Updated on 04/24/2024
Dear reader,
I would also like to recommend our Colombia travel guide, which provides a perfect overview of the tourist attractions in Colombia. Enjoy reading it!
In Colombia, the stars of flowers are orchids, which stand out for their diversity and beauty, being a fundamental part of the country’s biodiversity. In fact, Colombia is ranked as the country with the largest number of orchids in the world, with some 4,350 varieties. In this article you will discover the 10 unmissable places to observe orchids in Colombia.
Where to find orchids in Colombia
Below, I’ll provide you with more information about the places in Colombia that you should visit to observe and learn more about orchids.
José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden, Bogotá
Location: Av José Celestino Mutis #68-95, Bogotá. It’s situated 11 km (6 miles) from the center of Bogotá, specifically from the Plaza de Simón Bolívar.
Price: There’s an entrance fee to the garden. Check the updated rates.
Website: José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden
The José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is a 20-hectare natural reserve that houses numerous species of plants endemic to the area. Its objective is to research and conserve the flora of the high Andean and páramo ecosystems.
In this garden there are several activities around natural observation, for example, you can visit the Tropicarium. This is a greenhouse that houses 5 types of ecosystems, where you can explore plants and a typical environment of different regions. Among its spaces are the super paramo, the tropical rainforest, the tropical dry forest and finally, a collection of useful plants and conservation collections.
Of course, in this and other activities in the garden you will be able to observe and learn about orchids, there are species such as:
- Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis)
- Butterfly Orchids (Phalaenopsis)
- Dancing Lady Orchids (Oncidium)
- Lady’s Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)
Events
- National Orchid Exhibition of Bogotá: 11 Colombian cities come together in 15 stands for the sale and exhibition of 20 types of national and international orchids for experts, enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public. Additionally, items related to agriculture and floriculture are sold.
- Date: September 14th to 15th, 2023. The date varies each year.
- Address: Av José Celestino Mutis #68-95, Bogotá.
Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, Medellín
Location: Cl. 73 #51d-14, Aranjuez, Medellín
Price: There’s an entrance fee to the garden. Check the updated rates.
Website: Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden
The Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín has about 13.2 hectares. Basically, it is a scientific research center, as well as an environmental classroom for education, recreation and citizen culture related to environmental care.
Among the many plant species you can observe, orchids take center stage. Therefore, exhibitions and encounters are held annually to admire their beauty and learn about them.
For example, the last year on August 2nd to 7th, an event called “Blooming” took place, where cultivators exhibited various types of orchids they grow. In this way, enthusiasts and professionals can acquire or observe these wonderful specimens. Similarly, there are talks and sales of floriculture-related items.
Events
- Orchid, Nature, and Traditions Fair at the Medellín Botanical Garden: This is a fair to buy and exhibit various types of orchids. In addition to this, there are talks, workshops, exhibitions, and reading spaces related to Colombian biodiversity.
- Date: October 10th to 15th, 2023. The date varies each year.
- Address: Cl. 73 #51d-14, Aranjuez, Medellín.
The Orchideorama, Cali
Location: Avenida 2 Norte # 48-10 Cali.
Price: There’s an entry fee.
Website: Orchideorama
The Orchideorama is like stepping into a living museum of orchids, covering a whopping 7,400 m2 area filled with over 200 species of orchids and other native vegetation. Among them, the Cattleya family shines, alongside common orchids, orange orchids, the Dracula orchid, birdhead orchids, and many more.
It’s a hot spot for eco-tourism activities like hiking, wildlife observation, and flora exploration. But that’s not all – they also host social gatherings, conferences, exhibitions, and various scientific, ecological, cultural, and recreational activities.
What’s really cool is that the Orchideorama is open every day of the week, all year round, and it’s super easy to get to from anywhere in the city.
Events
- CaliOrchids: An annual international event showcasing national and foreign orchids, catering to both professionals and enthusiasts alike.
- Date: November 13th to 19th, 2023. The date varies each year.
- Address: Avenida 2 Norte # 48-10 Cali.
Romelia Orchids and Birds Farm, Manizales
Location: La Cabaña Way, Romelia Farm, Manizales.
How to get there: It’s a 45-minute drive from downtown Manizales, about 50 km (31 miles).
Price: There’s an entry fee; check updated rates.
Website: Romelia Farm
The Romelia Orchids and Birds Farm is a unique tourist spot run by the Arango family, the farm’s owners. It offers the chance to spot birds and admire a fascinating collection of over 850 Colombian orchids from Brazil, Ecuador, and Asian countries. For example, among their 8,000 orchids, you can find Colombian species like the queen orchid and the May flower orchid.
