Help bring macaws back to the skies of the Colombian Caribbean
Hands-on conservation across 500 hectares of tropical dry forest · about 1 hour from Cartagena de Indias
At a glance
Not tourism — real conservation
8
Parrot & macaw species
Parrots, macaws and parakeets
500 ha
Tropical dry forest
One of the most endangered ecosystems
~1 h
From Cartagena de Indias
Beaches and walled city on weekends
2022
CARDIQUE registration
Resolution No. 1972 · National Navy
The program
You don't come to watch. You come to work.
The Yellow-crowned amazon (Amazona ochrocephala) — our flagship species and one of the most affected by wildlife trafficking — is the reason this Foundation exists. Here you don't watch conservation happen: you do it with your own hands. You rehabilitate, feed and prepare rescued parrots and macaws, and watch them return to the tropical dry forest, one of Colombia's most endangered ecosystems.
Who is this program for?
Whatever your age or whoever you travel with, there is a place for you here.
You're traveling solo and want something life-changing
Meet volunteers from all over the world, make friends for life, and come home different.
You have life experience and want to make a difference
No upper age limit. Volunteers in their 50s, 60s and beyond work alongside us every season.
You want to share it as a family or couple
A safe, supervised, shared experience none of you will forget.
You're a vet or biology student
Real hands-on wildlife handling, rehabilitation and release, with a certificate of hours.
What you'll do as a volunteer
Care for rescued parrots & macaws
Feeding, enrichment and rehabilitation, day by day.
Restore the dry forest
Plant and maintain the nesting habitat.
Support wildlife monitoring
Camera traps and recording the reserve's 200+ bird species.
Follow nesting season
Track breeding pairs in the forest.
Work with the community
Alongside local farmer-guardians, against wildlife trafficking.
Witness supervised releases
Under CARDIQUE authorization and with the National Navy.
The species you'll protect
You'll work with the program's 8 parrot & macaw species. And beyond them: primates, mammals, reptiles and 200+ bird species share the reserve with you.
Yellow-crowned amazon · Amazona ochrocephala
Lora frentiamarilla
Scarlet macaw · Ara macao
Guacamaya bandera
Blue-and-yellow macaw · Ara ararauna
Guacamaya azul y amarilla
Chestnut-fronted macaw · Ara severa
Guacamayo cariseco
Orange-winged amazon · Amazona amazonica
Lora frentiazul
Blue-headed parrot · Pionus menstruus
Loro cabeciazul
Orange-chinned parakeet · Brotogeris jugularis
Periquito alibronceado
Brown-throated parakeet · Eupsittula pertinax
Cotorra carasucia
Help protect and monitor 500 hectares of one of Colombia's most endangered ecosystems
Very little tropical dry forest remains in Colombia, and what survives is fragmented into isolated patches. Our reserve in Villanueva, Bolívar protects and restores 500 hectares of it: the home the parrots and macaws we rehabilitate return to. You'll be part of that work.
The reserve
The place you're coming to
500 hectares of tropical dry forest in Villanueva, Bolívar. This is what greets you when you arrive.
Camera-trap monitoring
And the wildlife you help monitor
Our camera traps record the forest's life when no one is around. These are some of the species captured —wildcats, primates and other mammals— and part of the monitoring you'll take part in.
Ocelot · Leopardus pardalis
Ocelote
Jaguarundi · Herpailurus yagouaroundi
Jaguarundi
Tayra · Eira barbara
Tayra
Greater grison · Galictis vittata
Grisón
Crab-eating fox · Cerdocyon thous
Zorro perro
Crab-eating raccoon · Procyon cancrivorus
Mapache cangrejero
White-faced capuchin · Cebus capucinus
Mono capuchino cariblanco
Northern tamandua · Tamandua mexicana
Tamandúa mexicana
Collared peccary · Pecari tajacu
Saíno
Red brocket deer · Mazama americana
Venado
Black agouti · Dasyprocta fuliginosa
Ñeque
Porcupine · Coendou longicaudatus
Puerco espín
Your free timeCartagena awaits
Volunteer on weekdays. Caribbean beaches and a historic city on weekends.
Unlike most reserves, you're about an hour from Cartagena de Indias. Work with the birds Monday to Friday, then spend your weekends on Caribbean beaches, in the UNESCO-listed walled city, and immersed in coastal culture. We'll help you plan your trips.
