National park · Colombia
Utria National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Utría
Enter Utria National Natural Park for a day: pay the entry fee (COP 10 000 – 15 000, check), take the 50‑min boat from Nuquí, and hike the mangrove trail early to avoid rain.
- 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
540 km² (208 sq mi)208 sq mi (540 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Feb
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
- 540 km² (208 sq mi)208 sq mi (540 km²)
- Park covers more than 54,000 ha (≈540 km²).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Utria National Natural Park is a remote Pacific‑coast reserve with mangrove boardwalks, secluded beaches, coral reefs and dense rainforest where jaguars, howler monkeys and sea turtles can be seen. Access is via a short flight to Nuquí and a 50‑minute boat ride to the visitor centre; interior trails require a guide.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of Colombia's national parks system.
Size and age
540 km² (208 sq mi)208 sq mi (540 km²) · national park since 1987
Park covers more than 54,000 ha (≈540 km²).
Why go
- Remote beaches, mangrove swamps and coral reefs on the Pacific coast.
- Rainforest trails with jaguar, puma and howler monkey sightings.
- Sea‑turtle nesting beaches and hump‑back whale watching from shore.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanRainy but still possible hikes.
- FebDriest month, less rain.
- MarRain decreases after Feb.
- AprRain increases.
- MayVery wet season.
- JunPeak rainfall.
- JulPeak rainfall.
- AugPeak rainfall.
- SepPeak rainfall.
- OctRain lessens.
- NovTransition to drier months.
- DecRainy but manageable.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea turtles (nesting)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hump‑back whalesJun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Jaguars, pumas, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre & mangrove trail | Entry gate, information desk, short boardwalk through mangroves. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Rainforest interior | Steep jungle trails, wildlife spotting areas. | Guided access only. |
| Coastal beaches & coral reef zone | Secluded beaches, snorkeling sites, turtle nesting areas. | Open; boats depart from the centre. |
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 are the park’s main visitor centre; other points are approximate.
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 | COP 10,000–15,000 | person | Check official price at the visitor centre. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided inland trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any interior rainforest trail.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping allowed only on designated sites with a permit.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only.
- Wildlife interaction
- Do not disturb nesting turtles or approach wildlife.
Where to stay
Near the park
Beach cabins
Simple cabins on the park’s beaches; basic amenities.
Near the park
Nuquí town
Hostels and small hotels; 30 min drive to the park entrance.
Safety
Tropical diseases medium
Guerrilla activity medium
Heavy rain and landslides high
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 and mangrove boardwalk are reachable by car and short walks.
- Interior rainforest trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑approved cabins; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support local guides and community‑run lodges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Utria National Natural Park?
Entry is about COP 10 000–15 000 per person; confirm the exact fee at the visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Utria National Natural Park?
The easy mangrove boardwalk and the guided rainforest trek to the interior waterfall are the main routes; the latter requires a guide.
When is the best time to visit Utria National Natural Park?
February is the driest month and offers the most reliable conditions; the shoulder months of January and March are also good.
Can I camp inside the park?
Backcountry camping is allowed on designated sites with a permit; you must register with the park office.
How do I get to the park from Medellín?
Fly Satena from Medellín to Nuquí (≈COP 300 000) then take a 50‑minute boat to the visitor centre.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Utria National Natural Park
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