National park · Colombia
Las Orquídeas National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Las Orquídeas
Enter Las Orquídeas for a short orchid‑focused hike to Cerro Morro Pelado (≈3 h) in the dry season (Dec–Mar) for cooler trails, or skip if rain‑packed (Apr–Nov).
- 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
287 km² (111 sq mi)111 sq mi (287 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Above 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.
- Andino ↗Bogotá sits at about 2,600 m and Tunja higher; the first day is for light walking, not for a full sightseeing schedule.
- Andino ↗Bogotá–Medellín and Bogotá–coffee axis are short flights; the same trips by road run 8–12 hours.
- Andino ↗Bogotá and Medellín restrict private cars on set weekdays by plate; it does not apply to taxis, buses or rental arrangements you book with a driver.
- Antioquia ↗Use José María Córdova (MDE) for international arrivals; domestic flights connect via Olaya Herrera (EOH).
- Antioquia ↗Metrocable lines in Medellín are included in the regular transit fare; no extra ticket needed.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 287 km² (111 sq mi)111 sq mi (287 km²)
- ≈287 km² (28,700 ha) based on official data; minor variations possible.
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Las Orquídeas National Natural Park protects steep Andean slopes, cloud forests and páramo, hosting a rich orchid flora and diverse wildlife such as spectacled bears and the dusky starfrontlet.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
287 km² (111 sq mi)111 sq mi (287 km²) · national park since 1974
≈287 km² (28,700 ha) based on official data; minor variations possible.
Why go
- Orchid diversity across forest and páramo zones.
- Spot rare birds like the dusky starfrontlet and mammals such as the spectacled bear.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler temps.
- FebDry, good trail conditions.
- MarEnd of dry season, pleasant.
- AprRainfall increases.
- MayWet season starts.
- JunFrequent rain, slippery trails.
- JulHigh humidity, possible landslides.
- AugWet, limited visibility.
- SepRain persists.
- OctLate wet season.
- NovTransition to dry, still wet.
- DecDry, cooler, fewer visitors.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| PumaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dusky starfrontlet (bird)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe gateway | Visitor entrance, ranger station, information desk. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Cerro Morro Pelado trailhead | Start of the main hike to the park’s highest point. | Reachable by road from the gateway. |
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 site; summit point 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 | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike (Cerro Morro Pelado) no permit
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.check
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping allowed after registration at the ranger station.
- Trail staying
- Stay on marked trails to protect orchid habitats.
Where to stay
Near the park
Santa Fe de Antioquia lodgings
Guesthouses and small hotels within walking distance of the park gate.
Safety
Rain‑induced landslides high
Steep, slippery sections 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
- Ranger station reachable by vehicle; short walks to trailheads.
- Steep climbs not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails to protect orchid populations.
- Support local guides and purchase food in Santa Fe.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Las Orquídeas National Natural Park?
Entry is free, but a small ranger‑station fee may apply; check the latest amount at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Las Orquídeas National Natural Park?
The main trail to Cerro Morro Pelado (≈3 h) offers views, orchids and birdwatching; shorter forest loops near the gateway are also available.
When is the best time to visit Las Orquídeas National Natural Park?
Visit in the dry months December to March for clearer trails and cooler temperatures.
Do I need a guide for hiking in Las Orquídeas?
Guides are optional for the main summit hike but recommended for safety and orchid identification.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Backcountry camping is permitted after registering at the ranger station; no fires are allowed.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Las Orquídeas National Natural Park
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