National park · Colombia
Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Uramba Bahía Málaga
Enter Uramba Bahía Málaga for a half‑day hike to the mangrove boardwalk (entry COP 10 000, 30 min walk) or a full‑day trek to the coastal cliffs (entry COP 15 000, guide required, 4 h); go in the dry season (Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep) to avoid rain and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
65 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (65 km²)
approximate
Established
2021
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 65 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (65 km²)
- The park covers approximately 65 km² of mangrove and coastal ecosystems; official sources give the figure without breakdown.
- Established
- 2021
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park, established in 2021, protects mangrove forests, coastal cliffs and marine habitats on Málaga Bay near Buenaventura, offering short boardwalk walks and longer guided cliff treks, with rich birdlife and limited camping options.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteColombian national natural park.
Size and age
65 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (65 km²) · national park since 2021
The park covers approximately 65 km² of mangrove and coastal ecosystems; official sources give the figure without breakdown.
Why go
- Mangrove boardwalks and coastal mangrove forest.
- Scenic cliffs and hidden beaches along the bay.
- Birdwatching – mangrove‑adapted species and migratory waterbirds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, low humidity.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarStart of short rains, still walkable.
- AprRain increases, trails muddy.
- MayHeavy rains, many trail closures.
- JunPeak rain season.
- JulRainy but occasional dry days.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRain eases, still warm.
- OctTransition to drier months.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecDry, cooler evenings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangrove hummingbirds, kingfishers, and migratory shorebirdsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeys (in forest patches)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Buenaventura
Taxi or local bus to the park entrance, 20 min drive.
30–45 min
From Cali
Bus to Buenaventura (≈ 5 h) then taxi to park.
≈ 6 h
Open the page →
From Bogotá
Fly to Cali or Buenaventura, then follow above routes.
≈ 2 h flight + ground travel
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance & visitor centre | Ticket office, information desk, short mangrove boardwalk. | Open daily, entry fee required. |
| Coastal cliff trailhead | Start point for the longer cliff trek, marked signage. | Guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park map; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (general) | COP 10,000–12,000 | person | Covers short boardwalk trail. |
| Guided cliff trek (optional) | COP 15,000–25,000 | person | Guide required for off‑site trails. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided long trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- COP 10,000–12,000
- COP 15,000–25,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parques Nacionales de Colombia – Uramba Bahía Málaga before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated area near the entrance; permits required.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Guides
- Required for any trail beyond the boardwalk.
Where to stay
Near the park
Buenaventura hotels
Budget and mid‑range hotels 15 km (9.3 mi) from park.Budget and mid‑range hotels 9.3 mi (15 km) from park.
In the park
Park campsite
Basic tent site near entrance, requires permit.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Trail slip on wet mangroves low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car; boardwalk is wheelchair‑friendly (check surface).
- Cliff trek not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at locally owned hotels; support community guides.
- Do not collect shells or mangrove plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park?
Entry is COP 10 000–12 000 per person for the short boardwalk; a guided cliff trek adds COP 15 000–25 000 per person.
What are the best hikes in Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park?
The mangrove boardwalk (30 min, easy) and the coastal cliff trek (3–4 h, moderate, guide required) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park?
The dry months Jan–Mar and Oct–Dec give the most reliable trail conditions and fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in a designated site near the entrance with a permit; otherwise stay in Buenaventura.
Do I need a guide for the boardwalk?
No, the boardwalk is self‑guided; a guide is mandatory for any trail beyond the entrance area.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park
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