Are There Anacondas in Colombia? Yes, and You Can Visit Them!

Are there anacondas in Colombia? Yes! The Anaconda, this giant reptile that is part of the imaginary terror of children and adults, and that have been present, not only in your bad dreams but also in Hollywood and Disney movies live in Colombia. Find here when and where to go to see the Anaconda in Colombia.

The Anaconda

The famous anaconda is a type of constrictor snake of the same lineage as the boas, and it is the heaviest of them all. It is endemic to the rivers of the South American tropics, usually found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), also known as common anaconda or common water boa.
Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), also known as common anaconda or common water boa.

Although the name is applied to a group of snakes, it is often used to refer to the common or green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), which is the largest snake in the world by weight, and the second-longest, after the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus), an endangered Asian snake.

One of the differential characteristics of the Anaconda, when compared to other snakes, is that they have 3 thickened scales on each side of its snout. Additionally, Anacondas find comfort on trees or still water ponds with fast currents, taking advantage of their agile swimming abilities.

13 Facts About Anacondas that you Don’t Want to Miss

  1. Anacondas eyes and nostrils are elevated since they usually remain submerged underwater for long periods of time.
  2. Their olfactory receptors are located on the tongue.
  3. The mating season is usually between April and May. Females send signals and wait patiently until males arrive at her location. The number of males that may arrive could add up to 12 individuals which wrap themselves around the female creating the well-known “breeding balls”.
  4. The gestation period takes 6 to 7 months, and the offsprings are born 60 to 70 cms long. The average number of hatchlings per female is 30 per mating season.
  5. Anaconda hatchlings can survive without the mother’s protection, as they are born with innate hunting and self-defense instincts.
  6. Being carnivorous, their diet is very varied.
  7. Anacondas usually silently wait for their prey submerged on the river without being detected.
  8. Anacondas are venomless snakes. Therefore, their mode of hunting is constriction, which is necessary to suffocate the prey before swallowing it.
  9. The largest anaconda ever officially recorded was a female hunted in Brazil in 1960, which measured 8.45 m in length, and weighing 227 kg.
  10. Anacondas swallow their prey completely thanks to elastic ligaments and joints in their snout.
  11. They have two rows of teeth pointing backward, which move independently in order to bite their prey.
  12. Digestion time can take more than 7 days depending on the size of the prey.
  13. After eating a big pray Anacondas may have no need to eat for weeks or even months.

Myths and Legends Around the Anaconda

The native communities of the Amazon region of Colombia believe that a great ancestral anaconda penetrated the universe/house, through the water gate and ascended the Negro and Vaupés rivers carrying within its body the ancestors of all mankind.

Throughout his journey ancestors turned into humans. This great anaconda finally reached the “Ipanore waterfall”, formed by the flow of the Jirijirimo River, which means “the bed of the anaconda” in native dialects.

Anacondas are Endangered Species

Although there is no information on the conservation status of Anacondas, there are threats that are greatly reducing their populations. Threats to anacondas are:

  1. Hunting, to keep them as pets or for their skin used as decoration. It is also hunted for religious and medicinal reasons., since it is believed to cure rheumatism and asthma, among other diseases.
  2. Fear, derived from people’s belief that anacondas are dangerous.
  3. Habitat loss.
  4. Contamination.

Where to Find Anacondas in South America

Anacondas are widely distributed in South America and can be found in:

  • Colombia
  • Brazil
  • Venezuela
  • Ecuador
  • Bolivia
  • Peru
  • Guyana
  • French Guyana
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Paraguay

How Many Species of Anacondas are?

Among the genera Eunectes, there are three more species besides the famous Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), which is the species with the greatest presence in the South American continent, especially in Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia. The other anaconda species are:

Bolivian Anaconda (Eunectes beniensis)

It is the most recently defined species, inhabiting Bolivia. In particular, in the provinces of Beni and Pando.

Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaues)

Also known as Paraguaya, it is the smallest species of anacondas. They are usually present in the Paraguay river, also, they are distributed from the Pantanal region in Bolivia, the west of Brazil to the northeast of Argentina.

Dark-spotted Anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei)

Also known as Schauenseee, due to the expansion of agriculture in the savannahs where it lives, this species is the most endangered.

Where to See Anacondas in Colombia

The geographical distribution of the Anaconda in Colombia is recorded in the following departments: Putumayo, Amazonas, Vaupés, Guaviare, Guainía, Meta, Vichada, and Casanare.

Despite the wide range of Anacondas in Colombia, it is only possible to observe them safely and ecologically by protecting their natural environment.

Amazonas

Amacayacu National Natural Park, Puerto Nariño, Amazonas

Located southeast of Colombia, this protected area is responsible for the protection and conservation of all local fauna and flora. It is currently closed but indigenous communities of Mocagua and San Martin offer guided ecotourism activities in the area.

Where to stay

Leticia, Amazonas

It is the capital of the department of Amazonas, and an amazing place to experience living in a city in the middle of the jungle. Tours that include visiting native communities are available.

