See the carriqui violaceo (violaceous jay) hanging out on her backpack?

Colombia has a new national aviary, and lucky for us it’s located right near Cartagena! According to a recent article, the Avario Nacional de Colombia/ Colombian National Aviary is a 6 acre site housing 2000 birds comprising of 140 different species.

The entry fee is COP$35,000 (~US12) and a group of us spent nearly 2 hours recently following the trail in the fabulous park. The route takes you in and out of different habitat areas, some enclosed, others not. Some birds come right up to you, which is not something one experiences often! Others are more shy and are appreciated from a distance. It is amazing seeing such a wide variety, including toucans, herons, Andean condors (the national bird), harpy eagles, and more!

The aviary is located on the peninsula of Barú (where the popular Playa Blanca is also found) and currently there is not an easy way to get to there by public transportation. But tours are offered by groups such as Cartagena Connections.

It’s well worth a visit!

Up close & personal!