Birdwatching in Cartagena: Pao Pao Frigatebirds

What makes Pao Pao a special birdwatching destination?

In Pao Pao, you don't just experience the sea of a paradise island. You also see the sky. Unlike other islands in the archipelago, this island in the Corales del Rosario National Natural Park is permanently home to an imposing species: the frigate bird.

Majestic, silent, and unique, they fly over the island throughout the day and have become part of its natural identity. This presence is no coincidence: it is the result of a protected environment, responsible practices, and a respectful relationship between humans and nature.

A sighting privilege that only happens here

Pao Pao is the only place within the park where these birds have made their permanent home.

There are no staged shows or tourist schedules here. The only real possibility is to witness—at any time of day—the free and elegant flight of the frigates, in a natural setting that seems made for them.

Although they are present year-round, their flight becomes even more striking at dusk, when the sky takes on warm tones and these birds seem to draw their own choreography in the air.

Staying a night on the island completely changes the experience. The sky, the silence, and the flight of the frigates at dawn are something you can't see in a single day.

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What is it like to see frigates from the island?

Pao Pao promotes respectful nature tourism.

Each encounter with the frigate birds is an invitation to observe without intervening. These birds, although curious and close, maintain a noble and natural distance. They have grown accustomed to our presence, and we, in response, have learned to appreciate theirs.

This approach to birdwatching in Cartagena has a clear purpose: to protect, educate, and raise awareness.

On the island, we share information with visitors about the history, behavior, and natural cycles of the frigate birds. Everything is designed to ensure that the beauty of this ecosystem is not only preserved, but also valued.

A day at Pao Pao is enough time for the sky to speak to you.

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A real nature experience in the Rosario Islands

Watching frigate birds soaring overhead in Pao Pao is a privilege reserved for those seeking more than just tourism: a true connection with nature.

Here, each visit is an opportunity to reconnect through silence, contemplation, and respect. And in that encounter between sky, sea, and flight... magic happens.

Pao Pao isn't a place to see. It's a place to stay.

You can experience Pao Pao in three ways: staying as a hotel guest, enjoying a day pass with full access, or arriving on your own boat for lunch at the waterfront restaurant.