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The UTP Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico UTP) is located in Pereira. It’s operated by Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira and is situated on their campus.

 

Admission

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. The tour takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Main office at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Main office
Main office
Main office

 

About the Garden

It 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.

Trail map
Trail map

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 and it’s about 2km of walking.

Stairs in the first section at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Stairs

 

First Section

Along the first section of the path, the guide will point out several important plants and explain their unique properties. We were able to see a type of palm with spikes on the trunk, a rubber tree, and the Colombian version of poison ivy.

First section
First section
Palm with spikes at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Palm with spikes
Rubber tree
Rubber tree
Poison ivy
Poison ivy

The most beautiful tree we saw was the guayacán, which only flowers in may. We weren’t able to see any in full bloom but we could see the yellow buds of the flowers.

Guayacán at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Guayacán
Guayacán
Guayacán

We were also able to learn about the historical significance of the botanical garden. After the garden 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.

First section
First section
Archaeological dig
Archaeological dig

Before finishing the first section, the guide talked about the different animals that live in the garden. Some are migratory birds, but several are native to Colombia. Poisonous frogs, several insects, and snakes call the garden home, and it’s also possible to spot mammals such as lemurs and possum. A few of the animals are pictured on interpretive panels.

Bird species interpretive panel
Bird species
Animals interpretive sign
Animals
Ant hill
Ant hill

 

Second Section

The second section of the path continued down several steps to a platform overlooking a wetland. From there, it’s possible to spot turtles, small fish, and the occasional snake.

Wetland at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Wetland
Wetland at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Wetland
Turtle
Turtle

 

Third Section

The third and final section of the path was over a small bridge and up to a guadua forest. Guadua is a type of bamboo native to Colombia and stronger than typical bamboo. We learned how and when to cut it for use in construction, myths and traditions about guadua from locals, and some of the important properties.

Bridge at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Bridge
Guadua forest at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Guadua forest

Around the guadua forest, we also got to see some critters crawling around the ground.

Millipede
Millipede
Centipede at UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Centipede

 

Other Areas

Finally, after we finished the tour, we were able to visit a reception area near the university’s bridge made of guadua and a hummingbird observation area.

UTP Botanical Garden in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
UTP Botanical Garden
Hummingbird area at Jardín Botánico UTP in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Hummingbird area
Hummingbird area
Hummingbird area

 

Conclusion

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.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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