Updated on 04/19/2024
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’s fascinating natural mosaic, snakes stand out as intriguing protagonists of the local fauna. With an astonishing diversity of species, these reptilian creatures add a touch of mystery and wonder to the Colombian landscapes.
Explore with us today the 9 must-see snake watching spots in Colombia.
Snakes in Colombia – Context
Colombia is a country with an enormous biodiversity. Therefore, it is home to a large number of snakes, with more than 270 registered species, this corresponds to about 8% of the world total of this group, ranking among the 10 with the highest number of snakes.
These snakes occupy a variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to high mountain moors, adapting to diverse climates throughout the country.
Some species are endemic, meaning they are only found in Colombia. For example, the colorful species atractus marthae, discovered in the department of Santander and first cataloged in 2019.
We can find everything from constrictor boas to venomous coral snakes, as Colombia offers a captivating spectacle for herpetology professionals or simply for those who want to learn about them.
However, it’s essential to interact with these creatures with respect and caution, as some possess potentially dangerous venoms and can become highly aggressive when feeling threatened.
Snakes are indispensable to our ecosystems. They play a fundamental role in pest control and contribute to nutrient recycling. In fact, Colombia has a National Conservation Program for Snakes in Colombia that provides guidelines to achieve conservation efforts and preserving ecological balance.
Snakes You Can Find in Colombia
Here are some of the snakes you can encounter in Colombia:
Family: Boiidae
Boa Constrictor
- Common Name: Boa Constrictor
- Genus: Boa
- Characteristics: Non-venomous constrictor, large-sized, variable color pattern, powerful constriction to catch prey.
- Venomous: No.
Corallus Batesii
- Common Name: Emerald Tree Boa
- Genus: Corallus
- Characteristics: Arboreal snake with bright emerald green color and slender body with large eyes.
- Venomous: No.
Corallus Hortulanus
- Common Name: Common Tree Boa
- Genus: Corallus
- Characteristics: Arboreal snake with varied colors, slim and slender body.
- Venomous: No.
Epicrates Cenchria
- Common Name: Rainbow Boa
- Genus: Epicrates
- Characteristics: Constrictor snake with vibrant colors, spotted or striped patterns.
- Venomous: No.
Epicrates Maurus
- Common Name: Brown Boa
- Genus: Epicrates
- Characteristics: Constrictor snake ranging from dark brown to black with occasional lighter markings.
- Venomous: No.
Eunectes Murinus
- Common Name: Green Anaconda
- Genus: Eunectes
- Characteristics: Aquatic constrictor snake with robust body, considered one of the largest snakes in the world.
- Venomous: No.
Family: Elapidae
Leptomicrurus Narduccii
- Common Name: Narducci’s Coral Snake
- Genus: Leptomicrurus
- Characteristics: Coral snake with bright colored skin and distinctive rings.
- Venomous: Yes.
Leptomicrurus Scutiventris
- Common Name: Scaly-bellied Coral Snake
- Genus: Leptomicrurus
- Characteristics: Coral snake with striking colors and scaly belly.
- Venomous: Yes.
Micrurus Albicinctus
- Common Name: Banded Coral Snake
- Genus: Micrurus
- Characteristics: Coral snake with red, yellow, and black rings.
- Venomous: Yes.
Family: Viperidae
Bothrops Asper
- Common Name: Fer-de-lance
- Genus: Bothrops
- Characteristics: Venomous pit viper with triangular head and diamond-shaped scale pattern on its skin.
- Venomous: Yes.
Crotalus Durissus
- Common Name: South American Rattlesnake
- Genus: Crotalus
- Characteristics: Venomous rattlesnake, characterized by its rattle on the tail.
- Venomous: Yes.
Porthidium Lansbergi
- Common Name: Lansberg’s Hog-nosed Pitviper
- Genus: Porthidium
- Characteristics: Pit viper with wide, flattened head.
- Venomous: Yes.
Family: Colubridae
Atractus Elaps
- Common Name: Slender Ground Snake
- Genus: Atractus
- Characteristics: Snake with varied colors, slender, and non-venomous.
- Venomous: No.
Atractus Univittatus
- Common Name: Striped Ground Snake
- Genus: Atractus
- Characteristics: Snake with striped pattern along the body, non-venomous.
- Venomous: No.
Chironius Carinatus
- Common Name: Amazon Racer
- Genus: Chironius
- Characteristics: Slim, agile snake, with bright colors and large eyes.
- Venomous: No.
Where to observe snakes in Colombia
Here are some of the best places where you can observe snakes in Colombia. Don’t miss out!
Jaime Duque Park
Location: Km 34 North Highway – Tocancipá, Cundinamarca
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Jaime Duque Park
Jaime Duque Park is located in Tocancipá, near Bogotá. This park offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors, such as an amusement park, art exhibitions, guided tours, visits to an airplane museum, dining services in over 4 restaurants, and of course, a natural reserve.