Plus, you can enjoy activities in the coffee plantations, like tours and talks. Similarly, you can stay, eat and enjoy a cozy and peaceful natural environment. It’s a highly recommended experience in the Coffee Axis.
Natural Orchids Reserve, Ibagué
Location: Carrera 30 Sur # 13 – 35, Ibagué, Tolima.
How to get there: It’s located 5.5 km (3 miles) from downtown, a 45-minute car ride.
Price: There’s an entry fee; check updated rates.
Website: Orchids of Tolima
The Orchid Nature Reserve is literally a natural museum with approximately 8,000 species of various plants, 180 of which are different types of orchids.
Therefore, through activities such as hiking or camping, you can discover them. In fact, in this reserve, there is a specific trail called Orquídeas. There you can enjoy hiking services, fauna and flora sightings, as well as guided tours and talks.
Additionally, there’s a restaurant service, perfect for resting and grabbing a bite after your hike.
Tequendama Orchids, San Antonio del Tequendama
Location: Kilometer 19 via Bogotá – El Colegio, San Antonio del Tequendama.
How to get there: It’s close to downtown San Antonio del Tequendama, about 5.5 km (3 miles), roughly a 20-minute drive.
Price: There’s an entry fee; check updated rates.
Website: Tequendama Orchids
Tequendama Orchids is an eco-touristic site 45 minutes from Bogotá, aiming to give you an unforgettable experience in the kingdom of flowers. It boasts around 6,000 species, including orchids, which, according to their website, come in all colors, sizes, and shapes. In fact, this type of flower is the backbone of the park.
At this site, they offer guided tours, hiking, a restaurant, cafeteria, birdwatching, and a sales room.
Similarly, this place hosts flower-related exhibitions and events. For instance, this year, from October 7th to 19th, they held the XII Tequendama Orchids Exhibition. This is an annual event, and the date varies each year.
Pacific Botanical Garden, Chocó
Location: Mecana Beach, Bahía Solano, Chocó.
How to Get There: It’s a half-hour flight from Medellín followed by a 15-minute boat ride from the town of Bahía Solano.
Price: There’s an admission fee. Check the updated rates.
Website: Pacific Botanical Garden
The Pacific Botanical Garden is a natural reserve immersed in the biodiversity of Colombia’s Pacific region. Its aim is to preserve and study the fauna and flora of the area.
As a result, the garden hosts various ecotourism activities such as amphibious safaris, canopy tours, hiking, snorkeling, and, of course, tree and flower observation, including orchids, of which they try to conserve as many as possible.
In its 170 hectares of the natural reserve, the park rangers and guides have been in charge of protecting and delimiting the transit zones of the animals in the jungle, the mangrove swamp and the beach. Thus, in its trails, for example, you can see birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
There are also lodging and restaurant services available on-site.
Guillermo Piñeres Botanical Garden, Cartagena
Location: Matute Sector, km 9 Highway I-90, Naranjas, Turbaco.
How to Get There: It’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown Cartagena.
Price: There’s an admission fee. Check the updated rates.
Website: Guillermo Piñeres Botanical Garden
The Cartagena Botanical Garden is a natural reserve housing over 300 species of plants belonging to the Colombian tropical dry forest, including exotic plants and native trees. It also includes one of the last virgin native forests in the region. Therefore, it is a fundamental resource for the restoration of the tropical dry forest.
Its main services include guided tours, birdwatching, auditoriums, and a cafeteria.
Within the garden, there’s a fascinating orchidarium that preserves and allows the public to observe and learn about numerous orchids. You can take beautiful photos in its 2 km (1 mile) of trails that traverse its most special collections, including:
- The Orchidarium
- The Palmetum
- Jacquin’s Garden
- The Arboretum
- The Sefofitic Garden
- The Evolutionary Garden
In addition to orchids, you can spot birds, monkeys, fungi, butterflies, and a natural spring.
La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary, Pasto
Location: La Corota Island, within the Cocha Lagoon in Pasto, Nariño.
How to Get There: From Pasto to the Concha viewpoint, which is the closest point to the lagoon, it’s about a 50-minute drive, approximately 26 km (16 miles). From there, you’ll need to cross the lagoon by boat.
Price: There’s an admission fee. Check the updated rates.
Website: La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary
The La Corota Island Flora Sanctuary is a natural reserve that preserves the biodiversity of its insular Andean forest lake ecosystem, the only one in Colombia. Due to its humid conditions and vast fauna, there’s a large number of resident and migratory birds, such as seedeaters, drummers, and herons. Additionally, it’s a sanctuary that supports environmental education activities and scientific research.
