Photography tours in the Caribbean Region
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Tayrona Park
The Caribbean region, north of Colombia, is blessed by nature and is the home of most ecosystems of the tropical zone of the planet. This produces high diversity of fauna and flora, climates and cultures. Photo expeditions commonly go to Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Tayrona Park, thanks to their scenic views and abundant wildlife. In addition, these lands are inhabited by indigenous communities that have a sacred relationship with nature.
La Guajira
La Guajira is another marvelous place to be at. Its vast golden desert, along with its stunning white-sand beaches, rock formations and green highlands standing out from the dry plains are a paradise on earth. Two of its ecotourism highlights are Serrania de Macuira National Natural Park and Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary.
Photography tours in the Amazon Region
Sunset at the Amazon River The Amazon jungle has become a famous ecotourism and ethno-tourism destination and here you can practice landscape, portrait and wildlife photography.Amazon
The Amazon department is to the south end of Colombia, below the equator and it is a meeting point between 3 countries (Colombia, Peru and Brazil). It belongs to the basin of the Amazon river, that with 6,800 km is the longest in the world. Apart from being in the middle of the world, this is a fertile land covered by a thick jungle and mighty rivers, wildlife and ancient indigenous communities… A perfect landscape to frame.
Guainía
In Guainia department, about 3 hours by speedboat from Inirida, Cerros de Mavecure dazzle with their majesty. Part of the Guiana Shield (some of the oldest rocks on the planet), these 3 huge granite rock hills are known as tepuyes, which means ‘home of the gods’.
Guaviare
Guaviare, the department located in the transition zone between the Orinoco and the Amazon regions, offers unparallel sites for admiring and photographing nature. Some biodiversity reserves such as Serrania de Chiribiquete NNP and Nukak NNR are closed to the public, but you can visit the 12 meter rocky outcrop of Puerta de Orión, which boasts mazes, caves and rock formations, from where you can sight the vast savanna with natural bridges and tunnels. Every December, from 7 to 9 pm, you can see the Orion’s Belt from there, hence its name.
Photography tours in the Pacific Region
The Biogeographic Chocó
In the west side of Colombia, and bordered with Panama, this remote area is one of the major biodiversity hotspots in the world. We are specifically talking about the Biogeographic Chocó, an area that represents 2% of the earth surface and yet it hosts 10% of the world’s biodiversity!
Chocó Department
Chocó is the only department in the country with access to both Pacific and Caribbean oceans. Here you will be awe-struck by the pristine natural landscapes suitable for nature and wildlife photography. Get lost in the Darien jungle that merges with the sea, visit the Utría National Park and the capital Quibdó, on the banks of the Atrato river and enjoy a dream sunset. Your journey will be accompanied by African rhythms played in drums by the vigorous locals. Other towns to travel to in search of green landscapes and white-sand beaches are Capurganá and Sapzurro. However, the event most tourists are eager to photograph is the arrival of humpback whales, which travel from Antarctica to the Pacific coast of Colombia each year from July to October to mate and give birth to their calves. A completely worthy sight. You can experience this in Nuquí and Bahía Solano. This region is also great for bird and turtle watching. Wherever you go, you will face crystalline rivers, nice springs and unspoiled forests and beaches that will get you the best pictures.Photography tours in the Andean Region
Photography tours in the Coffee Region
Eje Cafetero (or Coffee Region) is to the central west of Colombia and belongs to the Andean region, on the Western and Central Andes Ranges. Given its name, it is easy to infer that this region is renowned by its production of high-quality coffee. As one of the most visited destinations in Colombia, there are different activities for tourists in the three departments that conform the region: Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío. For amateurs to professional photographers, the rural scenery is wonderful.
