COLOMBIA: Visit Magdalena, Beware Of Narco-traffickers And Backpacker Muggings

Magdalena River
Magdalena is a relatively small department of Colombia, on the North Coast.

Magdalena is a department of Colombia, located to the north of the country by the Caribbean Sea.

The capital of the Magdalena Department is Santa Marta and was named after the Magdalena River. It inherited the name of one of the original nine states of the United States of Colombia that its current territory integrated.

The Department of Magdalena is located on the North Coast of the Colombian Caribbean Region.

On the north it borders the Caribbean Sea. On the northeast it borders the La Guajira Department, being divided by the Palomino River. On the east it borders with the Cesar Department, which is in part divided by the Guaraní River.

On the west, it is divided by the Magdalena River, and it borders the departments of Atlantico in the Northwest, and Bolívar in the West and Southwest.

The territory of the Department of Magdalena is formed by four drainage basins which are very different in composition and importance.

The drainage basin of the Sierra Nevada's western slope is located in the northern part of the department. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta creates different rivers that run mainly through the municipality of Santa Marta, and that finally end up draining into the Caribbean Sea.

The rivers that form part of this basin are:

- Palomino River

- Don Diego River

- Buritaca River

- Guachaca River

- Mendiguaca River

- Piedras River

- Manzanares River

- Gaira River

Sierra Nevada’s Southwestern Slope, this basin gathers its waters from the rivers coming from the southern and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada.

The basin irrigates great extensions of the municipalities of Cienaga, Zona Bananera, Fundacion, Aracataca, and El Reten, which are the heart of the agricultural and livestock economy of the department. The rivers that form part of this basin are:

- Frío River

- Sevilla River

- Tucurinca River

- Aracataca River

- Fundacion River

- Rosa Creek

It also consists of a small number of arroyos that only flow during the rainy seasons.

This basin also encompasses the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, the largest marsh in the north of the country, which is formed by 16 smaller marshes that are connected by means of arms within the march.

The balance of the march is a delicate one that depends on the fresh waters coming from the Sierra Nevada, and the periodical flooding of the Magdalena River, and the salt water coming from the mouth of the March to the sea, that is carried by the current and winds into the marshland.

The Magdalena River Basin is the largest drainage basin in the department, it is formed by the Magdalena River and its tributaries that feed on to the river and the Marsh.

The Mompox Depression is found within this basin, this depression runs from the Zapatosa Marsh to the delta of the Magdalena River. This depression collects the most water in the department as its where the Cauca River, Cesar River, and the San Jorge River drain its waters.

The Magdalena River is by far the most affluent river of these, and during the rainy season when it overflows, it causes the other rivers to flow backwards, not before overflowing the marshes and sometimes flooding some valleys.

The Ariguani River drains into the Magdalena River through the Zapatosa Marsh and washes over the central valleys of the departments of Magdalena and Cesar that are the principal areas of agriculture and animal husbandry in the Caribbean Region.

The department of Magdalena is characterized by its many marshes and extensive marshland valleys. The whole western side of the department its dotted with marshes and lakes due to the Magdalena River that borders the department on this side.

Most of this marshes are located in the northwestern side. The permanent marshes are, Chilloa, La Rinconada, Tesca, Pijino, Juan Criollo, Jaraba, Playa Afuera, Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, and Zapatosa.

The Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, is the biggest and by far the most important march in the department of Magdalena and one of the most important marshes in the country.

It is located in the northwest of the department and is separated from the sea by a very thin margin of land, only a few meters away. It has an extension of 4,280 km², of which 730 km² are just water mirrors with a depth of 2 to 6 meters.

The Zapatosa Marsh, located in the municipality of El Plato in the southernmost part of the department, it is shared with the Cesar Department, who controls most of its waters.

It has an extension of 310 km² and at its deepest it reaches about 8m. In it many rivers of different importance merge. The Zapatosa Marsh drains into the Magdalena River by an arm of about 16 km of length.

The Department of Magdalena, because of its terrain, and proximity to the sea has an unstable weather. Its Climate is mainly dictated by its global positioning, and because the department of Magdalena is located on the Intertropical Convergence Zone it possess an inter-tropical climate.

Temperature in the department is affected by ocean currents, precipitation and atmospheric pressure, it mainly has a hot temperatures with high humidity, but temperatures vary as altitude raises.

The altitude of the department goes from 0m to 5,775m above sea levels, the drastic changes of altitude divide the territory into what is called thermal floors. There are no solid or determined divides between these floors as local factors can affect the temperature.

The first 200m of altitude are considered the warm lands, they occupy a great extension of the departmental territory, the average temperature is of 30 °C. The main urban centers are located in the warm lands, including all of the downtown urban area of Santa Marta.

The altitude increase because of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated mountain, the highest at sea level, and temperatures raise as it goes up.

The presence of the Sierra Nevada in this area of the country has consequences in the climate of the department, the SNSM stands windward blocking the path of the Trade winds that blow from the North and Northeast creating a greater cloud accumulation and precipitation.

The winds that crash into the mountain ascend in an Orographic lift, this cooler air cannot hold the moisture as well as warm air and this effectively raises the relative humidity, creating clouds and frequently precipitation.

The clouds that manage to pass over the mountain, move hastily downwards creating foehn winds that raise the temperature of the area west of the Sierra, which include the Santa Marta, and Cienaga.

In the coastal area, droughts are cause by the diversion of the cold and warm katabatic winds coming down the Sierra, however the sea breezes help to cool down temperatures a bit, but by because of their direction, they end up extending the drought effects farther inland.

The department of Magdalena due to its location in the Intertropical Convergence Zone has only two seasons. The Rainy season takes place between April and November, with a period of less intensity between June and August. The dry season takes place during December and March.

The Mompox Depression presents its own climatic conditions due to its many permanent bodies of water, like the different cienagas or mashes, and rivers and lakes.

This wet habitat, permanently exposed to solar radiation, makes for a very humid environment, with an average annual rainfall of between 1,500 and 2,000mm, these rains are Convection rains as they are created by evaporation of its waters by high temperatures, this is typical precipitation around the equatorial belt.

Due to its complicated geography, the precipitation in the department ranges from 250mm in the driest areas, to 4,000mm in the cold floors of the Sierra Nevada.

The territory of Magdalena has an area of approximately 23,188 km², small compared to other regions, but in its territory various types of different ecoregions are found.

From the beaches and sea landscape in the North, the snow-covered peaks in the Sierra, the swampy marshes in the west, the cloud forests, to the grasslands inland, the urban districts, the farmlands, the dry desert like, the deep rain forest, the rocky rivers to many other small ecosystems.

These ecosystem support different fauna and flora and house many delicate species.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, in the Magdalena Department 8 different distinct ecoregions are found in its territory.

