Purace National Park

Purace Overview

Puracé National Park, known as Parque Nacional Natural Puracé in Spanish, is a stunning protected area in southwestern Colombia. Spanning approximately 321 square miles (830 square kilometers), it is located in the Andes mountains within the departments of Cauca and Huila.

The park is named after the Puracé Volcano, an active stratovolcano that dominates the landscape and contributes to the region’s geothermal activity. The terrain is defined by a mix of volcanic peaks, deep canyons, cloud forests, and páramo ecosystems, creating a dramatic and ever-changing environment.

The Magdalena, Cauca, Patía, and Caquetá rivers originate in the park, making it a crucial water source for the region. The páramo is covered in frailejones, a unique plant adapted to high-altitude environments, while lower elevations support lush cloud forests filled with mosses, orchids, and bromeliads.

Wildlife is abundant in Puracé National Park, offering visitors a chance to see some of Colombia’s most iconic species. The Andean condor, a national symbol, is one of the park’s most famous residents, and visitors often come specifically to witness its majestic flight.

Other bird species include the Andean cock-of-the-rock, toucans, and hummingbirds that thrive in the cloud forests. Mammals such as spectacled bears, pumas, and tapirs roam the park, though they are elusive and rarely seen. Monkeys, deer, and armadillos also inhabit the diverse ecosystems, contributing to the park’s rich biodiversity.

One of the most popular features of the park is the Puracé Volcano, which stands at approximately 15,617 feet (4,760 meters) and is one of Colombia’s most active volcanoes. Its sulfuric hot springs and fumaroles are a testament to the region’s geothermal activity, making it a unique place for visitors.

The San Juan Hot Springs and the Termales de San Nicolás offer warm, mineral-rich waters where visitors can relax while taking in the surrounding scenery. The park is also home to the Laguna de San Rafael, a high-altitude lake that adds to the park’s mystique, as well as numerous waterfalls, including the stunning Bedón and Nicolás waterfalls.

Visitors can experience Puracé National Park through a variety of activities, with hiking being one of the most popular. Trails lead to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and hot springs, offering breathtaking views of the rugged terrain. The trek to the summit of Puracé Volcano is a challenging yet rewarding experience for adventurous hikers.

Birdwatching is another major attraction, particularly at the Andean condor viewpoint, where these majestic birds are known to gather. Guided tours with local Indigenous communities provide insight into the cultural and ecological significance of the park, as the region is traditionally inhabited by the Kokonuko people, who help manage conservation efforts.

Conservation in Puracé National Park is both a challenge and a success. The park is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its ecological importance. However, threats such as illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change pose risks to the fragile páramo and cloud forest ecosystems.

Despite these challenges, conservation efforts have led to the successful reintroduction and monitoring of the Andean condor population. Collaboration with Indigenous communities has also strengthened conservation programs, ensuring that traditional knowledge plays a role in protecting the park’s natural heritage.

Sustainable tourism initiatives continue to be developed, promoting responsible visitation while supporting local communities.

Park Map

Purace National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Puracé National Park is a prime birdwatching destination, featuring a variety of high-altitude, cloud forest, and páramo bird species.

Buffy Helmetcrest
An endangered hummingbird species, the buffy helmetcrest is found exclusively in páramo ecosystems, where it feeds on high-altitude flowers and serves as a key pollinator.

Black-and-chestnut Eagle
A powerful bird of prey, the black-and-chestnut eagle hunts small mammals and birds in the park’s forests, helping control prey populations.

Masked Trogon
With its striking red and green plumage, the masked trogon is one of the most visually stunning birds in the park. It inhabits the cloud forests, feeding on insects and small fruits.

Golden-fronted Whitestart
A brightly colored warbler species, the golden-fronted whitestart is commonly seen flitting among shrubs and trees in the park’s montane forests.

Sword-billed Hummingbird
This fascinating hummingbird has an extremely long bill, which it uses to feed on nectar from deep flowers, making it an essential pollinator.

Andean Guan
A large, turkey-like bird, the Andean guan forages for fruits and leaves in the cloud forests. It is a vital seed disperser that helps maintain plant diversity.

Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
A nocturnal species, the rufous-bellied nighthawk is often seen gliding over the páramo at dusk, hunting for insects.

Shining Sunbeam
A dazzling hummingbird with iridescent golden-brown plumage, the shining sunbeam is well adapted to the park’s high-altitude conditions.

Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer
This high-altitude specialist has a uniquely curved bill that allows it to pierce flowers and extract nectar, making it an important pollinator in the páramo.

Tawny Antpitta
This ground-dwelling bird is commonly seen in the páramo, where it forages for insects and small invertebrates among the vegetation.

Puracé National Park’s volcanic landscapes, páramo grasslands, cloud forests, and pristine water sources make it one of Colombia’s most ecologically significant protected areas. Whether for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, or hikers, the park offers an incredible opportunity to experience the biodiversity and natural beauty of the Central Andes.

Puracé National Park, located in the Central Andes of Colombia, is a breathtaking protected area known for its active volcano, high-altitude páramo, cloud forests, and glacial lakes. Covering approximately 83,000 hectares, the park is named after Puracé Volcano, a stratovolcano that dominates the landscape. The park serves as a crucial water source, supplying several major rivers, including the Magdalena, Cauca, and Patía Rivers. Its diverse ecosystems support a wide range of wildlife, including some of Colombia’s most iconic species.

Popular Wildlife in Puracé National Park

Spectacled Bear
South America’s only bear species, the spectacled bear inhabits the park’s cloud forests and páramo, playing a vital role in seed dispersal and ecosystem health.

Andean Condor
One of the most iconic species in the park, the Andean condor soars over Puracé’s peaks and cliffs, scavenging for carrion. It is often seen near feeding stations set up for conservation efforts.

Puma
A highly adaptable predator, the puma roams the park’s forests and páramo, preying on deer, rodents, and other small mammals.

Andean Tapir
Also known as the mountain tapir, this endangered species is one of the largest land mammals in the Andes. It thrives in the high-altitude forests and páramo, feeding on vegetation and dispersing seeds.

White-tailed Deer
This herbivore is commonly seen grazing in the park’s páramo and montane forests, shaping vegetation growth and serving as prey for predators like pumas.

Andean Fox
A resourceful predator, the Andean fox is found in both the páramo and cloud forests, where it hunts small mammals, birds, and insects.

Northern Pudu
One of the world’s smallest deer species, the northern pudu is a shy, forest-dwelling herbivore that feeds on leaves, fruits, and fungi in the montane forests of Puracé.

Neotropical Otter
This semi-aquatic mammal is occasionally spotted in the park’s rivers and streams, where it hunts fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

Colombian Weasel
One of the rarest mammals in South America, the Colombian weasel is a small but highly efficient predator, preying on rodents and amphibians in the park’s humid forests.

Andean Frog
Several species of Andean frogs inhabit Puracé, many of which are endemic to Colombia. These amphibians are essential indicators of the park’s environmental health.