Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand.

Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand. This magical country is listed as one of the world’s “megadiverse” countries. Let´s see why.

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Does the thought of being up close to megadiversity never mind biodiversity on your touring motorbike set your juices flowing?

We have the best country in the world right on our doorstep – Colombia. With its 314 Ecosystems.
Yes, MotoDreamer has been one of the prominent independent Motorcycle Adventure Tour operators for 15 years in Colombia.

Great news for all Adventure Motorcycle Touring Riders who love riding on two wheels. Mike and his dedicated team will never disappoint you with their knowledge and expertise.

What can you expect?

For the bike – Everything from savannahs, wetlands, mist-shrouded forests, frozen tundra, and snow-capped mountains.
For the rider – Anteaters, armadillos, capybaras, amphibians, butterflies, freshwater fish, and an abundance of flora and fauna.
For the birdwatcher – 1,845 species of birds, including macaws, waterfowl, and birds of prey.

In summary, the MotoDreamer has Eco-tourism in its blood waiting for you here in Colombia.

How about spending an hour or two chatting with Chief Rider and Founder – Mike Thomsen?

Read on while your Colombian roast is brewing and follow up with an email to Mike.

Colombia hosts close to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity. Globally, it ranks first in Orchid and Bird species diversity.

It ranks Numero Dos in Amphibians, Butterflies, freshwater fish, and Plants.

There’s no doubt that Colombia has arrived on the global tourism stage in a big way. It’s not just an improved international perspective on safety that’s led to Colombia’s rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

In 2008, the Colombian tourism board ran a series of ads touting the country’s cultural, historical, and natural wonders.

They were spreading the word – Colombia & biodiversity go hand in hand.

While many travelers are familiar with Colombia’s cities. Especially the charmingly colonial Cartagena, the stately metropolis of Bogota, and the buzzing urban playground of Medellin. It’s Colombia’s still largely undiscovered natural wonders that are perhaps its most valuable tourism assets.

What does Colombia’s Biodiversity go hand in hand mean? How best to describe it?

Colombia Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of plants, animals, and other lifeforms in a given region of Colombia.

If you were to guess which country claims the title of ‘Most Biodiverse’ and immediately thought of Brazil. The country whose borders contain the majority of the Amazon Rainforest, well, you’d be correct.

Far fewer people realize that the country coming in a close second for biodiversity lies right across the Brazilian border.

Neighbouring Colombia is home to a confirmed 1,845 species of bird. That´s more than anywhere else on the planet.

Not only that, but Colombia is second in a variety of plant species, amphibians, butterflies, and freshwater fish. They don´t stop there. They also are third in reptiles and fourth globally in the biodiversity of mammals.

One in every ten species of living flora and fauna on record can be found in Colombia’s Biodiversity.

So how is a country around seven times smaller than Brazil almost comparable in terms of biodiversity? A glance at a map yields a compelling explanation.

Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand = One Nation – Dozens of Unique Ecosystems. To be more precise, 314 Ecosystems.

Mapimage of Colombia One Nation – Dozens of Unique Ecosystems. To be more precise 314 Ecosystems.

Fringed by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with an inland border cutting through the Amazon Rainforest. As well as you´ll find Colombia carved into several distinct regions by the Andean mountain ranges.

As a matter of fact, there are 53 million hectares of forest and 22 million hectares of savannas, arid zones, wetlands, and snow-capped mountain peaks within the country.

Its coasts are home to tropical coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and jungle-flanked beaches. Equally important, fourteen percent of the country comprises protected national parks, natural parks, and sanctuaries.

Why Colombia & Biodiversity is the Key to Colombia’s Tourism Future

Many of Colombia’s most minor developed areas – the Amazon regions, the Pacific Choco region, and the eastern plains – are also its most biodiverse. Unfortunately, the biodiversity of these regions is under pressure from industry, particularly mining and deforestation.

Thus, causing the destruction of wild habitats and disrupting the natural balance of sensitive ecosystems.

There’s little doubt that the most remote communities in Colombia need infrastructure, funding, and employment opportunities.

