Tag: colombia sustainable

Stop Romanticizing Poverty, the case of Santa Cruz del Islote, Colombia

Posted on by Frank59872

In the heart of the Gulf of Morrosquillo, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, is Santa Cruz del Islote, an artificial island under the jurisdiction of the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park, where 779 people live on one hectare. It is the most overcrowded island in the world.

Santa Cruz del Islote, with its shingled houses, stands out from the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea, in the heart of the Gulf of Morrosquillo. It is covered by a collage of more than 100 houses, everyone there is family related, and the offspring continue to grow.

The formation of new families has caused construction to grow vertically, increasing household overcrowding. The island has no public utilities and 40 percent of households still dump feces into the sea; the rest of the community uses septic pits.

The island’s vocation has always been fishing, but in recent years it has been seduced by tourism….

Slum Tourism in Colombia

The hyper-crowded Island

Santa Cruz del Islote has gained much popularity due to its overpopulation. Newspapers, such as The Guardian, have associated it with García Márquez’s magical realism, relating how people live at their own pace and highlighting the absence of violence and the mutual support among the inhabitants who are like one big family.

Documentaries have also been made, such as Aislados (Isolated), an award-winning 2016 documentary. The documentary shows the most densely populated artificial island in the Colombian Caribbean where there are no police, no priests, no armed conflict, and where the arrival of modernity and the possibility of an eviction, makes its inhabitants begin to awaken from the magic spell.

Today many children on the island dream of moving to the mainland, studying, working, and thus “sending money to fix the island”.

Santa Cruz del Islote currently occupies 10.000 km2, i.e. 1 hectare. With an average of 1.25 inhabitants per 10 m², 65% of the population is under age, and there are only 6 surnames and 97 houses. Scarce resources, and people’s curiosity, created a niche for a kind of slum tourism, promoted by the same inhabitants. Besides, the Official Tourism Site of the Republic of Colombia, promotes it as a destination to see, for being the most densely populated island in the world.

So far, this slum tourism has made little change or contribution to improving conditions on the island or for its inhabitants; and it does contribute to romanticize poverty, by focusing on the magical realism of the colors of their houses, the marvelous blue of the Caribbean Sea and the children playing on a small soccer field. About their precarious and difficult reality? no idea.

Artisanal aquariums to swim with Sharks

Apart from the social-cultural attraction, another of the island main attractions are some artisanal aquariums, where locals kept sharks and fish, semi-confined, to swim with tourists. The propaganda followed the idea that going to Santa Cruz del Islote means having the opportunity to swim with sharks, rays and fish in the small improvised pool and make short tours through the streets of the island. Sounds Great! right? But reality is different.

In high season, the influx of tourists can reach 1,200 people, eager to participate in the great attraction offered by this community. Thus, for 5 thousand pesos, people have the right to swim with sharks.

There, in precarious conditions of confinement, without scientific surveillance or any kind of professional marine scientists, they keep the fish, which endure the harassment of dozens of tourists who jump into the water to touch them and take pictures.

This is a type of invasive and illegal tourism, even if the intention is not to mistreat the animals, but to have an alternative economic activity, it is not the right way.

On the other hand, as there are no sewage services on Colombia’s most populated island, the unwary travelers do not know that they are swimming in a sea of feces, in the aquarium-pools. There are also all kinds of pollutants, such as motor oil for the boats and large amounts of garbage.

Towards a sustainable tourism

In January 2020 a tourist denounced in her twitter account: This happens in Santa Cruz del islote, they have these animals in captivity so that people enter and touch them and disturb them. The animals were trying to avoid people. They are little animals that have no teeth, they can’t defend themselves #NoAlMaltratoAnimal @PoliciaColombia @Citytv pic.twitter.com/DvvcmZmqxz
– Daniela Correa (@dacf2891) January 27, 2020.

Although the sharks are going to be released, the inhabitants are asking for other work alternatives. Today the local government is working with these communities to implement sustainable tourism to protect the beaches and to eradicate illegal practices such as the captivity and mistreatment of these sharks.

The goal is to provide these communities with new work opportunities, such as implementing pools for lobster farming, training them in sustainable tourism practices, legalizing their boats, among others.

Discovering Santa Cruz del Islote

Santa Cruz del Islote. ©El Universal

Santa Cruz del Islote contrasts in a fascinating way with the Archipelago of San Bernardo, of which it is part, where wild mangroves, white beaches and few inhabitants is the common landscape.

However, it has an artificial origin, Santa Cruz del Islote was built by man.  The islet was built by fishermen who arrived and built it in the middle of the coral, with stone, rubble and garbage. The little town has four main streets but no presence of cars or motorcycles. You can see that there are boats everywhere, floating on the shores of the sea or on the cement patios of the houses.

On your visit to Santa Cruz del Islote you will see some stores, a health post, a three-story school, a restaurant and 97 houses that are no larger than 40 square meters. About ten people live in each house. The islet has an average temperature of 28°C (83º F).

How to get to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz del Islote is located between the islands of Tintan and Múcura. The closest ports are Rincón del Mar, Berrugas and Tolú in Sucre, and boat transportation costs 30,000 pesos per person. To Cartagena, in Bolivar, the boat fare is 60,000 pesos.

  • Take a 1-hour flight from El Dorado (BOG) in Bogotá to Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG) at Cartagena city.
  • Take a 1-hour flight from El Dorado (BOG) in Bogotá to Las Brujas Airport (CZU) at Sincelejo city. Once at the airport, take an approximately 1-hour ride to Tolú.

Once there you must pay a fee of 5,000 COP for the entrance to the islet in exchange you will be offered a guided tour of the islet.

Where to stay in Santa Cruz del Islote

Santa Cruz del Islote belongs to the islands of San Bernardo, in the Colombian Caribbean. You can stay overnight on the island, but if you want a more comfortable accommodation you can stay in one of the adjacent islands: Múcura or Tintipán; or even in the houseboats in the surroundings, as is the case of “Casa en el Agua” (House on the Water), with very basic services and very low comfort.

Activities and attractions in Santa Cruz del Islote 

As mentioned before, at Santa Cruz del Islote you will know one of the most populated places in the world. You can stroll through its alleys and admire its colorful houses, you will talk to the people who always seems to be happy; you can also enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the island (no violence, theft, altercations or fights). If you are a soccer lover you will be able to play a game with the locals.