- Magdalena Valley montane forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

- Magdalena-Uraba moist forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

- Sinu Valley dry forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

- Santa Marta montane forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

- Santa Marta páramo, Neotropic Montane grasslands and shrublands

- Magdalena Valley dry forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests

- Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub, Neotropic Deserts and xeric shrublands

- Magdalena-Santa Marta mangroves, Neotropic Mangrove

Tourist Places To Visit

- Gold Museum

- Casa de la Aduana

- Isla de Salamanca or natural monument

- Simon Bolivar National Memorial

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino - National Sanctuary and Museum

Statute Of Simon Bolivar
La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino which is Spanish for Quinta of Saint Peter of Alexandria, is an hacienda or quinta built in the 17th century, famous for being the death place of Simón Bolívar on December 17, 1830.

At that time, the estate produced rum, honey and panela. The hacienda is located in the corregimiento of Mamatoco within the tourist district of Santa Marta, near the Caribbean sea in northern Colombia. Nowadays it functions as a tourist site, museum and historical landmark.

Simón Bolivar is considered one of the most influential people in the struggle for independence for South American countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

This museum is considered a tourist site where others can come to honor his actions. There is a small entrance fee for the museum, with a discount for children.

Touristic, Cultural and Historic District of Santa Marta

Santa Marta, officially Distrito Turistico, Cultural e Historico de Santa Marta or Touristic, Cultural and Historic District of Santa Marta, is a city in Colombia.

It is the capital of the department of Magdalena and the fourth largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad.

Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia, and is the oldest surviving city in that country, and second oldest in South America.

This city is situated on a bay of the same name and as such, is a prime tourist destination.

Before the arrival of Europeans, the South American continent was inhabited by a number of indigenous groups.

Due to a combination of tropical weather, significant rainfall, and the destruction and misrepresentation of many records by Spanish conquistadors, our understanding of the peoples of this region is limited.

The Tairona formed mid- to large-size population centers, consisting of stone pathways, terraces, protected waterways, and spaces dedicated to agricultural produce. Their economy was primarily agricultural, cultivating corn, pineapple, yucca, and other local foodstuffs.

The Tayrona are considered quite advanced for their time period. Surviving archaeological sites consisted of formed terraces and small scale underground stone channels. They also were known to actively collect and process salt, which was a significant trading commodity.

We know that they traded with other indigenous groups along the coast and interior. Archaeological excavations have recovered significant works in pottery, stonework and gold.

Santa Marta’s flag consists of two colors: white and blue. White symbolises peace, in that all are united without restriction. Blue symbolises the sky, the sea, the magic found in the horizon, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.

Santa Marta is located on Santa Marta Bay of the Caribbean Sea in the province of Magdalena. It is 992 km from Bogotá and 93 km from Barranquilla. It is bordered to the north and west by the Caribbean and to the south by the municipalities of Aracataca and Cienaga.

Santa Marta's economy is based on tourism, trade, port activities, fishing and agriculture, in that order.[citation needed] The main agricultural products are: bananas, coffee, cocoa and cassava.

Santa Marta is a major port. Simon Bolivar International Airport is 16 km (10 mi) from the city centre. Historic figure Simon Bolivar died here, a significant event for South America as a whole.

His villa known as La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is located just outside the city centre. As the main city centre is located close to the coast, the city itself has had difficulty controlling expansion.

Although, technically a separate locality, Rodadero is often considered part of Santa Marta itself.

Ciudad Perdida a World Heritage Site

Ciudad Perdida or Lost City is the archaeological site of an ancient city in Colombia's Sierra Nevada. It is believed to have been founded about 800 CE, some 650 years earlier than Machu Picchu. This location is also known as Teyuna and Buritaca.

Ciudad Perdida was discovered in 1972, when a group of local treasure looters found a series of stone steps rising up the mountainside and followed them to an abandoned city which they named Green Hell or Wide Set.

When gold figurines and ceramic urns from this city began to appear in the local black market, archaeologists headed by the director of the Instituto Colombiano de Antropologia reached the site in 1976 and completed reconstruction between 1976-1982.

Members of local tribes—the Arhuaco, the Koguis and the Wiwas have stated that they visited the site regularly before it was widely discovered, but had kept quiet about it.

They call the city Teyuna and believe it was the heart of a network of villages inhabited by their forebears, the Tairona. Ciudad Perdida was probably the region's political and manufacturing center on the Buritaca River and may have housed 2,000 to 8,000 people.

It was apparently abandoned during the Spanish conquest.

Ciudad Perdida consists of a series of 169 terraces carved into the mountainside, a net of tiled roads and several small circular plazas. The entrance can only be accessed by a climb up some 1,200 stone steps through dense jungle.

The area is now completely safe but was at one time affected by the Colombian armed conflict between the Colombian National Army, right-wing paramilitary groups and left-wing guerrilla groups like National Liberation Army (ELN) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

On September 15, 2003, ELN kidnapped eight foreign tourists visiting Ciudad Perdida, demanding a government investigation into human rights abuses in exchange for their hostages. ELN released the last of the hostages three months later.

The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), the paramilitary right-wing groups in that country, continued attacking aborigines and non-aborigines in the zone for a while. For some time the zone has been free of incidents.

In 2005, tourist hikes became operational again and there have been no problems since then. The Colombian army actively patrols the area, which is now deemed to be very safe for visitors and there have not been any more kidnappings.

For a six-day return hike to the lost city, the cost is approximately US$300. The hike is about 42 km of walking in total, and requires a good level of fitness. The hike includes a number of river crossings and steep climbs and descents. It is a moderately difficult hike.

Since 2009, non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF) has been working in Ciudad Perdida to preserve and protect the historic site against climate, vegetation, neglect, looting, and unsustainable tourism.

GHF's stated goals include the development and implementation of a regional Management Plan, documentation and conservation of the archaeological features at Ciudad Perdida and the engagement of the local indigenous communities as major stakeholders in the preservation and sustainable development of the site.

Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta a flora and fauna sanctuary

The Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta which is Spanish for Large Marsh of Saint Martha, is the largest of the swampy marshes located in Colombia between the Magdalena River and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

It has an area of 4280 km2 and belongs to the outer delta system of the Madgalena River. It is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrow, sandy artificial spit built in the 1950s, on which is situated coastal route 90 from Barranquilla to Santa Marta.

The marsh's large lagoon is connected to the Caribbean Sea via a narrow strait the La Barra channel, located between the town of Pueblo Viejo and the city of Cienaga.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park

The Salamanca Island Road Park is a national park located in the Caribbean Region of Colombia, on the eastern outskirts of the city of Barranquilla in the Magdalena Department.

The flora and fauna is in abundance because of the confluence of sweet water flowing from the Magdalena River and saline water of the Caribbean Sea. It was created in 1964 to protect the abundant bird life and coastal mangroves.

Via Parque is included in the Spanish name because of the road that runs through it, connecting Santa Marta with Barranquilla. In 2000 the park was designated a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Mangrove forests, tropical dry forests and riparian forest cover most of the area. The mangroves cover a third of the area (12,000 hectares) and the three predominant species are: red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove and buttonwood.

The park has an abundant variety of wildlife, many of them endangered. The existence of 33 species of mammals indicates a maintained high diversity, despite the environmental problems affecting the ecosystem.

