June 19, 2024, 9:54 am
Colombia is the second most biodiverse country on earth after Brazil (and is No. 1 if we are talking biodiversity per square mile...which we always do!) – a visit to Colombia is a visit to the country with more species of bird, orchid, frog, butterfly etc. than any other, so it’s no surprise that there are some incredible nature activities on offer for the intrepid, nature-loving traveller. Here are five amazing nature activities that you can enjoy on your trip to Colombia:
Birding
One of Colombia’s largest growing tourism industries is birding; taking advantage of Colombia’s position as the No. 1 destination on earth for birds, the government have made huge investments in infrastructure and promotion. This means that there are now hundreds of wonderful reserves and lodges to visit to spot some of our most rare and beautiful feathered friends: places such as El Dorado, Cerro Montezuma, Anchicaya, the Perija Mountains, and Los Nevados National Park are just a few of the spectacular birding sites on offer in the world’s birdiest nation.
The Colombian Safari
The vast eastern plains, or llanos orientales, of Colombia are only just fully opening up to tourism, but what they have to offer is some of the continent’s most spectacular natural experiences: a kind of Colombian wildlife safari. Home to huge numbers of capybaras, birds, tapirs, dolphins, anteaters, not to mention jaguars and anacondas, a visit to an ecolodge or hato in the plains can be a truly amazing natural experience, as thousands of birds and animals stretch out over the distant plains to the horizon.
Whale-Watching
The wild Colombian Pacific coast is one of the country’s least visited regions, but is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Visitors can spot birds, colourful frogs, and snakes, but the star attraction here occurs annually between June and October, as thousands of humpback whales arrive to give birth. Visitors can head out in little fishing boats to experience the once-in-a-lifetime moment of seeing a 50 tonne giant leap from the deep sea, before coming crashing back down with the biggest splash you’ll ever see. It’s easily one of Colombia’s most unique natural wonders.
Fishing
A nature activity that is growing in popularity, catch-and-release fishing is fast becoming a key natural attraction for the Pacific region and the eastern Amazonian departments. With deep-sea fishing for marlin and sailfish the main draw in the Pacific, the rarely visited rivers of Guainia, Vaupes and Vichada departments attract fishing enthusiasts keen to catch the iconic Peacock Bass, which can weigh up to 26 pounds! Make sure to book a tour with a responsible operator which practices eco-friendly catch-and-release tourism.
Diving
There’s nothing quite like being under the sea, face-to-face with thousands of fish in their natural habitat, swimming at their level, in their environment. Scuba diving is one of the best ways to experience nature firsthand, and there are some great diving sites in Colombia to indulge in this activity. First-timers will love the prices in Taganga, but the true treasures of Colombian diving are Providencia, Isla Malpelo, Isla Gorgona and the reefs around Capurgana and Sapzurro: sharks, turtles, whales...Colombian diving has it all!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Bell
Chris Bell is a British travel journalist who has been exploring Colombia for four years as the editor of the award-winning Colombia Travel Blog. He has visited 30 of Colombia's 32 departments (those last two are just around the corner), and was named by El Espectador newspaper as "the Englishman who teaches you to travel in Colombia." His main passion, aside from exploring Colombia, is birding - his Colombia list is already approaching 800 species. Chris' 2017 goals: 32 departments and 1,000 species!