Coffee Farms
Visit a coffee farm is a must. Here you will be shown the coffee production process from its cultivation to its harvest and how it is toasted. Local farmer families welcome you with open arms and let you contemplate the extensive green mountainous landscapes.Los Nevados National Park
You can shoot the bright red coffee beans standing out in the plantations. However, it is not all about coffee, there are beautiful natural destinations such as Los Nevados National Natural Park. Here you will discover páramo wildlife and get the perfect shot of imposing mountains whose peaks appear to be covered by clouds.Photography tours in Huila
El Encanto Nature Reserve – Birding PhotographyColombian Massif
To the southwest of Colombia, in the Colombian Massif, is this department that offers a great nature tourism experience. In the former territory of native communities such as Pijaos, Andaquíes, Yalcones, Paeces and Tamas, there are tons of photogenic landscapes. Along with the Magdalena river -the longest in the country-, this land is blessed with many rivers and streams that are source of economic development for the inhabitants. Nevado del Huila, the highest peak of the central mountain range, is also there. You can spot it’s -still- snow-capped peak at over 5,000 meters above sea level.Tatacoa Desert
One of the main tourist attractions in Huila, also for photography, is the Tatacoa Desert. To the north of the capital Neiva, many tourists get to this tropical dry forest for hiking, camping and doing astronomical observation, therefore, astrophotography and night photography are also common. The gateway of Tatacoa is the Paleontological museum Villavieja and on the way, you will find three sectors. The soil erosion makes Cuzco a place full of reddish natural sculptures with vestiges of ancient fossil deposits.
San Agustín
Another attraction for photographers is going on a tour for the Eco-Archaeological Route in the southern part of Huila. Around this area, you will find many water streams, hills, canyons and foggy forests. But the must-visit sites are the archaeological parks located in the townships of San Agustin and Isnos on volcanic cones. The San Agustin Archaeological Park is the most famous one and leaves you amazed by the monumental stone carvings, tombs, petroglyphs and monoliths left by the native cultures. You will find waterfalls and natural reserves nearby. Practice your archaeological and landscape photography skills in Huila!Photography tours in Bogota and Cundinamarca
Bogotá
Bogotá is the country’s capital, founded in 1538, is a cosmopolitan city that combines tradition and modernity. With high buildings hiding big colonial houses and lots of urban infrastructure, it is surprising that you are able to see nature all around the city. It is situated on the Eastern Andes, in a region known as the Savannah of Bogotá, a high plateau at 2,630 MASL. Because of this, you can find Andean forests with crystal-clear streams minutes away from downtown, a total privilege for nature lovers.
Eastern Hills of Bogotá
The Eastern Hills (Cerros Orientales) are a good place to shoot wildlife. Among the animals that can be observed here are bats, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, opossums, páramo mice, lizards, iguanas, frogs, hummingbirds, owls, the great thrush, the brown-bellied swallow and the eared dove. The vegetation is mainly frailejones (Espeletia), the encenillo tree (Weinmannia tomentosa) and different native shrubs.Wetlands of Bogotá
You can also visit several wetlands that house big amounts of bird species. This is what remains after the time when half of the city’s territory was covered with wetlands and lagoons. Wetlands such as La Florida, Santa María del Lago and Córdoba can be nice settings for a nature photo tour, specifically bird photo tours.