You can also visit near places in Tolú and Múcura Island.

Tolú

  • La Ciénaga de la Leche. It is a natural reserve located 20 minutes from the center of Tolú. It consists of beautiful mangrove trails and a surprising biodiversity. During the tour you will find several species of birds and abundant vegetation that will allow you to connect with nature.
  • Roca Madre Adventure Field Park. Considered one of the best attractions in the department of Sucre, this park is ideal for adventure lovers. You will be able to walk through the tropical dry forests and discover the most amazing natural attractions.

You will also have the possibility of doing several extreme activities for the more adventurous such as climbing, rappel and canopy, as well as getting to know the flora and fauna of the area.

  • The Toluviejo Caves.These caves are formed by millenary formations of stalactites, stalagmites and dolomites in its depths, dating from the Miocene and Pliocene periods. Ideal for spelunking activities, the caves are:Las Claras, Del Caimán, De la Iglesia or Catedral, De las Mercedes, Del Cáñamo, De la Mansión; each of these names has been given by the community in relation to their similarities, and others are honorific.

Múcura Island

  • Snorkeling: It is done every day from 9:30 am to 12 noon. In this tour people are taken to a beautiful reef.
  • Kayaking: You can do it with the tranquility of this turquoise sea, spend a moment of tranquility while contemplating the beauty that the island offers.
  • Ecological Hike: You can tour the island with a guide or you can do it alone, you can walk along the island and marvel at the nature that this little piece of land offers you.

Tintipan Island

You can also spend an afternoon on Tintipan Island, where you can snorkel and do some sport fishing.

———

If you want to come to Colombia contact us and plan your trip with us.

 References

About the authors

Sara Colmenares

The current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism-environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services, and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

Community-based Ecotourism in Colombia: A Bet for Local Development

Posted on by Frank59872

Have you heard about community-based ecotourism? If not, here we will tell you about it. Community-based ecotourism aims at harmony between nature conservation and people, where ecotourism activities provide greater benefits to local communities.

For more than 10 years community-based ecotourism in Colombia exists, being promoted by the Colombian government and organizations such as the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, National Parks of Colombia, USAID, and AUDUBON.

This whole process of tourism development hand in hand with local communities involves training, organizational strengthening, promotion, and marketing of destinations.

Over time, difficulties, lessons learned, and developing a process that involves a community-based private organization and public institutions have been revealed and overcome.

Visiting Usiacurí and Luriza Reserve

The Importance of Community-based Ecotourism

These are the great advantages of community-based tourism:

  1. Tourism generates opportunities outside the big cities,
  2. Helps preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of rural communities, indigenous peoples, and many other historically marginalized populations around the world.
  3. For many rural communities around the world, tourism is a major generator of employment and opportunity, especially for women and youth.
  4. In some places, ecotourism is one of the few viable economic and legal activities.
  5. Tourism also enables rural communities to celebrate their unique cultural heritage and traditions.
  6. Community-based ecotourismis a vital sector for safeguarding habitats and endangered species.
  7. Economic income goes directly to the native lodges, to the local transporter, to the people who carry out daily activities, such as traditional cooking workshops, or traditional fishing activities, etc.
  8. Communities are transformed by learning to do responsible, differentiated, and environmentally friendly tourism, and they are more and more convinced every day of having beautiful territories.
  9. From your side, you are contributing to cultural or wildlife conservation programs, such as sea turtles, whales, birds, or pink dolphins.
Community-based tourism Usiacurí, Atlantico, Colombia

The High Impact of the Pandemic

2020 has been a very hard year for this type of tourism. Many families dedicated to this business were ruined. Some communities are able to survive because they can return to their old trades such as agriculture and fishing.

However, many of them are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to reopen their doors to travelers. It depends not only on them but also on new challenges such as the implementation of biosecurity protocols on their part.

Communities within the Protected Areas of Colombia

In Colombia, many of the protected areas have communities within them or in their areas of influence, i.e., border zones. For example, Afro-descendant communities in Utria national park in the Pacific, or the indigenous communities living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta national park in the Caribbean.

Indigenous People from the Sierra Nevada, picture by Banco de la Republica

These local communities have become valuable allies for the conservation of natural values in parks, reserves, and sanctuaries.

At the same time, the communities represent cultural values that in many cases are also object of conservation in the protected areas.

Who is involved, and what they do?

Entire families and young people establish community associations and are trained to provide eco-tourism services with the support of the Colombian National Parks System, or by foundations such as USAID or AUDUBON Society.

Thus, some learn about the natural values of the protected area to provide environmental interpreter services, others specialize as ecotourism guides, some improve their knowledge of typical gastronomy, and others explore handicraft production techniques.

Picture from Audubon: “Wayuu indigenous students and teacher Alvaro Jaramillo are bird watching in La Guajira, Colombia. The program teaches locals to become tour guides for travelers interested in spotting birds. Photo: Carlos Villalon”

Moreover, many of them are trained in the application of clean technologies that they will later use for the sustainable management of all ecotourism activities.

In recent years, the most successful processes have been the Colombian Birding Trails designed in the Caribbean and the Andean regions, where Audubon Society developed hand in hand with the local communities important birding trails around Colombia.

Ongoing projects are the Riqueza Natural Award, where local people, technology, and innovation were the main components to design new nature tourism offers in Colombia. Find out more about these destinations in our entry The Top Post-Covid-19 Destinations for Conservation Lovers in Colombia.

Community-based Ecotourism in Colombian National Parks

Today there are seven protected areas of the Colombian National Parks System that have the active participation of community organizations that offer their services to tourists. These areas have very diverse natural environments and a great variety of cultural manifestations:

  1. Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, with the community organization Natural Iguaque, formed by farmers from the municipality of Arcabuco (Boyacá).
  2. Los Flamencos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, with the El Santuario Association formed by residents of the village of Camarones (Guajira).
  3. Otún Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, with the Yarumo Blanco Association formed by a group of young people from the village of Floridablanca (Risaralda).
  4. Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park, with the community organization Nativos Activos, formed by inhabitants of the community of Orika (Isla Grande).
  5. Utría National Natural Park, with the Mano Cambiada Corporation, formed by inhabitants of the municipality of Nuquí (Chocó);
  6. Chingaza National Natural Park, Siecha sector, with the Asociación Ecoturistica Suasie, formed by young people from Vereda Trinidad (Cundinamarca).
  7. El Cocuy National Natural Park, with the Guías de Güican and Cocuy Association formed by farmers from the municipalities of Güican and Cocuy (Boyacá).