Where to stay

Vaupes

Visit our entry Jirijirimo Waterfall and the Anaconda Trail in Vaupes, Amazon Region, Colombia, to find more information.

Casanare

Casanare is another beautiful department, located in the eastern plains, where you can find anacondas in Colombia.

Hato La Aurora

Hato La Aurora offers the best safari experience in Colombia. Besides anaconda, you will find capybaras, white-tailed deer, spectacled caimans, wild horses, cattle, iguanas, and birds. Jaguars and cougars also inhabit the reserve, but they are difficult to spot.

Where to stay

The reserve has an eco-lodge called Juan Solito that offers accommodation in rooms, cabins, or hammocks.

Best Time to Visit the Anacondas in Colombia

In the Amazon region, it usually rains every month; the least rainy month is July. In Vaupés, the best season is the dry season which goes from November to April. Finally, in Casanare, the best season is also the dry season, which is from November to April.

Recommendations for your visit

  • Take yellow fever and tetanus vaccine shots before arrival.
  • Mosquito repellent is highly recommended.
  • Bring rubber boots, a raincoat, long-sleeved shirts, sunscreen.
  • Leave no trace.
  • Carry valid identity documents and health insurance.
  • If you take specific medications, take them with you.

If you want to plan your trip to Colombia do not hesitate to contact us, visit our Plan your trip page!

References
  • National Geographic
  • Panda.org NGO
  • Rainforest-alliance.org NGO
About the authors

Luisa Martin

Engineer, world traveler, amateur photographer, traveling blogger, and foody.

Top Zoos, Aquariums and Bioparks in Colombia

Find here the top zoos of Colombia! In the past entries Can Zoos be Considered as Fair Ecotourism Destinations? and Zoos in Colombia and COVID-19 Crisis: Your Visit Can Help Them, I covered the topics about defendind zoos, or not, why to visit zoos, or not, covid-19 pandemic effect on zoos survival, and about the importance of zoos in Colombia. I recommend you to read those posts to get a broader view about visiting zoos in Colombia, and around the world.

Visitors to zoos traditionally attended for entertainment purposes. Today, besides entertaining, visiting a zoo involves supporting education, awareness, and sensitization programs for the care of wildlife and the environment, and the rejection of wildlife trafficking. Some zoos are considered “a classroom open to research” or “a new place of hope“.

In this post I recommend you the best Zoos, Aquariums and Bioparks to visit in Colombia, specially during the post-covid-19 reality.

#1 Cali Zoo

The Cali Zoo is the best zoo of Colombia by far. There you will find native animals such as the Andean Condor, the Spectacled Bear, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, the tapir, the puma and some primates, birds, fish and reptiles. There are also exotic animals such as zebras, hyenas, baboons, Bengal tigers, and zuricates, among others.

The Cali Zoo is home to many events, among them the Colombia BirdFair, the most important international bird fair in Colombia, which covers topics such as: conservation, bird watching tourism, education, etc.

Cali Zoo

Website

https://www.zoologicodecali.com.co/index.php

Location

FUNDACIÓN ZOOLÓGICA DE CALI, Cra. 2 oeste Calle 14, Santa Teresita. Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Programs

It has education, communication, recreation and research programs for the conservation of Colombia’s biodiversity.

How to get there

The Cali Zoo is located in a noble area of the city. The closest hotels are the Hampton by Hilton, the Intecontinental de Cali, and El Obelisco. The trip from these places can be done on foot or by cab. If you go on foot from one of these hotels, it will be a nice half hour walk along the Rio Cali.

Tickets’ fee

Adults 7USD – Kids 5USD

Notes

It is not alowed the entrace for people older than 70 years old and younger than 6 years old.

#2 Marine World Aquarium, Santa Marta

Marine World Aquarium works to harmonize research, conservation, education and recreation purposes.

The design of the infrastructure of the Marine World Aquarium allows to have replicas of some marine ecosystems and physical phenomena. It constitutes the only engineering work of this type in Colombia, which, due to its specific technical characteristics, makes it possible to develop a great number of observations and investigations that are difficult to carry out in the natural environment.

It has 24 large exhibition aquariums and a giant swimming pool, where the visitor experiences the sensation of being submerged while contemplating the wonderful underwater life.

El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Colombia.

Website

https://www.mundomarinoacuario.com.co/

Location

The Marine World Aquarium is located in El Rodadero. Carrera 2 # 11-68, El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.

​Programs

Marine World Aquarium uses a series of exhibition aquariums of the different species and their environments, in order to become an educational and scientific tool.

Its objective is to promote the knowledge, conservation and adequate use of marine resources, and the commitment to the preservation of the environment, and to promote research.

It is also a destination for your company (MICE). Marine World encourages companies with special benefits and discounts if they purchase an Adoption Plan. With this plan you will be helping the care and attention of the species living in the aquarium.

