Colombia: The Santa Marta Mountains

Colombia is well known for its habitat diversity and high level of bird endemism. This is especially true of the isolated Santa Marta mountains in northeastern Colombia and the Guajira Peninsula on the Caribbean coast. The impressive number of species found here include the beautiful and sought-after White-whiskered Spinetail, Santa Marta Blossomcrown, Golden-winged Sparrow, Vermilion Cardinal, Santa Marta Antpitta, White-tipped Quetzal, Chestnut Piculet, and Lance-tailed Manakin. During our searches we’re likely to see some fine mammals such as the handsome Cotton-top Tamarin and the bright red Red-tailed Squirrel, as well as a number of interesting reptiles and showy butterflies.

We think of this nine-day tour, with its comfortable accommodation and marvelous natural surroundings, as a prescription for the winter blues, and the medicine is especially easy to take because our starting point, Barranquilla, is just a short two-and-a-half-hour nonstop flight from Miami.

In 2026 and 2028, this tour can be taken in conjunction with Colombia: The Chocó. In 2027, this tour can be taken in conjunction with Colombia: Central and Colombia: The West.