All of them offer several different services, such as multi-day packages to explore the region. You can book directly with them, or with our help. In general, the main objective is increasing sales of community products. In SULA, we help them, and you, making reservations more efficient.

La Guajira – Los Flamencos National Natural Park

Other Community-based Ecotourism Destinations in Colombia

Community-based tourism initiatives around Colombia, picture MinCIT, 2017

Of the many beautiful places that Colombia has, we recommend:

  1. Chocó, a unique place with indigenous and afro traditions, as well as a huge biodiversity richness. The Chocó municipalities of Nuquí, Bahía Solano, Capurganá, and Sapzurro are developing this kind of tourism.
  2. The islands of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina, with its Raizal community.
  3. In Valledupar with the communities of Pueblo Viejo, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
  4. La Guajira with groups of Wayuu women, who develop their activities within their tourist ranches.
  5. Birding trails such as:
    1. Northern Colombia Birding Trail,
    2. the Central Andes Birding Trail, and
    3. the Southwestern Andes Birding Trail.
  6. Mitu, Vaupes, with their ethnic touristic proposal.
  7. San Jose del Guaviare, with Econare, a local association of community-based tourism in charge of preserving the Amazon pink dolphins.
Indigenous handicraft, Mitú, Vaupès

Of course, there are many more places! If you want to plan your trip to Colombia do not hesitate to contact us, visit our Plan your trip page!

References
  • MinCIT
  • Procolombia.co
  • Radio Nacional
About the author

Sara Colmenares

The current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism–environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services, and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

 

The Luxury of Colombia: Natural and Cultural Diversity

Posted on by Frank59872

Sleeping in ecohotels in front of the beach, enjoying spa services among the mountains, or just camping with glamour surrounded by natural forests or deserts. In Colombia, the experiences that nature offers have been adjusted to the comfort and exigencies of luxury tourism.

This is why many media and world wild touristic guides present Colombia as a must to visit, highlighting its touristic quality, and the wealth of its culture and nature.

In Colombia, Everything is about Nature

In Colombia, we have 98 different ecosystems spread across five regions: the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Andean mountains, the Amazon, and the Orinoco River basin. All of this makes Colombia one of the 17 countries considered to be megadiverse.

Besides that, Colombia is an emergent destination with a huge potential for luxury tourism in nature and culture products focused on gastronomic experiences, music, bird watching, trekking, safaris, adventure among many other activities.

Western Striolated-Puffbird, Nystalus obamai. Fin del Mundo, Putumayo, Colombia.

Luxury Travel in Nature

Colombia’s Private Trips and Safaris

In the country it is possible to take private helicopter expeditions to remote destinations such as Ciudad Perdida on the Caribbean coast; fly over the Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park in the Guaviare; take an aero Safari over the Eastern Plains; or visit the San Agustín Archaeological Park, on the Colombian Massif.

Aerosafari in Colombia

It is also possible to make private trips in 4×4 vehicles for bird watching all over the country; take a private boat with all the comforts to practice sport fishing in the Amazon, in the Pacific, and in the Caribbean; take a private boat for whale watching in Bahia Solano, or Amazon Pink Dolphin watching in San Jose del Guaviare. The possibilities are endless, even safaris you can make by plane, by boat or on a horse.

Fishing in Puerto Carreño © FishIn Colombia
Undulated Savanna – Mururito Nature Reserve
Mururito Nature Reserve

Colombia’s Gastronomic Assets

As for the food, you won’t have to worry. Colombia’s gastronomic assets are very relevant. The climatic conditions of the five regions of Colombia make it possible to find a great variety of fruits and vegetables you can enjoy.

Mix of Fruits: papaya, passion fruit and pineapple, Hacienda La Sierra, Fredonia, Antioquia.
Oro Molido dessert, Hacienda La Sierra, Fredonia, Antioquia.

There are also products such as coffee, cocoa, rum, and many desserts, juices and typical dishes in each region. Some examples include lulada and champus in Valle del Cauca; agua de panela with cheese in Bogota and the Cundiboyacense highlands; bocadillo, a sweet made from guava, among many others.

Coffee Taste Experience at Hacienda La Sierra, Fredonia, Antioquia.
Rum Taste at Hacienda La Sierra, Fredonia, Antioquia.

During your travels, you can schedule tasting experiences or gastronomic tours. However, if the exotic is not your thing, you can also order your own food, and furthermore, if you are vegetarian or vegan there is nothing to worry about.

Local Products

Among the gastronomic experiences that show the richness of the country are visits to market places such as Paloquemao in Bogota, Bazurto in Cartagena and Silvia in Cauca, or visits to coffee plantations in the Coffee Cultural Landscape or cocoa farms in Santander. These activities can also be done in the company of local chefs and cooks.

Cartagena

Luxury Restaurants and Chefs in Latin America

It is important to highlight that there are also high-level restaurants and internationally recognized chefs who have worked to exalt Colombian cuisine such as Leonor Espinosa, Juan Manuel Barrientos, Harry Sasson, Álvaro Clavijo, Alejandro Gutiérrez, brothers Jorge and Mark Rausch, among many others, which made it to the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in the World and at the Latin American level.

In addition, the 50 Best organization chose Colombia as the venue for 2018 and 2019 for its Latin American awards ceremony.

Leo Restaurant – The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 ©Leo Restaurant

High-Quality Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation offers such as five stars hotels, glamping, villas, farms, and private homes that have all the services a luxury traveler deserves and demands.

Glamping

In glamping experiences, we have a very good offer. For example, Niddo in Suesca, or La Villa Suiza in Neusa and Guatavita; Bosko in Guatape; Corocora Camp in the Eastern Plains; Bethel in the Tatacoa Desert, and many others in destinations such as the Coffee Triangle, Tayrona, Barichara, or Villa de Leyva.

