Laguna de Utta

Location:
Cabo de Vela, Colombia

Birdwatching Types:
Birdwatching

By Lorraine Caputo

A virtually unexplored birders paradise awaits you: Laguna de Utta, stretching across the desert just east of Cabo de la Vela, between the village and El Pilón de Azúcar. Not many visit this lagoon which is a seasonal haven for waterfowl, such as flamingos and herons, as well as for shorebirds like sandpipers. Despite the immense size of this lagoon, its mangrove ecosystem has been little studied. Laguna de Utta has not yet been designated a protected area, either.

Getting There
Follow the road northwards out of town; when you get to the T crossroads, turn right. You will begin seeing the lagoon’s shore about 100 meters to the right of the road. From the main part of the village on the south shore, it takes approximately 30-45

Travel Tips: Do the walk in the early morning or late afternoon, to avoid the heat. Be careful walking around the shore, as it is marshy. Also beware of snakes. Ask around in the village to see if someone has a launch to hire for boating around the lagoon.

Price Description: Free, except if you hire a boat.

Relative price: Free

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Take along plenty of water and some snacks; sunscreen, hat and shirt; sturdy footwear; binoculars. If going in the late afternoon, bring also a flashlight (torch) in case you get caught by darkness on the return.

El Faro, El Pilón de Azúcar, Ojo del Agua, Hoyos Sopladores, Cuevas del Diablos.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso