Cali Butterfly Garden: Release Mariposas & Guided Tour

Summary

Walk among butterflies in Cali with a local guide and stories

You’ll walk through Cali’s butterfly garden alongside hundreds of mariposas, watch them hatch up close, and hear local stories from your guide. Release butterflies yourself (if you’re brave), explore Colombia’s largest living map, and leave with a sense of wonder you might not have expected.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so quiet inside when we first stepped into the Mariposario Andoke just outside Cali. The air was thick and warm, and there was this faint earthy smell — not flowers exactly, more like damp leaves after rain. Our guide, Camila, greeted us with a smile that made it clear she’d done this a hundred times but still liked it. She pointed out the first butterfly hatching right in front of us. I’d seen photos before but watching those wings slowly unfold… well, it’s different up close.

We wandered through the garden paths, dodging low-flying mariposas (I kept ducking — probably looked silly). Camila told us about the different species and how they’re all native to Colombia. She even let us try saying some of their names in Spanish — Li laughed when I tried “Morpho helenor” (I definitely butchered it). There were kids running around making wishes as they released butterflies; I almost joined them but chickened out at the last second. Still kind of regret that.

There’s this huge map of Colombia made out of plants — apparently the biggest thematic map in South America. Camila traced her finger along the regions, telling stories about where each butterfly comes from. The sun came out for a minute and everything glowed green and gold. I remember thinking how proud she sounded talking about Colombian biodiversity. It rubbed off on me a bit — you can’t help it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Paseo de las Mariposas garden

• Travel to Cristo Rey road
• Arrive at Mariposario Andoke
• Walk through butterfly garden
• Watch butterflies hatch and reproduce
• Release butterflies and make wishes
• Tour largest thematic map of Colombia

Top questions

Where is the butterfly garden located in Cali?

The Mariposario Andoke is on the road to Cristo Rey in the La Reforma area, very close to Cali city.

Is there a guide included in the tour?

Yes, a specialized local guide is included during your visit.

How many butterflies can you see at Mariposario Andoke?

You can see more than 500 butterflies in the garden.

Is transportation provided to Mariposario Andoke?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are available nearby.

Are tickets included in the tour price?

Yes, entry tickets are included as part of your day trip experience.

Is this tour suitable for young children or infants?

Yes, infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during the visit.

Are service animals allowed at Mariposario Andoke?

Yes, service animals are permitted on this tour.

Does the tour include health insurance coverage?

Yes, health insurance is included for visitors during the tour.

What’s included

Your visit includes entry tickets to Mariposario Andoke near Cali, guidance from a specialized local expert throughout your walk among butterflies, plus health insurance for peace of mind while exploring Colombia’s largest thematic map and releasing mariposas if you wish.