Discover Cartagena’s Aviario Nacional and Playa Blanca Beach

Intro

I was spending my Thanksgiving break in my hometown of Cartagena, Colombia. I had already explored a little bit of the Old Town, and had some nice foods from Bocagrande, to the Historical Center, to even the southern part of the city. However, one thing I always try to do, even if it’s a short trip like this one, is to go to the beach. But the nice beach, not the one in Bocagrande. I mean the one in the island of Baru or the Rosario Islands. With more pristine waters and white sands.

The premise was simple: we would rent a van to take us all to the Aviario Nacional de Colombia, in Baru, and from there we would spend the rest of the day at the beach in Playa Blanca. Let’s do this.

On the way to Baru

We were picked up by a van in the southern part of Cartagena, after we bought some arepa de huevo (arepas filled with eggs), and then we were on the way to Baru. To get there you have to go south and then cross this bridge above the Canal del Dique, a manmade canal that connects Cartagena with the Magdalena river, the longest one in the country. It used to have a very important role back when Cartagena was the Jewel of the Spanish Crown, bringing all kinds things from the boats coming from all over the world, to the cities up the mountains, like the Capital Bogota.

Aviario Nacional de Colombia

The Aviario Nacional de Colombia (National Aviary of Colombia) is a premier conservation-focused bird sanctuary and one of the largest open-air aviaries in the Americas (often described as the biggest in Latin America or the Americas overall). Opened in February 2016, it serves as an educational and ecotourism destination dedicated to showcasing Colombia’s extraordinary avian biodiversity — the country boasts more bird species than any other on Earth (over 1,900 recorded).

It is situated on the península de Barú (Isla Barú), about 45–60 minutes (around 50 km) southwest of Cartagena’s historic center, at Km 14.5 on Vía Cartagena-Barú. The site spans 7 hectares of lush, natural wilderness in a tropical coastal setting, making it a perfect day trip from Cartagena (often combined with nearby Playa Blanca for beach time).

The aviary recreates three major Colombian ecosystems through immersive walking trails and 21–22 exhibition areas:

• Tropical rainforest (selva húmeda, including Amazon and Chocó influences)
• Coastal zone (mangroves, swamps, and lagoons)
• Desert (arid zones)

Here you can see a map of what to expect in the one way path through the Aviario.

Birds live in large immersion aviaries (where visitors walk through freely among them), radial aviaries, ciénagas (marshes), and lakes — creating naturalistic habitats that mimic their wild origins. Many birds roam semi-freely or fly overhead, offering incredibly close-up views.It houses approximately 1,800–2,000 birds representing over 160–190 species (numbers vary slightly by source, but mostly native Colombian/endemic, plus some from Latin America).

Highlights include:

• Harpy Eagle (Águila Arpía) — one of the world’s most powerful raptors
• Andean Condor (Cóndor de los Andes) — Colombia’s national bird
• Flamingos (Flamencos Rosados)
• Toucans (including Caribbean Toucan)
• Macaws, parrots, curassows, cranes (like the Crowned Crane), and many colorful hummingbirds, songbirds, and endangered species

Many birds are rescues from illegal trafficking, with the aviary participating in rehabilitation, breeding programs, and conservation efforts for threatened species.

Visitor Experience:

• Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 4:00 p.m.).
• A self-guided trail takes 1.5–2.5 hours (or longer if you linger).
• Daily educational bird show/presentation (“Aves al Vuelo”) at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., featuring flight demos, biology info, and conservation messages.
• On-site cafeteria for snacks/drinks; picnic areas available.
• Great for families, birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers — it’s immersive, educational, and photogenic!

Practical Tips

• Tickets are available online via their official site (aviarionacional.co) or at the gate; prices differ for Colombian nationals/residents vs. foreigners (often with discounts for kids).
• Transportation: Taxi/private transfer from Cartagena (~1 hour), or join a shared tour (many include Playa Blanca).
• Wear comfortable shoes (lots of walking), bring water/sun protection (humid/tropical climate), and insect repellent.
• It’s a conservation-oriented site, so expect a focus on sustainability and respectful wildlife viewing.

This aviary is a shining example of Colombia’s commitment to protecting its world-leading biodiversity — a must-visit for anyone in the Cartagena area who loves nature and birds! If you’re planning a trip, it’s often rated as a top eco-attraction near the city.

There’s a shop on the pathway where you can get drinks, snacks and other essentials and souvenirs. We had a little break from all the walking but we were not even halfway.

