The park supports a remarkable variety of Amazonian wildlife, including endangered species like the giant river otter, jaguar, and harpy eagle. Primates are well-represented with several species of monkeys including the woolly monkey and red howler monkey. The rivers and lakes harbor diverse aquatic life, including pink river dolphins, various fish species, and caimans. The park is also home to numerous bird species, including macaws, toucans, and various birds of prey.
Cahuinarí hosts an extraordinary diversity of plant species adapted to both flooded and terra firme forest environments. The park features towering emergent trees reaching heights of 45 meters, numerous palm species, and an abundance of epiphytes and lianas. Notable species include the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), various medicinal plants used by indigenous communities, and numerous orchid species. The understory is rich with herbaceous plants adapted to low-light conditions.
The park encompasses diverse geological features characteristic of the Amazon basin, including extensive floodplains, terra firme forests, and unique black-water river systems. The landscape was shaped by ancient sedimentary processes from the Andean region, resulting in nutrient-poor soils typical of Amazon rainforests. The park's terrain includes both lowland areas subject to seasonal flooding and higher elevation zones that remain above water year-round.
The Cahuinarí National Natural Park was established in 1986 to protect a vital portion of Colombia's Amazon rainforest and the indigenous Bora-Miraña communities who have inhabited this region for centuries. The park's name comes from the Cahuinarí River, which has deep cultural significance for local indigenous peoples. These communities continue to maintain their traditional way of life within the park boundaries, practicing sustainable resource management based on ancestral knowledge.
The Cahuinarí River system forms the park's backbone, creating a network of waterways, oxbow lakes, and seasonally flooded forests vital to local ecosystems and communities. The park's pristine rainforest represents one of Colombia's best-preserved Amazon regions, with minimal human intervention outside traditional indigenous activities. The presence of active indigenous communities practicing sustainable resource management makes Cahuinarí a unique example of human-nature coexistence in protected areas.
Cahuinarí experiences a tropical rainforest climate typical of the Amazon basin, with high humidity and average temperatures between 24-28°C (75-82°F) year-round. The region has two distinct seasons: a rainy period from November to May with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and a drier season from June to October. Annual rainfall exceeds 3,000mm, helping maintain the park's lush rainforest ecosystem. Despite the drier season, visitors should always be prepared for sudden rain showers.
Colombia
-1.3330°, -71.4170°
1987
5750
Cahuinarí protects a vast area of Amazon rainforest and wetlands. The park is home to numerous indigenous communities and diverse wildlife. It features unique black water river systems and flooded forest ecosystems.