The park is home to 98 species of invertebrates, nine species of amphibians, 35 species of reptiles, more than 140 fish species and 199 birds, many of which are migratory, endemic and residents.

Tayrona National Natural Park

Regional park in Colombia
Coastal stretch of palm-fringed beaches backed by lush mountains with ruins of a pre-Hispanic town.

The Tayrona National Natural Park or Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is a protected area in the Colombian northern Caribbean region and within the jurisdiction of the Department of Magdalena and 34 kilometres (21 mi) from the city of Santa Marta.

The park presents a biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range presenting a variety of climates and mountain climate, geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900 meters above sea level.

The park covers approximately 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of maritime area in the Caribbean sea and approximately 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi) of land.

It was the second most visited national park in Colombia in 2012, with 293,502 visitors. The most visited park was the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park.

The park has an area of 150 square kilometers. It is located in the jurisdiction of the Santa Marta municipality, in the Department of Magdalena, alonged the north coast of Colombia that borders on the Caribbean Sea.

Taganga is its most southern part; its western boundary goes toward the northeast following the coastline, including a kilometer of sea area, until the Piedras River.

The boundary follows the left side of the river until the North Highway, and then toward the west, crossing the following places with clear demarcations on the terrain:

- Santa Rosa Hill

- Tovar Hill

- Guacamayo Pick

- Aguas Muertas Hill

- Cielito Pick

- Hondanada Site

- Humo Hill

It also crosses several creeks, like the Piedras River, Canaveral, Santa Rosa, La Boquita, Cinto, and other water branches, including the Rodriguez and Gairaca creeks.

Temperatures in the park and surrounding citites range from 27 to 35 °C, 81 to 95 °F at sea level. Rainfall in this region varies from nothing to around 975 millimetres (38 in) per month, but overall the climate is semi-arid and hot, with agriculture requiring irrigation from streams that drain from the snowy peaks.

Scholars have done an extensive classification of animal species living in the park, which include about 108 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. The Mantled howler, the oncilla, deer and more than 70 species of bats are among the park's typical residents.

The park's 300 species of birds include the montane solitary eagle, the military macaw, black-backed antshrike, white-bellied antbird and the lance-tailed manakin.

There are also approximately 31 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 202 species of sponges, 471 species of crustaceans, 96 species of annelids, 700 species of molluscs, 110 species of corals and 401 species of sea and river fish.

There are more than 350 algae and more than 770 species of plants.

It is one of three national parks in the Colombian Caribbean with coral reefs on its territories, the other two being Old Providence McBean Lagoon and Rosario and San Bernardo Corals.

There is archaeological evidence of ancient human settlements in the area of the park up until the 16th century. The place now has facilities for the eco-tourism, with paths suitable for walks.

The Archaeologic Museum of Chairama is located in the Canaveral Site, near the mouth of the Piedras River. Other places which attract visitors are Los Naranjos Path, Castilletes Beach, The Pool, the Piedras River and the San Juan Out.

Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a city on the Caribbean Sea in the northern Colombian department of Magdalena. A busy port, it was also the first Spanish settlement in Colombia.

It's the gateway for trips into the Tayrona National Natural Park, and for multiday guided treks to the Lost City Teyuna archaeological site in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.

Revolutionary Simon Bolivar spent his last days at the villa La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, now home to the Museo Bolivariano contemporary art museum and a botanical garden. The city’s Gold Museum occupies a colonial mansion in seafront Bolivar Park.

To the south, high-rise hotels, bars and nightclubs line the beach at El Rodadero. To the north, Taganga Bay has numerous scuba-diving sites.

Tayrona Park is a protected area with several beaches that’s accessible by day trip, but also has accommodations. Its sheltered La Piscina beach is popular for swimming.

Taganga

Taganga is a traditional fishing village and corregimiento of Santa Marta, located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia at about 10 minutes or 3 kilometres north of Santa Marta.

Both Santa Marta and Taganga were founded by Rodrigo de Bastidas on July 29, 1525, making them two of the oldest remaining colonial settlements in present-day Colombia. The touristic town and backpacker hub is famous for its sunsets, diving and access to the Tayrona National Natural Park.

Bohemian and richly decorated Taganga is full of hostels and forms part of the South American Gringo Trail. In the months of July and August the village is visited by many Israelis who finished their military draft period.

Gaira

Gaira is a small town on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Near the port of Santa Marta, it is also well known for El Rodadero, one of the most popular beaches in Colombia.

Touristic Places in Magdalena

- Aracataca, hometown of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a pleasant respite from the big coastal destinations, and a must visit for fans of his work.

- Cienaga, site of the Banana Massacre.

- Santa Marta, one of Colombia's biggest tourist destinations, a hub for adventure tourism, and home to colonial architecture and white sand beaches.

- Taganga, a backpacker and hippie haven in a one-time peaceful little fishing village just north of Santa Marta.
Other destinations

- Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta

- Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City of the highly advanced Tayrona civilization, an arduous and legendary 5-6 day trek through the dense jungle of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

- Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

_ Tayrona National Park, a tropical unspoilt beach paradise, with overnight options ranging from expensive eco lodges to beachside hammock rentals.

Magdalena is easily one of Colombia's most visited regions, as it is home to the ever popular port and tourist hub of Santa Marta. Santa Marta also serves as the jumping off point for virtually anything further east.

including the famous Ciudad Perdida trek, the Sierra Madre mountains, the beautiful beaches of Tayrona National Park, and onwards to Riohacha and Cabo de la Vea in Colombia's northernmost department, La Guajira.

Magdalena is also most infamous for the Banana Massacre. As Colombia's principal and very productive banana-growing region, the department swelled with workers for the one-time banana empire of the United Fruit Company the present-day Chiquita.

The incoming migrant workers, pejoratively dubbed fallen leaves to equate them with rubbish, worked under conditions that would not be tolerated in the modern era.

Indeed were not tolerated then, the workers organized an enormous strike, demanding written contracts, eight-hour days, six-day weeks and the elimination of food coupons.

The Colombian government, in part fearful of a U.S. military intervention to protect its interests, decided to dispatch an army regiment to Cienaga, with orders by General Cortes Vargas to end the strike by all means necessary.

Having set machine gunners on the rooftops of the main square, surrounding the strikers, the army issued a five minute warning and then opened fire on the assembled workers, along with their families.

Hugely important to Colombian history, the massacre was followed shortly by the civil war known as La Violencia, and to this day, anti-government militants such as the FARC point back to this day as one of the beginnings of their cause.

In a far less violent manner, Magdalena is further important to the history and culture of Colombia for having reared one Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Born and raised in Aracataca, he became Colombia's and one of Latin America's greatest and most respected authors.

Gabo drew upon his personal history in the region extensively in his literature, basing the fictional town of Macondo on his own hometown, and creating a fictional version of the Banana Massacre in his most well-known novel, One Hunded Years of Solitude.

Despite being by far one of the country's top tourist destinations, Magdalena has some serious problems. Narco-traffickers, paramilitaries, and even FARC militants are present in the area, most notoriously in the Sierra Madre mountains.

