Why Loros Wildlife Sanctuary Is the Most Transformative Wildlife Experience Near Cartagena

Why Loros Wildlife Sanctuary Is the Most Transformative Wildlife Experience Near Cartagena

Just one hour from Cartagena de Indias, in the Caribbean foothills of northern Colombia, lies a place where parrots return to the wild, forests regenerate, and local communities thrive alongside nature.

Loros Wildlife Sanctuary is not a zoo, a theme park, or a spectacle. It is a living, breathing sanctuary — a model of regenerative conservation where visitors can reconnect with wildlife, culture, and land.

What Is Loros Wildlife Sanctuary?

Loros is a private wildlife sanctuary and regenerative reserve, located in the municipality of Villanueva, Bolívar, protecting one of the last remaining fragments of tropical dry forest in the region.

• Size: More than 530 hectares (1,300+ acres)

• Altitude: Ranges between 110 and 350 meters above sea level

• Biome: Tropical Dry Forest — the most endangered terrestrial ecosystem in Latin America

• Conservation model: Rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, reforestation, and environmental education

• Ecological impact: Over 20,000 native trees planted, aiming for 80,000 by 2030

A Real Wildlife Sanctuary — Not a Tourist Attraction

Loros Wildlife Sanctuary is designed first and foremost for the animals and the forest. Visitors are welcomed not as spectators, but as learners and supporters of an active conservation mission.

What makes it a true wildlife sanctuary:

• Focused on parrot and macaw rescue and rehabilitation

• Animals are not exhibited — they are rewilded

• Forest is not decorated — it is restored

• Experiences are not scripted — they are guided and meaningful

• Visitors contribute to conservation simply by being present

Wildlife You May Encounter

The sanctuary is home to a rich diversity of free-ranging and semi-wild species. Some live permanently due to past trauma or injury; others are passing through as part of their reintroduction.

Mammals:

• Cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) – critically endangered

• Howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

• Capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus)

• Three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

• Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

• White-tailed deer, armadillo, coati, collared peccary

Reptiles and Amphibians:

• Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

• Green and black iguanas, small snakes, frogs, caimans

Insects and invertebrates:

• Native pollinators, beetles, ants, spiders and butterflies

• Decomposer networks vital for soil health and regeneration

Parrots and Birdlife

Loros is the only wildlife sanctuary in Colombia specialized in psittacines (parrots and macaws). These intelligent, social birds are among the most trafficked in Latin America — and the most important ambassadors of forest restoration.

Up to 12 species of parrots and macaws can be observed here, including:

• Scarlet macaw (Ara macao)

• Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna)

• Yellow-crowned Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala)

• Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica)

• Spectacled parrotlet, crimson-fronted conure, and more

The sanctuary also protects over 190 bird species, from hummingbirds and toucans to owls and raptors — including endemic and migratory species. Elevated lookout platforms and canopy trails allow for low-impact birdwatching.

A Living Forest, A Working Landscape

Loros is not only a sanctuary for animals — it is also a living landscape, shaped by centuries of coexistence between humans and nature.

Within the reserve, you’ll find:

• Traditional crops such as cassava, maize, and ñame

• Fruit orchards with guava, mango, corozo and tamarind

• 30 local farming families who work within the sanctuary in conservation-friendly roles

• Agroecological zones that integrate sustainable food production with biodiversity corridors

This model shows that conservation and production can coexist, creating livelihoods while restoring ecosystems. Every visit supports these families, proving that rural communities can thrive while protecting nature.

What Makes the Visitor Experience Unique?

Loros offers a completely different kind of wildlife experience — one that is immersive, guided, and deeply human.

All visits include:

• Interpretive hikes through tropical dry forest trails

• Educational encounters with animals in rewilding or rehabilitation

• Tree planting and hands-on conservation learning

• Reflection and storytelling moments at forest lookouts

• Cultural connection through local food, stories, and agroecological practices

There are no cages for visitor entertainment. The focus is on freedom, restoration, and reconnection — for the animals, the land, and each person who visits.

Regeneration and Rewilding

Rewilding at Loros is not a concept — it’s a daily practice.

• 20,000+ native trees already planted

• Endangered species like Ceiba roja, Caracolí, and Guásimo are returning

• Water sources are regenerating and microclimates are shifting

• Fauna corridors are expanding across neighboring farms

This is what real ecological healing looks like: slow, quiet, and powerful.

Cultural and Educational Mission

Loros is more than a reserve — it is a school of coexistence.

We host:

• School programs from Cartagena and surrounding towns

• Volunteers and researchers

• Guided visits in both English and Spanish

• Workshops on forest ecology, rewilding, animal ethics and agroecology

The sanctuary also rescues cultural memory: ancestral knowledge, foodways, and relationships with the land are part of the experience.

Visitor Information

• Location: Villanueva, Bolívar (1 hour from Cartagena)

• Visits: By reservation only

• Duration: Half-day or full-day guided experience

• Languages: English and Spanish

• Email: info@loros.org

Who Should Visit?

• Nature lovers seeking meaningful connection

• Families and children learning through experience

• Travelers interested in sustainability and science

• Birdwatchers and wildlife photographers

• People who want to contribute to something real

Want to See What It’s Really Like?

If you’re curious to see the sanctuary before visiting, we invite you to explore:

• Our videos on YouTube  @loros-wildlife-sanctuary– real stories of rescued animals, rewilding, forest regeneration and visitor experiences.

• Reviews on TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and GetYourGuide – read what other travelers are saying about their time with us.

• Follow us on Instagram @fundacionloros– for daily glimpses into the life of the forest, animal releases, reforestation work, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Your journey can begin before you arrive — and continue long after you leave.
Loros is not just a place you visit. It’s a mission you become part of.

Final Thought

Loros Wildlife Sanctuary is not a tourist attraction — it’s an act of restoration in motion. Every tree, every animal, and every person involved is part of a bigger story: one of healing, resilience, and reconnection with the Earth.

You are invited to witness it, support it, and become part of it.

Loros Wildlife Sanctuary — A place for the wild to return, and for people to remember.