Cali and the Western Cordillera: why there are so many birds
Cali sits between the Cauca River valley and the Western Cordillera, where Farallones de Cali National Natural Park protects forests that climb all the way to the páramo. That elevation gradient creates distinct bands of climate and vegetation, each with its own group of birds. Colombia is the country with the most bird species in the world, with more than 1,900 recorded.
Km 18: cloud forest and hummingbirds
Climbing the road to the sea, toward Buenaventura, Km 18 sits high in the cordillera, with almost daily mist, orchids, bromeliads, and humid forest. It is one of the most reliable places to see the multicolored tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima), a species endemic to Colombia with yellow, turquoise-green, and blue plumage.
The area has farms and private reserves with feeders that make it easy to see and photograph hummingbirds. The best known is Finca Alejandría, “the Hummingbird Paradise”, at Km 18 of the road to Buenaventura, about 40 minutes from Cali according to its own website. Check hours and fees directly before you go.
Dapa: mountain forests in Yumbo
Dapa is a corregimiento of Yumbo, in the mountains northwest of Cali. It combines mountain scenery, private reserves, and rural lodging, and its forests are good for tanagers, hummingbirds, and toucanets. It’s a good option for spending the night and heading out to bird at dawn.
Gallery: birds and landscapes of Km 18 and Dapa
When to go and what to bring
- Time of day: from dawn to mid-morning, when birds are most active.
- Weather: Km 18 is cool and it rains often; bring a jacket and rain gear.
- Gear: binoculars, neutral-colored clothing, and boots or shoes with good grip.
- Guide: a local guide registered in the National Tourism Registry (RNT) knows the feeders and the calls, and will greatly increase your sightings.
- Apps: eBird and Merlin work well in Colombia.
To add waterbirds to your trip, continue to Laguna de Sonso, in Buga.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best time to watch birds at Km 18?
From dawn to mid-morning, when birds are feeding and singing the most.
Where is Finca Alejandría?
At Km 18 of the Cali–Buenaventura road, about 40 minutes from Cali. Confirm hours, fees, and the condition of the access road directly with the farm before you go.
What is the multicolored tanager?
It is Chlorochrysa nitidissima, a tanager endemic to Colombia with yellow, turquoise-green, and blue plumage. Km 18 and its surroundings are among the best places to see it.
Since when has Cali been a “City of Birds”?
Since 2024, when it received that recognition from American Bird Conservancy and Environment for the Americas, according to the Cali mayor’s office.