Niddo – Suesca
Corocora Camp, Casanare, Colombia

These experiences are very well known, because the contact with nature is unique, in addition to the fact you can see starry skies from the inside of your rooms since these are built with glass ceilings.

Hotels

Among hotel offer, there are hotels oriented to quality services such as Four Seasons Casa Medina and W (Marriott), both in Bogota; Casa San Agustin and Sofitel Legend Santa Clara (Accor), located in Cartagena or, Las Islas, located in Baru, 45 minutes from Cartagena. These hotels are part of the Virtuoso portfolio, another of the world’s important luxury tourism networks.

Hotel Las Islas
Aurum Spa, Casa San Agustin Hotel, Cartagena, Colombia

Ecolodges and Private Houses

Among the eco-hotel offers, there are famous places with high-quality service such as El Dorado and Casa Oropendola, both in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; Casa del Presidente in Barichara; El Almejal and El Cantil, located in Bahia Solano or, La Manigua Lodge, located in La Macarena, very near to the rainbow river. These hotels are growing as important luxury tourism destinations in Colombia.

La Manigua Lodge© website
Casa Oropendola, Minca

Coffee Farms

Yes! You can stay at a real coffee farm, and still enjoy high-quality luxury accommodation. The best destinations are Hacienda Venecia in Caldas, at the heart of the Coffee Triangle, and Hacienda La Sierra in Fredonia, Antioquia.

Hacienda La Sierra, Coffee Farm, Fredonia, Antioquia, Colombia

The Quality of the Colombian People

Friendly and welcoming, this is how many travelers describe Colombians in their testimonies. The people of Colombia really make a difference during a trip.

One of our greatest qualities is our Hospitality. The Colombian is always ready to receive people, and not only offers his home but also attends you with pleasure and the best care, even better than if you were in a hotel. Generally, their generosity goes beyond that.

We like to show the beauty of our country, and thus change the collective imagination and stigmas about Colombia, around the world.
Also, Colombians are hard-working, creative, and supportive.

Miguel Portura, one of the best birding guides in Vaupes.

Sustainability

Tourism has played a positive role in building peace in Colombia. It offers people the possibility to work and generate income, and it is also an opportunity for reconciliation.

The Government of Colombia and the tourism industry have played an active role in supporting communities throughout the country with the development of community-based tourism projects, such as an adventure destination for rafting in the Eastern plains, guided by former guerrilla members.

Picture from Audubon: “Wayuu indigenous students and teacher Alvaro Jaramillo are bird watching in La Guajira. The program teaches locals to become tour guides for travelers interested in spotting birds. Photo: Carlos Villalon”

Visit our entry Birdwatching Tourism in Colombia During the Post-conflict Scenarium to know more about tourism, sustainability, and the post-conflict scenario.

Know more about our sustainable destinations in our entry Recommended Sustainable Tourism Destinations in Colombia and Top 5 Tools for Sustainable Nature Tourism in Colombia.

Costs of a Luxury Travel in Colombia

Don’t think that Colombia is an economic country. It can be inexpensive for food, services in the cities, or for shopping in a mall. However, if you want to make private excursions to remote places, with helicopters, charter flights, private boats, and private cars you should know that this is what will make your trip more expensive.

Even more, if you are a photographer and carry a lot of equipment, you need to include the excess baggage in your expenses, since many airlines and charter flights have limited baggage capacity on their flights.

In some cases, you will have to send your extra luggage via cargo, or buy extra seats. This may happen if you are going to Bahia Solano, San Jose del Guaviare, Mitu, La Macarena, among other remote destinations.

Safari in Casanare

Additionally, road transfers may require high-powered cars, as many secondary and tertiary roads are not paved in Colombia. Also, in the rainy season, you will not be able to enter by land to some places, such as Hato La Aurora or Altagracia in the eastern plains; or Cano Cristales, the rainbow river, in La Macarena.

Because of this, some costs may vary depending on the weather season, or the demand. But don’t feel discouraged, this is part of the adventure!

Another thing that can make your trip a bit more expensive is a specialized guide and/or a guide who speaks your language. In general, in Colombia, most guides only speak Spanish, and if you need someone who speaks your language, this will have an extra cost.

Mitú, Vaupés, Colombia

Recommendations for your visit

  • Plan your trip in advance.
  • Travel with a travel agency you trust.
  • Ask questions, get informed, don’t be fooled, but also don’t abuse the services that an agent or a guide can give you.
  • Understand that as a country we do our best, but we are still developing and growing.
  • The risk is that you want to stay!

If you want to plan your trip to Colombia do not hesitate to contact us, visit our Plan your trip page!

References
  • ProColombia
  • Avianca
  • Virtuoso
About the author

Sara Colmenares
The current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism–environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services, and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

Bird-watching Tourism Helps to Reduce Bird Extinction Risks in Colombia

Posted on by Frank59872


Extinction is the disappearance of all members of a species. Extinction is considered from the instant in which the last individual of a species dies.

Colombia is a megadiverse country, with a natural wealth that for a long time was hidden by the shadow of war. Recent scientific expeditions, such as Colombia Bio, have shown how little we knew about our fauna and flora, so much so that with each of them new species have been discovered.

Colombia bio ©Colciencias

However, the expeditions also left the question of how much we may not have known. We are now in a race against indiscriminate and poorly controlled human intervention.

Deforestation, expansion of the agricultural frontier, mining, illicit crops are now present in these previously unexplored territories.

Tourism still needs to make its way into these regions as a competitive and profitable alternative. At the same time, as a good strategy for biodiversity conservation.

International Union for Conservation of Nature, UICN

The UICN is an organization whose mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

IUCN has been active for more than 70 years, and today works in a combined effort to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development.

IUCN has developed a comprehensive information system on the conservation status of animal, fungal and plant species worldwide: The IUCN Red List.

The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria

The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria is a system for classifying the risk of extinction of species worldwide. It divides species into nine categories:

  • Not Evaluated, NE.
  • Data Deficient, DD.
  • Least Concern, LC.
  • Near Threatened, NT.
  • Vulnerable, VU.
  • Endangered, EN.
  • Critically Endangered, CR.
  • Extinct in the Wild, EW.
  • Extinct, EX.

