Paramillo National Park

Paramillo Overview

Paramillo National Park, known as Parque Nacional Natural Paramillo in Spanish, is located in northwestern Colombia, spanning the departments of Córdoba and Antioquia.

Covering an area of approximately 1,860 square miles (4,840 square kilometers), this protected expanse features diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests and cloud forests to high-altitude páramo landscapes. The park is characterized by dramatic topography, with the Paramillo Massif serving as a defining feature.

Numerous rivers, such as the Sinú and San Jorge, originate within the park, feeding vital waterways that support surrounding communities and wildlife. The park’s elevations create distinct ecological zones, fostering a variety of flora, including dense montane forests, vast expanses of frailejones in the páramo, and an abundance of orchids and bromeliads.

Paramillo National Park provides a sanctuary for an impressive array of wildlife, making it one of Colombia’s richest biodiversity hotspots. Mammals like jaguars, spectacled bears, and ocelots roam the dense forests, while white-lipped peccaries and tapirs thrive in lower-altitude habitats.

The park is also home to primates such as howler monkeys and capuchins, which can often be heard calling through the canopy. Birdwatchers are drawn to the region for its incredible avian diversity, with iconic species like the Andean condor, the crested eagle, and the elusive blue-billed curassow found within the park’s boundaries. Amphibians and reptiles, including endemic frog species and venomous snakes, also inhabit this ecologically rich area.

Visitors to Paramillo National Park are drawn to its rugged beauty and remote landscapes, though access can be challenging due to its protected status and historical security concerns. Trekking through the park allows visitors to witness pristine cloud forests, cascading waterfalls, and unique highland ecosystems.

The páramo, an ecosystem found at high elevations, offers an otherworldly experience with its distinctive vegetation and misty atmosphere. Rivers and streams throughout the park provide opportunities for nature photography and exploration, while birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts can attempt to spot rare species in their natural habitat.

Due to its remote nature and environmental significance, visitor infrastructure in Paramillo National Park remains minimal. Guided eco-tours, often arranged through conservation organizations or local communities, provide a structured way for adventurers to experience the park while respecting its fragile ecosystems.

Hiking and scientific expeditions are among the primary ways people engage with the landscape, as well as limited cultural tourism with Indigenous Embera and Zenú communities, whose ancestral lands overlap with the park.

Conservation challenges in Paramillo National Park include deforestation, illegal mining, and armed conflict, which have historically hindered preservation efforts. Encroachment by agriculture and unsustainable resource extraction have threatened wildlife habitats, necessitating stronger enforcement measures.

However, recent conservation initiatives have focused on habitat restoration and Indigenous-led stewardship programs, contributing to better ecological protection. Partnerships between government agencies and environmental groups continue to improve monitoring and sustainable management practices. Despite these difficulties, the park remains an invaluable refuge for biodiversity and a critical water source for the region.

Park Map

Paramillo National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Paramillo National Park is an excellent birdwatching destination, home to a mix of high-altitude, rainforest, and wetland species.

Andean Condor
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s cliffs and páramo, scavenging for carrion.

Harpy Eagle
One of the most powerful raptors in the world, the harpy eagle preys on monkeys, sloths, and large birds in the park’s dense rainforests.

Great Curassow
A large, ground-dwelling bird, the great curassow is often seen foraging for fruits and insects in the park’s undergrowth.

Scarlet Macaw
A brilliantly colored red, blue, and yellow parrot, the scarlet macaw is highly social and plays a key role in seed dispersal.

Keel-billed Toucan
Easily recognizable by its oversized, multicolored bill, the keel-billed toucan thrives in the rainforest canopy, feeding on fruit.

Golden-headed Quetzal
A close relative of the resplendent quetzal, this bird has iridescent green feathers and a golden head. It prefers high-altitude forests where it feeds on fruits and small invertebrates.

Black-and-white Owl
A nocturnal predator, the black-and-white owl hunts insects, rodents, and small birds. Its striking plumage and piercing orange eyes make it a favorite for birdwatchers.

White-collared Manakin
A small bird known for its elaborate courtship displays, the white-collared manakin performs quick, energetic movements while making snapping sounds with its wings.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar
This beautiful bird, with its shimmering green body and long, pointed bill, is often seen perched near rivers and wetlands, hunting for insects.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw
This large and vocal parrot is a staple of the Amazon and Andean rainforests, often seen flying in noisy flocks.

Paramillo National Park’s combination of páramo, cloud forest, and tropical rainforest makes it one of Colombia’s most ecologically diverse and significant protected areas. Whether for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, or adventurers, the park offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity of the Andes and the Amazon.

Paramillo National Park, located in the northwestern Andes of Colombia, is a vast and ecologically diverse protected area covering approximately 504,000 hectares. The park is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including páramo grasslands, cloud forests, tropical rainforests, and wetlands, making it one of the most important conservation areas in the country. Paramillo also serves as a crucial water source for nearby communities and provides habitat for many rare and endangered species.

Popular Wildlife in Paramillo National Park

Jaguar
As the top predator in the park, the jaguar roams the dense forests and riverbanks, hunting deer, peccaries, and other mammals. Its presence is a key indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

Spectacled Bear
South America’s only bear species, the spectacled bear thrives in the park’s cloud forests and páramo. It is a vital seed disperser, helping maintain plant diversity.

Puma
A highly adaptable predator, the puma shares its habitat with the jaguar but preys on smaller mammals such as deer and rodents.

Baird’s Tapir
This large herbivore is a keystone species in the park’s forests, feeding on fruits and vegetation and playing an essential role in seed dispersal.

Lowland Paca
A nocturnal rodent, the lowland paca forages for fallen fruits and roots along the forest floor. It is an important prey species for large carnivores.

Neotropical Otter
This semi-aquatic mammal inhabits the park’s rivers and wetlands, where it hunts for fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

Andean Fox
A resourceful predator, the Andean fox is commonly found in the páramo, preying on small mammals, birds, and insects.

Collared Peccary
A pig-like mammal, the collared peccary forages in the park’s forests, feeding on fruits, roots, and small invertebrates.

Green Anaconda
One of the largest snakes in the world, the green anaconda thrives in the park’s wetlands, preying on fish, birds, and mammals using its powerful constriction.

Andean Frog
Several species of Andean frogs inhabit Paramillo, including many that are endemic to Colombia. These amphibians are vital indicators of the park’s environmental health.