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Fundación Loros
Group of visitors walking the Cerro El Peligro trail, guided by sanctuary staff, deep in the tropical dry forest

The best nature experience near Cartagena de Indias

The Wildlife
Freedom Journey

Every year, thousands of parrots are seized from the illegal trade in Colombia and need a second chance. Together we can give it — when you come, you join the real work of returning them to the wild.

Verified credentials

Why we exist

A foundation that shouldn't have to exist.

If no one tore parrots from their nests to sell them, we'd have no reason to exist. But every year, thousands are seized in Colombia and need a second chance. We exist to give it to them — it began with a single parrot; today it's a reserve of over 500 hectares.

You take an active role. Everyone who comes helps give rescued parrots and macaws back their freedom — carrying food and water, monitoring released birds, planting trees, guarding the nests.

Net-positive, by design. Every visit leaves the reserve — and the tropical dry forest, Colombia's most threatened ecosystem — better than it was. Our aim: to become the world's benchmark for regenerative tourism.

Always our own team. Bilingual guides, never subcontracted, never more than five guests per guide — so the quality stays consistent, every time.

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.

  • 100+

    Birds released and site-faithful

    Parrots and macaws that flew back to the forest

  • 150+

    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

  • 1.000+

    Parrots seized per year in Colombia

    The reason the Foundation exists

What you'll actually do

Our team's day, in 11 stations

The Wildlife Freedom Journey is the real working route our team walks every day — rehabilitators, caretakers and rangers. Its 11 stations are the hands-on work that returns rescued parrots and macaws to the wild. When you come, you don't watch it: you join in.

  1. Breakfast at the lake

  2. Fruit & seed kitchen

  3. Feeding the birds

  4. Flight exercises

  5. Tití monkey trail

  6. Nursery · tree selection

  7. Patrol the reserve

  8. Release point

  9. Agroecological station

  10. Tree planting

  11. Closing the day

Our commitment

Regenerative tourism

Pioneers in Colombia

Net positive impact — we leave every place better than we found it.

It's real, hands-on work: on every experience you become an active agent who restores ecosystems — returning rescued animals to the wild and bringing back the tropical dry forest, Colombia's most threatened ecosystem.

Tree planting. Every visitor plants a native tree that will shelter and feed the rehabilitated animals — so we leave the forest better than we found it.

It even pairs with citizen science — parrot-sighting contests and eBird checklists that turn your visit into real conservation data.

Voices of Those Who Came

What you take home

Verified reviews on Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide, and Airbnb. We leave them in their original language — the mix is part of the portrait.

Glorious!

We have traveled the world and had numerous inspiring experiences. This is definitely one of our Top ten! Our driver Tony and our guide Corina were superb! When you arrive you are greeted with a delicious breakfast overlooking the property, watching the birds fly around you. The center is rehabilitating the birds to be released back into the wild and they graciously took us through the cages to see their process. Later we drove to the top of the property with a stunning view of the ocean and saw dozens of birds ready to be released and many already flying around. What a spectacle! This is well worth your time.
Harold F.· EE. UU./CanadáViator · 19 may 2026
  • This is one of THE best experiences I've ever had anywhere in the world! It goes far beyond being a mere ATV tour. You escape to the countryside about 90 minutes outside Cartagena — a completely different world from the walled city. You arrive at a nature reserve where they rescue, rehabilitate and “rewild” parrots and macaws (and in our case, we were lucky to see the release of a toucan). You meet the owner, Alejandro, a passionate conservationist, and his wonderful team. I canNOT recommend this experience enough! Book it!

    Olga· Estados Unidos

    GetYourGuide · jul 2025

  • DO IT! 10/10 recommend

    This was a blast! Seeing the macaws and parrots so up close was amazing, we also got to see monkeys close to us and, using binoculars, saw a tucán! Seeing them in their natural habitat is way better than a zoo, and knowing that the macaws we saw in aviaries would be released as soon as they were ready made the experience even better. I love the good they are doing here. I highly recommend adding this tour to your Cartagena trip — honestly my favorite part. Book it!

    Skyler D.· EE. UU./Canadá

    Tripadvisor · 3 may 2026

  • A soul-enriching journey into nature

    This was truly one of the best tours I have ever experienced. From the very beginning, the team demonstrated a highly professional and welcoming attitude. I especially appreciated the opportunity to be so close to nature and to hear the meaningful stories behind the rescued birds; it added depth and purpose to the tour. The most unforgettable part — real food for the soul — was riding a horse through the forest, up the hill, at sunset. I know I will remember it for the rest of my life.

