May 25, 2024
Fabulous close up bird watching experience - This was a highlight of our stay in Cartagena and is highly recommended. We Left with our guide, Martin who picked us up at 0900 from our apartment. The traffic was heavy getting out to Barū, taking nearly 90 mins to get to the national aviary but very much worth it. The collection of birds there is second to none. It was a huge privilege to see a Harpy Eagle as well as a condor and many, many other beautiful birds in excellent condition. Wear appropriate clothes for 2-3 hours in the sun and take insect repellent as there are some mosquitoes. Quicker trip back to Cartagena. Also interesting to pass a vibrant market and industrial areas in the way, giving more of an insight into life in Colombia. Definitely take a good camera and lens as there are huge numbers of photo opportunities of the birds. Memorable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 2, 2024
MUST DO for Bird Lovers. - If you're a nature/bird lover, this is a must do. Try to go in the morning when it's less hot and the birds are more active. Admission is like $17, and if you take your time, you'll spend about 2-3 hours there. If you're doing this as a day trip from old town, try and find a taxi driver who will take you, wait for you, then bring you back. It's VERY remote (takes about 80 minutes to get to) and the chances you can get a taxi or Uber back from the Aviary are LOW. We scheduled an UBER the night before to pick us up at our hotel. When we met him, we asked if he would wait 3 hours and then drive us back. He agreed. The price out there was like $25. The price for him to wait and bring us back was $30. That's a GREAT value for basically 6 hours. You CANNOT schedule an UBER in advance to pick you up from the Aviary and cell service is spotty out there. Make sure you have a way to get back from there BEFORE you go!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 9, 2023
Truly an amazing place..not to be missed..a must for birders - Tho this is an hour +drive from the city it is well worth the trip as few people go to this wonderful.place with a great collection of birds from columbia and many other places of the world. ..overall the place is very well.mai tained and a true joy to visit.
Kudos to all who made this place possible
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 22, 2024
Just For Bird Lovers - Great spot to watch, learn and experience. The natural habitats around the Aviary is amazing and well kept. The exotic birds are a must watch and the 11.30am bird show is phenomenal by all means. Tip: Bring a telephoto camera lens for great unforgettable photos of some amazing and beautiful birds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 3, 2023
Exotic birds - A not so big place, 2 hours is enough to see it. Many rare birds that are rescued from illegal bird trafficking. And some exclusive to Amazon. Note bring mosquito repellent. They don't sting but rather they bite.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 7, 2023
Hire a ride and engage with birds with an open heart - "OH, it's so BEAUTIFUL!!" There is SO much to see! 3 sections such as jungle and rainforest and desert. Yet, go with no expectations, for sure. Put on sunscreen and have water. Greeting visitors are loud groups of colorful "parrots". Head down the trail and you enter the first section. You do have to put in work....not always easy to spot what birds are there, which means do not rush! Yes, if you speak Spanish the 11:30 show can be entertaining and sit up high in the shade. One of the "trainers" coaches with treats some of the "show stoppers" to come up and walk/fly past. If you do not speak Spanish, all you can do is enjoy the "sights". Now, for me, I loved the flamingos, owls, toucans, and the little parrots who would engage repeating "hola!" and "ciao"!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 13, 2023
Enjoyable over all - Hot as Hades, it was 110f the day of our visit. But it was not to humid so that saved the day. There is a stand selling chips, drinks and ice cream bars half way thru the park walk. There are shaded rest stops with benches for bird viewing. But sometimes you have to get a peacock or 2 off the bench in order to sit. Restrooms are just inside park entrance and are nice and clean.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 18, 2022
Once they picked us up (an hour late) we were good - I went to the National Aviary website and purchased tickets and they show a link for the transportation to purchase. I didn't want a guide (we are interested in photos not moving along with a group) and we didn't want to stop anywhere for a local lunch or a beach. This was the best option. Unfortunately they "forgot" to pick us up and my hotel went through great difficulty to reach them. Once she did, they had a driver with us in 30 minutes. He only spoke Spanish but that was fine. He was a good driver, waited in the parking lot the 2 hours promised and was good overall. We loved the Aviary but I was covered in bug bites! Slather on inches of lotion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 2, 2023
Unjust rude unfair - This organization has unfair unjust policy of charging foreigners more money to enter the aviary.
There is no valid reason or explanation as to why someone who comes from another part of the world has to pay more than residents to visit this place. money is money and people are all equal and should be treated the same all over the world.. and when asked as why I was given attitude and no answers to my questions. We arrived as a group of 10 and we lost time transportation and money coming here
I will never visit again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
