Our birding adventure in Northern Colombia was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived in Cartagena, it was clear this would be a trip full of both breathtaking beauty and unforgettable stories. Mountain House Lodge where we stayed 2 nights was perfect—welcoming and full of character. Bird calls drifted through the forested slopes of Santa Marta which felt almost unreal. Tanagers, hummingbirds, spinetails and wrens seemed to materialize in every direction. Close to the Caribbean near fancy hotels and quirky lodges the number of birds was equally astonishing—wave after wave of color and sound from the forest to the beach. Our guide, Juan Lopez, was phenomenal. His knowledge of the region, the birds and the subtle differences in calls and behavior was extraordinary. Even amid challenging conditions—flooding and even a bridge washout that could have derailed a lesser trip—Juan remained calm, resourceful and laser-focused on finding transport and birds. Somehow, even with route changes and muddy boots, we kept adding bird species and memories at a perfect pace. Spending time in areas connected to Indigenous communities added another meaningful layer to the experience. There was a palpable sense of history and stewardship of the land—this is a place where culture, landscape and wildlife are deeply intertwined. In the end it was everything and more than we hoped for in a birding journey: spectacular diversity, dramatic scenery from mountain to sea, warm and welcoming people and a guide who elevated the entire experience. Very heartfelt thanks to both Birdsbybijs and Juan Lopez for making this part of the trip even possible! We are forever grateful. The Santa Marta Endemics and Caribbean Birding Tour delivered magic at every turn.

If you are considering a birding trip, embedded w/ fun and local culture, don’t hesitate, go w/ Benny@ BirdsbyBIJS. The sheer number of birds you will see and the incredible range of habitats you will experience will make it one of your best vacations. We were fully immersed in Colombian culture, staying in places that ranged from beautifully comfortable to others you had to experience firsthand to truly understand the character of the town. The guides were among the best the country has to offer. Juan Lopez accompanied our group on the Western & Central Andes tour, and he is an absolute gem. He cared deeply about every one of us and shared his passion for Colombia with endless enthusiasm. Between Benny and Juan, we were ricocheted from bird to bird—as if they were plucking them right out of the air! The food was consistently excellent: fresh, healthy, and authentically local. Even travel time became a social highlight, filled with good conversation and shared excitement over the day’s sightings. We traveled comfortably and safely with our own driver, John. In some areas, we were transported along mountain roads in fun local off-road vehicles, giving us yet another opportunity to learn more about local life and culture. If you are considering a birding trip that also is deeply embedded in fun and local culture, don’t hesitate to go with BirdsbyBIJS.

Absolutely unforgettable birding experience in Colombia! This tour exceeded every expectation. Colombia itself is breathtakingly beautiful, but experiencing it through birds made it truly magical. The locations were exceptional—each stop felt carefully chosen to showcase an incredible diversity of species and habitats. From high altitude paramo and cloud forests to wetlands and open landscapes, every day brought new lifers and jaw-dropping moments and experiences. A huge highlight was our local bird guide, Juan Lopez. His knowledge is astounding—sharp eyes, incredible ears, and a deep love for the birds and his country. He seemed to spot birds out of thin air and was endlessly patient and generous in sharing his expertise. Juan also used specific local guides in certain locations, adding knowledge as well as extra eyes and ears to spot the trickiest species. Truly world-class guiding. The tour was flawlessly organized by Birdsbybijs, Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz, whose passion for birding and attention to detail showed in every aspect of the trip. Benny is an outstanding birder himself, adding yet another dimension to the already impressive experience. Logistics ran smoothly, the pacing was perfect, and there was a wonderful balance between serious birding, social birding and fun. The lodgings and locations deserve a special mention: excellent, comfortable, and often delightfully quirky, each with its own charm and sense of place. Add to that the friendly, welcoming people we met everywhere, the top notch food options and the excellent drivers who navigated with skill and calm, and you have a trip that felt both adventurous and deeply cared for. In short: incredible birds, outstanding guides, beautiful country, and an experience I’ll be smiling about for a long time. If you’re even considering a bird tour in Colombia—go. And go with Birdsbybijs.

This was my third international trip with Birds by BIJS, and the Colombia: Western & Central Andes itinerary was an absolute standout; it was an unforgettable adventure that exceeded my expectations in every way. Yes, we saw our target birds (and then a lot more), but what made the experience truly special was everything around the birding: the warmth, friendliness, and genuine sincerity of the people we met along the way. The guiding and logistics were exceptional. Benny partnered with Colombian birding expert Juan Lopez, who handled travel logistics flawlessly and connected us with outstanding, site-specific local guides. Their knowledge was remarkable, and thanks to that team effort, we consistently found the birds we came for. From the moment I arrived to the final day, Benny made the entire trip feel smooth, well-orchestrated, and effortless. If you’re considering a birding trip to Colombia, this itinerary is the one to do.

This tour, with Benny and Ricardo Miller, was a complete blast. Not only did we get great looks at all of the Jamaican endemic species, but we had a really fun time doing it. It was a small group (five guests and two guides) and we shared a lot of laughs in between finding amazing and beautiful birds. We also really enjoyed Jamaican music, culture and food! In all, an excellent trip and highly recommended.