Other destinations near to Bogotá
Nearby Bogota, there are lakes, cloud forests and moorlands, including the Páramo of Sumapaz , the largest páramo in the world. The flora here is similar to that of the Eastern Hills, but you can spot other animals such as the endangered spectacled bear, little red brocket deer, tapirs, coatis, the golden eagle, torrent and Páramo ducks. There is the possibility to visit towns on the outskirts of Bogota that offer great landscapes to photograph: Zipaquirá with its Salt Cathedral, the Lake Guatavita, the cloud forest of Chicaque, among others.Photography tours in Boyacá and Santander
North of the capital, Bogotá, departments of Boyacá and Santander boast colonial cities and marvelous sights.Boyacá
In Boyaca, capture the aquamarine pools surrounded by desert-like areas and a pine forest in Pozos Azules, visit El Cocuy National Natural Park to photograph the scenic beauty of the glacier environment or travel to the Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary to take shots of the sacred Lake Iguaque, the cradle of humanity according to Muisca mythology, where you will find variety of fauna and flora.Santander
In Santander, one of the largest canyons in the world, the Chicamocha Canyon constantly receives many visitors thrilled to witness the breathtaking landscape of this place. The Chicamocha National Park is focused on ecotourism and offers extreme sports as well as ostrich and goat parks where you can take nice shots of these animals with an incredible background.Photography tours in Antioquia
Guatapé, AntioquiaMedellín and surrounds
Antioquia, a department in central northwestern Colombia, is a renowned tourism destination. With huge mountains, valleys and access to the Caribbean Sea, the offer of photogenic landscapes is wide. Starting from the “city of eternal spring”, you will find the perfect spot for bird watching in Arví Ecotourism Park. It is a public park to which you can easily get by Metro and start an amazing photo expedition.
Rio Claro Canyon Reserve
Around Medellin, there are other places with natural beauty such as Rio Claro Canyon natural reserve, which protects tropical forests in the region. This reserve is one of Colombia’s 58 endemism centers and keeps plant species such as Adelobotrys antioquensis and Caryodaphnopsis cogolloi and 100 mammal species, 350 birds, 45 amphibians, 50 fish and many kinds of bugs and invertebrates.Guatapé
Thanks to this, you will be eager to take pictures all over the place. Guatapé is a little known with an incredible view from the Peñol Rock, the main attraction. To get to the top, you must climb over 700 steps, but the view is worth it. You can shoot the landscape made up of blue lake with small green islands.Urabá
For bird and wildlife photography, Urabá is the right place. Being an unspoiled territory due to past armed conflict, it hosts huge biodiversity and you can spot endemic birds such as the Sooty-capped Puffbird or the Northern Screamer, as well as marine turtles, poisonous frogs and jaguars.Photography tours in the Orinoquia Region
Giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Part of the ecoregion of tropical grassland plains, known as Los Llanos, belongs to Colombia. Los Llanos belong to the Colombian natural region of Orinoquia, located in the Orinoco river basin and characterized by vast savannas, marshlands, llaneros (Colombian cowboys), joropo music and great sunsets. It is an important biodiversity reservoir worldwide where visitors can live the cowboy experience, so you should come well-equipped to capture the most incredible scenes of your visit. If you want to do wildlife photography, you just get into a jeep and navigate the endless savannas in search of species such as anaconda, giant river otter, puma, crestless curassow, jabiru, jaguar, Orinoco crocodile, Orinoco goose, giant anteater, capybara and 200 bird species.
Casanare
In Casanare, there are several possibilities for sustainable nature photography tours. For example, the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Altagracia is suitable for a photographic safari, since you can tour the flooded savannas and take amazing photographs of sunrise and sunset landscapes. On the trips to nearby places such as the Buenaventura estuary, the Lagunazo lagoon natural reserve, Yatea canyon and other Civil Society Natural Reserves, you will easily capture pictures of deer herds, otters, howler monkeys and giant anteaters. Also, it hosts about 142 bird species, including 31% of the world population of Orinoco goose and 1% of the hemispherical population of Large-billed tern and Buff-breasted sandpiper. Check our Wildlife Aerosafari in Los Llanos here! Aerosafari in the Colombian Plains El Encanto de Guanapalo, on the other hand, is a reserve 110 km from Yopal with almost 9,000 hectares, that comprises 3 hatos (cattle ranches): Hato Mata de Palma, Hato Altamira and Hato Montana. Whether you choose touring the area on horseback or by tractor or 4×4, this 5-hour experience lets you photograph mammals such as: capybaras, deer, spectacled caimans, wild horses, giant anteaters, southern tamanduas, scarlet ibis, iguanas, ducks, howler monkeys, owls, armadillos, red-footed tortoise, foxes, wild pigs, pumas, hundreds of bird species and, of course, cattle. This is a great llanero experience that you can book with us here! Other private reserves worth visiting on the Eastern plains are Hato La Aurora, located in the town Hato Corozal with an eco-lodge called Juan Solito along the riverside of the Ariporo river.Meta
Lagos de Menegua shelters more than 800 animal species, including mammals, fish, reptiles and birds in 1,000 hectares of plains, lakes and hills.
