Testimonials

Here is a sample of what some of our previous guests have had to say about us. We pulled these testimonials directly from our Google reviews. If you want to see all of them, just Google search “Santuario Santa Fe Colombia”. We would like to thank all of our guests for the very kind reviews they have left, and for the photos they included as well.

My time spent with Luke and his family was a highlight during my trip. I’m happy I made it out to their bird sanctuary for many reasons. I was treated like a guest by everyone at the sanctuary and I felt welcome there. The food was out of this world. The accommodations were new, clean and very comfortable. The bird diversity was stellar. I racked up 121 species my second day there and never ventured more than 3/4 miles from the headquarters. I hope to return again in the near future for an extended stay. Thanks to Paula, Luke, Martin, Alejo, Tatiana, Juan Carlos and his wife for making my stay a special one. Especially thanks to Alejo for helping me find many lifers!

Richardson, October 2026

We spent 4 nights at Santuario Santa Fe and it was a top notch birdwatching experience. The Williams family owns the farm and is actively investing in turning it into a full birding lodge — right now they have feeders and a wide variety of fruiting and flowering plants that pull in an impressive range of species, plus three trails on the property, one of which leads to a beautiful waterfall. Birds are everywhere: at the feeders, on the fruit plants and flowers, and along the trails. Over our stay we recorded more than 110 species on the property alone, several endemic to Colombia.

The Williams are fantastic hosts. Breakfast and dinner were served family-style in the main house, with a nice mix of Colombian and international dishes. Water is safe to drink and mineral water is also provided in jugs. The rooms are simple but comfortable, with a private bathroom for every guest and good beds. Beyond the farm itself, the Williams helped arrange logistics and guiding for birding trips to La Rivera, Cocora Valley, and Pijao, which made planning easy.

The location is a real plus too — it's close to the Armenia airport, so you can fly directly in and out and skip the traffic getting to/from Bogotá. New cabins are currently being planned, so the lodging options will only get better. Highly recommend for anyone serious about birding in the Quindío region.

Winston Liu, August 2026

Our group of three came to Santuario Santa Fe as part of a 10 day tour to the Quindío region of Colombia. We spent 4 incredible nights at this Farm/Eco Lodge where we saw and photographed many stunning birds and wildlife. We each had a private room or cabin with bath. The accommodations were comfortable and family style meals were delicious. The down side was having only ceiling fans and no AC, although I understand it’s planned for the new cabins.

Luke Williams set up our entire trip from pickup at the Armenia airport, to arranged stays in various locations including expert bilingual guides. Luke’s communication was excellent. He was responsive and was flexible with our concerns. Highly recommend staying at this ranch in the jungle for birdwatching, enjoying nature, hiking and relaxing.

Dave Prentice, August 2026

Our family had an amazing time with the Williams-Viveros family, the wonderful hosts of Santuario Santa Fe. My husband and 15-year-old son are avid birders, and we were thrilled to discover that Alejo, the 12-year-old son of the Williams family, offered bird guiding. We appreciated Alejo's extensive knowledge of the birds of the region as he led us on birding ventures in the mountains and throughout their sanctuary.

Santuario Santa Fe is a lovely place, where the Williams-Viveros family is working restore an old coffee plantation into a biodiverse reforestation and sustainable organic farm. Their dedication to the land is inspiring. The family welcomed us with warmth and kindness, making our stay unforgettable. We enjoyed connecting with this beautiful family—the parents so warm, and their children, Alejo and his younger brother Martin, were delightful. It was wonderful to see our children connect with theirs, adding a special dimension to our stay.

Our birding adventures were also filled with delicious food. The Williams-Viveros family prepared gourmet picnics and provided plenty of yummy snacks to keep us energized during our birding excursions. Their hospitality extended beyond the meals; they made us feel completely at home.

We highly recommend both the Sanctuary Visit and Mountain Birding excursion.

Santuario Santa Fe and the Williams-Viveros family are a real treasure, and they left a lasting impression on us. We highly recommend this sanctuary for anyone looking to enjoy nature, engage in birding adventures, and experience genuine warmth and hospitality. Our time there was a perfect blend of connection, discovery, adventure, and relaxation.

Janine Schipper, July 2024