Species may move up or down the list as their populations increase or decline. Find more information at the UICN Red List website iucnredlist.org.

Bird Extinction

Painting of a dodo head by Cornelis Saftleven from 1638, probably the latest original depiction of the species ©Cornelis Saftleven – History of the dodo. http://julianhume.co.uk/

According to Colombia Birdfair, 40% of the bird species that inhabit our planet are going through a population decline, and 1 in 8 species is threatened. In addition to this, 1.4% have become extinct.

Here you will find some data:

Human activities are the main factor related with bird extinction. Climate change, intensive agriculture, invasive species, illegal hunting and overfishing are behind this devastating statistic.

First Bird Extinct in Colombia

The only bird species known to be extinct in Colombia is the Colombian Grebe, Podiceps andinus, endemic to the wetlands in the Eastern Andes of Colombia.  It was last recorded in 1977 in Lake Tota. 

Podiceps andinus ©Paula Andrea Romero, Arte&Conservación – BirdsColombia

Its disappearance is associated with the combined result of wetland drainage, and the eutrophication and salinization that has destroyed the submerged Potamogeton vegetation, where this species fed on a great variety of arthropods. 

Additional extinction factors were the introduction of exotic fish, such as the rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri (Fjeldså 1993), hunting, pesticide pollution, removal of reeds, and predation. 

Bogota Rail – Rallus semiplumbeus, EN. ©neilorlandodiazma CC BY-SA 2.0.

According to the Humedales de Bogotá Foundation, the extinction of the Colombian Grebe should be remembered, and should serve as a lesson. 

Currently, there are two species of birds endemic to the Bogotá Savanna in critical danger of extinction, the Bogota Rail (Rallus semiplumbeus) and the Apolinar’s Wren (Cistothorus apolinari). Sadly, very little is being done to reverse this situation. 

Know more about the wetlands of Bogotá in our entry Wetlands of Bogotá are the Best Spots for Birdwatching in the City. 

Tracking Extinction Risks

Rengifo et al. 2020, calculated the degree of extinction threat to the country’s birds from 2002 to 2016 in a recent study which is the first study of its kind.

The main conclusion of the study is that habitat loss is the main threat to the Colombian Birds. Moreover, the results of this study left two flavors, one sweet and one somewhat bitter: Colombia has the potential to become the Country of Birds, or the Country of Bird Extinction. 

Podiceps andinus, ICN, National University of Colombia, Bogotá.

On the positive side, birds have benefited from land abandonment and subsequent habitat recovery as people moved to cities, from the reduction in the rate of habitat loss as illegal coca cultivation shifted between regions, and from conservation actions. 

On the negative side, the most important causes of the deterioration in conservation status are habitat loss due to the expansion of illicit crops, the same sad story, and population declines due to hunting. Yes, hunting! 

Of the two, I will only dwell on hunting, because the story of illegal cultivation speaks for itself. The people who enter the territories to extract resources such as timber, or gold, generally illegally, need to eat. And to eat, they hunt birds. 

Additionally, other significant threats for birds such as the increased presence of invasive and domestic animals, such as trout, cats, rats, dogs, and the Shiny cowbird; as well as agriculture expansion, cattle ranching, timber extraction, illegal mining, oil production, water contamination and habitat loss due to city expansion. 

The Most Threatened Areas and Birds 

The most threatened birds are those living in mangroves and freshwater habitats in the Pacific region and the Pacific Ocean. Also, the species living in the High Andean forest and paramo. 

The Andes and the Pacific are two natural regions with many endemic and restricted-range species. 

The most affected areas are the southern Pacific and Andean regions on the border with Ecuador. 

The Andes region has experienced extensive agricultural activities and deforestation for centuries. It is also a region negatively affected by climate change. All of this has resulted in the loss of habitat for birds. 

Apolinar’s Wren – Cistothorus apolinari – Endemic, CR.

On the other hand, the Pacific region has been affected by illegal crops, illegal logging and illegal mining, which are the main threats to birds in this region. 

Illegal crops, illegal logging and illegal mining are also important causes of habitat loss in some other regions. Illegal logging occurs mainly in Darién (Pacific Region) and Amazon. Illegal mining occurs mainly in Chocó (Pacific region). And, illegal crops also occur in the Catatumbo, Norte de Santander, on the border with Venezuela. 

Here is the list of birds mentioned in the study with the most remarkable changes in category of threat in Colombia:

Genuine changes suffered by species during 2002–2016 period. Endemic species are marked with asterisk*.

Birdwatching Tourism as a Conservation Strategy

This study concluded that local economic development based on birdwatching tourism remains a good strategy for bird conservation, because despite clear threats, the overall risk of bird extinction in Colombia remains relatively low and stable.

However, this should not be a reason to postpone actions to conserve species and prevent extinctions.

Not everything is bad, in our entry Birdwatching Tourism in Colombia During the Post-conflict Scenarium I will tell you what has been done since the signing of the peace agreement, in favor of birding tourism as a strategy for bird conservation. 

Colombia Birdfair 2021: Preventing Extinction

In 2021, the most important bird fair in Colombia, the Colombia Birdfair, has extinction as its main topic.

This year Colombia Birdfair will have an extensive program of academic talks, courses and special activities for children and young people. From February 11 to 14 it will present the theme “Preventing Extinction” and will feature national and international experts on conservation and extinction issues.

 

This year the fair will be 100% virtual. According to Carlos Mario Wagner, director of the fair,

“virtuality is a great opportunity to connect with audiences and bird lovers from different countries, and thus promote bird conservation globally”.

The event expects to gather a large national and international audience around of the seventh version of the Colombia Birdfair. It looks for an exchange of ideas and proposals on conservation and birding tourism, with specialists from several continents.

