Immersion Cienaga Grande and its Stilt Towns

We will have a beautiful meeting at the Ciénaga Grande Dock, a place where we can observe the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, we will be accompanied by a local guide who will give us the interpretation of the Ciénaga territory, we will have a beautiful boat tour at a moderate speed, to watch birds and different fishing techniques.

We will arrive at this colorful territory that is reborn and maintains its customs, we will have a cultural exchange, along with cultural demonstrations of its traditions, in the same way we will be learning about the environmental conservation of the mangrove and the importance of keeping these ecosystems healthy. We will have a space to have lunch with a typical meal from the region and guided tours of the Palafitic Towns.

Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta

A Biosphere Reserve, a swamp with a great diversity of mangroves that we can see during the tour, along with the various species of birds, this is a territory where manatees can easily live.

Palafitic Town of Buenavista

Buenavista is a stilt town of fishermen who have lived on the waters of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta for more than two centuries. They have built their culture on water, the result of a process of miscegenation since colonial times. With a total of 144 stilt houses, of which 138 are homes and 6 are for public and institutional use, called by the residents as emblematic buildings.

Palafitic Town of New Venice

It is the largest stilt settlement with more than 300 houses. Their houses are adapted to vary in height according to changes in water levels and residents say that children learn to row before they learn to walk. Furthermore, their ties as a community are interwoven in the transmission and exchange of knowledge around fishing and the Ciénaga.

Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta

The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta constitutes one of the most biodiverse and productive tropical ecosystems in Colombia and for these stilt communities it means the entire world.

Travel equipment: Sunscreen and lipstick (ideal if natural). Insect repellent. Sunglasses. Canteen, thermos or camelback (minimum 1.5 liters). Small backpack to use during walks. Personal items.

Traveler documents: passport, identity card or citizenship card, military passbook, health insurance card, covid-19 vaccine card

Travel clothing: It is important to wear comfortable clothing, preferably quick-drying, light-colored synthetic clothing. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts. Closed, comfortable shoes for walking and easy drying. You can also bring some additional sandals. Lightweight raincoat. Hat or Cap. Scarf, buff or sarong to protect you from the sun.​

Vaccines and health issues: It is mandatory that your Yellow Fever vaccine is current, otherwise you must apply it no later than 10 days before the trip. Ideally, you should have your Tetanus vaccine current. If you take specific medications, take them with you. It never hurts to carry a personal first aid kit.

Special recommendations: It is very important to be well protected from the sun and constantly hydrated during the trip. As the climate is very humid, it is a very good option to carry all your clothes in airtight bags or dry bags inside your travel suitcase, your personal documents and electronic equipment. Do not consume alcoholic beverages or psychoactive substances before and during the trip. Carrying a camera and binoculars makes it easier to observe the fauna and flora.