Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour in Santa Marta, Colombia
Santa Marta, Colombia

Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour

Outty Ranking 60 4.5 · 8 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $110
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Outty Ranking

60/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.5/5

Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour worth booking?

Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour is a 6-hour experience in Santa Marta, Colombia, from $110 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
60 / 100
Rating
4.5/5 (8)
Duration
6 hours
From
$110 per person

Immerse yourself in an experience like no other: meet the flamingos in their Sanctuary and sail around a salty lagoon. These animals come to this place to feed themselves with shrimp on a salty lagoon. In this tour we will take you to the Sanctuary and explain you the reason why this place is becoming important and how to take care of its fauna, especially the flamingos. You will be able to see them near you. You will also enjoy a typical lunch in Playa de Camarones. - Discovering the Sanctuary of Flamingos - Sailing around a lagoon to be near the flamingos - Being surrounded by the Caribbean nature - An authentic and new natural experience

What you get

    About this experience

    Immerse yourself in an experience like no other: meet the flamingos in their Sanctuary and sail around a salty lagoon. These animals come to this place to feed themselves with shrimp on a salty lagoon. In this tour we will take you to the Sanctuary and explain you the reason why this place is becoming important and how to take care of its fauna, especially the flamingos. You will be able to see them near you. You will also enjoy a typical lunch in Playa de Camarones. - Discovering the Sanctuary of Flamingos - Sailing around a lagoon to be near the flamingos - Being surrounded by the Caribbean nature - An authentic and new natural experience

    What's included

    Included

    • Entrance to the Sanctuary of Flamingos
    • Boat transportation
    • Tour Guide
    • Hotel pick-up and drop-off by motorbike
    • All-risk insurance

    Not included

    • Extra purchase

    What you'll see and do

    1. Palomino

      We know that some travelers would want to try things that you usually don’t find everywhere. If you are one of those: this is for you! In this tour you will get to meet the amazing flamingos in their sanctuary and discover a different place of the Caribbean region of Colombia.

      60 minutes here

    2. Camarones

      First, our guide will pick you up and take you to a salty lagoon in which the flamingos are. Once there, the guide explains the importance of this park to the community, the fauna and the whole country. Afterwards, you will take the boat to the salty lagoon to see the flamingos. They get there to feed with shrimp. So, you will follow all the guide’s recommendations and you will be free to sail around the lagoon to see the flamingos in action. Once you finish the tour around there. You can enjoy a typical lunch in Playa de Camarones (not included) and you will relax and enjoy the place. And finally, you will get back to your hotel.

      240 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Gran Colombia Tours

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • Bring comfortable shoes and water
    • Keep hydrating constantly and use sunscreen
    • The Tour Guide will contact you the day before in case you have any questions or assist you with any requirements
    • keep in mind that as the tour takes place in a rural region, local guides may not be completely bilingual

    Photos

    Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour in Santa Marta, photo 2Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour in Santa Marta, photo 3Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour in Santa Marta, photo 4Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour in Santa Marta, photo 5Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour in Santa Marta, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    8 verified traveler reviews for Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    6
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    1
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    Sort
    741aliz_ef · November 2025

    Avoid: go through local companies

    We enjoyed the water ride in good company watching birds on the lake. However, I absolutely do not recommend doing this activity through the application because it does not correspond to the market price. Our hostel and other companies offered more attractive prices including transport, lunch, a walk on the lake and return to Palomino for 220,000 pesos. We paid more than double without meals included. After a long negotiation we were compensated 15% of the price paid only. Moreover we paid for our meal on site, ate and drank the same as our guide, paid 80,000 pesos while he paid only 5,000 pesos which makes us feel like we paid for the guide’s meal. Service ok, discussion and friendly walk but we recommend organizing the activity with the specialized companies. After eating we returned to Palomino directly, we expected much more. It is a shame to charge prices so different from reality.

    Response from the operator: We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the lake ride and the time spent observing the wildlife. As we discussed internally with our team, we completely understand the frustration that can arise when comparing the prices on booking platforms with those offered directly by hostels or local agencies in Palomino. Respectfully, it’s important to clarify that the rates offered by a local hostel or agency cannot be compared to those provided by larger agencies or platforms such as TripAdvisor/Viator. These platforms involve intermediaries and additional costs (including commissions) that local providers do not have. However, booking through these platforms gives you the security and support of a verified service. Of course, choosing whether to book through such platforms is entirely personal. Even so, we contacted you directly to offer a fair resolution for your case, and we will continue working to provide a positive and reliable experience for all our travelers.

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Luca_A · September 2024

    Interesting however rushed.

    Our guide was very nice and helpful, even when we had to delay it a day due to road closures he made sure we got there the next day. Would have liked more time on the lake to see the birds, but other boats were scaring them so I doubt we would have got a better view than we did.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear that your guide was accommodating and helpful, ensuring you could complete the tour despite the road closures. We are sorry the other people made it hard to make the most out of the birdwatching but we appreciate your understanding about the situation. Thank you for choosing Gran Colombia Tours, and we hope to provide you with an even better experience next time!

    via Viator

    Cruiser01339055965 · August 2024

    A place to discover in the middle of beautiful nature. Unforgettable place to meet family, not leaving warm

    A very beautiful place where nature reminds us that everything is God's creation, the environment everything is very nice, the wind the birds the lagoons all very beautiful, highly recommended

    Response from the operator: Gracias por compartir tu experiencia. Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste de la belleza natural del lugar y que el entorno te dejó una impresión tan positiva. ¡Esperamos que puedas volver pronto! Thank you for sharing your experience. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the natural beauty of the place and that the surroundings left such a positive impression on you. We hope you can come back soon!

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    tonias737 · June 2024

    Amazing

    We were picked up by car at our motel and driven to the sanctuary. It was a fantastic experience where our guide worked very hard with his sail boat and educating us. He even went for a walk in the lagoon to fish out a hat. The flamingoes were everything. We got close enough to take many pictures but not completely disturb them. Take sunscreen and water. Enjoy

    Response from the operator: Hi there! Thank you for your review, we're really happy to know how much you enjoyed this experience getting to see the flamingos and taking some pictures. You are always welcome here and we hope to see you in the future!

    via Tripadvisor

    mar_adeld2021 · June 2023

    Flamingos in Camarones, Guajira

    Unique place, embedded in the majestic nature of Shrimp in the Guajira. We could appreciate from afar, the beautiful and elegant flamingos, hand in hand and guide of Jordan. Jordan is Wayu, a guide formed by the sena. He conveyed to us with love, respect and good humor, all his knowledge and experiences. We took a 1 hour 3 minute tour in a very handcrafted sailing canoe. Jordan accompanied us and transported us since we arrived in Camarones, provided us with wines and provided us with all the information about the region and the flamingos. It was a good experience, we highly recommend it. Cell phone Jordan 3126614529.

    Response from the operator: Hola! Muchísimas gracias por tu comentario tan detallado. Nos entusiasma saber que estuviste en un lugar tan auténtico como La Guajira y que disfrutaste toda la experiencia. Le haremos saber a Jordan lo mucho que les gustó su trabajo y seguro lo motivará a seguir mostrando la región. Gracias por elegir a Gran Colombia Tours para acompañarte a descubrir destinos como esos! Thank you so much for your very detailed comment. We are thrilled to hear that you were in such an authentic place like La Guajira and that you enjoyed the whole experience. We will let Jordan know how much you enjoyed his work and will surely motivate him to continue showing the region. Thank you for choosing Gran Colombia Tours to accompany you to discover destinations like these!

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $110 to $164
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    3
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Gran Colombia Tours, who run 78 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.0 and 2 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Gran Colombia Tours runs

    Why this scores 60

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)71
    Review evidence (18% weight)40
    Booking momentum (14% weight)31
    Value for money (12% weight)59
    Listing quality (10% weight)84
    Local standing (8% weight)46
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Marta.

    How much does Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $110 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Marta usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Marta is not rushed.

    Is Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Marta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour?

    +

    Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Marta can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Marta and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Marta within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Santa Marta?

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    On Outty we rank every Santa Marta experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta, 4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta, 4-Day Walking Tour to Lost City of Sierra Nevada. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Santa Marta?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour?

    +

    Included: Entrance to the Sanctuary of Flamingos; Boat transportation; Tour Guide; Hotel pick-up and drop-off by motorbike; and All-risk insurance. Not included: Extra purchase. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 13 listed pickup locations in and around Santa Marta. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour offered in?

    +

    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Santa Marta. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Sanctuary of Flamingos Day Tour?

    +

    Across 8 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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