Reserva Natural El Dorado lies high in the misty cloud forests of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It ranks among Colombia’s most important conservation areas and the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots. Fundación ProAves established the reserve in 2006 to protect the endangered Santa Marta parakeet and other species found only in this isolated mountain range.
Located near Minca on the slopes of Cerro Kennedy, the reserve covers a wide range of elevations. Its landscapes include montane forests, cloud forests, and recovering ecosystems. Together, they provide shelter for an exceptional variety of wildlife. El Dorado protects more than 20 endemic bird species, including the Santa Marta sabrewing, Santa Marta antpitta, and Santa Marta blossomcrown. This makes it one of Colombia’s top birdwatching destinations.
The reserve also holds deep cultural importance. The surrounding mountains offer spectacular views towards the Caribbean Sea. The area forms part of the ancestral territory of the Kogui, Wiwa, and Arhuaco peoples. Their spiritual connection to the Sierra Nevada remains an important part of the region’s identity.
Today, El Dorado combines conservation, research, and sustainable ecotourism. Science magazine has named it the “most irreplaceable site on Earth” among thousands of protected areas worldwide. The reserve helps protect one of the planet’s richest and most threatened ecosystems.
