National park · Colombia
Farallones de Cali National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Farallones de Cali
Enter Farallones de Cali for a day hike: take the Pico de Loro trail (2‑3 h, moderate) for $15 entry and a 30‑min taxi from Cali; avoid the rainy season (Nov‑Apr) for clearer paths.
- 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.
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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
1,964 km² (758 sq mi)758 sq mi (1,964 km²)
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Above 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.
- Pacifica ↗Expect heavy rain year-round; pack quick-dry layers and a dry bag for boats.
- Pacifica ↗Parts of the Pacific lowlands are malaria-risk areas; check current advice and prophylaxis with a travel clinic before you go.
- Pacifica ↗Boat schedules and departures change with tides and weather; confirm the day before and travel in daylight.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 1,964 km² (758 sq mi)758 sq mi (1,964 km²)
- Park covers more than 196,400 ha (≈1,964 km²).
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cali
Farallones de Cali National Natural Park protects over 196,400 ha of Andean cliffs, cloud‑forest and Pacific‑bound rivers near Cali. It offers diverse hikes, birdwatching of 300+ species and waterfalls, while requiring entry tickets and guiding for backcountry routes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteColombian national park.
Size and age
1,964 km² (758 sq mi)758 sq mi (1,964 km²) · national park since 1968
Park covers more than 196,400 ha (≈1,964 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cali.
Why go
- Hiking diverse Andean peaks and cloud‑forest trails.
- Birdwatching over 300 species, including multicolored tanager.
- Explore waterfalls like Virgin's Mantle and Pico de Loro.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season begins.
- FebRainy season.
- MarRainy season.
- AprRainy season.
- MayStart of drier period.
- JunDry, good trail conditions.
- JulDry, cooler evenings.
- AugDry, stable weather.
- SepDry, less crowd.
- OctDry, end of season.
- NovRainfall increases.
- DecRainy season resumes.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean cock‑of‑the‑rockAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Center | Main visitor hub, ticket office, basic services, trailheads. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Pico de Loro area | Popular viewpoint and short hike. | Trail accessible from Recreation Center. |
| Virgin's Mantle Waterfall zone | Waterfall trek, longer hike. | Guided or self‑guided; longer distance. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 website; approximate for trailheads.
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 (adult) | COP 15,000 | person | Approximate 2026 estimate; official fee not published. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for backcountry or multi‑day treks.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated campgrounds.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails.
Where to stay
In the park
Centro Recreacional lodge
Basic rooms, restaurant, pool; 30 min from Cali.
Near the park
Cali city hotels
Wide range of options; 45‑min drive to park.
Safety
Steep, slippery sections medium
Rapid weather change medium
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
- Recreation Center reachable by car with short walks.
- Longer trails steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in designated campgrounds; pack out all waste.
- Support local guides and community‑run lodges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Farallones de Cali National Natural Park?
Entry is about COP 15,000 per adult (≈US$4); purchase at the Recreation Center gate.
What are the best hikes in Farallones de Cali National Natural Park?
Pico de Loro (2‑3 h, moderate) and Virgin's Mantle Waterfall (4‑5 h, hard) are popular; both are best in the dry months May‑Oct.
When is the best time to visit Farallones de Cali National Natural Park?
The dry season from May to October offers clearer trails and better wildlife viewing; the rainy season (Nov‑Apr) can make paths slippery.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds; open fires are prohibited.
Do I need a guide for day hikes?
Guides are required only for backcountry or multi‑day treks; day hikes like Pico de Loro can be done independently.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Farallones de Cali National Natural Park
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