In this reserve, you can observe areas, take professional photographs or videos, and, of course, hike. Through all these activities, you can learn about orchid species and many other species of flora, such as anthuriums and bromeliads.
But specifically, you can enjoy all these activities on the El Totaral trail. There, you can see aquatic ecosystems, over 340 species of flora, and the habitat of resident and migratory birds.
Important
Currently, the park is closed to tourism, and although it’s not specified when it will reopen, I suggest keeping an eye on its website.
Las Orquídeas National Natural Park, Urrao
Location: Las Orquídeas National Natural Park is located in the department of Antioquia, on the western flank of the Cordillera Occidental mountain range, within the Chocó Biogeographic complex.
How to Get There: From Urrao, you can reach the Encarnación hamlet after an hour of unpaved road. From there, you must head to the Ministry of the Environment’s cabin, on the banks of the Calles River, either on foot or by mule. The journey takes about 4 or 5 hours.
Price: There’s an admission fee to enter the park. Check the updated rates.
Website: Las Orquídeas National Park
Las Orquídeas National Natural Park is a natural reserve of 30,000 hectares where there are 6 thermal floors. Therefore, its variety of fauna and flora is enormous, among which stand out the more than 200 species of orchids that give it its name. You can observe orchid species such as:
- Cattleya
- Clleanthus
- Restrepia
- Lepanthes
- Masdevallia
- Maxillaria
- Pleurothalis
- Oncidium
- Odontoglossum
- Pescatorea
- Trigonidium
The best part is that in this park, you can engage in activities like hiking or natural observation that will allow you to see them up close and learn much more about them.
Important
Currently, the park is closed to tourism, and although it’s not specified when it will reopen, I suggest keeping an eye on its website.
Recommendations to observe orchids in Colombia
If you’re keen on orchid-spotting in Colombia, here are some tips to ensure a hassle-free experience:
- Visit nature reserves: For prime orchid viewing, head to nature reserves and national parks where biodiversity thrives. These places also protect and preserve the species.
- Wear comfy, sturdy footwear: Exploring natural areas where orchids dwell requires comfortable, sturdy footwear to tackle varied and possibly uneven terrain.
- Wear light clothing and a hat: Since many orchids thrive in tropical environments, dressing in lightweight, breathable clothes will keep you comfortable while enjoying observation in warm climates or under the sun.
- Pack a backpack with water and snacks: Staying hydrated is crucial, so bring hydrating drinks and light snacks.
- Apply sunscreen and insect repellent: Protect yourself from the sun’s rays and insects by applying sunscreen and natural insect repellent before embarking on your adventure.
- Respect fauna and flora: To do so, always walk along the assigned trails and do not leave the route, do not pull up or step on any plants, and do not try to touch the animals. Likewise, be quiet to keep the peace in the natural environment.
- Join guided tours: Usually the reserves or botanical gardens offer guided tours in English or Spanish, useful for learning the history, function and use of the spices around you.
Fascinating Orchid Facts
Here are some intriguing facts that will further inspire your orchid exploration.
Orchids in Colombia – Context
- Beyond their aesthetic value, orchids play a vital role in Colombian ecosystems. Many species have symbiotic relationships with fungi and specific pollinators, contributing to forest health and biodiversity conservation.
- Some orchid varieties are used in traditional medicine.
- Since 1936, orchids have been considered the emblematic flower of Colombia, specifically the Cattleya Trianae variety, unique to Colombia. It represents and highlights the country’s beauty, wealth, and culture.
Here are some orchids commonly found in the following natural reserves in Colombia:
May flower orchid (Cattleya trianae)
- Genus: Cattleya
- Features: Large pink or lilac flowers with a darker, striking lip.
Orange Epidendrum orchid (Epidendrum radicans)
- Genus: Epidendrum
- Features: Clusters of small orange or yellow flowers, common in humid forest areas.
Queen orchid (Masdevallia veitchiana)
- Genus: Masdevallia
- Features: Large, showy white flowers with purple spots on the lip.
Curly Odontoglossum (Odontoglossum crispum)
- Genus: Odontoglossum
- Features: Flowers with a beautiful design, with petals and sepals of various colors and a pattern of spots or lines.
Aloe-leaved Cymbidium (Cymbidium aloifolium)
- Genus: Cymbidium
- Features: Long, slender leaves with flowers of various colors, such as white, green, or pink, arranged in clusters.