The following are the main lecturers:

  • From India: Purnima Devi Barman Ph.D.
  • From Colombia: Natalia Ocampo Peñuela Ph.D., Carolina Murcia Ph.D., María Ángela Echeverry Galvis Ph.D., Ana María Morales Cañizares, Rubén Darío Palacio, Diego Calderón Franco, Jhon Fredy Casamachin Ui, Diego Ochoa and Ángela María Amaya Villarreal (co-author of the mentioned study in this post).
  • From The United Kingdom: Stuart Pimm Ph.D., David Lindo, Phil Gregory and Stuart Butchart Ph.D. (co-author of the mentioned study in this post).
  • From Kenia: Washington Wachira
  • From The United States: Jennifer Ackerman, Kenn Kaufman, LoraKim Joyner and Mollee Brown.
  • From Spain: Josep del Hoyo Calduch

Registrations are open on the website: http://www.colombiabirfair.com/.

With the registration, you will have virtual access to the lectures and talks from February 11 to 14, 2021. Registrtion fee: 14USD.

For more information about birding trips to Colombia and the birds of Colombia visit our entry The Complete Colombia Birdwatching Guide: Tourism & Conservation.

If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!

References
About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

Birdwatching Tourism in Colombia During the Post-conflict Scenario

Posted on by Frank59872

Colombia is a megadiverse country. It is also a country with a difficult history. War has been around for more than 60 years. With the signing of the peace agreement in 2016, Colombia opened up as never before, presenting a rich, unexplored and under-exploited territory. It also was the starting of the post-conflict struggle.

Paradoxically, the conservation of natural habitats in Colombia was facilitated by the war conflict, preventing territories from being invaded by development and deforestation.

Colombia’s Post-conflict Scenarium

Tourism has been one of the sectors that have benefited the most from the peace agreement, especially nature tourism.

One of the economic benefits of the peace agreement in Colombia has been that local communities have an alternative business opportunity in bird watching tourism.

The most remarkable result was the bird-watching expansion to areas, that were formerly unsafe, such as Caquetá and Putumayo.

Western Striolated-Puffbird, Nystalus obamai. Fin del Mundo, Putumayo, Colombia.

However, not everything has been rosy. This time of transition has cost us, especially due to the lack of proper administration and governance in the territories that were liberated from the conflict.

The Environmental Cost of the Post-conflict

Deforestation

Many studies on post-conflict dynamics have concluded that the social, political, and administrative imbalance that remains in the new peace territories leads to environmental degradation, especially through increased deforestation.

Unfortunately, it has been recognized that the main threat to Colombian birds is the loss of habitat caused by deforestation. Deforestation occurs when people begin to use the resources to which they did not have access before.

Carrying Capacity Excedeed

Another aspect is the deterioration of the new sites due to uncontrolled visitation by tourists and visitors, which exceeds the carrying capacity limits of many of these sites.

Deforestation Hotspots in the Colombian Amazon, part 3: Chiribiquete-Macarena ©MAAP

An example of this is the Chiribiquete National Natural Park, which had to be closed to visitors due to vandalism and overcrowding. In addition, the park has also been threatened by deforestation.

Other Conflicts

Likewise, demobilization has not been complete, and there are still some illegal groups that continue with their own agenda.

Finally, it is unfortunate to have to mention that the murder of environmental leaders has also seriously affected the country.

The Boom of Scientific Expeditions

In Colombia, the peace process also allowed scientific explorations to expand in the territory, as it was possible to visit places previously closed due to public safety issues.

Colombia Bio Expeditions

Colombia bio ©Colciencias

After the signing of the peace treaty, the Colombia Bio project, promoted by Colciencias, was launched in the country.

Colombia BIO aimed to carry out 20 expeditions in the period between 2016 and 2018 in order to generate knowledge about biodiversity. The expditions were possible thanks to the end of the conflict.

The expeditions were conducted in continental and marine areas that were:

  • Unexplored areas,
  • In post-conflict territories,
  • Under threat, or
  • Associated with transformed landscapes.

Many of the explored areas shared several of those characteristics. The Colombia Bio expeditions discovered countless new species of fauna and flora in the country.

Thanks to this, and to the great impulse that the Colombian government gave to birdwatching tourism, Colombian ornithologists, as well as bird lovers, now have more and better information about the birds of the most bird-rich country in the world.

2021: 5 Years After the Signing of the Peace Agreement

In 2021 it will be five years since the signing of the peace agreement. Since then, the country has been preparing to become a world-class bird-watching destination.

Today we have improvements such as:

Additionally, today we have a big advance in terms of policy for tourism and nature tourism training.

First Sustainability Policy for Tourism in Colombia

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism launched the first sustainability policy for tourism in Colombia in December 2020. It is called the Sustainable tourism policy “United for Nature”.

This sustainability policy aims to position sustainability as a fundamental pillar for the development of tourism in Colombia through a strategic plan for 2030 called the Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism.

This plan is composed of six strategies, 14 programs, 32 projects and 140 policy actions.

Sustainable Development Goals

The objectives of the plan focus on the following guidelines:

  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Efficient energy management and investment in renewable and non-conventional energy sources.
  • Responsible management of solid waste.
  • Saving and efficient use of water.
  • Adequate wastewater treatment.
  • Protection of the country’s biodiversity and ecosystems.

First Guide for Nature Tourism in Colombia

They also launched the first guide for nature tourism in Colombia together with ProColombia, and the support of USAID’s Natural Wealth Program; the Humboldt Institute; and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

©Illustrated Handbook for Nature Tourism Guides in Colombia

The guide is called “Contemplation Comprehension, Conservation: An Illustrated Handbook for Nature Tourism Guides in Colombia”.

 

It will be a tool for the country to take advantage of its potential as an international destination with sustainable and responsible practices.

You can take a look to the Handbook in the website https://guianaturaleza.colombia.travel/en/

The Colombian Birding Trails

At the same time, Since 2015, Audubon, in collaboration with Asociación Calidris, has been working on bird-based ecotourism initiatives in Colombia to support local development and conservation.

Picture from Audubon: “Wayuu indigenous students and teacher Alvaro Jaramillo are bird watching in La Guajira, Colombia this past June. The program teaches locals to become tour guides for travelers interested in spotting birds. Photo: Carlos Villalon”

Audubon has been training many people as specialized bird tour informers in all regions of Colombia, and developing the following birding routes:

However, bilingual and bird-focused guides, as well as specialized birding infrastructure, such as canopy towers or canopy trails, platforms, hides, etc., are still underdeveloped.

Therefore, if you come to Colombia to watch birds, especially on your own, you will have the best guides in local people, as they have a first-hand experience with the local landscape and wildlife, but with low or basic training in bird identification and foreign language skills (i.e. English).