How to get there

If your accommodation is in downtown Santa Marta, Mamatoco, Taganga or any other place in the city, you can get to El Rodadero by cab. It is a distance of about 5 km, and you will arrive in 15 minutes. It is not recommended to go by walk from Santa Marta.

Tickets’ fee

Adults 7USD – Kids 5USD

Notes

You can plan your kids’ birthday party there.

#3 Biopark Guatika

Most of the animals in Guátika have arrived because of the illegal traffic of fauna and have special conditions so they must remain under human care.

In Guátika Bioparque Zoo you can find more than 1000 animals of more than 100 different species. The Zoo has ample spaces, suitable in the best way possible, to provide the best welfare to the animals, for their mental and physical health.

In addition to visiting the animals, the zoo offers adventure activities such as horseback riding, buggy rides, sky coaster, wall climbing, ziplining, among other activities.

Guátika Hotel Boutique ©Booking.com

Website

https://guatika.com.co/ 

Location

Tibasosa at Km 1, Vía las Antenas, Tibasosa, Boyacá, Colombia.

Programs

Special programs for rescued animals from illegal traffic, which cannot be released to the wild and require human care.

How to get there

Tibasosa is a municipality in the department of Boyacá, located between the cities of Duitama and Sogamoso. Tibasosa is located 3 hours from Bogota.  From Bogotá you can take a private transportation to Tibasosa. The zoo is located 800 meters from the main park of Tibasosa

Tickets’ fee

Adults General 9USD – Adults Plus 20USD  – Kids and Older than 65 7.5USD

Notes

The park has the Guatika Boutique Hotel. The hotel houses a children’s club, a restaurant and a terrace. The accommodation has a hydromassage bathtub. Accommodation includes activities at the zoo. 

#4 La Reserva Biopark

The Reserve is a natural theme park and sanctuary for plants and animals rescued from illegal trafficking. This park is specialized in receiving, treating and releasing, when possible, the rescued animals.

As a visitor you will have the opportunity to connect with nature and get to know some of the Colombian ecosystems.

Green Jay – Cyanocorax yncas, La Reserva Biopark

Website

https://www.bioparquelareserva.com/

Location

Abra village, Km 1.2, Cota, Cundinamarca, Colombia. 

Programs

The reserve has developed innovative projects contributing to environmental education in Colombia, scientific research, knowledge about endangered species and the conservation of the country’s biological diversity by promoting respect for nature.

The park also has different projects related to animal care, water protection, and ecological restoration projects in which you can participate and make donations. 

How to get there

The Bioparque la Reserva is located 40 minutes from downtown Bogotá, in the municipality of Cota. From the center of Cota, you will arrive in 10 minutes by car, or in 30 minutes walking.

Tickets’ fee

Adults 8.5USD – Kids Free until 3 yeras old

Notes

Among its especial attractions are:

  • The recreation of a human construction taken by nature, where the visitor finds interpretative exhibitions of opportunistic animals such as rats, mice, cockroaches and snakes.
  • A space dedicated to illegal trafficking where visitors learn about the consequences it has on biodiversity.
  • A space to learn about the science that takes care of animals, the duties we have as pet owners, which animals you can have and which you can’t.
  • A workshop to discover the myths and truths about carnivorous plants.

#5 Ukumarí Biopark

The Biopark is located in one of the most important tourist areas of Colombia: the coffee zone. Ukumarí means, in Quechua language, the “one that has the strength of the Bear”. 

The Biopark has been under construction since 2015 and is expected to be the largest of its kind in Latin America, covering 820,000 square meters.

There will be aquariums, aviaries and attractions in the fourth dimension, as well as interactive games and adrenaline scenarios related to biodiversity.

The transfer of the animals from the old zoo was called Operation Noah’s Ark, which lasted 2 years between 2015 and 2016.

Ukumari Park ©Ukumari Website

Website

https://www.ukumaripereira.com/en

Location

Km 14 Vía Cerritos – Costado Sur – Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia. 21.5 km far from the Matecaña International Airport.

Programs

Ukumari Biopark replaced the old Matecaña zoo, with the purpose of developing a Biopark that would improve the quality of life of the animals, and also contribute to energize the tourist offer of the region.

The Biopark seeks to change man’s attitude towards the planet, the care of species and the environment.

How to get there

The Ukumari Biopark is located at Km 14, south margin, of the road that from Pereira leads to the Cerritos village. At Santa Barbara Station, only 8 km from Matecaña International Airport, you will find the clearly marked main access road that will take you (in a 1 km route) to the entrance of Ukumari and the Biopark parking lots.

Tickets’ fee

Adults 9.5USD – Kids 7USD

Notes

The nearest hotel is the Sonesta Pereira. Very nice Hotel!

#6 Los Ocarros Biopark

The biopark Los Ocarros, is committed to the preservation, rehabilitation and conservation of the native fauna of the Llanos Orientales. It consists of 5.5 hectares that have ample areas, which serve as habitat for about 680 animals of 150 species typical of the ecosystem of the eastern plains region of Colombia.

