Los Katíos National ParkLos Katíos National Park at a Glance
About Los Katíos National Park
Los Katíos National Park is a protected lowland rainforest reserve in northwestern Colombia, in Chocó Department near the Panama border. The park covers roughly 72,000 hectares and is noted for wetlands, river channels, and high biodiversity.
Key natural features include seasonally flooded Atrato River forest, extensive wetland complexes, and foothills of the Serranía del Darién that provide habitat for numerous endemic and migratory species. Birdwatching, limited rainforest trails, and riverine exploration are the park’s primary visitor activities where access is permitted.
The park was created to preserve the Darién-Chocó biogeographic corridor and its biodiversity values. It has been managed to protect forest cover and aquatic habitats that connect Colombian and Panamanian ecosystems.
Geographically it lies on Colombia’s northwest Caribbean slope, bordering Panama to the northwest; the region is lowland rainforest and wetlands, with the nearest regional access points from towns on the Gulf of Urabá and Chocó lowlands.
- Size: Roughly 72,000 hectares in size and recognized for high biodiversity in lowland Chocó rainforest.
- UNESCO status: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 for its outstanding biodiversity and intact lowland rainforest ecosystems.
What to See#
- Atrato floodplain: Lowland rainforest and wetlands along the Atrato River basin that protect floodplain forest ecosystems and large river channels.
- Serranía del Darién: Serranía del Darién foothills and transitional forests that connect with Panama’s Darién region and support high biodiversity.
Best Time to Visit Los Katíos National Park
Dry season is easiest for access; wet season offers exceptional biodiversity but trickier logistics.
Weather & Climate near Los Katíos National Park
Los Katíos National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (2851 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 15 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 56 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 32° | 28° | 26 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 24° - 32° | 28° | 151 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 24° - 31° | 27° | 333 mm | - | - | 1.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 328 mm | - | - | 1.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 287 mm | - | - | 1.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 390 mm | - | - | 1.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 304 mm | - | - | 1.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 479 mm | - | - | 1.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 308 mm | - | - | 1.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 174 mm | - | - | 1.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Los Katíos National Park
Los Katíos is in Chocó Department along the Colombia-Panama border. The nearest larger towns with transport links are Turbo and Acandí; access typically requires river or boat travel coordinated with local guides and communities.
Tips for Visiting Los Katíos National Park
- Hire locally based guides to visit remote sections - river access and footpaths vary by season.
- Pack insect protection - lowland trails and rivers can be mosquito-heavy in warm months.
- Consider multi-day stays to see the full range of habitats from lowland rainforest to riparian wetlands.