- COLPARQUES
- Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo
- Huila Tourist Guide – Department of Huila, Culture and Tourism Departmental Secretariat
- Instituto Distrital de Turismo. (2018). El color de Bogotá. 2600 metros más cerca de las estrellas. iM Editores: Bogotá.
- Secretaría Distrital de Planeación
- Secretaría Distrital de Ambiente
2026 update: El Dorado Santa Marta Sabrewing + Rogitama 24 hummingbird species / Príncipe de Arcabuco + Recinto del Pensamiento + Puracé Orange Alert warning
The 2026 hummingbird photography anchors, sourced to primary reserves. Reserva ProAves El Dorado (Cuchilla de San Lorenzo, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, above Minca) — created 31 March 2006 — is the country’s most productive site for the endemic Santa Marta Sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus) and runs specific high-shutter photography workshops at its feeder stations. Rogitama Biodiversidad in Arcabuco, Boyacá (2,500-2,530 m elevation, 29 ha private reserve in the buffer zone of SFF Iguaque) documents 24 hummingbird species, of which 12 visit balcony feeders reliably — including the endemic Príncipe de Arcabuco / Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei). The reserve has been family-run by the Chavarro family since 1982 as a forest-reforestation project. In the Coffee Region, Ecoparque Recinto del Pensamiento (Manizales, Caldas) offers a hummingbird viewpoint, orchid forest, butterfly garden and an 860-metre cable car, ~15 minutes from Manizales; the standard “Inmersos en la Naturaleza” tour runs ~2.5 hours.
Season timing and the critical 2026 access warning. Humpback whale photography runs July-November on the Colombian Pacific, peak August-October (Nuquí, Bahía Málaga, Gorgona) under the official 15 Jul-17 Oct 2026 regulated season. Caño Cristales’ best photographic window is June-November, peak colour late July-October; the 2026 official season is 29 May-December. Colombia’s Andean dry seasons for landscape photography run December-February and June-August (peak dry January) — the Amazon has the opposite pattern. The 2026 access warning: Volcán Puracé (Cauca) was placed on Orange Alert by SGC on 1 August 2026 — a viral Andean Condor sighting from March 2026 made Puracé a top-of-mind condor photography destination, but current park access is likely restricted while the alert holds. Verify SGC bulletins + PNN Puracé status before booking any Massif photography trip. For a safer 2026 condor viewing bet, Chingaza recorded its first condor sighting in ~25 years in March 2026 (Cuchillas de Churuguaco sector) and the wider Los Nevados / Chiles-Cumbal high páramo also hosts documented condor activity.
Sara Colmenares holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Ecology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a Master’s degree in Botany from the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on palm ecology in the Atlantic Forest, supported by the Rufford Foundation conservation grant.
A published researcher in the Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology and a member of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), Sara has presented her work at international conferences across Latin America and beyond. She was awarded the COLCIENCIAS “Virginia Gutiérrez de Pineda” fellowship, one of Colombia’s most competitive academic distinctions for young researchers.
Sara founded the Sula nature tourism brand in 2018, applying her scientific expertise to develop birding and wildlife experiences across Colombia’s six natural regions. Her fieldwork took her from the cloud forests of the Andes to the Amazon basin, the Pacific coast, and the plains of the Orinoquía. She combined deep ecological knowledge with firsthand experience to create content that is both scientifically accurate and practically useful for nature travelers.
She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the National University of Colombia, where she also taught plant ecophysiology. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English.