climbing and more.

San Gil is the capital of extreme sports, in Barichara you can go hike the royal road of Lengerke and in the Chicamocha Park, you can take the zip line to cross the Chicamocha Canyon while admiring the stunning natural landscape.

Learn more about the Chicamocha Canyon in our entry The Chicamocha Canyon, the 1st Largest Canyon in Colombia.

Climbing Paramos in the Andes

You cannot say you had an nature tourism experience in Colombia if you did not hike to a paramo. Colombia is one of the 6 countries in the world with the paramo (moorland) ecosystems!

Paramos are considered water factories, since rivers that supply water and energy to nearby towns originate there.

Colombian moorlands hold 98% of the world’s flora endemic to this ecosystem and the country is home to the world’s largest one, Páramo de Sumapaz. Because of this, many are protected as national parks or flora and fauna sanctuaries.

If you are planning to visit, take into account the low temperatures, the humidity and the high altitudes -moorlands are above 2600 m (8530 ft) ASL.

Sumapaz

Is close to Bogota, to the south, so it is perfect for a day trip. The Muisca indigenous people deemed this place a sacred spot and it boasts wildlife, including deer, tapirs, coatis, golden eagles and the typical moorland plant: frailejones. Don’t miss its several lagoons, the Verjon bats cave and the Buenos Aires viewpoint.

Chingaza National Park

This is an important natural reserve for the center of the country, as it provides around 80% of the capital and nearby municipalities water supply. There are 6 hiking trails and 3 viewpoints for you to discover the life hidden in the Andean forests and moorlands.

It is possible to see condors, eagles, the unique Spectacled bear and deer. Chingaza also has a lagoon system of about 20 lagoons, including Laguna de Siecha. Prefer hiring local guides and remember to file a request at least 15 days before your trip to the park.

Ocetá

This páramo is known as ‘Colombia’s most beautiful paramo’. It is located in Boyacá and remains well-preserved, since it is not visited as much as the other moorlands.

Ocetá has a dazzling variety of flora, including silver, yellow and white frailejones, yellow senecios, violet lupins and tons of liquens and moss. It is also a place to see the national bird of Colombia, the Andean condor.

The Stone City, a rocky zone with alleys enclosed by 15-meter high stone walls is the number one attraction.

Puracé

Puracé is the only active volcano of the Coconucos volcanic range, in the department of Cauca. It is a National Natural Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

In this mountain, 4 main rivers in Colombia have its source (the Magdalena, Cauca, Patía and Japurá), and you can also enjoy almost 30 clear lagoons and sulfur hot springs.

You can hike along several trails and probably spot the Andean condor -Puracé is actually a privileged spot to see them. Also, this is an ancient indigenous territory.

Iguaque

It is a sanctuary for flora and fauna in Boyacá, near Villa de Leyva. Like many territories in Colombia, Iguaque is sacred for an indigenous community, the Muiscas.

According to their mythology, the Iguaque Lagoon was the cradle of humanity, as the goddess Bachue emerged from it to populate the earth. Its glacier lagoons provide water for nearby towns and the local wildlife.

Laguna de Iguaque, Sanctuary of Fauna and Flora Iguaque, department of Boyacá, Colombia. © Creative Commons

Having a real nature tourism experience means to connect with nature truly and here, you will be able to cleanse your soul and purify your spirit surrounded by nature.

Visit our entry Discover the Natural Attractions of Villa de Leyva, Colombia to find more about Iguaque and Villa de Leyva natural attractions.

Bike Tourism in Quindío

A new nature tourism project in Colombia was launched at Vitrina Turística Anato 2020: a bike tour through the Central Andes range between south of Quindio and north of Valle del Cauca.

At least 200 km (124 mi) can be cycled by tourists interested in nature, community and adventure tourism. The road includes the municipalities of Calarca, Buenavista, Pijao, Cordoba, Genova (Quindio), and Sevilla and Caicedonia (Valle).

The idea, funded by the local and the Suiss government, the municipalities and the Chambers of Commerce, aims to diversify the tourist corridor of the Coffee Cultural Landscape.

In this way, tourists can enjoy different activities such as hiking, jeep Willys rides, wildlife observation, adventure, cultural and historical experiences, and even yoga.

Of course these are not the only nature tourism experiences in Colombia. There are plenty more destinations for nature tourism in the country, each of the 6 natural regions boast amazing settings for tourists to travel consciously and connect with the environment. Experiences such as exploring the great Amazon basin or traveling the Eastern Plains cannot be set aside.

References

About the author.

Ana María Parra

Modern Languages professional with emphasis on business translation. Interested in cultural adaptation of written and audiovisual content. Passionate about knowing new cultures and languages, tourism and sustainable living.