How We are Helping

In Sula we always work with the local community. Whether it is with the accompaniment of a local guide, with local transportation services, with lodging in hotels and lodges developed by local people, among others.

Visiting Usiacurí and Luriza Reserve

We have first-hand knowledge of all our allies, and also help people in their regions to develop and/or improve their products and services.

Organize your trip with us, so that you have the best services, and at the same time help the economic development of the regions you visit.

References
About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

Why should you Visit Guaviare in Colombia? Remnants of a Remote Past

Posted on by Frank59872

Guaviare is one of the least populated departments of Colombia, and one of the most pristine nature destinations in the country.  

Additionally, this department is located in the Colombian Amazon region, although part of its territory is also in the Orinoquia. Its capital is San José del Guaviare. 

Brief history of Guaviare

In the past, the colonization of Guaviare was mainly due to the enormous natural riches of its soil and the exploitation derived from these.

People came there to cultivate balata and rubber. Moreover, trade of wild animal skins, native plants and ornamental fish was also common.

Finally, the illicit cultivation of coca attracted many people, bringing also war and chaos to the region.

Today, tourism is opening as a new possibility for the economic development of the region, and it works as a good strategy for the protection and conservation of natural and archaeological areas.

Weather and Landscape

The dry season happens from December to February, and the rainy season during the rest of the year (especially April-July and October-November). Annual rainfall ranges from 2,000 to 3,500 mm. The temperature during the day reaches 25° to 30 °C, dropping at night to 12 °C between July and August.

Its soils are bathed by numerous rivers and a network of streams, divided mainly into two basins: Orinoco River Basin and Amazon River Basin.

Tourism in Guaviare 

Tourism is making its way in this destination dedicated to adventure and sustainability. It is an opportunity for sustainable development in he region. The natural environments for swimming, the sunsets, and its ecosystems make it a unique destination.

Archaeological places, and the fauna and flora that make up an abundant biodiversity, are the greatest attraction of Guaviare.

The Most Featured Destinations in Guaviare 

Serrania de La Lindosa and Cerro Azul

Serranía de la Lindosa @Parques Naturales

This place is one of the eight archaeological zones declared as a protected area by the Ministry of Culture of Colombia.

Here you will find the famous cave paintings, among others those of the Guayabero River and the Caño Dorado, with vivid colors. In the Cerro Azul in the Serranía La Lindosa, you can observe paintings that are twelve thousand years old.

The summit of Cerro Azul can be reached by a medium level hike of approximately 40 minutes. In Cerro Azul, there are a series of cave paintings painted with reddish pigment by indigenous people who inhabited the La Lindosa mountain range 7,250 years ago.

It is a two-hundred-meter-high peak to explore and walk. During the walk you can find giant trees and native species of flora and fauna. From the top you can see numerous streams of crystalline water and the jungle.

Raudal of the Guayabero

Raudal del Guayabero @ Juan Pablo Rozo – Wikiloc

This spectacular spot is one hour by river, and one hour and thirty minutes by land, from San José del Guaviare.

The Guayabero River, before its encounter with the Ariari, is framed in a canyon formed by walls of rocks of Pre-Cambrian origin.

From there, a current is unleashed that reaches half a kilometer in length. Although it is navigable throughout the year, the summer season is the best time to cross it.

Throughout the tour you can see the gray freshwater dolphin or Tonina (Sotalia fluviatilis), as it is called by the inhabitants of the region.

Natural Bridges

Rocky Bridges Pic. by Parques Nacionales

These natural bridges are high and have been shaped and polished by water over time. They stand on a ravine to which it is possible to descend with certified guides.

The City of Stone

Serranía de la Lindosa ©Parques Naturales

The Stone City of San Jose, is an enigmatic place that consists of ancestral rocks distributed with an impressive and mysterious symmetry.

In the company of guides, you can tour this site that has labyrinths, caves, and monoliths with very old petroglyphs. A special place for hiking and caving.

Natural Baths of Agua Bonita, Villa Luz and Tranquilandia.

Tranquilandia Bath

They are located only five miles from the city, in Caño Sabana. The ancient rock formations form pools of crystalline waters of different colors. The rich plant and mineral environment is the one that colors these waters, so it is very similar to the rainbow river in La Macarena. You can go there and enjoy a good swim and landscape.

Puerta de Orión

Puerta de Orión Pic. by Parques Nacionales

Orion’s Gate is a rock formation emblematic of the city, found 9 kilometers from San José del Guaviare. It is twelve meters high and 20 meters wide. It has two natural holes, one on top of the other.

To get to Puerta de Orión you must pass through cavities and cornices that make it an enigmatic scenery.

The particularity of this natural wonder is that in the summer solstice you can observe Orion’s Belt through the upper window, creating a unique spectacle.

Sport fishing and Kayaking at Laguna Negra 

Sunsent at Laguna Negra ©El Tiempo

Laguna Negra is located 11 kilometers from San José del Guaviare. The black color that the water projects is because at the bottom there are decomposed leaves from the surrounding forests.

Its name is due to the dark tone of its waters seen from the air. Once on land, you can see a scenario of crystalline water, according to experts, because of the thick vegetation that surrounds it.

This natural reserve, 11 km from San José del Guaviare, constitutes the ideal scenario for the practice of artisan fishing and snorkel. You can find “cachazas” and “payaras”.

Kayaking and sailing, among other practices, are part of the new offer.

Chiribiquete National Park

Jaguar Petroglyph Chirbiquete ©Parques Nacionales Naturales

Because it is a complete planetary treasure, in 2018 it has been declared a mixed heritage of humanity.

It is located in the departments of Caquetá and Guaviare, and preserves the largest sample of rock art in the world.

In Chiribiquete there are approximately 70,000 paintings and 50 panels of an average height of 7 meters.

These have served to distinguish a cultural tradition of roots, apparently very old, of the Paleo-Indian. Therefore, they have been associated with groups of hunter-gatherers of the Tropical Rainforest and semi-dry enclaves of the Guianas and the Amazon.