Attacks on civilians do occur in the cities, where business owners are routinely forced to pay extortion money to the paramilitaries.

Less exotic crimes of opportunity, such as backpacker muggings on forest trails, are nonetheless a more realistic concern to travelers.

As a rule, foreign governments advise against travel in the countryside, especially into the mountains and this very much does include the nevertheless-popular trek to Ciudad Perdida.

The main roads are well policed, though, so you should rest easy traveling along the coast, or down the road towards Aracataca and Fundacion.

If riding a motorcycle, there is one weird problem to be wary of along the main coastal road to the west of Cienaga, beggars/bandits pulling a rope across the road, forcing motorcyclists to either stop and pay up, or be sent flying.

Motorcyclists should reconsider whether motorcycle travel is a great idea in Colombia, and ride alongside a large vehicle, such as a truck or inter-city bus, which will force the kids to drop their rope.

The clear next destinations from Magdalena lie to the east, along the coast of La Guajira, or to the west, to the big cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena.


Tourism Observer

COLOMBIA: Interesting Places To Visit

Birdwatching in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

The tallest coastal mountain range in the world and highest summit in Colombia are found in Colombia’s Caribbean region. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Martareaches altitudes of 5,700 meters above sea level. The Sierra Nevada is located in the departments of Magdalena, Cesar and Guajira and borders with the Atlantic Ocean to the north and with the Colombian Caribbean lowlands to the south, east, and west.

The Sierra is tremendously complex in terms of geology, fauna, and flora due to the fact that all neotropical habitats are present and that it is complete isolated from the Andes Mountains.

The Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo Indian communities make their home on the Sierra Nevada. The city of Santa Marta is located at its base. Although the Sierra was declared a Biosphere Reserve, most of its territory belongs to a natural national park, and it possesses the Cuchilla de San Lorenzo IBA, the threats to its natural habitats still persist.
Birding in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

A total of 635 bird species have been recorded in the Sierra Nevada de A total of 635 bird species have been recorded in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, accounting for an impressive 35% of the whole Colombia avifauna in only 1.48% of the national territory.

The Sierra is the most important endemism center in the world with 36 species (and 55 subspecies) of birds restricted to it. Sadly, 18 of its species face a risk of extinction at a global level and 22 at a national level. One hundred and thirty-two migratory species have been recorded in the area.

Birdwatching is carried out entering from Santa Marta to Minca and San Lorenzo, where most of the endemics can be spotted: thSanta Marta Parakeet (Pyrrhura viridicata), the Coppery Emerald (Chlorostilbon russatus), the Streak-capped Spinetail (Cranioleuca hellmayri), the Santa Marta Antpitta (Grallaria bangsi), the Brown-rumped Tapaculo (Scytalopus latebricola), the Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant (Myiotheretes pernix), the Yellow-crowned Whitestart (Myioborus flavivertex), the White-lored Warbler (Basileuterus conspicillatus), the Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager (Anisognathus melanogenys), and the Santa Marta Brush-Finch (Atlapetes melanocephalus), among others.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta offers the best birding option in Colombia… absolutely rapture!

Ciudad Perdida: The Gateway to the Past of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

The Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park, also known as Teyuna, is located on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta at the edge of the Buritaca River. Ciudad Perdida means “lost city” in English.

Ciudad Perdida is reached by crossing forests full of exotic fauna and flora, hanging bridges, mountains, and waterfalls. In the midst of a tropical forest and 40 and 50-meter tall trees are found the ruins of the great Tayrona empire, characterized by a sophisticated integration of nature and civilization and splendid stone architecture.
The Discovery of Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida was discovered in 1975 by an informal digger. The finding was confirmed in 1976 by the Instituto Antropológico de Bogotá.

The Architecture of Ciudad Perdida

The habitations in the Lost City were built out of stone in a circular shape five to eight meters in diameter. They are situated on stepped terraces.

According to anthropological research, Ciudad Perdida was built approximately in the year 700 AD and was the most important urban center among the 250 Indian settlements discovered so far on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Its population ranged between 1,400 and 3,000 inhabitants.

Ciudad Perdida was made up of over 250 terraces distributed in eight sections, each of which was a space for living, working, and performing religious celebrations. The various sections of the city were joined by a network of cobbled paths and stairs located on the slopes. Roads and stairs also joined the cultivation fields. Houses were built on tiered terraces made from stones that formed rings with diameters of five to eight meters.

Part of the success of the Tayroma architecture consisted in preventing the rain falling on these slopes from eroding the land. Additionally, a network of rainwater allowed the effective control of water. Also for preventing erosion, the Tayrona Indians built 12-meter high retaining walls to support the multiple paths that crossed.

Santander Means History, Adventure, and Unlimited Thrills

Whenever you have the chance to visit the department ofSantander, in northeastern Colombia, you will realize why one of its sites was nominated as one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World: the Chicamocha Canyon, an extraordinary place worth watching from land, air, and water.

The Santander region has been thriving as a major tourist attraction thanks to this superb canyon that fractures the mountains of the Eastern Range of the Andes. In addition to amazing landscapes, it has deep cultural, historic, and architectural meaning to the towns in its area of influence. Motivations to travel the region are varied and interesting. Its beauty is evident in every kilometer, so it is suggested to travel by road and, preferably, from the department of Boyacá.

The people of Santander are characterized by their strong character, for keeping their word, and for an immense pride for their land

Santander is made up of 87 municipalities grouped in 8 provinces and, although each province has specific interests, the province of Guanentá concentrates most of the tourist sites and may be considered as representing the entire department. Because touring the province means learning about the fascinating story of the department as narrated by its own inhabitants and as reflected in buildings from past times that speak about the existence of the valiant and courageous Guane men and women who took the first steps in pro of the country’s independence from Spain.

Aside from its beauty and grandeur, Santander’s natural environment is wild and challenging. The Chicamocha Canyon, streams, brooks, rivers, mountain ecological paths, royal roads, and tropical forests attest to this fact.

All this diversity of landscapes has catapulted the destination as one of the most important in Colombia - if not the most - for engaging in adventure sports, in the midst of lavish forests, gushing waters, copious rivers and waterfalls, dark caverns, and ravines along the roads between hills.

t is important to know that Santander’s villages and natural attractions make it easy for trips that, aside from unforgettable, are dynamic, amusing, thrilling, and enriching from a cultural point of view. With adequate information and the advice of Santander people, it is possible to extend the journey to the maximum and truly enjoy the experiences offered by this lovely land.
San Gil and Its Surroundings: Pure Adrenaline and Beautiful Landscapes

The epicenter of a journey through Santander could well be San Gil, the capital of the province of Guanentá and equidistant from historic municipalities and adventure sites. If you decide to come and get acquainted with this splendorous region, with no remorse for what you could have done and did not do, bear in mind that you should have available at least four or five days.

Devote one day to San Gil for strolling its colonial streets, touring the emblematic El Gallineral Park, rafting down the challenging Fonce River, and enjoying coffee in any of the bars that frame the central square. You may want to increase your dose of adventure on your second day by rappelling at the Juan Curí Waterfalls on the road to Charalá and then going deep into the Cueva del Indio, in the municipality of Páramo, to explore the cave for two hours, equivalent to two and a half kilometers.

After such intense thrills, a pause on the third day is suggested in the tranquil, ochre-colored village of Barichara, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country for its rammed earth houses and the harmonious complex of streets covered with the typical yellow stone that is also used for artisan sculpting. Very close to Barichara is Guane, an equally beautiful Indian village reached by road or by one of several royal paths that still remain amid the exuberant geography of Santander.

The Majestic Chicamocha Canyon

To resume this subject, it must be stated that the Chicamocha Canyon is the indispensable visit and tour during an expedition in Santander. So, the fourth day is for experiencing the fascination that rises when we begin to see its majesty from the road that takes us there. Coming from San Gil and crossing the village of Aratoca, the road takes us from the highest to the lowest part of the canyon. After a descent of a couple of hours one reaches Pescadero Bridge and the bed of the Chicamocha River.

This is why this part of the trip implies several stops, whether to admire the beauty of the landscape or to take off on a paragliding wing and live the indescribable adventure of flying over the canyon. The stop is also at the mountain’s summit, where madness became reality in the form of the National Chicamocha Park (Panachi, by its Spanish acronym), an ingenious challenge to nature for feeling and being captured not only by the canyon, but by the dauntless lands of Santander just as they were immortalized in several songs.

The park’s attractions leave no doubt that Santander is synonymous with adventure. In a very short time, the aerial tramway that crosses the canyon, the buggy track, the enormous monument to Santander pride, and various mechanical attractions turned Panachi into an emblem of Santander and one of the best theme parks in Colombia.

Girón, Piedecuesta, and Floridablanca, Other Towns to Visit in Santander

If you have more time available, the fifth day could be devoted to towns in the metropolitan area. Girón, Piedecuesta, and Floridablanca are important for their history, architecture and contribution to the region’s economy.

Due to its diversity, the department of Santander is one of those places in the country that become embedded in people’s memories, with their amazing beauty and the thrills it offers.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Natural Park: land of wise people

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is located in the northern part of Colombia, in the departments of Magdalena, La Guajira, and Cesar. The Teyuna Archaeological Park, also called “Ciudad Perdida” (lost city), and the cradle of the country’s most monumental Indian civilization is located entirely on the Sierra.

This majestic mountain range is the tallest seaside mountain system in the world and possesses Colombia’s two largest mountains. At present, around 30,000 members of the Kogi, Arhuaco, Kankuamo, and Wiwa Indian communities, known as “older brothers”, live in the park. UNESCO declared the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta park a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Recovery, research and conservation efforts are carried out in the park permanently. Hikes through various places through historic and cultural paths are the main tourist activity at the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Characteristics

Its area covers 383,000 hectares.
It is the best known and most accepted ecotourism region in the country by both nationals and foreigners by virtue of its beautiful landscapes and multiracial composition.
The Sierra Nevada central core is composed of the Simón Bolívar and Cristóbal Colón twin peaks. Both have an altitude of 5,770 meters above sea level, and are thus considered the tallest seaside mountains in the whole world.

Access to Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

The city of Santa Marta may be reached by air, land, and sea. From Santa Marta, it is necessary to travel 42 kilometers on a dirt road, first to the township of Minca, then to Cerro Kennedy, and on to the San Lorenzo Experimental Station, approximately a one and a half hour ride.
Communities

At present the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is inhabited by the Kogi and Ijka Indians. The latter are also known as Arhuacos. Both conserve their myths and traditions. Two traditions from the past deserve to be highlighted: the job of the mamos and the coca ritual. The mamos, or mamas, are the priests and wise men of the community, who inherited the wisdom of their elders and exert religious power.
Fauna

Jaguars, tapirs, páramo deer, condors, curassows and the Sierra parrot are found among the fauna.

Flora

The biota of the massif (warm, cold, páramo and sub-páramo thermal floors) has a notable affinity with that of the Andes, especially the Eastern Mountain Range of Colombia.The flora of the park is quite varied: mastres, caracolíes, ceibas de leche, and wax palms stand out as gigantic trees.
Activities

Cultural contact
Birdwatching
Mountain climbing
Observation of wild fauna and flora
Archaeology
Hiking
Research and environmental education activities

Attractions

Several interesting sites for nationals and foreigners are visited in the course of the year:

Teyuna, or Lost City, stands out as the most important archaeological and historical finding in Colombia.
San Lorenzo Experimental Station.
Intepretive paths.
Dozens of waterfalls.
The Bolívar and Colón Peaks.
Indian settlements.
Cities: Santa Marta (Sea Feasts in July), Ciénaga (Caiman Feasts in January), and Valledupar (Festival of the Vallenata Legend in April).
The Banana region (The Macondo of García Marquez).

Santa Marta: a colombian Sun and Beach Destination

Santa Marta has one of the most lovely bays in America. It is a peaceful place, full of natural charm, sea breeze, and pure mountain air.

Santa Marta and Sierra Nevada is a tourist destination that provides contact with nature, an excellent hotel infrastructure, and perfect sites for water sports, all in a relatively small area. The locality of El Rodadero, only five minutes from the historical center of Santa Marta, has beaches of very white medium-grained sand (the kind that does not stick to the skin) and a clean, calm blue-green sea. Here the sea poses no dangers for bathers and its pleasant temperature contrasts with the warmth of the sun. It also lends itself to the practice of all water sports.
Tayrona National Park

The Tayrona Park starts just half an hour away from Santa Marta where the ridges of the Sierra Nevada extend their arms into the sea giving shape to a complex system of coves and rocky cliffs. It is here that the paradisial Tayrona landscape is born.

The Park has quite a number of ample beaches. The best-known ones are Bahía Concha, a lovely spot for swimming; Neguanje, and Cañaveral. The latter two have camping grounds and beautiful beaches in the midst of luscious vegetation.

Sierra Nevada del Cocuy: the fusion of the sky and the mountains of Colombia

Colombia is a striking mixture of colorful landscapes. This time, it is about the white peaks of the snowy mountain range of El Cocuy, some of which, aside from beautifying the scenery, are points of reference for the challenges of mountain climbers and tourists who wish to become acquainted icy places in Colombian geography.

Some peaks are inaccessible to man; for example, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, on the Caribbean Coast. Others likeEl Cocuy, or Güicán, Snowy Mountain Range constitute a permanent goal for travelers and ecologists who spend most of their time on the heights, far from the din of the cities, and close to the silent landscapes, in a state of full tranquility.

The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is a 306,000 km² protected area from which rise 23 snow peaks surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, páramo vegetation - frailejón (Espeletia) is a good example - and several species of fauna, among them, tapirs, spectacled bears, Andean condors, eagles, and páramo deer.

It is possible to walk to many of the splendorous places that make up the Sierra, as long as the tour is done under the guidance of expert guides who provide their services through companies legally incorporated in Bogotá or the Boyacá towns of El Cocuy and Güicán. This way it is much easier to reach one of the most spectacular environments in Colombia, a place where the hope of delaying or avoiding the ravages of global warming is still cherished.

It is necessary to devote at least a week to achieve the best possible experience of body and spirit. And, naturally, during the dry season. During the rainy season, access is impossible and visibility is extremely poor. Although here, as in other parts of the world, the climate has changed in recent years, two seasons have been identified as the best for conquering this landscape: from July to August and from December to February. In any case, during any vacation period it is possible to travel to the nearby municipalities of El Cocuy or Güicán to wait patiently for the right time to climb the mountain.

Interesting sites on the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy

The list of sites is extensive and varies according to whether the mountain climber is seasoned or not. Must-see attractions are Plaza and Grande de la Sierra Lakes, the blanket of snow that covers Devil’s Pulpits, Pan de Azúcar Glacier, the Toti, Cóncavo, and Portales snow peaks, and of course, the most imposing of El Cocuy summits: Ritacuba Blanco, at a challenging 5,330 meters above sea level.

Reaching the top of these mountains is best left to professional mountain climbers. However, approaching its slopes and becoming a part of the enormous panorama of Sierra del Cocuy Güicán is a dream within reach of any adventurer enchanted by nature. It is only a matter of obtaining the necessary information beforehand and following the recommendations given by the local guides and the offices of the Dirección de Parques Nacionales (Department of National Parks).
How to get to the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Güicán

From Bogotá, it is necessary to take the Autopista Norte (Northern Highway) to the town of Duitama, in the department of Boyacá (240 km). From there, the trip continues on the road that crosses the northeastern sector of the department and passes the towns of Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Cerinza, Belén, Susacón, and Soatá. The latter offers two options: The first leads to Capitanejo, in the department of Santander. The second, which is more advisable due to better roads, crosses Soatá, Boavita, La Uvita, San Mateo, Guacamayas, Panqueba, El Cocuy, or Güicán.

El Cocuy and Güican offer four routes that lead to different mountain sites on the majestic Sierra Nevada. All of them include a ride on a 4-wheel drive vehicle over an unpaved road, horseback rides, and hiking for at least an hour before reaching the snow.

Route 1 (south) Lagunillas – Púlpito del Diablo – Pan de Azúcar
Route 2 (center) Laguna Grande de la Sierra – Los Cóncavos
Route 3 (north) Güicán – Cabañas Kanwara – Ritacuba Blanco (highest peak on the Sierra and the Eastern Mountain Range)
Route 4 Tour of the Sierra. Done in a south – north direction beginning in El Cocuy, or in the opposite direction beginning in
Güicán. Either journey lasts between five and six days, whereas Routes 1, 2, and 3 allow the possibility to return on the same day to the cabins in the Natural Park or to the nearby municipalities.

Recommendations

The minimum altitude reached during any expedition to El Cocuy is 2,750 meters. Thus, previous acclimatization is a priority, especially for people who arrive from sea level and the hot country.
Touring El Cocuy Güicán Mountain Range involves great physical effort. Thus it is essential to be in good health. It is not recommended for people with a cold or the flu or respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Follow the instructions of the park rangers and guides.
Take warm, water-proof clothing, shoes for walking on the snow and steep terrain, sun glasses with UV filter, sun block, containers for collecting natural water, and sturdy tents. Make sure to pack foods that provide energy and calories, such as chocolate bars, bocadillos (guava paste sweets), peanuts, and whole cereal cookies or crackers.

El Cocuy: Extreme adventure in perpetual snow

From the window of an aircraft, the Sierra Nevada de El Cocuy looks like a strand of very white pearls shining in the Andean sunshine. El Cocuy National Natural Park is located in the central-eastern section of the eastern Andes mountain range, under the jurisdiction of the departments of Boyacá, Arauca, and Casanare. The Sierra is a chain of over 25 snow peaks along an extension of just 30 kilometers. Most of this beautiful, majestic range - the greatest mass of ice in Colombia - may be explored on foot.

For many, many years the Sierra, also known as Güican and Chita, has been a favorite destination of international and Colombian mountaineers and climbers, a fact which has made it possible to spread the message of this natural and protected area. The Sierra is the ideal place for lovers of rock, ice, and snow, and fans of hiking and camping. It is possible to admire mountains and páramos, and the forests that cover the valleys nestled among the snow peaks. For all of the above, El Cocuy is sure to delight the most daring adventurers.
Characteristics

It is a valuable water reserve.
Its extension is 306,000 hectares.
Its peaks range between 600 and 5,330 meters above sea level.
The park encompasses the Sierra of El Cocuy, Chita or Güicán; and the highest peaks of the eastern Andes mountain range.
It has 18 snow peaks and glacial lakes.
Mean temperature ranges from 24º C to - 3º C.
The main rainy season goes from January to March. There is a rainier season from May to June.
The biomes of six thermal floors are represented in the area: hot, warm, cold, páramo, super-páramo, and snow.
The fauna is characterized by its great variety: tapirs, corn monkeys, all of Colombia's registered felids, and a great number of birds.
The Tunebo Indian community inhabits the foothills of the Sierra; occasionally members of other tribes arrive from other reserves.

How to get there

From the southwest: by the Tame - Sacame route (2 hours).
From the northeast: the trip takes one hour from Curabá to El Chuscal (U’wa Indian Reservation).
From Bogotá: through the Carretera del Norte to Tunja. From there, the Duitama - Belén - Boativa - La Univta - San Mateo - Guacamayas - Panqueba - El Cocuy road.
From Bogotá: through the Carretera del Norte to Tunja. From there, the Duitama - Belén - Tipacoque - Capitanejo - El Espino - Panqueba - El Cocuy road (between 11 and 12 hours).

Attractions

High mountain hiking.
Rock and snow climbing.
Ritacuba, Pan de Azúcar, El Castillo and Púlpito del Diablo snow peaks.
Lakes like Los Verdes, Grande de la Sierra, La Isla, La Plaza, and El Avellanal.
Hot springs in Güicán.
Fauna: spectacled bear, páramo tapir, royal eagles, and pumas.
Flora: frailejones and timber trees, such as amarillos, cedars and totumos.
U’wa Indian reservations in the northeastern part of the park.

San Andres island: a four-day plan for tourists of the world

Slightly over 720 km separate this archipelago from the Colombian coast, making it Colombia’s northernmost insular region in the Caribbean. It is known, among other things, for its seahorse shape and the spectacular seven shades of its sea, which may be seen from the aircraft, the beach, or even better, from the hill by the name of “La Loma”, the most authentic section of the island.

Thanks to its geographical position and natural environment,San Andres island is one of the most strategic locations for the influx of Colombian tourists and many foreigners captivated by what they have heard about it. For the ocean, the ecosystem, the Antillean music, and the beaches, San Andrés is like a stage where many natural and cultural elements are blended to make it one of the most visited Colombian destinations throughout the year – by Colombian residents and by visitors from Spain, Mexico, France, the United States, Sweden, Peru, Belgium, etc.

Many people beyond our borders decided to begin their acquaintance of Colombia with this northern region. Others, already visiting the mainland, inquired about the country’s many paradises and did not hesitate to come to San Andrés. Regardless of their expectations, they ended up with visions and experiences to treasure for a lifetime.
Tour San Andres island in four days

Like many couples, Claudia Milena Cano and her husband decided to honeymoon on this Colombian island for its natural beauty and shopping possibilities. During four days, she carefully planned her time so as not to miss any of its charms. Her recommendations are similar to the ones of other travelers who lived the marvelous experience:

Day 1

Usually, a visit to Johnny Cay, an islet of white sand, with a natural aquarium for snorkeling and taking delight in the splendor of the multitude of marine species. On the beach, friendly natives enliven the day with good reggae and calypso music and the delicious taste of typical food. The tour begins at 10:00 am and ends at sunset.
Day 2

A 32 km tour takes visitors around the island along the ring road by taxi, private car, bicycle, motorcycle, or golf cart. Stops include Morgan’s Cave, The Cove, The Blow Hole, Big Pond, West View bathing site, and La Piscinita, a cove of sorts inhabited by various kinds of mollusks. If time allows, another stop is La Loma sector; if not, it is left for the following day.

Day 3

It is usually devoted to visiting the traditional La Loma sector, where the cultural values of the islanders converge. There is a lot to be learned that will be remembered forever. The afternoon and evening may be spent in the San Luis sector, a good place to learn to dance the Caribbean rhythms the islanders are more than willing to show and teach.
Day 4

Supposing that this is your last or second to last day of a short vacation, it would be well spent on visiting the downtown shopping center to purchase home appliances, liquor, perfume, jewelry, crystal articles, and, naturally, legally recorded autochthonous music to play at home while reminiscing about the days spent in San Andrés.
Experiences of Foreigners in San Andrés

American David Kramer, a professor and ecologist, remembers the time when he worked in a school in Cali and his colleagues talked to him about the island. San Andrés became the opportunity to obtain a diver certification thanks to the courses offered on the island and the extraordinary visibility and rich flora and fauna of the crystal-clear sea. As a nature and marine sports lover, David says that the Colombian island will always be one of his best experiences.

Other citizens of the world, the Spaniards, for instance, frequently visit the island – several of them for the bonds or friendship with our compatriots. Clara Pinar, who married a Colombian, spent a week in this Caribbean landscape. “Everything was spectacular; the hotel, very good; the people, pleasant; the Caribbean beaches, very pretty; the inhabitants, very extroverted; they seem sincere and kind…” This is the impression of Clara, who was also captivated by the San Andrés Aquarium, where she met a group of fellow citizens who had decided to escape to the island, with no contact with Colombian people.

Argentinian María Beatriz Correa decided to arrive by the multicolored sea. She has a keen eye for detail during all her tours – from arrival to return. She got to know discos, beaches, music, musical instruments made from jaws of animals; she ate delicious lobsters and sailed on glass bottom boats specially built for admiring the submarine world.

Yet there’s a crucial moment in her trip that she described as follows: “…I think that visiting Johnny Cay and Rose Cay is an experience that will remain forever in my decreasing memory. I would return to San Andrés for this reason. You must be patient because we all leave and return at the same hour. They call you to board in order of arrival. If you don’t have one, it is indispensable to buy a pair of those little shoes for walking in the water, around the hedgehogs, corals, and other marine flora and fauna.”

María Beatriz felt flattered by the friendliness of the islanders and the respectful adjectives they use to call the women who visit: queen, pretty, precious. Our traveler complemented her description by stating, “In San Andrés, you understand why the waters of the Caribbean were called “the queen’s gardens” by Christopher Columbus. It is a true fact that the sea has seven colors, you feel like staying there for good…”

These were the sensations of a person who, all of a sudden, found herself in the midst of tropical San Andrés, at the mercy of the spell of the sea, music, good food, the stories of the legendary Pirate Morgan, and a total reverie brought forth by the colorful horizon of splendid nature and courteous, festive natives, true connoisseurs of the land in which they are fortunate to have been born and live.

San Andres island: a colombian Sun and Beach Destination

Its beaches, bathed by a seven-color sea made placid and safe by coral barriers, are the main attraction.

The following are worth mentioning:

Bahía Sardina (Spratt Bight) located in the northern part of the island, near the main hotel and tourist sector. It is a city beach with white sand shaded by palms and a nice view of the Johnny Cay Island.

San Luis Beach is located only ten minutes by car or bus from downtown San Andres island. This is an option for resting on a beach with a more isolated and tranquil atmosphere.

Santa Marta: An Old Historical City Bathed by the Sea

Summarizing the features of a destination like Santa Marta is pleasant per se, but more so in this case in the light of the many factors it combines. There are more than enough reasons to exalt this tropical city and its surroundings as one of the most important destinations for foreigners and nationals. Thanks to these reasons, the Colombian Constitution of 1991 declared Santa Marta a tourism, cultural, and historical district.
A Tour of Santa Marta

Well known as possessing the most beautiful bay in America, Santa Marta is projecting itself as a modern city thanks to the infrastructure being developed and planned for the coming years. With it, there will be a harmonious interconnection among the port of Santa Marta, the historical center, and the beaches at El Rodadero.

Santa Marta is famous for having the tallest seaside mountain in the word, a place where the charms of a very old natural reserve join the wisdom of the ancestral peoples that make it their home and take care of it.
Enjoying Sun and Beach in Santa Marta

Along the Santa Marta beaches, the sea is calm because of the protection provided by the mountain range. Experts say that the wind passes by without affecting the area; it is safe from the hurricanes that affect other coastal areas of the Atlantic. It’s true! The Santa Marta beaches have never suffered from that natural phenomenon.

With the tranquility provided by those white sands and gentle waves, Santa Marta and the landscapes that border the Caribbean please tourists who seek the sun and a warm, happy atmosphere. Enthusiasm is evident in sectors like El Rodadero, one of the better-know tourism complexes of the region on account of its hotel, restaurant, disco, and shopping offers.

Motorboats depart daily from El Rodadero to El Acuario and Playa Blanca, the latter a peaceful site for snorkeling. However, there are more beaches near the city, each one with its own features. Examples are: Bahía Concha with its forest landscapes; Taganga, a typical fishermen’s village where several diving schools have their headquarters; and the beaches that are part of the Tayrona National Natural Park, the main ones being Arrecifes, Cañaveral, and San Juan del Guía.
Santa Marta’s Green, Exuberant Nature

The enjoyment of the beaches and small coves that border Santa Marta is just one of the things to do in this paradise-like destination. The best reference many people have on the area is the Tayrona National Natural Park and, naturally, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, with the superb nature and spiritualitly that is perceived on its slopes by virtue of the aboriginal families that inhabit it - people for whom respect for flora and fauna is sacred.

Aside from its pretty, solitary beaches, it has sites for diving safely, camping sites, and ecological trails replete with trees, over 200 bird species, and other species like monkeys, deer, and skunks that, in the end, are its main inhabitants.

