Last updated on .
The UTP Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico UTP) is located in Pereira. It’s operated by the Technological University of Pereira (Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira) and is situated on their campus.
Introduction to the UTP Botanical Garden
The UTP Botanical Garden isn’t your typical botanical garden with organized sections of flowers and trees, but instead is a wild forest that the university uses to study plant life. It does, however, offer a nice introduction to biodiversity in Colombia and a chance to see several of the countries native plants, insects, animals, and birds. 168 species of birds alone have been spotted in the small space of the garden.
Visiting the UTP Botanical Garden
The garden is open daily for tours given by English-speaking university students. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm and on weekends from 9am to 2pm. Admission for foreigners is a flat fee of COP$50,000 for 1 to 2 people and COP$22,000 per person for groups of 3 or more (as of June 2024). You can buy your tickets at the main office building just inside the entrance. Check the official website for more info.
The tour takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. It’s about 2 kilometers of walking. The entire loop path is mostly on concrete, which can get slippery at times. Good walking shoes are recommended. Also be aware that there are lots of steps.
Trail Through the Garden
Along the first section of the path, the guide points out several important plants and explains their unique properties. He showed us a type of palm with spikes on the trunk, a rubber tree, and the Colombian version of poison ivy.
The most beautiful tree we saw is the guayacán, which only flowers in May. We weren’t able to see one in full bloom but we could spot the yellow flower buds.
Next, we learned about the historical significance of the garden. After it was formed, the university conducted archaeological digs to see if they could find evidence of the Quimbaya people that once inhabited the area. Shards of pottery, arrowheads, and other items were found in a small hole that’s still visible today.
Before finishing the first section, the guide talked about the different animals living in the garden. There are 15 species of migratory birds along with over 150 that are native to Colombia. Poisonous frogs, several insects, and snakes also call the garden home, and it’s possible to spot mammals such as lemurs and possum. Interpretive panels point out some of the species.
Wetland
The tour continues down several steps to a platform overlooking a wetland. From there, it’s possible to spot turtles, small fish, and the occasional snake.
Guadua Forest
The third and final section of the path crosses a small bridge leading up to a guadua forest. Guadua is a type of bamboo native to Colombia and stronger than typical bamboo. We learned how and when it’s cut for use in construction. The guide also talked about myths and traditions about guadua from locals, and some of the important properties. Further along, we saw some critters crawling along the ground.
Other Areas of the Garden
After we finished the tour, we visited a reception area near the university’s bridge made of guadua and a hummingbird observation area.
Our Thoughts on the UTP Botanical Garden
Overall, it was an enjoyable walk through the UTP Botanical Garden with a knowledgable guide. We learned a lot of things we hadn’t known from our experiences at other botanical gardens in Colombia, such as Jardín Botánico de Quindío and Recinto del Pensamiento. Again, it’s not your typical botanical garden, but it’s worth visiting when in Pereira to see a small section of a true Andean forest.