The visit to the biopark Los Ocarros is an example that tourism and ecological protection can go hand in hand.

Jaguar

Website

https://www.bioparquelosocarros.co

Location

Vanguardia village, Km 3 vía Villavicencio – Restrepo, Meta, Colombia.

Programs

This place focuses on environmental education as a tool for the conservation of the fauna of the eastern plains of Colombia.

It offers a virtual library with scientific documents of research results about the species present in the zoo.

Also, Bioparque los Ocarros, along with other organizations, attends and values confiscated or rescued animals, made available by the environmental authority, until the necessary conditioning is achieved to return them to their wild life.

How to get there

The biopark Los Ocarros, is located on the outskirts of the city of Villavicencio, 5 km from downtown. You can get there by car or walking. The Wyndham Garden Hotel is a recommended hotel to stay near to Los Ocarros. 

Tickets’ fee

Adults 4.5USD – Kids 3.5USD – Seniors 2.5USD

Notes

Guidance service is not included. The park offers specialized tours and events for one or more days, as well as workshops, conferences and seminars. 

Remember

Wild animals are not pets, leave them in their natural habitat, they don’t feel at home in your house! The possession of wild animals is a crime in Colombia and is penalized according to current regulations.

If you want to come to Colombia, don’t hesitate to contact us and plan your trip with us!

Coati walks on a trunk at he Biopark “La Reserva” in Cota, Colombia. The Coati was rescue by Colombian police and handed over to the Biopark to be taken care of.

References


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.

Zoos in Colombia and COVID-19 Crisis: Your Visit Can Help Them

Zoos in Colombia are very important, especially for animals that were victim of illegal trafficking.

The colombian zoos function as sanctuaries and shelters, since animals they receive mainly arrive through confiscations made by the environmental authorities.

In parallel, zoos in Colombia have been important by their education, research and conservation programs. These programs had an effect on reducing illegal trafficking, raised awareness of environmental problems and helped by recovering populations of some endangered animals.

Animals are Property of the Colombian State

According to the National Code of Natural Resources, animals are property of the State. Then, the slaughter of animals in zoos is not allowed by the State, or in any other condition.

Colombian law regulates zoos by decree 1608 of 1978. In the Article 180 it is defined a zoo as:

A zoo is understood to be a set of facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, where individuals of wild fauna are kept in confinement or semi-confinement for exhibition and educational purposes and where biological research on the species in captivity is carried out. These activities are carried out without commercial purposes, although fees are charged to the public for admission to the zoo.

Decree 1608 of 1978. Chapter II. Zoos. Article 180.

History of Zoos in Colombia

Tha Barranquilla zoo opened in 1953, and it was the first in country. Then came the Matecaña Zoo in Pereira in 1959, and the Santafé Zoo in Medellín in 1960. The Society of Public Improvements of the each city was the pioneer in opening these zoos.

People with private collections were the main donors of the first animals in these parks.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, zoos in Washington, New York, Chapultépec de México, Lisbon, Zurich, Miami, among others, helped to expand their collections.

Also, the zoos of Cali, in Valle del Cauca, and Santacruz, in Cundinamarca, were founded during that time.

In 1978 the Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (ACOPAZOA) was founded by the directors of some of these zoos.

Read our entry Can Zoos be Considered as Fair Ecotourism Destinations? to know more about.

Modern Zoos in Colombia

Recently, in the last decade (2010 – Today), zoos in Colombia are making profound readjustments, despite several difficulties, mainly economic. The zoos that already existed are making structural changes. The main improvement has been to make the spaces more and more similar to natural ecosystems and maintain animals in semi-captivity.

Additionally, there is a greater focus on education and conservation programs. At the end of the 1990s, many Colombian zoos created environmental education departments. In them, several generations of children and youth have been trained as environmental educators.

Eagle rescued at La Reserva Biopark in Cota, Bogotá, Colombia

Those changes in Colombian zoos led to the more frequent use of the term “biopark” instead of “zoo”.

Examples of these bioparks are: Bioparque La Reserva in Cota, Cundinamarca, created in 2005, Bioparque Ukumarí, inaugurated in 2015 in Pereira, or Bioparque Los Ocarros and Tiuma Park in Villavicencio.

Where do Colombian Zoo Animals come from?

Native Fauna

Confiscations are the main source of animals in Colombian zoos, so most of the animals are native. Zoos also obtain animals through exchanges between zoos, voluntary donations, and births.

Animal rescued at La Reserva Biopark in Cota, Bogotá, Colombia

Exotic Fauna

Exotic animals present in zoos are mainly obtained from circuses, or from seizures. They also come from donations from foreign zoos, and their progeny.

A famous confiscation was to the drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. He had elephants, rhinos, camels, and hippopotamuses at his famous Hacienda Nápoles.

Nowadays you can go on safari to Hacienda Napoles, for more information about safaris in Colombia visit our post Booking a Safari in Colombia? Find here the Best Options!

