Is Colombia Safe for Birding and Travel Photography?
- Overland Uncharted
- Sep 9
- 6 min read
For many travelers, the first question before planning a trip to Colombia is simple but important: Is it safe? This is especially true for birdwatchers and photographers carrying expensive gear and venturing into remote areas.
The truth is, Colombia is no different than many other countries—including the United States. Every nation has good and bad areas, cities with higher crime, and regions with political or social differences. But just as in the U.S. or Europe, these realities rarely touch the visitor experience in well-traveled destinations. With a bit of research and the support of a trusted guide, you can explore Colombia’s most beautiful regions without ever being aware of the internal issues that make the headlines.
A Country Transformed
Colombia has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. Once known mainly for conflict in the 1990s, today it is recognized as one of the world’s fastest-growing ecotourism destinations. In fact, Colombia now welcomes millions of international travelers every year, drawn to its biodiversity, culture, and hospitality. Birders in particular flock here because Colombia boasts more bird species than any other country on Earth—over 1,900 recorded.
Safety in Birding Regions
The majority of birding and photography tours take place in rural reserves, private lodges, and national parks—far removed from areas that occasionally make international headlines. Well-established regions such as KM18, Santa Marta, Doña Dora, and the Western Andes cloud forests have become staples for international birding, offering reliable infrastructure, professional guides, and community-supported tourism.
Cali in particular has gained recognition as one of Colombia’s birding capitals. The city not only serves as a gateway to the Western Andes but also hosts the annual Colombia Birdfair, an event that attracts thousands of visitors, researchers, and birders from around the world. In 2024, Cali further demonstrated its international standing by hosting COP16—the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This global summit brought together delegates from nearly every country to discuss biodiversity protection, conservation strategies, and sustainable development.
Hosting an event of this scale is not only a sign of Colombia’s leadership in global conservation but also a testament to its capacity to safely welcome thousands of international guests, journalists, scientists, and policymakers. The successful organization of COP16 underscored that the city and its surrounding regions are secure, professionally managed, and supported by strong infrastructure. For birders and photographers, this reinforces the reality that Colombia’s top ecotourism destinations are both safe and internationally recognized as trustworthy places to visit.
Beyond Cali, other renowned birding destinations across Colombia are equally prepared for visitors. The Santa Marta Mountains on the Caribbean coast are one of the most sought-after birding destinations in the world, home to an extraordinary number of endemics. The Manizales region, nestled in the Central Andes, is celebrated for its high-altitude páramo ecosystems and hummingbird-rich feeders. Near Bogotá, the La Florida wetlands provide safe and accessible birding just minutes from the capital, offering visitors a glimpse of the Bogotá Rail and other specialties without venturing far from the city.
These destinations have been carefully developed for ecotourism, with local communities, lodges, and guides deeply invested in hosting international birders. During our own month of scouting, meeting with guides, and visiting lodges, we never once felt cheated, fooled, or taken advantage of. Instead, we consistently experienced professionalism, hospitality, and a shared excitement for Colombia’s natural treasures.
Colombia Birding Hotspots Safety
Regions like Cali, Santa Marta, Manizales, and Bogotá wetlands are well-removed from border zones and remote Amazon areas, where remaining guerrilla activity exists.
Trusted local guides and personally vetted lodges ensure visitors experience these areas safely, minimizing risk while maximizing access to Colombia’s incredible bird diversity.
Bottom Line: Colombia’s birding regions are not only safe but, in some cases, safer than several major U.S. cities and much of Mexico, provided you stick to established travel routes and work with professional guides.
Our Firsthand Travel Experience
We want to be transparent: we are not presenting ourselves as experts who have lived in Colombia for years. What we can share, however, is our own detailed, boots-on-the-ground experience from spending over a month traveling through the country with one clear purpose—to carefully scout the very best birding regions, lodges, and guides for our guests.
During this time, we visited many reserves, toured lodges, and held conversations with local guides, and lodge owners to ensure that the partners we work with are not only knowledgeable but also trustworthy. From day one, we were struck by the professionalism and genuine hospitality we encountered. We were never overcharged, misled, or treated as outsiders to be taken advantage of. Instead, we felt welcomed into a network of people who care deeply about sharing Colombia's biodiversity with the world.
We also made a point to explore independently. By driving ourselves across regions—from Cali’s birding hotspots to rural areas in the Andes—we gained firsthand perspective on Colombia’s infrastructure and accessibility. The highways were modern and well-maintained, while mountain roads, though narrow, were manageable and safe with patience. Traffic was certainly more dynamic than in the U.S., with motorbikes and assertive driving styles, but navigation was straightforward using GPS. At no point did we feel unsafe or lost; if anything, we were impressed by how connected and navigable the country felt.
Equally reassuring was the kindness of everyday encounters. Whether it was a shopkeeper offering directions or a local guide and lodge owners walking us through their conservation efforts, we consistently felt supported rather than vulnerable. On one drive between regions, a rural coffee farmer even invited us to sit down for a fresh cup of Colombian coffee with aguapanela, proudly introduced us to his farm animals, and showed us his lovely blue-headed parrot. Those small, genuine interactions spoke volumes about the safety and hospitality that travelers can expect in Colombia.
We’ve personally vetted the routes, the lodges, and the guides, so that when you travel with us, you can focus on photography and discovery—not logistics or safety concerns. Our commitment is simple: we won’t recommend an experience we haven’t tested ourselves.
Traveling with Guides and Groups
That said, when it comes to birding itself, nothing beats the expertise of local guides. They don’t just know where to find the birds; they know which trails are secure, which reserves are best managed, and how to move efficiently between sites.
For our tours, we only partner with trusted and vetted guides—individuals we’ve already met in person, birded alongside, and built relationships with during our scouting. These guides are not only skilled at identifying species but also experienced in managing the practical details that ensure your safety and comfort in the field. By the time you arrive, you can feel confident that we’ve already laid the groundwork, connecting with professionals who share our commitment to both conservation and guest experience.
Traveling in a small group also adds a layer of reassurance. It minimizes risks, makes carrying camera gear more comfortable, and creates an environment where everyone can focus on photography rather than logistics. With trusted guides handling the planning and safety, you’re free to immerse yourself in the unforgettable experience of birding in Colombia.
General Safety Tips for Photographers
Blend in where possible – In cities, avoid displaying expensive camera equipment when not in use.
Rely on trusted transport – Use pre-arranged drivers or official taxis/Uber rather than hailing transport on the street.
Secure your gear – Lodges often provide safe storage; consider insurance for high-value equipment.
Stay connected – Keep your guide or group leader informed of your whereabouts.
Travel light in urban areas – Save the big lenses for the field; bring only what’s needed for city walks.
Final Thoughts
So, is Colombia safe to travel for birdwatching and photography? Yes—with local expertise, guided tours, and a bit of common-sense preparation, it is both safe and deeply rewarding. From our own past experience on the ground, we can say that Colombia offers not only incredible bird diversity but also a warm, trustworthy, and professional ecotourism community.
You’ll not only capture stunning images of some of the world’s rarest and most colorful birds, but you’ll also be contributing to conservation and community development in one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet.
And if you’re ready to experience it for yourself, we’d love to welcome you on one of our small-group, all-inclusive bird photography tours. Every lodge, guide, and destination has been personally scouted and vetted by us, so you can travel with confidence and focus on what matters most—enjoying the adventure and capturing world-class bird photos.
Join us on our next guided bird photography trip to Cali, Colombia - now taking reservations for Feb 2026!
