Iguaque Sanctuary to reopen in Colombia after forest fire

The Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, will reopen to the public on November 3, 2026. The facility had been closed since September 24 following a major forest fire that began on September 19.

The wildfire affected a total of 1,517 hectares, with 1,083 hectares located within the protected sanctuary. To combat the blaze, authorities deployed seven aircraft that performed over 1,000 water drops. During the closure, Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia conducted a post-disaster environmental damage assessment to plan restoration efforts using native species.

While the ecosystem undergoes progressive restoration, officials confirmed that ecotourism infrastructure and trails are in optimal condition. New entry regulations include mandatory prior reservations, limited capacity per trail, and required induction talks with local guides. Sandra Bessudo, director of Parques Nacionales, urged visitors to practice responsible tourism to prevent future incidents.