Many conservation programs in different zoos in the country have breeding programs to maintain populations or individuals of endangered species such as the Andean condor, some marmosets, the endangered Blue-billed Curassow, among others. They also have them to maintain the collection.

Zoos in Colombia are Shelters

It is of vital importance to keep in mind that Colombia’s zoos are places of refuge where wild animals arrive from the illegal traffic of fauna. In general, many of these animals cannot be reintegrated into the wild, and in the zoo, they receive a good quality of life.

Black spider monkey was rescued after being abused in a circus ©The Guardian. 2019

On the other hand, environmental education programs in zoos have helped thousands of people understand the problem of illegal trafficking of species and combat it in different ways.

Thus, there are conservation programs in the zoos that aim to rehabilitate confiscated individuals, reproduce them, and release their offspring into their natural habitats.

Despite this, many people still believe that zoos buy animals from hunters and that a dying animal can be easily replaced.

The Future of Zoos in Colombia

There is still a long way to go before all zoos in Colombia become protected areas in natural environments, where animals live in semi-captivity.

In our entry Can Zoos be Considered as Fair Ecotourism Destinations? you will find the Colombian zoos affiliated with WAZA.

Zoos strive to develop adoption programs or memberships through social networks. They also campaign to receive support from individuals and private institutions. Unfortunately, the support of the State is very little to maintain these places.

COVID-19 Crisis for Zoos in Colombia

Many zoos in Colombia do not live in quarantine, they try to survive it.

The nearly 20,000 animals that live in Colombia’s 23 zoos, have not been spared the shock of the coronavirus pandemic.

These months of quarantine have put many Colombian zoos in check. There is great uncertainty about their future because maintaining a zoo costs a lot of money, for example, about $50,000 a month just to feed a set of tigers.

The majority of zoos have received money during the quarantine from donations, and many survive with bank loans, but it is not enough. In contrast, State aid has been very short.

Your Visit Can Help

Many zoos in Colombia have as their main income the public entrance fees.

On June 21st the Cali Zoo was the first to receive visitors again in Colombia, with a gradual and controlled reopening.

During October and November, Zoos like Oceanario in the Rosario Islands, and Ukumarí Biopark in Pereira opened to the public. And so, many others are trying to comply with all biosecurity protocols to open up to the public.

I know that for a wildlife tourist, visiting a zoo doesn’t sound very exciting. But the pandemic has given us another perspective.

Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) at La Reserva Biopark in Cota, Bogotá, Colombia

By visiting a zoo, you will have a taste of the local wildlife. You will also know the main local environmental problems, and you can even help, if you want.

When to Visit

You can visit zoos all year round, as long as they are open. You can make that first day of your arrival, or the day of your departure, a good time to hang out, since many zoos are located near the cities, where your hotel and airport are easy to reach.

With your visit, you will also help to keep these animals that cannot be released into the wild.

If you come to Colombia, do not hesitate to visit one of our zoos and bioparks. We know that for many it is not their moral pleasure to visit animals in captivity, but as long as we have no other way to keep these animals victims of trafficking and abuse, it is good to take a look around, maybe it will change your perspective.


References


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.

Exuberant Fauna and Flora to Discover During a Wildlife Tour in Colombia

As we have said so many times before, Colombia is the country with most bird species in the world. Well, this also applies to orchids! What we haven’t mentioned is that Colombia ranks second in quantity of plants, amphibians, butterflies and freshwater fish, third in palms and reptiles, and fourth in mammals.

Because of this, it is the second most biodiverse country on the planet. What an amazing country for an amazing wildlife tour. 

The great diversity of this plants and animal groups in Colombia is associated with its geographical location and topography, which allows the confluence of five major biogeographical regions: Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Orinoco and Amazon; and the presence of a wide range of ecosystems.

If you are interested in wildlife in Colombia, there are so many places for birdwatching and you can have a unique safari experience as well.

In Los Llanos, the Amazon and even in Antioquia, you can see capybaras, deer, caimans, giant anteaters, monkeys, armadillos, pumas, and many more animals. In this case, we will present to you other exciting wildlife to see in Colombia.

Land Animals to See in Colombia

Spectacled Bears in the Andes 

The unique Andean or Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the last remaining short-faced bear and the only surviving species of bear native to South America. This medium-sized, black mammal –with beige face marks that seem like glasses, inhabits the three Andes mountain ranges.

It is a harmless animal that wouldn’t attack a human unless it feels under threat. However, it is considered Vulnerable in the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, due to loss of habitat and illegal hunting.

Spectacled Bear rescued at La Planada Nature Reserve. Its name is Arcoiris (Rainbow)

Fortunately, Colombia’s National Parks System has developed a monitoring and conservation strategy for the Spectacled Bear in several protected zones. 

Those who can see this bear in freedom can consider themselves lucky human beings since its population is small and they are elusive. They can be seen in humid montane forests and paramos, in altitudes up to 4,800 meters above sea level.

