Laguna de Sonso

Laguna de Sonso is a shallow freshwater lake and wetland reserve about 15 kilometres south of Buga, surrounded by marsh vegetation and managed as a wildlife sanctuary. It is one of the most significant remaining wetland habitats in the Valle del Cauca — a region that has been almost entirely converted to sugar cane and other agriculture — and it supports a remarkable variety of water birds as a result.

Over 150 bird species have been recorded here, including herons, egrets, ibis, jacanas, and several duck species. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon. Motorised transport is available from Buga to the lake entrance, and local guides can be arranged through the town. The reserve is managed by CVC (the regional environmental authority) and access is straightforward.

things to do sight
A story
Laguna de Sonso was nearly drained entirely in the 20th century as the Valle del Cauca was converted to sugar cane production. By the 1960s, only a fraction of its original extent survived. A long conservation campaign declared it a wildlife sanctuary in 1977, and it has since partially recovered — though it remains under pressure from surrounding agriculture and water diversion. The resident population of Colombian manatee was extinct here before the draining began; the birds that remain are a remnant of a much richer past.