Now, environmental groups in Colombia are pushing for these regions to embrace their biodiversity. In addition, promoting for support ecotourism initiatives that help protect diversity rather than industries that contribute to its destruction.

With eco-tourism is among the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the world. Colombia is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the boom and conserve its precious environmental resources simultaneously.

Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand. Here are Four of Colombia’s Best Eco-tourism Adventures to behold.

Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand. Witness it all first hand here at Caño Cristales, Serranía de la Macarena National Park.

Possibly the most iconic natural wonder in Colombia’s Biodiversity is Caño Cristales. Also known as ‘the River of Five Colours.’ It’s the name given to the Guayabero River tributary, Due to a unique phenomenon caused by the brightly colored blooms of an aquatic plant called macarenia clavigera.

This unique plant becomes a shimmering rainbow of vibrant colors between June and December each year. In contrast, bright pink is the most common color, the river’s shallow, crystalline waters run with various hues, including blue, green, yellow, and orange.

Outside the season, the park is closed to visitors to allow the surrounding environment to recuperate. Furthermore, eco protection rules are strictly enforced. This includes mandatory guides and 200 visitors per day—a ban on sunscreen and insect repellent when visiting the water. Further, still, expect only limited areas where swimming is permitted.

MotoDreamer visits Caño Cristales once a year on an epic guided off-road expedition, giving you a unique perspective of the park’s ruggedness and isolation beyond the standard tourist trail. Here you will get up real close and see for yourself what Colombia’s Biodiversity looks like.

Chingaza National Park

Less than half a day’s ride from Bogota lies Chingaza National Park making for an accessible and challenging expedition through a range of unique Andean ecosystems.

Ranging in altitude from 800m to 4,000m, this park encompasses vast swathes of silent paramo wetlands, alpine woodlands, and snow-capped mountain ranges.

Chingaza National Park and a jaguar resting and staring ahead. Image from FreePik under subscription for this article titled Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand.

Colombia Biodiversity Guided multi-day hikes provide you with the chance to observe rare wildlife, such as the jaguar, puma, woolly monkey, mountain tapir, and spectacled bear.

Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand. Even here in El Cocuy National Park

300km north of Bogota, El Cocuy is perhaps the most visually striking national park in the Colombian Andes. Furthermore, it’s home to Colombia’s largest glacial landmass. Thus making Cocuy’s dramatic landscape is alternately lush and desolate.

El Cocuy National Park image courtesy of parquesnacionales gov co for our article titled Colombia & Biodiversity go hand in hand.

It consists of wind-swept valleys, glacier-gouged lakes, frozen tundra, and mist-shrouded forest. Since the park offers several trails ranging from day-hikes to endurance-testing weeklong expeditions.

And remember, experienced climbers, can tackle the permanently icy summits of El Concavo (5,200m) and also, Pan de Azúcar (5,120m.)

Wildlife Expeditions in Los Llanos will give you ample opportunities to witness Colombia & Biodiversity up close.

Now, well off the beaten path, Los Llanos is an area of vast tropical grassland spanning northwestern Colombia and southern Venezuela. Also, for wildlife enthusiasts, Llanos is perhaps the most productive region in the country for up-close encounters with animal inhabitants.

Also, these animals include anteaters, anacondas, jaguars, capybaras, caiman, armadillos, capuchins, howler monkeys, and ocelots. In short, do you see what Colombia’s Biodiversity looks like?

Not only that, but Colombia is a veritable birder’s paradise, supporting thriving populations of waterfowl, macaws, and birds of prey.

Well off the beaten path, Los Llanos is an area of vast tropical grassland spanning northwestern Colombia and southern Venezuela. For wildlife enthusiasts, Llanos is perhaps the most productive region in the country for up-close encounters with animal inhabitants. Image from Freepik.

The immense size and relative inaccessibility of Los Llanos mean Colombia Biodiversity-guided excursions are the best way to explore this environmentally and culturally unique Colombian region.

Remember, a few eco-conscious operators organize wildlife and birdwatching-focused trips out of the regional capital of Yopal, a 40-minute flight from Bogota.