Solitary Andean bears have been recorded (watch here!) by camera traps in Chingaza National Natural Park, Cueva de Los Guácharos NNP, and Guanentá Alto Río Fonce Flora and Fauna Sanctuary.

If you travel to Bogotá, a day trip to Chingaza NNP might be your chance to see the Spectacled bear directly or indirectly, through tracks on the ground, scratches on trees, beds made of leaves, and other signs. 

Jaguars in Llanos Orientales 

The largest feline in the Americas, and the thirdlargest in the world, wanders the tropical and subtropical moist forests, dry grasslands, and swamps of Colombia. The existence of water bodies in these habitats is a sign of the jaguar‘s presence  it is a swimmer par excellence

This large, solitary feline on the top of the food chain inhabits most of the country’s land: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, some parts of the Pacific coast, the Orinoco eastern plains, and the vast Amazon. 

Next Jaguar Destination in Colombia

However, as a Near Threatened species due to illegal hunting and habitat destruction, it is uncommonly spotted by tourists during wildlife tours in Colombia. 

You can embark on a trip to Hato La Aurora in Los Llanos to seek out a jaguar. Hopefully, you will spot one hiding while waiting to ambush its prey or even chasing its victim.

La Aurora is the largest Civil Society Natural Reserve in Colombia and is located in the towns of Paz de Ariporo and Hato Corozal, 4.5 hours by car from the capital of Casanare.

Know more about the Colombian safari experience in La Aurora in our entry Booking a Safari in Colombia? Find here the Best Options!

Know more about the conservation of the jaguars in Colombia at Panthera Colombia.

Monkeys in Forests and Jungles

Colombia is the sixth richest country in the world in primates along with Brazil, Zaire, Cameroon, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Peru, and the third richest in the region after Brazil and Peru, as it has 38 species and 45 subspecies, including 10 species and 15 endemic taxa.

Of all the primate species found in Colombia, 53% are endangered as a result of the dramatic deforestation of its habitat and its capture for the illegal trade.

Critically endangered species include the Variegated Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus), the Brown-headed Spider Monkey (Ateles fusciceps), the Caquetá Tití Monkey (Plecturocebus caquetensis) and the Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). The last two are endemic.

Red Howler Monkey – Alouatta seniculus

The howler monkeys can be found in the eastern plains, in the department of Meta, easy to hear and somewhat difficult to observe in places like Unamas or Lagos de Menegua. Also in the Amazon.

Cotton-top tamarin

The cotton-top tamarin is endemic to the tropical forests of northern Colombia, and it is possible to observe them at Los Limites, a small village located on the border between the departments of Atlántico and Bolívar, very close to the town of Luruaco, where the “arepa de huevo” (egg-shaped arepa) originates.

Proyecto Tití places there and focuses on scientific studies of the biology of wild cotton-top tamarins and working with rural communities living in close proximity to cotton-top tamarin forested areas, through sustainable community development and conservation education programs, which includes ecotourism.

Marine Life to See in Colombia

Coral reefs in the Caribbean 

Most people think that corals are marine plants, but they are actually invertebrate animals of great ecological importance. An individual coral is called a polyp and they live in groups of hundreds to thousands of genetically identical polyps that form a ‘colony’.

Hard corals form what we know as coral reefs, the largest living structure on the planet, and the only living structure to be visible from space! Coral reefs are amazing, colorful living beings that host and protect many other marine species, hence its importance. 

Coral reefs in the Islas del Rosario National Natural Park

In Colombia, you can find the most important coral reef formations in San Bernardo Archipelago and Corales del Rosario Islands, located on the Caribbean sea, approximately 2 and 1hour boat ride from the city of Cartagena. 

Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo National Natural Park

Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo National Natural Park covers an area of 120,000 hectares, protecting the largest coral reef of the Colombian continental Caribbean, with about 420 km2! To appreciate the immense and stunning wildlife inhabiting coral reefs, you can practice scuba diving near Baru, Isla Grande, and Tintipan islands.

Coral Reef at Islas del Rosario

Sea turtles, nurse sharks, Caribbean spiny lobsters, Nassau groupers, and many other animals can be seen swimming around these corals, in shallow waters.

Providence Island

In Providence Island, next to San Andres island, you can explore part of the world’s thirdlargest coral reef, protected as Seaflower Biosphere Reserve.

Seaflower Meaningful Diving – Natural Wealth Award

Visit the Old Providence McBean Lagoon NNP with its mangroves and seven colors sea. 

Visit our entry Next Travel Ideas? Visit the Biosphere Reserves of Colombia, to know more about Seaflower Biosphere Reserve and the other Biosphere Reserves in Colombia.

Hammerhead Sharks in Malpelo Island 

Scuba diving with schools of sharks is one of the attractions of Malpelo, the best diving spot in Colombia. Malpelo is one of the world’s top three spots to dive among sharks!

