Nature · Cali

Parque Natural Regional El Vínculo

El Vínculo is an 80-hectare tropical dry forest reserve 3 km south of Buga, on the Panamericana. You walk the trails with a guide, see birds, and there's a lookout over the valley. Open Monday to Saturday; it reopened after the 2026 earthquake.

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (the park closes at 5:00 p.m.); Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays, groups with a reservation only (checked on 2026-10-13).
Price: Adults COP 8,500; children COP 6,000; seniors and people with disabilities COP 4,500; foreigners US$10 (INCIVA rates)
Price level: $$$$$
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Address: Km 3 south of Buga on the Panamericana highway, El Vínculo corregimiento (rural district), Guadalajara de Buga

See on the map Google Maps Official website

It's the largest tropical dry forest reserve in Valle del Cauca, a type of forest that almost vanished from the valley because of sugarcane and cattle. It was a cattle ranch until the Azcárate Rivera family donated it to the department in 1968; in 2006 it was declared a regional nature park.

Trail walks are done with a guide, depending on availability. The forest is home to more than 180 bird species, plus agoutis, foxes, anteaters and deer. Up top there's a lookout over the cane fields and the mountains.

INCIVA reported that the park reopened after the August 10, 2026 earthquake. On weekdays it's open to any visitor; on Sundays and public holidays it only takes groups of at least eight people with a reservation. It pairs well with a day in Buga.

What to see

The tropical dry forest trails.
The lookout over the Cauca Valley.
Dry forest birds, best early in the day.

Getting there

By car from Cali on the Panamericana toward Buga; the park is 3 km before Buga's town center.
By intercity bus toward Buga, asking to be dropped off at El Vínculo.

Tips

Go on a weekday or Saturday morning; on Sundays only groups with a reservation get in.
Bring insect repellent, water and a cap: dry forest is hot.
Message the park on WhatsApp ahead of time to request a guide.