Wood Storks are large wading birds (about 3-4 feet tall with a 5-6 foot wingspan), often seen foraging in shallow water by slowly sweeping their open bills side-to-side to feel for fish, frogs, or crustaceans. They’re colonial nesters and below you can see one on a nest in a rookery (breeding colony), in a swampy, forested wetland habitat.

This iconic coastal bird is a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) — the only pelican species that dives headfirst into the water to catch fish, and a true symbol of recovery after near-extinction from DDT in the mid-20th century! This species is widespread along the coasts of the Americas (Atlantic from New Jersey to Brazil, Pacific from British Columbia to Peru), thriving in mangroves, estuaries, beaches, and shallow bays.

This striking raptor is a Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway, also known as Northern Crested Caracara) — a bold, opportunistic bird of prey that’s part of the falcon family but behaves more like a vulture or hawk, often scavenging carrion while strutting around on the ground.

These elegant, leggy wading birds are Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) — one of the most striking shorebirds in the Americas, famous for their impossibly long pink legs (proportionally the second-longest of any bird after flamingos) and crisp black-and-white plumage!

These vibrant, fiery-pink wading birds are Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus ruber) — one of the most brilliantly colored birds in the world, often stealing the show in tropical aviaries and zoos with their intense scarlet plumage. Scarlet Ibises get their stunning color from carotenoids in their diet (shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans), just like flamingos — but unlike flamingos, they have a straighter posture, shorter legs, and a more ibis-like curved bill.

The flamingos stole the show around this spot in the Aviary.

It was nice seeing a toucan after I spotted some back around the same time a couple of years ago in Guatemala.

This charismatic and boldly patterned bird is a Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) — a larger, more striking cousin of the familiar Blue Jay, often called the “mountain jay” for its preference for coniferous forests in the western U.S. and beyond. Steller’s Jays are bold, intelligent corvids (like crows and ravens), known for their raucous calls, mimicry skills (they can imitate hawks, cats, or even human speech), and habit of raiding campsites for food. They’re highly adaptable, often seen in mixed flocks with other jays or scavenging.

Birds in Flight show

We finally got to the Birds in Flight show at 11:30 AM, and after being rushed to our seats, the show started promptly, all in Spanish by the way.

The show includes a showcase of many types of birds, flying over the audience and doing some tricks.

The black vulture was probably one of the most impressive, as it extended its long wings all over the audience.

Here are some videos of the experience. This sleek, slate-gray raptor is a Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) — a beautiful, medium-sized hawk typical of tropical and subtropical regions from the southwestern U.S. (like southern Arizona and Texas) through Mexico and Central America.

Some nocturnal birds like owls were also present during the show.

This adorable little raptor perched on the handler’s hand is an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) — North America’s (and the Western Hemisphere’s) smallest falcon, often used as an ambassador bird in wildlife education programs, zoos, and eco-tours because of its manageable size, striking looks, and charismatic personality.

These flamboyant, pink wading birds are Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) — one of the most colorful and instantly recognizable birds in the Americas, often called the “pink spoonbill” for their vivid plumage and that signature spoon-shaped bill.

Time to leave the Aviary but we had a great time. It was nice visiting it for the first time, and we learned a lot and had fun at the same time. Make sure to bring water, comfortable clothing and shoes, umbrellas in case it rains, and insect repellent.

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is one of the most famous and photogenic beaches on Isla Barú (technically a peninsula connected by a bridge), located about 45–60 minutes southwest of Cartagena, Colombia. It’s renowned for its powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and Caribbean paradise vibe — the kind of spot that often appears in “dream beach” lists. It is part of National Natural Park “Los Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo”.

The Beach: Long stretch of fine, light-colored (almost pinkish-white in spots) sand that stays relatively cool underfoot. The water is calm, shallow for a good distance, and perfect for swimming, floating, or just wading. It’s part of the larger Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park area, so the marine life (fish, occasional rays) adds to the appeal.

We had lunch here, and of course we had to start with a fish soup.

And the bandeja costena or Caribbean Plate including fried fresh fish, coconut ride, patacones (plantains) and salad.

And to culminate an afternoon at the beach, I had to get the pina colada in a real pineapple.

And this concludes our visit to Cartagena, Colombia. I hope these couple of blogs help you plan your visit. In the next one you will see the continuation of the Thanksgiving trip with the crowds in Orlando, Florida. See you then.