Malpelo Island is a Flora and Fauna Sanctuary and World Heritage Site found in Colombian Pacific waters, 500 km (up to 36hour boat ride) from the city of Buenaventura, in Valle del Cauca.

This volcanic formation is actually the highest point of a submarine range: Dorsal de Malpelo, which hosts incredible marine wildlife Know more about conservation projects in Malpelo at Protect Malpelo

Frog Fish or rosy-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini) by Thomas Kotouc at Malpelo protectmalpelo.org

Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewiniare found in schools of up to 200 specimens around this island and one of the best spots to observe them is La Nevera, a ‘cleaning station’ where small fish take parasites off the sharks.

Apart from these peculiar sharks, divers can see great schools of fish such as barracuda, tuna, red porgy, and more, along with the rosy-lipped batfish  the ugliest fish in the world, the giant oceanic manta ray, and luckily the small tooth sand tiger  —’Malpelo’s monster, in depths over 45 m (150 ft). 

Malpelo is every diver’s paradise! You should know that only experienced/professional divers with 35 previous logged excursions can visit the island, with a local guide. 

Hammerheads Schooling (Sphyrna zygaena) by Thomas Kotouc at Malpelo protectmalpelo.org

Whales in the Colombian Pacific 

During the second half of the year or most of it, the Colombian Pacific coast gains prominence among wildlife lovers.

From July to late October, large groups of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from the South Pole to the warm waters of the northern Pacific Ocean to mate, give birth, and raise their calves. 

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

Whale watching is one of the greatest wildlife tours for tourists visiting Colombia during this time. 

Choco, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca are common places to observe the whales’ acrobatics and hear their songs. These departments have different spots on the coasts surrounded by lush tropical forests and warmed by the kindness of its inhabitants. 

Gorgona island, Bahía Solano and Ensenada de Utría NNP in Nuquí are favorite spots! 

Nuquí, Chocó

Gorgona stands out for being a mysterious island with dense jungle, a former prison’s ruins, and a lot of snakes. Here you can also hike, snorkel and do scuba diving to see whale sharks and whitetip reef sharks, and coral reefs.

Find out more about the whale watching season in our blog When and Where to Go to See Humpback Whales in Colombia

Reptiles and Amphibians to See in Colombia

Crocodiles and Caimans 

The spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

Colombia, along with Venezuela, hosts the largest number of crocodile species (read more). These semi-aquatic reptiles live in tropical regions, gathering around freshwater habitats, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. You can find 2 species in Colombia: the Orinoco crocodile and the American crocodile. 

The Orinoco crocodile

The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius), measuring up to 7 meters, is among the largest crocodiles in the world, and the largest predator in South America! It is critically endangered, though. As its name indicates, it lives in the Orinoco basin, both in Venezuela and Colombia. 

Sierra de la Macarena in Meta and El Tuparro National Natural Park in Vichada are both large protected areas open to ecotourism, where you can spot Orinoco crocodiles while discovering the beauty of the llanero landscapes and its wildlife.

La Macarena is home to ‘the most beautiful river in the world’ Caño Cristales, and animals such as Capuchins, the Speckled tanager, and the Straight-billed woodcreeper.

The vast savanna of El Tuparro hosts the mighty Maipures torrent, as well as tapirs, the Orinoco goose, and giant otters. Find out more about El Tuparro in our entry Next Travel Ideas? Visit the Biosphere Reserves of Colombia.

The American crocodile 

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is the most widespread of the crocodiles from the Americas and inhabits coastal areas, including mangrove swamps and lagoons.

If you travel to Colombia’s Caribbean or Pacific region, you will probably find it still, perhaps with its jaw wide open. Don’t worry, it’s not that they want to hunt you, but this is the way they gain heat.

The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Flora and Fauna Sanctuary is one of the crocodiles watching spots. This is a large mangrove swamp where the Northern tamandua, Neotropic cormorant, and West Indian manatee also live. 

The Spectacled Caiman

As if it weren’t surprising enough, you can also find the Spectacled caiman —or Babilla, (Caiman cocodrilus) in Hato La Aurora, the pioneer of the Colombian Safari, or El Encanto de Guanapalo (see tour), also in Casanare. 

Frogs 

About 800 amphibian species of different shapes and colors live in Colombia. Frogs account for 93% of amphibians in the country, which means that there are 734 species. Also, more than half of them are endemic!

However, 53 species are critically endangered because of the destruction of their habitats and collectors of exotic animals. Although most species can be found in the Andean region, the greatest wealth is in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon and the Pacific region, between 0 and 249 MASL. 

Poison dart frogs 

Dart frog (Dendrobatidae) at Santa Cecilia, Risaralda

All bright colored and dangerous, are one of the main attractions to herpetologists and wildlife lovers. These can be found in the Biogeographic Choco region,  one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

There are frog tours in the departments of Choco and Valle del Cauca, along the Colombian Pacific coast.  

