a guide to gotas de agua private conservation area

Gotas de Agua Dry Forest

Dry Forest at Gotas de Agua Reserve.

Gotas de Agua (Drops of Water) is a privately-owned and protected reserve of some 18,000 hectares (4,448 acres) of dry scrub - which is the typical habitat of the surrounding region - at an altitude of around 650 m (2,132 ft).

It is less than a half hour drive east of Jaen, in the north of the province of Cajamarca. It is also possible to walk from the city to the reserve.

The reserve has a well-marked trail system and is a good place to see Marañon Crescentchest, Little Inca Finch and Chinchipe Spinetail. Tataupa Tinamou are often heard … and occasionally seen.

Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 17°C (63ºF) to 32°C (90ºF) … and is rarely below 15°C (59ºF) or above 35°C (95ºF). The best months to visit are from late-May to September, when the temperatures are a little cooler, skies are clearer and the air is drier.

Gotas de Agua offers basic accommodation and meals for those wishing to stay overnight.

Key bird species at Gotas de Agua:

  • Harris's Hawk

  • Savanna Hawk

  • Marañon Slaty-Antshrike

  • Lesser Nighthawk

  • Collared Antshrike

  • Red-crested Finch

  • Tataupa Tinamou

  • Marañon Crescentchest

  • Little Inca Finch

  • Scarlet-backed Woodpecker

  • Peruvian Pygmy Owl

  • Yellow-tailed Oriole

  • Rufous-fronted Thornbird

  • Marañon Spinetail

  • Fasciated Wren

  • Purple-collared Woodstar

  • Scarlet-fronted Parakeet

  • Spotted Rail

  • Paint-billed Crake

  • Chinchipe Spinetail

  • Spot-throated Hummingbird

  • Striped Cuckoo

  • Black-and-White Becard

  • Brown-crested Flycatcher

  • Purple-throated Euphonia

Marañon Crescentchest

Marañon Crescentchest at Gotas de Agua.

How to Visit Gotas de Agua Private Conservation Area:

Gotas de Agua Dry Forest - Sunset

Views over the Jaen valley from Gotas de Agua.

The endemic species to be found in Gotas de Agua’s dry forest, and its location just 17 km (10.5 miles) off the highway from Chiclayo to Tarapoto, makes it a destination on some of PeruNorth's birding routes: 

For those coming to the Chachapoyas region, many arrive and depart on the direct flights between Lima and Jaen. So it may be possible to include a visit to Gotas de Agua on the way there or back. Just ask us for more information.