Protected Areas in Colombia

The near-pristine Serranía de la Macarena National Park is one of Colombia's best-protected. It contains the rivers, streams and waterfalls collectively known as Caño Cristales and commonly called the "River of Five Colors" or the "Liquid Rainbow."

The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Biosphere Reserve is located in northern Colombia and contains one of the largest coastal wetlands in Latin America. It comprises Isla de Salamanca National Park as well as the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.

The Cinturón Andino Biosphere Reserve is located at the Macizo Colombiano, in the Andean Chain in southern Colombia. It comprises three National Parks: the Cueva de los Guácharos National Park, the Puracé National Park and the Nevado del Huila National Park.

The Cocora Valley is where the national tree of Colombia, the Quindío wax palm can be found. It is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park, located in the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes; which contains volcanoes, lakes and the heart of the Colombian coffee region.

El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve is located in the eastern plains of Colombia, a flat area bounded by four major rivers. The landscape undulates with a series of small valleys and streams. A few areas are permanently flooded during parts of the year.

The pristine underwater environment of Malpelo Island's Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, off Colombia's Pacific coast, features dramatic cliffs, rock formations, caves and tunnels resulting in striking natural beauty. This vast marine park provides a critical habitat for threatened marine species.

Formed by the most extensive and diverse coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean continental coastline, the Rosario and San Bernardo archipelagos are protected by the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park.

The San Agustín Archaeological Park comprises three separate properties: San Agustín, Alto de los Ídolos and Alto de Las Piedras. The largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America stands in a wild, spectacular landscape.

The Seaflower Biosphere Reserve encompasses the entire land and marine territory of the Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina in the southwestern Caribbean Sea. The archipelago supports diverse marine and bird life as well as extensive coral reefs.