Cueva de los Guácharos

Cueva de los Guácharos National Park was established on November 9, 1960, making it Colombia's oldest protected area. Spanning approximately 9,000 hectares across the Huila and Caquetá departments, it is located on the slopes of the Cordillera Oriental. The park is named after the Guácharo or oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), a unique nocturnal bird that nests in the region's vast limestone cave systems. These birds play a crucial ecological role by dispersing seeds from the fatty fruits they consume throughout the forest. Beyond its namesake avian residents, the park provides a habitat for endangered species such as the spectacled bear and the mountain tapir. Geologically, the area is characterized by its karst landscape, featuring deep canyons and intricate cave formations carved by the Suaza River. Protecting the local watershed is vital for maintaining the ecological corridors between the Amazon basin and the Andean highlands. Today, the park serves as a key site for biological research and eco-tourism, allowing visitors to explore the intersection of subterranean and cloud forest environments.

Nearby cities

Neiva

Capital of the Huila province on the Magdalena River.

Pitalito

Southern city in Huila, the country's second largest coffee producer.

Caño Cristales

Known as the "River of Five Colors," offering a breathtaking display of vibrant aquatic plants.

Florencia

Trading center in the transition to the Amazon.

Palmira

Called the agricultural capital of Colombia due to its farming.

Mocoa

Small capital in the Amazon foothills.

Buga

One of the most important religious pilgrimage destinations in Colombia.

Jamundí

City located south of Cali with strong growth.

Tuluá

Centrally located city in Valle del Cauca, known as the heart of the valley.

Yumbo

The industrial heart of the Valle del Cauca department.

History & landmarks

San Agustín

San Agustín is home to South America's largest collection of religious monuments and pre-Columbian megalithic sculptures.

Solidarity Monument

The Solidarity Monument is an iconic sculpture in Cali representing collective cooperation and the drive for progress.

Nature

Lake Calima

An artificial reservoir, famous for its strong winds and water sports activities.

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Aguarico River

The Aguarico is a wild blackwater river that feeds the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and empties into the Napo River.

More places

San Agustín Archaeological Park

The largest collection of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America.

Nevado del Huila

The highest volcano in Colombia, located in the Central Cordillera of the Andes.

Tatacoa Desert

The Tatacoa Desert is actually a tropical dry forest, known for its reddish and gray-colored, heavily eroded canyons.

Tierradentro Archaeological Park

Known for its pre-Columbian underground burial chambers with intricate murals.

Puracé Volcano

An active volcano near the city of Popayán, famous for its hot thermal springs.

Colombian Massif

The Colombian Massif is the country's main water divide, where the Andes split into their three main ranges.

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Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

The Cuyabeno Reserve is famous for its network of flooded forests, lakes, and an incredible diversity of aquatic life.

Sotará Volcano

The Sotará is a prominent volcano in the Central Cordillera south of Popayán, often shrouded in clouds.