Located in the Chocó biogeographic region, Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó is the first biosphere reserve to be situated on the Pacific coast of Colombia, which is one of the two large biomes that influence this area. The other is the tropical rainforest of the Serranía del Baudó. The biosphere reserve contains a variety of landscapes (cliffs, estuaries, coastlines, gulfs, inlets, bays and marine areas) and ecosystems (reefs, mangroves, tropical forest) rich in biodiversity. It is home to a population of more than 18,000, the majority of whom are Indigenous Embera and Afro-Colombian peoples, the former of which speak a rare isolated language. The main economic activities are subsistence agriculture, artisanal fishing, traditional fishing and resource utilization, trade, nature tourism and handicrafts like pottery.

Mangrove in Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó Biosphere Reserve, Colombia © IIAP – WILLIAM KLINGER BRAHAN

Path through the mangrove in Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó Biosphere Reserve, Colombia © IIAP – WILLIAM KLINGER BRAHAN

Cascada del amor (Love waterfall) in Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó Biosphere Reserve, Colombia © IIAP – WILLIAM KLINGER BRAHAN

A whale in the Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó Biosphere Reserve, on the Pacific Coast of Colombia. The biosphere reserve contains diverse ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity, including marine areas. © IIAP – WILLIAM KLINGER BRAHAN