Nature photography enthusiasts live in a constant quest to find destinations filled with biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes to immortalize through our lenses. The Biogeographic Chocó stretches from the Darién Province in western Panama to the Manabí Province on Ecuador’s northwestern coast. It spans the entire Colombian Pacific coast, including the Urabá region and a section of the Caribbean coast between southeastern Panama and northwestern Colombia. Within Colombia, this vast region covers the entire Pacific coastline, representing 70% of the total extent of the ecoregion and 10% of the country’s continental surface, granting it an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems and landscapes. It is a true natural treasure, home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic or rarely found elsewhere.

Recognized as one of Latin America’s top ecotourism destinations, the Biogeographic Chocó is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. It is estimated to contain approximately 10% of the planet’s biodiversity, despite covering only 2% of the Earth’s surface. This region is considered a biogeographic transition zone, linking the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Its unique geographical position has facilitated the migration of a rich diversity of species between these two zones, leading to a high degree of endemism and species diversification.

Its lush tropical forests, powerful rivers, and pristine mangroves provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience in direct contact with nature. The Chocó boasts an incredible array of wildlife and is recognized as one of the best places in the world to observe and photograph amphibians, reptiles, and birds. On our nature tours, we have had the opportunity to photograph astonishing species such as the poison frogs Oophaga lehmanni and Phyllobates terribilis. Thanks to the efforts of public and private organizations—and the rise of nature tourism—the illegal trade of these species has been combated, promoting their conservation and encouraging their observation in their natural habitat. This shift has changed how communities near these ecosystems view nature tourism, offering them an alternative economic model and fostering a broader transformation in how ecosystems are preserved.

The region also hosts a wide variety of amphibians and reptiles, with approximately 560 species (350 amphibians and 210 reptiles), of which 273 are endemic (210 amphibians and 63 reptiles). For mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, the number of endemic species represents more than half of Colombia’s total endemic fauna. As for vascular plants, the contribution of this region to Colombia’s total plant endemism is estimated at no less than 25%.

Its biodiversity is simply breathtaking, making it a true paradise for nature lovers. We want to show you some of the species you can photograph during Keeping Nature Tours’ expeditions, where thanks to the expertise of our professional photographers, biologists, and local experts, we can capture their incredible textures and vivid colors: