The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta is a stunning wetland ecosystem located on the northern coast of Colombia, at the mouth of the Magdalena River. In the middle of this vast aquatic landscape lies Nueva Venecia, a fascinating floating community that has become a unique tourist attraction in the region.
Visit and tour with us the "Venice of Colombia" and discover the highlights of this unique destination. With transfers included from Santa Marta, we will immerse ourselves in the swamp passing through Pueblo Viejo until we reach Buena Vista, one of the three palafito villages in the area.
We will watch birds, travel by canoe, taste a delicious typical lunch of the region and enjoy a beautiful sunset while the waters of the swamp merge with the floating houses of the inhabitants, creating a dreamlike landscape.
9 Hours
Every day
Downtown Santa Marta Hotels - Starts at 5:30 AM
Downtown Santa Marta Hotels - Ends approximately 9 hours after start time
About this tour
Estimated Itinerary:
- 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.: Pick up at your accommodation and depart for the Pueblo Viejo pier. Your day begins with a journey to the heart of the Colombian Caribbean. A vehicle will pick you up at your accommodation in Santa Marta and take you along the Troncal del Caribe Highway to the Pueblo Viejo tourist pier. During the journey, you will cross rural and coastal areas that give way to landscapes where the Sierra Nevada merge with the mangroves. It is an excellent opportunity to see how the coastal cultures and ecosystems of the northern Magdalena are connected.
- 6:30 a.m. – 7:15 a.m.: Boat trip through the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta. Here begins one of the most special experiences of the tour: you will sail through the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and a Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR). This complex system of coastal lagoons and mangroves is home to more than 200 species of birds, a rich biodiversity of fish and aquatic flora, and is key to climate regulation in the region. As you cross its waters by boat, you will see herons, kingfishers, and storks, and you will see local fishermen going about their daily tasks, as if time were passing at a different pace.
- 7:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.: Visit to Buenavista, a charming floating village. The boat will take you to Buenavista, one of the three palafito villages that inhabit the swamp. This place, like Nueva Venecia, is built entirely on water, with houses supported by wooden stilts. You will learn how the communities adapted to live in harmony with the swamp, developing a unique amphibious culture. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the inhabitants, learn about their daily lives, and understand how their lives revolve around water, artisanal fishing, and collective resilience.
- 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Guided tour of Nueva Venecia. Your next stop is Nueva Venecia, the largest and most emblematic palafito village in the lagoon complex. Accompanied by a local guide, you will visit the town center, its floating school, the church, the Lovers' Bridge, the artisan's house, and even a soccer field built on the water. This tour reveals how, despite its geographic isolation, the community has maintained its cultural identity, organization, and welcoming spirit.
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Typical lunch at the home of a local host. After touring the waterfront, it's time to enjoy the flavors of the swamp. A local family will open the doors of their home for you to taste a typical lunch based on fresh fish, coconut rice, patacones (fried plantains), and natural juice. In addition to sampling the local cuisine, you will experience an intimate moment of cultural exchange that enriches the experience.
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Free time to interact with the community and enjoy the surroundings. This is the perfect time to chat with the locals, capture unforgettable images of the aquatic landscape, or simply sit and contemplate how the clouds and the reflections of the water merge into the horizon. Nueva Venecia is also a symbol of historical memory, as it was one of the places hit by the armed conflict, and today it represents an example of peace and community reconstruction.
- 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Return by boat to Pueblo Viejo. The return trip is as beautiful as the outward journey, with golden lights reflecting on the surface of the swamp and birds returning to their nests. It is the ideal time to close the day with a reflection on the natural and human wealth of this territory.
- 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Return by road to Santa Marta. Back on dry land, you will board the vehicle that will take you back to Santa Marta. After this day full of learning, landscapes, and hospitality, you will return with a broader vision of the Colombian Caribbean and a transformative experience in your heart.
* The itinerary times are estimated and may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions on the day.
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What's included
- Round-trip ground transportation to/from your accommodation in Santa Marta.
- Boat transportation from the Pueblo Viejo dock to the palafitos (stilt villages).
- Local guide in Spanish.
- Tour of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia with cultural and community stops.
- Traditional lunch at a local host's home.
- Free time for photos, community interaction, and local shopping.
- Travel assistance insurance.
Not included
- Pickup and drop-off at accommodations located outside of Santa Marta (rural areas, Taganga, Minca, among others).
- Breakfast.
- Tips for guides, drivers, or hosts (optional).
- Personal expenses and services not specified in the itinerary.
Rates
New Venice And Palafito Villages
Group Service
Starts 05:30
10 hours
Español
Operates: Every day
CANCELACION
General Terms