~1 hour from the reserve
Your weekend, on the Caribbean
Caribbean beaches, the UNESCO-listed walled city, and coastal culture. You work with the birds on weekdays; weekends are yours.
Where you stay and what you eat
Three meals a day with fresh local flavors: not the same plate every day. Vegetarian options and special diets available, just let us know. Accommodation is clean, comfortable, and made for resting after a day with the animals.
Choose how to stay: a shared room for the group atmosphere, or a private room for your own space and rest.
One fee, all included. No surprises.
Both plans include accommodation, three meals a day, transfer from Cartagena, biosecurity induction, a welcome kit, and a certificate of conservation hours.
| Flock · shared | Guardian · private | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$385 / week | US$525 / week |
| Best for | Social travelers | Privacy and rest |
| Three meals a day | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transfer from Cartagena | ✓ | ✓ |
| Induction + kit + certificate | ✓ | ✓ |
| WiFi in common areas | ✓ | ✓ |
| Workspace | — | ✓ |
Length-of-stay discounts: 4+ weeks −10% · 8+ weeks −15% · 12+ weeks −20%.
Launch pricing (indicative, subject to confirmation). 100% of your contribution supports animal care and the protection of all 500 hectares.
Your team
Here you're not a number
We're with you, name and face. Message us and we usually reply within 24 hours, before and during your stay.
Field coordinator
Alberto Martínez
He welcomes you and works beside you every day at the sanctuary; the person who knows the daily care of every animal best.
Veterinarian
Ana María Ariza
She leads clinical care for the parrots. With her you learn hands-on wildlife veterinary work.
Director · program coordinator
Alejandro Rigatuso
He coordinates the volunteer program and usually replies himself. Write to him with your dates and questions.
Meet Fundación Loros
Why we exist and where you're going, in a couple of minutes.
Why volunteer with us
Real, legal conservation
Every release is supervised by CARDIQUE and accompanied by the National Navy. Registered in the Wildlife Friends Network (Resolution No. 1972 of 2022).
~1 hour from Cartagena
The only parrot volunteer program with the Caribbean on its doorstep.
500 hectares, not a cage
You work inside a living, regenerating territory.
A true flagship species
Work with the bird that symbolizes Colombia's fight against wildlife trafficking.
An international community
No Spanish required — but it's your chance to practice it.
How it works
From booking to your first day
1 / 4
Reserve your spot
Choose your dates and plan online and tell us about you.
Our guarantees
No experience needed
We train you when you arrive.
From 1 week · 18+ · year-round
No upper age limit.
Full transparency
You know what your fee covers before you decide.
Voices of those who came
What they take home
Verified reviews on Tripadvisor and Airbnb. We leave them in their original language — the mix is part of the portrait.
Coming from West Africa, I was amazed by the diversity of species here. The foundation's work is truly inspiring.
berekum-ghana· Ghana
Tripadvisor · 2025
Plantar árboles: saber que estaba devolviendo algo al medio ambiente hizo que el día fuera aún más significativo. Nuestros anfitriones fueron amables, conocedores y apasionados.
Geoffrey· San Diego, EE. UU.
Airbnb · Agosto 2025
It felt like a real privilege to witness and support their mission in person.
Wander
Tripadvisor · Mayo 2025
Un equipo entregado, con mucho conocimiento, involucrado y con un proyecto que además de interesante es altruista en cuanto a la recuperación de las especies en peligro de extinción.
Ignacio· Madrid, España
Airbnb · Julio 2025
Thank you Fundación Loros for the tremendous work you are doing, the incredible team you have, and the alliance you've built with local farmers.
Michael
Tripadvisor · Noviembre 2024
Save the animals, save your soul — this place does both. The macaws, monkeys and horses all stole my heart.
sheylac
Tripadvisor · 2025
These testimonials are real customer reviews. They can be verified on:
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?+
How do I get there from Cartagena airport?+
Do I need travel insurance?+
Do I need to speak Spanish?+
Is there an upper age limit?+
Can families or minors join?+
What do I do on weekends?+
What's the food like?+
Can I work directly with the birds?+
Do I need a visa for Colombia?+
What's the cancellation policy?+
International volunteering
Reserve your spot
Tell us your dates and interests and we will reach out to arrange your stay. No charge today.
Spots are limited
We accept a small number of volunteers each month so we can care for every bird. Reserve your spot or message us.
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