    Ieva M.· Letonia

    Viator · 14 dic 2025

  • Escape

    Easy 1-hour comfortable transport from Cartagena with great information given en route. You visit a rehabilitation reserve and upon arrival are immediately immersed in birds. You take a UTV up and down the hills with great views of the countryside and the Cartagena skyline. Your guide is highly educated and will answer any question. You will be up close and personal with the birds in rehab. Felt like being out with a friend enjoying nature to the fullest. Highly recommend, especially if city life gets overwhelming. A breath of fresh air. Very memorable.

    Cyrus B.· EE. UU./Canadá

    Viator · 23 mar 2026

  • A MUST DO when visiting Cartagena

    This tour is located an hour outside Cartagena. There was a light drizzle and we were given the option to reschedule; we chose to go through with it — no regrets! Rain suits, boots and helmets were provided. The staff and tour guides were excellent throughout and made the tour worth every penny. From fruit cutting to bird feeding, four-wheeling, the views and sunset, to horseback riding and planting trees — definitely worth the experience. The place is a beauty!

    Dedra B.· EE. UU./Canadá

    Viator · 14 sep 2025

  • Soul-healing experience

    What an absolute amazing experience! We love that the foundation is owner-owned and operated. As animal lovers, we were very impressed with how he manages and rehabilitates the animals — you can tell the passion and love he has for what he does. The hands-on experience was rewarding and does something for the soul. It's unexplainable to see the macaws and parrots flying free overhead, the tití monkeys enjoying their jungle, and the horses and dogs living side by side.

    Katherine L.· EE. UU./Canadá

    29 dic 2025

  • Truly a sanctuary for rescued wildlife

    The work the sanctuary does to rescue and rehabilitate birds and monkeys is amazing. Their goal is to release them back to their natural habitat, if possible. We heard the horror stories of some of these beautiful animals; to see them interacting in this safe environment was heartwarming. I highly recommend this tour when you visit Cartagena.

    Deborah A.· EE. UU./Canadá

    22 oct 2025

  • A piece of paradise away from city life

    This experience was the highlight of our trip to Cartagena. The work the foundation does is incredible, with a true focus on conservation and wildlife. From preparing food, feeding the birds, seeing monkeys and tortoises, to horse riding and planting a chosen tree — we wouldn't recommend this more highly. A huge thanks to Roshan, Andrés and Paulina; the passion they have for their jobs is exemplary and their knowledge out of this world.

    Christina B.· Reino Unido

    21 sep 2025

  • We prepared food for the birds and learned about how the foundation was started and the mission that guides their work. We visited the soft-release locations for the macaws. A special moment was planting a tree as our offering to the foundation. This is a journey perfect for nature lovers and for those who enjoy adventures off the beaten path.

    Alex R.

    14 mar 2026

  • Must-do in Cartagena, Colombia!

    Just an hour outside of Cartagena, we discovered the magic of the Loros Foundation. Horseback riding carried us to the highest point of the 1,200-acre reserve, stopping by the macaw release site. One of the most meaningful moments? Planting my very own white cherry tree on the hillside. The Loros Foundation is doing incredible work in bird rehabilitation and reforestation, and I'm so grateful to have experienced it firsthand.

    Candice C.· EE. UU./Canadá

    30 ago 2025

  • Awesome

    The guides were all very knowledgeable and passionate about their conservation efforts. We learned so much about the foundation and the importance of preserving nature and saving the animals affected by deforestation and other issues. This is great for families and a great opportunity to learn.

    Catherine J.· EE. UU./Canadá

    28 ago 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Is this a good day trip from Cartagena?+

Yes — it's one of the most unique nature day trips near Cartagena. The reserve sits about 35 km from the city, and round-trip pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Cartagena is included. Depending on the experience you choose, it runs as a half-day or full-day trip. Many travelers tell us it was the highlight of their trip to Colombia.

What wildlife will I see?+

You'll meet parrots and macaws in rehabilitation, monkeys, and the wild birds of the tropical dry forest — it's excellent for birdwatching. Sightings vary by season and by the experience you choose, because these are free, wild animals on a living reserve, not a zoo.

What makes it different from other things to do in Cartagena?+

It's regenerative, not a show. Instead of watching from the sidelines, you take an active role in real conservation work — and you leave the reserve better than you found it. Your visit directly funds the rehabilitation and release of trafficked wildlife.

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