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The National Aviary (Aviario Nacional) is Colombia’s premier bird sanctuary. It features over 1,800 birds from 138 different species and is the largest aviary in the Americas. It’s the best place to see some of Colombia’s rarest birds in one place.
Getting There
The aviary is located just under an hour from Cartagena on Isla Barú (near the entrance to Playa Blanca) and makes for a great half day trip (or a full day with the afternoon on the beach). If you don’t have a car, you can try your luck with a taxi or hire more reliable transportation from Ecoturismo Los Pinos. They offer door to door service from your hotel plus two hours of waiting for various prices. We split the cost among three people.
Admission
Admission to the aviary is COP$70,000 for foreign adults and COP$50,000 for foreign children aged two to 12 (as of February 2024). It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm. Bug spray is for sale if you don’t bring your own (recommended).
Visiting
The National Aviary has a pleasant trail that runs through several different habitats represented in Colombia. Two hours is recommended to enjoy it to the fullest. There’s also a bird show near the end of the trail. Two cafés are along the trail and there’s a gift shop at the end.
Among the birds we were able to see are harpy eagles, Andean condors, several species of parrots, toucans, flamingos, and more. Species are listed in both Spanish and English with a map of where they can be found in Colombia and what they eat.
We really enjoyed the park and will be back to see more. The only negative was the terrible humidity, so dress comfortably. Don’t forget to bring a good camera!