Golden Poison Dart Frog

Actually, in the lush jungles of Choco, you can find the Golden Poison Dart Frog (Phyllobates terribilis), the most poisonous in the world! An adult frog’s skin has enough poison to kill 20,000 mice or 100 human adults.

Although the poison of the Golden Poison Dart Frog only acts when ingested or when entering the body through the mucosae, not the skin, you should be cautious with dart frogs during your wildlife tour.

Other Dart Frogs

Other dart frogs found here are the Black-legged Poison Dart FrogKokoe Poison Frog, Yellowbelly Poison Frog, different Harlequin Poison Frogs and the Diablito Poison Frog. 

Get to know dart frogs of the genus Dendrobatidae and others with us in our Dart Frogs Tour in the Biogeographic Choco! You will visit places in Valle del Cauca such as Cali, Anchicayá, the San Cipriano Forest Reserve –both near Buenaventura, the Yotoco Natural Reserve, and Santa Cecilia in Risaralda.

Also, you will witness the Lehmann Frog, Marbled Poison-arrow Frog, Harlequin Poison Frog, Yellow-bellied Poison Frog, Gliding Tree Frog along spectacular snakes and lizards. 

Anacondas 

The Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the heaviest and one of the longest snake species! This reptile, which can reach up to 5 meters long, is native to South America and is mostly found in the Amazon rainforest and the Orinoco basin.

Because of its weight, which reportedly ranges from 30 to 70 kg (66 to 154 lb) in adults, this snake doesn’t stay that much on the ground, but it is an agile swimmer. Its olivegreen skin with black botches allows the anaconda to camouflage in the waters and surprise its prey easily.

It is not venomous, but once it has kept its eyes on its victim, it is hard to run away from a fateful death by suffocation. 

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), also known as common anaconda or common water boa.

When you travel to Colombia and go on an Amazon night safari, watch out for these nocturnal, stealthy reptiles! The other way to meet them is to visit Hato La Aurora —once again. but this place is great!— in the eastern plains of Colombia. 

Plants to See in Colombia 

Orchids in Colombia 

4,270 species of orchids can be found in Colombia. Out of these, 1,572 are not seen anywhere else in the world! Hence, the Cattleya trianae was named as the national flagship flower.

The country’s National Natural Parks host about 20% of the orchids, but the most privileged zone in the national territory is the Andes region, since it hosts over half of the total species, with 944 endemics. 

Finca Romelia Colors of Life

Finca Romelia Colors of Life

One of the places to admire the beauty of these flowers distinctively shaped and colored is Romelia Farm on the outskirts of Manizales, in the Coffee Region. This family farm is a haven of 8,000 orchids of 840 species, as well as a variety of bonsai and over 200 bird species.

Romelia offers 3 to 5hour orchids tours around the house, natural trails, and a garden center, where you get a lesson about these stunning flowers and how to sow them. Plus, you get a snack and lunch. The price is around USD 35. 

Puracé National Natiral Park

Another place full of orchids is Puracé NNP in Cauca, a natural reserve that protects a volcanic complex, the source of the Magdalena, Cauca, Patía and Caquetá rivers, some of the main rivers of the country. In this indigenous land, there are over 200 species of orchids that you can appreciate while hiking along the Orquideas trail made of stone. The species Epidendrum fimbriatum is a highlight. 

Find out more about the beautiful orchids of Colombia in our blog The Richest Country in Orchids in the World: Colombia.

The Wax Palm

In terms of flora, Colombia has a major role too. Colombia’s over 45,000 plant species account for 10% of the world’s plant species 

The Quindio Wax Palm  (Ceroxylon quindiuense is the national tree and is the world’s largest palm, reaching up to 60 meters. It is native to the Andean humid montane forests of Los Nevados National Natural Park and you can find it in the high Andean valley of Toche, Tolima, and the Cocora Valley in Quindío. 

I invite you to visit our entries The Wax Palm and Why it is a Must to See When Visiting Colombia and The Unique Wax Palm Forests Landscape Destinations in Colombia.

The Queen Victoria’s water lily

The Queen Victoria’s water lily or Victoria amazonica is another flower that amazes foreigners that visit the Amazon. It is the largest of the water lilies, having a diameter of up to 40 cm (16 in). These amazing floating flowers are pollinated by beetles. 

Victoria amazonica is a species of flowering plant, the largest of the Nymphaeaceae family of water lilies.

Frailejón

Last but not least, during your wildlife or hiking tour in Colombia, you have to meet the Frailejones (“big monks”). 

These subshrubs of the genus Espeletia are native to the páramos of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador and play a key role in the creation of subterranean water deposits.

The Espeletia uribei is one of the world’s tallest —up to 18 m and can be found in the Chingaza NNP, a páramo near Bogotá. 

Espeletia, Páramo at the Andean Forest

So here you have many living reasons to visit Colombia. We hope you dare to explore the breathtaking landscapes of this country and book your wildlife tour with us (tours). 


References 


About the authors.

Ana María Parra

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

Sara Colmenares

The 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.