In its natural reserve, called Wakatá, numerous species are found, with over 506 recorded, including various species of snakes. Therefore, there is a reptile area where species like:
- Anacondas
- Boas
- Pythons
- Vipers
The best thing about this reserve is that there are tours guided by experts who will teach you many facts about the different animals you will see along the way. In addition, the animals live in habitats that emulate their ecosystems and 60% have been referred to this reserve by the environmental authorities. So, it is a fascinating experience.
Services and activities
- Guided tours
- Mechanical attractions
- Talks
- Workshops
- Events
- Souvenir shop
- Cafeteria and restaurant service
Cali Zoo
Location: Cra. 2a Oe., Terrón Colorado, Cali, Valle del Cauca.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Cali Zoo
Cali Zoo is one of the most important and visited zoos in the country. It focuses on species conservation, environmental education, and research. Housing a wide variety of animals, estimated at over 2,500, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Among the snakes you can find are:
- Anacondas
- Rattlesnakes
- Boas
Services and activities
- Guided tours
- Workshops
- Sports activities
- Myths and legends stories
- Educational programs and activities to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of biodiversity conservation
- Restaurant service
One thing I love about this zoo is that with the help of professionals, they rehabilitate animals that have been victims of trafficking, abuse, or the killing of their herd, etc. And they often share these processes with their followers on platforms like TikTok. It’s truly a memorable place!
Ukumarí Biopark
Location: Km 14 via cerritos, entrance by the Santa Bárbara gas station, Pereira.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Ukumarí Biopark
Ukumarí Biopark is a theme park and zoo that focuses mainly on biodiversity conservation and environmental education. Therefore, it houses a variety of animal species. These are categorized and divided into the Africa, Noah’s Ark, and Andean Forests environments.
Regarding snakes, they live in the terrariums of the biopark, and the vast majority were rescued by environmental authorities as they were victims of trafficking or were used as a spectacle or pets. Among them are:
- Corn snakes
- Boa constrictors
- Machete back snakes
- Chocolate boas
The park stands out for its efforts to provide as natural an environment as possible for the animals, as well as for its educational programs aimed at raising awareness among visitors about the enormous importance of conservation and respect for wildlife.
Services and activities
- Guided tours
- Adoption days
- Restaurant service
- Fairs
- Environmental workshops
- Corporate events
- Cafeteria and restaurant service
Guátika Biopark
Location: Km 1, Via las Antenas, Tibasosa, Boyacá.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Guátika Biopark
Guátika Biopark is a zoo with over 1,000 animals and 100 exotic, wild, and domestic species that for various reasons can no longer live in their natural habitats. Among its animals are endemic snakes such as snakes, machete-back snakes, and many other species you have to discover, such as tigers, lions, ostriches.
Services and activities
- Buggy races
- Accommodation
- Aerial swing
- Family and business tours
- Horseback riding along ecological trails
- Climbing wall
- Children’s attractions
- Zip line
- Feeding domestic animals
- Restaurant service
This park is perfect for family fun!
How to get there?
It is suggested not to use Waze to get there. The biopark is 3 hours from Bogotá and only 10 minutes from the center of Tibasosa at km 1.
Explora Park
Location: Carrera 52 n. 73 – 75 Medellín.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Explora Park
Explora Park is an educational, cultural, and research center that aims to provide visitors with immersive experiences related to astronomy, neuroscience, physics, biology, and zoology. Therefore, there are numerous environments related to these sciences.
In the vivarium, the habitat of the most common reptiles and amphibians in Colombia is recreated. There, you can find snakes such as:
- Anacondas
- Boa constrictors
- Pythons
In addition to golden dart frogs, turtles, tarantulas, and the beautiful axolotls.
Services and activities
- Tours of the planetarium
- Guided tours of the aquarium, vivarium, and other parts of the park
- Conversations
- Courses and workshops
- Corporate and school events
- Dinosaur exhibitions
- Cafeteria and restaurant service
Barranquilla Zoo
Location: Cl. 77 #68 – 40, Nte. Centro Histórico, Barranquilla, Atlántico.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Barranquilla Zoo
Barranquilla Zoo is a space committed to biodiversity conservation and environmental education that houses a varied collection of over 600 animals. Among its residents are 36 snakes, of which 33 are native, as well as lions, an elephant, tigers, and monkeys. Likewise, the zoo has a heptarium where you can find:
- Patoco snakes
- Rattlesnakes
- Boas
- Chocolate boas, and more
Services and activities
- Guided tours
- Educational programs
- Workshops
- Talks
- Cafeteria and restaurant service
Tayrona National Natural Park
Location: Santa Marta via Riohacha.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Tayrona National Natural Park
Tayrona National Natural Park is a natural reserve that is part of the sacred territory of the four indigenous communities (Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankwamo). Therefore, this area is fundamental to the worldview and spirituality of indigenous groups.
