Private birdwatching: toucans, parrots and macaws among 200+ species · 35 km from Cartagena
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At a glance
Duration
6 hours
Morning shift 7 AM – 1 PM · Afternoon shift 12 PM – 6 PM
Price
USD $150 per person
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. All inclusive.
Group
Max. 5 people per guide
Small groups, bilingual guide Spanish/English.
Minimum age
7 years
No maximum age. Suitable for those in good physical condition.
What's included
Everything, no extras
Private door-to-door transport + breakfast + lunch + bilingual guide + activity + native tree planting.
Tree planting included
A native tree
Each visitor plants their own tree in the tropical dry forest restoration zone.
Location
Villanueva, Bolívar
35 km from Cartagena · see on Google Maps →
Languages
English and Spanish
Private birdwatching: 200+ species where the sky is filling up again.
The tropical dry forest of Villanueva holds more than 200 bird species — from toucans and trogons to Amazonian parrots and macaws in the process of reintegration. The birdwatching outing is private, led by specialist guides who know every nesting site, every water source, and every peak activity window of the day. For experienced birders or those who want to start right, this is one of the most accessible hotspots on the Colombian Caribbean coast.
The day starts early with a traditional breakfast by the lake and a short talk about the foundation's work. Then we head out along forest trails and edge zones with binoculars, a field guide, and a spotting scope where applicable. You'll see resident and migratory birds, along with the released psittacines that now form stable flocks in the wild. Before the day closes, you plant a native tree and visit the nursery that sustains the habitat restoration work.
Why there are so many birds here: 35 km from Cartagena.
The tropical dry forest is one of Colombia's most threatened ecosystems — but also one of the most biodiverse when it's protected. The Fundación Loros reserve protects 1,300 acres in Villanueva, Bolívar — land where the foundation releases and monitors individuals rescued from illegal trade, and where forest restoration is drawing in more and more wildlife.
The full value of your experience is reinvested in the foundation's mission: rehabilitation of psittacines, forest restoration, post-release monitoring, and partnerships with farmers who sustain the ecological corridor.
"A great opportunity to view three species of macaws and numerous parrot species that are being rehabilitated to be released to the wild." — Peter S., Viator (abril 2025)
Itinerary
How your day looks
Choose the shift that works best for you. Both cover all Stations of El Sendero hacia la Libertad — only the start time changes.
7:00
12:00
60 min
Pickup at your hotel
We pick you up in Cartagena in private door-to-door transport. Approximately 1 hour to Villanueva, Bolívar.
8:00
13:00
30 min
Arrival and breakfast by the lake
Welcome with a traditional breakfast made with ingredients from our farm.
8:30
13:30
30 min
Conservation talk
How the foundation works: rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoration of the tropical dry forest.
9:00
14:00
150 min
Birdwatching outing
Guided trail walk through forest and edge zones, with binoculars, a specialist guide, and a spotting scope where applicable. Up to 200 species possible, including toucans, parrots, and macaws in the wild.
11:30
16:30
30 min
Farm lunch
Lunch with local ingredients from our own production.
12:00
17:00
30 min
Plant your native tree
You plant your own native tree in the tropical dry forest restoration zone. It's your physical legacy — the same tree that will give food and shelter to the released parrots tomorrow.
12:30
17:30
30 min
Farewell and return
We return to Cartagena by private transport. Estimated arrival at 13:00 (morning shift) or 18:00 (afternoon shift).
The Trail to Freedom
Your place on the trail
Each experience covers some of the 11 stations in the real rehabilitation and reintegration process. The ones you'll go through are highlighted.
Breakfast at the Lake
Fruit Kitchen
Feeding the birds
Aversion training
Tití Monkey Trail
Nursery · tree selection
Horseback ride along the trail
Release point
Agroecological point
Commemorative tree planting
Toast and certificate
Trail closure
Today we didn't just release birds. We released a broader, deeper idea of what it means to live freely.
Alejandro Rigatuso · Founder, Fundación Loros
The impact behind your visit
Real numbers from the Foundation's work
Every experience you book funds this measurable, verifiable work. These are the numbers behind Colombia's only specialized center for psittacines.
60+
Birds released and site-faithful
Parrots and macaws that flew back to the forest
200+
Birds in active rehabilitation
Rescued from illegal trade and in the process of reintegration
500 ha
Protected tropical dry forest
One of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean
20.000+
Trees planted in the reserve
Nursery on-site · native species and fruit trees
80
Years of longevity
What a parrot or macaw can experience
1.000+
Parrots seized per year in Colombia
The reason the Foundation exists
Voices from the forest
What they saw, what they heard
Ha sido una experiencia bonita viendo las aves en su fase de recuperación para ponerlas de nuevo en libertad. El entorno muy bonito.
GetYourGuide traveler· España
GetYourGuide · Octubre 2025
A great opportunity to view three species of macaws and numerous parrot species that are being rehabilitated to be released to the wild.
Peter S.
Viator · Abril 2025
A fantastic experience, an absolute MUST from Cartagena.
GetYourGuide traveler· Francia
GetYourGuide · Agosto 2025
Our time with the parrots and macaws at Fundacion Loros was wonderful. We learned how to tell the difference between parrots and macaws, prepared their food, and could nature watch and hear birds and parrots all around.
1crazycatlady
Tripadvisor · Febrero 2026
I cannot recommend this activity enough! The guides were absolutely incredible, we learned so much about how they rehabilitate the birds and all about the different kinds of birds. We got to see monkeys and an array of wild birds and lizards.
Grace· Reino Unido
GetYourGuide · Diciembre 2025
These testimonials are real customer reviews. They can be verified on:
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?+
Round-trip transport from Cartagena, breakfast and lunch made with ingredients from our farm, bilingual guide español/inglés, all program activities, and the conservation contribution.
Do you offer discounts for children or groups?+
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. For groups of more than 6 people or special inquiries, write to us using the inquiry button and we'll send you a personalized quote.
What is the minimum and maximum age?+
The minimum age is 7 years. There is no maximum age — the experience is suitable for people in good general physical condition. If you have questions about the difficulty level for your group, contact us.
What size are the groups?+
We work with small groups: a maximum of 5 people per bilingual guide. This lets us offer a personalized experience, respect the wildlife, and keep a comfortable pace for everyone.
What should I bring?+
Comfortable, breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes with good grip (no sandals), cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, and water (we provide reusable bottles). For birdwatching and hiking, long trousers are better.
Where do you pick us up, and what time?+
We pick you up at your hotel, accommodation, or an agreed meeting point in Cartagena, in private door-to-door transport. Two shifts are available: morning (pickup 7:00 AM, return ~1:00 PM) and afternoon (pickup 12:00 PM, return ~6:00 PM). The exact point and time are confirmed 24 hours in advance via WhatsApp.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance: full refund. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours or no-show: no refund. If we cancel due to weather or safety reasons: full refund or rescheduling.
Is it suitable for people with reduced mobility?+
Some experiences involve hiking on uneven terrain. For guests with reduced mobility, we have adapted options (UTV tours, observation from the farm). Tell us your situation through the inquiry option and we'll put together something that works for you.
What languages is the experience offered in?+
All our guides are bilingual in Spanish and English. If your group needs another language, write to us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.
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