Birdwatching in Salento

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

5 hours

Mobile ticket

If you are interested in birdwatching or just starting out, our Salento birdlife tour is perfect for you. It provides an introduction to the diverse bird species present in the town and takes you to some of the best birdwatching areas where you can observe them. Additionally, our expert guides will accompany you throughout the tour and answer any questions you may have about the fascinating world of birds.

The striking bird species like tanagers, toucanets, parrots and hummingbirds are even more vibrant and colourful than Salento’s iconic streets and traditional plantations filled with coffee trees and tropical fruits. While other species like the famous Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) and Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans) can be a little more difficult to spot in the surrounding lush cloud forests, towering wax palms and majestic snow-capped mountains.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Binoculars

Breakfast

Coffee and/or Tea

Snacks

What To Expect

We will meet in front of the church in Salento's main square. If this is your first time birding we will give you a short introduction to birdwatching and some tips for using binoculars. We will walk out of Salento into the countryside looking for different species of birds. Your guide will help you to spot and identify different kinds of woodpeckers, hummingbirds and tanagers among others. We will take the same route back along the Camino Nacional and finish the tour in town with a coffee (or your drink of choice!) and a review of what we saw during the experience.

Options

Birdwatching in Salento

Reviews

5.00

20 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Full-day Birding Tour to La Carbonera as a unique experience in the region!
Freedom21164551119,
Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Unique experience with top support by guide (Nestor), translator & biologist (Kristian) and own chauffeur with truck (Willy). We did the full day tour to La Carbonera and it was incredibly interesting. We were shown lots of birds, professional pictures were taken and they were also given and there was also a lot told about nature and culture. It was regional food included, which was also an experience. Even as a "birding beginner" the trip is worthwhile due to the breathtaking nature and educational and heartwarming care. We felt completely comfortable and could enjoy the trip. Would definitely book it again!
Birding tour
731granth,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful day out with Ivan. He was able to help identify all the birds we came across very well - he's clearly an expert in this area. He was also just a very nice guide to spend the day with, on top of his birding abilities. We saw a lot of new species during our full day tour. Would happily recommend.
Highly recommend
Nomad45129004405,
Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a tour with Juan and it was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the birds we saw and instantly could recognise them and tell us about the species and their habitat and behaviour. We saw almost 50 different types of birds, unfortunately on that day no toucanets, but he tried his best to find them!
An unforgettable birdwatching experience!
rhysl362,
Feb 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was incredible. Ivan was an amazing guide who was really knowledgeable, providing lots of interesting information whilst also knowing the best places to spot different varieties of birds. We saw over 30 species from hummingbirds to parrots, flowerpiercers to antpittas. We would heartily recommend this for anyone visiting the area!
Super recommended!!
Underwaterterra,
Jan 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ivan was an exceptional guide! It was my first bird sighting and explained everything in great detail, answered all my doubts and even passed me a very complete list of all the birds we saw during the activity. I definitely recommend it! Very happy with my first experience. 10/10
Great day birding
191annettej,
Jan 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great guide, personable and well spoken English. We saw a good variety of birds. Went to several locations walking in and around town
Amazing a bird watching tour
Lindsay C,
Sep 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My husband and I booked a last minute tour to go birdwatching our last day in Salento and we had such an incredible time. Our guide Ivan was very friendly, welcoming and so knowledgeable about the region and all the various bird species in Colombia and Salento. We selected this tour because we were looking for something fun to do and really needed an English speaking guide. We learned so much about the birds in the area and saw about 35 different species during our tour. Ivan provided binoculars and had a scope he was quick to set up each time a bird was spotted. We had so much fun scanning the trees and shrubs for birds and trying to quicky focus in on them before they flew away. It was a really really cool experience, and I look forward to bird watching with Ivan again in the future. I highly recommend this tour and guide. Thanks Ivan!
Birdwatching Tour in Salento w/ Camilo
47mitchella,
Jul 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide was Camilo and we had a perfect morning with him! Camilo is the kindest of souls, with a deep understanding of the area’s birds and many other living things. It was so easy to converse in English with Camilo and our group really enjoyed asking him all sorts of questions. He knew the answer to all questions- he’s a magician! Our group had no experience with bird watching but absolutely loved the whole experience. What a great way to engage with nature in a patient, thoughtful way. Camilo brought us to this hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot in the middle of the tour for an excellent, authentic Salento meal. Camilo really made our day and time in Salento, and I could not more highly recommend his services!
Highly recommend this trip.
H7768HPcathyc,
Feb 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We loved this trip. Ivan was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and very good at pointing out the birds to us. We saw approximately 35 different birds and had a wonderful walk round Salento too.
1 Earthquake and 53birds
jamessV1364RC,
Jan 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an incredible experience Birdwatching with Ivan from Andean Tours this morning whilst Salento was mostly still in bed. Not only incredible for the 5.6 richter Earthquake that shuck us on the Salento Bridge (?!) but for the 53 different species of birds we managed to see thanks to Ivan’s wonderful expertise. Highlights ranged from the colourful Toucanet, Rose Breasted Grosbeak and the Andean Motmot to the more muted house wren. Ivan was great company too. Highly recommend this.