It covers an area of 15,000 hectares where various types of forests exist, such as dry, humid, and cloudy forests. Additionally, you can observe beach ecosystems, lagoons, mangroves, and rocky shores. Numerous snakes inhabit this place, including:
- Coral snakes
- Boas
- Mapaná snakes
- Constrictor boas
Although they are free and some are venomous, they do not usually pose a danger since they tend to leave when they hear loud noises or see people. So, if you manage to run into them, you will only be able to observe them briefly.
On the other hand, in the marine area, there are coral formations and algae meadows.
Likewise, there are more than 31 species of flying mammals, 26 species of large and medium-sized mammals, and 396 species of birds recorded. For example, bats, howler monkeys, iguanas, and pelicans, respectively.
Services and activities
- Guided tours
- Accommodation
- Bird watching
- Observation of fauna and flora
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Land hiking (there are more than 30 km (18 miles) focused on ecological hiking)
How to get there?
Upon arriving in Santa Marta, you should take the Santa Marta – Riohacha Caribbean trunk road, and approximately 45 minutes, you will see signs indicating the entrances to the Tayrona National Natural Park. The main entrance El Zaino and the park ticket office are located 30 km (18 miles) from the metropolitan area of Santa Marta. It’s about a 40-minute drive or bus ride.
Gorgona Island National Natural Park
Location: The island is in the Pacific Ocean.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Gorgona Island National Natural Park
Gorgona Island National Natural Park is a natural reserve, famous for its lush and exuberant tropical rainforest. In the past, this area used to be a prison, but it was closed, and in 1983 it was converted into an area for the protection and care of resident fauna and flora.
Although these animals are not exhibited like in the previous places I mentioned, you can observe freely in their habitat more than 168 types of birds, 11 amphibians, 18 terrestrial mammals, and more than 56 types of reptiles.
Among these reptiles, we can find:
- Coral snakes
- Boa constrictors imperator
- Ground snakes
- Large snakes
- Chonta snakes
- Marine snakes, among others
Services and activities
- Guided tours
- Land hiking
- Rides in light boats
- Geological observations
- Fauna and flora observation
- Whale watching
- Bird watching
- Non-commercial photography
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Accommodation
- Restaurant services.
How to get there?
The island can be reached in two ways: via Guapi by boat, the journey takes almost 2 hours. Or, via Buenaventura, by boat for 4 hours.
Amacayacu National Natural Park
Location: It is located in the Amazonian Trapezium.
Price: Admission fee applies. Check for updated rates.
Website: Amacayacu National Natural Park
This park is a natural reserve of wildlife and natural resources. Its extension is 293,500 hectares. It represents about 40% of the total area of the Amazonian Trapezium, located between Puerto Nariño and Leticia. Additionally, the reserve shares territories with the Tikuna ethnic group.
This reserve covers a warm tropical rainforest ecosystem and flooded forests. In these forests, the greatest diversity of primates on the planet lives. Likewise, more than 5000 plant species, an estimated 500 bird species, and 150 registered mammal species inhabit. Also, the largest number of reptiles in the country are found. Such as:
- Green anacondas
- Yellow anacondas
- Boas
- Coral snakes
- Vipers, and many more.
In fact, the Amazon is conceived as the paradise of snakes. Also, you can come across the titi lioncito, manatees, pink dolphins, caimans, silver-blue butterflies, and the largest lotus flower in the world.
Services and activities
- Land hiking
- Species observation
- Canoeing
- Night hiking
- River and stream baths
- Visit to the indigenous community of San Martín de Amacayacu
Recommendation for observing snakes in Colombia
Observing snakes in their natural habitat can be a fascinating experience, but it’s essential to do so safely for both you and the snakes to avoid mishaps. Here are some recommendations:
- Seek out sanctuaries or natural reserves to encounter snakes: It is common in some cities in Colombia that people illegally steal this animal species and exhibit them for photos or even sell them. Therefore, avoid this since it not only risks your safety but also that of the species.
- Do not touch or take photos with the snakes: In most reserves, it’s strictly forbidden to approach protected animals. However, do not approach their enclosures or throw objects at them.
- Bring cash: In most mentioned places, cards or online payments are accepted, but sometimes due to distances or weather conditions, they may not be available. Be prepared with local cash.
- Wear comfortable and lightweight clothing: Walking is generally required. So, wear comfortable and lightweight exercise clothing. It’s also practical to bring a cap and sneakers.
- To observe them in nature: I advise you on several things. For example:
- Look for suitable habitats, such as forests, wetlands, or meadows. Snakes can be near bodies of water, where they find prey.
- If you find them, stay calm, observe them from a distance, and do not approach them.
- Go accompanied by a guide or expert.
- If you’re going to photograph them, don’t use flash.
- Do not carry uncovered food in your backpack.
- If you get bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
- Learn to differentiate venomous species from non-venomous ones.
More Nature Tourism Experiences in Colombia
Here is a list of incredible destinations for hiking and other nature activities in Colombia:
- The Best Hiking Routes in Colombia.
- The Most Representative Flowers in Colombia.
- Cacao Guide in Colombia.