Again in reference to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, it is said that it is the region’s icon for its imposing 6,000- meter height at the sea’s edge, the inspiration it elicits, and the mysticism of its inhabitants. Kogi, Arzario, and other Indian families explain the wisdom and legacy passed from their Tayrona ancestors in locations embedded in the jungle, such as Pueblito and Ciudad Perdida.
Santa Marta Is Ancient and Historical

Santa Marta emerged amid attractive beaches and bountiful nature in 1525 as the first city on Colombian territory. It is also one of the oldest cities in the American continent. The historical center is romantic, colonial and very well preserved. The Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Convent, the Tayrona Gold Museum, and the Consistorial House stand out as historical, traditional sites.

In the township of Mamatoco, at a distance of five kilometers from downtown Santa Marta, lies the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the house of the hacienda lent to Liberator Simón Bolívar in 1830 and the place where he spent his final days. Simón Bolívar passed away in this country house that preserves important documents and objects from his life and works.

The capital of the department of Magdalena is the sum of locations, details, and features to which a devoted reference must always be made. Santa Marta - the railroad, land, and maritime port - is not far from the banana plantations and the town of Aracataca, the land of prodigious Gabriel García Márquez, the unparalleled chronicler of the city and the region.

Ciudad Perdida: The Gateway to the Past of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

The Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park, also known as Teyuna, is located on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta at the edge of the Buritaca River. Ciudad Perdida means “lost city” in English.

Ciudad Perdida is reached by crossing forests full of exotic fauna and flora, hanging bridges, mountains, and waterfalls. In the midst of a tropical forest and 40 and 50-meter tall trees are found the ruins of the great Tayrona empire, characterized by a sophisticated integration of nature and civilization and splendid stone architecture.
The Discovery of Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida was discovered in 1975 by an informal digger. The finding was confirmed in 1976 by the Instituto Antropológico de Bogotá.

The Architecture of Ciudad Perdida

According to anthropological research, Ciudad Perdida was built approximately in the year 700 AD and was the most important urban center among the 250 Indian settlements discovered so far on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Its population ranged between 1,400 and 3,000 inhabitants.

Ciudad Perdida was made up of over 250 terraces distributed in eight sections, each of which was a space for living, working, and performing religious celebrations. The various sections of the city were joined by a network of cobbled paths and stairs located on the slopes. Roads and stairs also joined the cultivation fields. Houses were built on tiered terraces made from stones that formed rings with diameters of five to eight meters.

Part of the success of the Tayroma architecture consisted in preventing the rain falling on these slopes from eroding the land. Additionally, a network of rainwater allowed the effective control of water. Also for preventing erosion, the Tayrona Indians built 12-meter high retaining walls to support the multiple paths that crossed the city.

Santander Means History, Adventure, and Unlimited Thrills

Whenever you have the chance to visit the department ofSantander, in northeastern Colombia, you will realize why one of its sites was nominated as one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World: the Chicamocha Canyon, an extraordinary place worth watching from land, air, and water.

The Santander region has been thriving as a major tourist attraction thanks to this superb canyon that fractures the mountains of the Eastern Range of the Andes. In addition to amazing landscapes, it has deep cultural, historic, and architectural meaning to the towns in its area of influence. Motivations to travel the region are varied and interesting. Its beauty is evident in every kilometer, so it is suggested to travel by road and, preferably, from the department of Boyacá.

Santander is made up of 87 municipalities grouped in 8 provinces and, although each province has specific interests, the province of Guanentá concentrates most of the tourist sites and may be considered as representing the entire department. Because touring the province means learning about the fascinating story of the department as narrated by its own inhabitants and as reflected in buildings from past times that speak about the existence of the valiant and courageous Guane men and women who took the first steps in pro of the country’s independence from Spain.

Aside from its beauty and grandeur, Santander’s natural environment is wild and challenging. The Chicamocha Canyon, streams, brooks, rivers, mountain ecological paths, royal roads, and tropical forests attest to this fact.

All this diversity of landscapes has catapulted the destination as one of the most important in Colombia - if not the most - for engaging in adventure sports, in the midst of lavish forests, gushing waters, copious rivers and waterfalls, dark caverns, and ravines along the roads between hills.

t is important to know that Santander’s villages and natural attractions make it easy for trips that, aside from unforgettable, are dynamic, amusing, thrilling, and enriching from a cultural point of view. With adequate information and the advice of Santander people, it is possible to extend the journey to the maximum and truly enjoy the experiences offered by this lovely land.
San Gil and Its Surroundings: Pure Adrenaline and Beautiful Landscapes

The epicenter of a journey through Santander could well be San Gil, the capital of the province of Guanentá and equidistant from historic municipalities and adventure sites. If you decide to come and get acquainted with this splendorous region, with no remorse for what you could have done and did not do, bear in mind that you should have available at least four or five days.

Devote one day to San Gil for strolling its colonial streets, touring the emblematic El Gallineral Park, rafting down the challenging Fonce River, and enjoying coffee in any of the bars that frame the central square. You may want to increase your dose of adventure on your second day by rappelling at the Juan Curí Waterfalls on the road to Charalá and then going deep into the Cueva del Indio, in the municipality of Páramo, to explore the cave for two hours, equivalent to two and a half kilometers.

After such intense thrills, a pause on the third day is suggested in the tranquil, ochre-colored village of Barichara, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country for its rammed earth houses and the harmonious complex of streets covered with the typical yellow stone that is also used for artisan sculpting. Very close to Barichara is Guane, an equally beautiful Indian village reached by road or by one of several royal paths that still remain amid the exuberant geography of Santander.
The Majestic Chicamocha Canyon

To resume this subject, it must be stated that the Chicamocha Canyon is the indispensable visit and tour during an expedition in Santander. So, the fourth day is for experiencing the fascination that rises when we begin to see its majesty from the road that takes us there. Coming from San Gil and crossing the village of Aratoca, the road takes us from the highest to the lowest part of the canyon. After a descent of a couple of hours one reaches Pescadero Bridge and the bed of the Chicamocha River.

This is why this part of the trip implies several stops, whether to admire the beauty of the landscape or to take off on a paragliding wing and live the indescribable adventure of flying over the canyon. The stop is also at the mountain’s summit, where madness became reality in the form of the National Chicamocha Park (Panachi, by its Spanish acronym), an ingenious challenge to nature for feeling and being captured not only by the canyon, but by the dauntless lands of Santander just as they were immortalized in several songs.

The park’s attractions leave no doubt that Santander is synonymous with adventure. In a very short time, the aerial tramway that crosses the canyon, the buggy track, the enormous monument to Santander pride, and various mechanical attractions turned Panachi into an emblem of Santander and one of the best theme parks in Colombia.
Girón, Piedecuesta, and Floridablanca, Other Towns to Visit in Santander

If you have more time available, the fifth day could be devoted to towns in the metropolitan area. Girón, Piedecuesta, and Floridablanca are important for their history, architecture and contribution to the region’s economy.

Due to its diversity, the department of Santander is one of those places in the country that become embedded in people’s memories, with their amazing beauty and the thrills it offers.