Other Attractions

Guayabero Pic. by Juan Pablo Rozo – Wikiloc
  • Rural and community tourism: Finca Chontaduro, Finca Diamante, replacement of coca for fruit.
  • The “Flor del Guaviare” (Paepalanthus formosus Moldenke) is one of the emblems of the department.
Guaviare Flower, ©Gabriel Arroyo – iNaturalist
  • Thermal waters, unique in the Orinoco and Amazon;
  • The Inírida River;
  • The natural National Parks of Chiribiquete and Nukak; and
  • An endless number of lakes and lagoons where pink dolphins and fishing abound.
Nukak ©Nathaly Londoño – Parques Nacionales

How to get to Guaviare

The trip Bogotá – Guaviare by plane takes about 1.20 hour. The tourist sites are easily accessible by 4X4 vehicles. The capital, San José del Guaviare, has become a center of operation with a wide range of lodging facilities: three stars hotels, hostels, and camping.

Where to stay in San José del Guaviare

We recomend you the following hotels in San José del Guaviare:

  • Hotel Quinto Nivel
  • Hotel Aeropuerto

If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!

References
About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

The Top Post-Covid-19 Destinations for Conservation Lovers in Colombia

Posted on by Frank59872

Colombia bets on four new post-Covid-19 nature tourism routes! MinComercio, Colombia Productiva, and the Natural Wealth Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the support of the UNWTO, EAN University, and Ruta N, created the Colombia Riqueza Natural Prize, an award for the transformation in nature tourism.  

In order for us to continue being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, the government of Colombia will continue to focus on identifying initiatives that promote the natural wealth of the country. The main goals are:

  1. Highlighting Colombia’s biodiversity.
  2. Reactivate the nature tourism sector.
  3. Helping local communities in different regions of Colombia.

This is key to boosting nature tourism in the phase of economic recovery that followed the Covid-19 crisis. And, also, to keep showing and promoting the best of Colombia. 

The prize was looking for the transformation of Nature Tourism in the face of the contingency of the COVID-19. The idea was to encourage the reactivation of the nature tourism sector and support environmental conservation and local communities economies.

“This award will not only serve to strengthen our plans to revitalize nature tourism, but it also highlights the importance of being one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet and the second most biodiverse”

– said the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, José Manuel Restrepo.
San Andrés & Providencia

A Prize for a Post-Covid-19 Economic Recovery

According to Martha Aponte, USAID’s deputy director in Colombia, nature tourism can contribute to the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity as well as to economic development.

For this to happen, it is indispensable to discourage tourism that threatens the health of our ecosystems. Nature tourism should be seen as a tool to improve the well-being of local communities, conserve resources, and educate visitors.

The post-Covid-19 economic recovery phase will support the identification of initiatives that protect natural resources and, at the same time, promote nature tourism in Colombia under the current situation.

In this regard, Camilo Fernández de Soto, President of Colombia Productiva, explained that in Colombia nature tourism needs to:

  • Implement more efficient processes,
  • Improve the quality of its offer,
  • Accelerate the digital transformation,
  • Implement digital marketing strategies, and
  • Adopt sustainability as the fundamental part of the experiences.

The award seeks to support the work of nature tourism into overcome its main issues in order to continue attracting more local and international travelers, especially in the context of post-Covid-19 economic recovery. 

The winners will receive up to USD 50,000 to make their projects a reality in different regions of the country.

The Applications

During one month 1,185 projects applied to this prize. All of them coming from the 32 departments of the country.

54% were submitted by legal entities, while 46% were submitted by individuals. Most of the initiatives were submitted by micro and small businesses, foundations, and NGOs.

Proposals were also received from indigenous organizations, collective territories, peasant associations, community councils, and even large companies. Additionally, 84% of the proposals had not received any pre-award funding.

The Judges

The jury was composed of Brigitte Baptiste, rector of EAN University; Camilo Fernández de Soto, president of Colombia Productiva; Gilberto Salcedo, vice-president of Tourism for ProColombia; Natalia Bayona, director of Innovation and Transformation for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); Ricardo Sánchez, director of USAID’s Natural Wealth Program; Ximena García, advisor to USAID’s environmental office; and Agostinho João de Almeida, director of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Finalists

From the total number of projects, 15 finalists were selected and evaluated by the high-level jury.

In addition to the resources funded by USAID’s Natural Wealth Program, the winning initiatives will receive specialized accompaniment from EAN University and Ruta N to execute their projects.

Also, the 15 finalists will receive scholarships from the World Tourism Organization and EAN University in tourism management.

The Top 4 Winning Initiatives

Among the 15 finalists, only four projects won the prize. All these projects are aimed at the conservation and sustainability of Colombian ecosystems. All of them highlight the country’s biodiversity, and focus on addressing the economic impact of Covid-19 on the nature tourism sector, which has been one of the most affected by the pandemic.

The winning projects highlight Colombia’s unique biodiversity:

  • Caribbean Region: ‘Seaflower Meaningful Diving’ (in San Andres Island).
  • Andean – Chocó Forest Region: ‘Establishing the first birding route for visually impaired people in South America’ (in Valle del Cauca).
  • Orinoquia Region: ‘Ensuring a future for jaguars in the only jaguar watching destination (in Casanare).
  • Orinoquia – Amazon Region: ‘Reactivation of nature and cultural immersion tourism in the Matavén jungle’ (in Vichada).

All projects have one year for their development and implementation.

San Andres & Providencia Coral Reef Diving Destination

An experience that will use augmented reality and learning for you to enjoy diving the coral reefs of San Andres Island, and helping its conservation.

Seaflower Meaningful Diving, Diving With a Purpose

This is a project focused on promoting collaboration between islanders, fishermen, and tourists to finance education, conservation, restoration, and management projects of coral reefs in the San Andrés Archipelago.

This project proposes the implementation of e-courses, complemented with gamification and augmented reality, allowing people to start their diving experience and preparation from home. Also, experiencing from home how is the activity of nursing corals.

At the destination, travelers will be able to obtain three rewards:

  • The Green Fins certificate, as responsible and environmentally friendly diving operators
  • The Reef Check Trainers, for participation in coral monitoring, and/or
  • The Reef Repair Trainers, for participation in coral reef restoration.
Coral gardening, Coral reef restoration, Reef Giving, Responsible consumerism. Picture by coralesdepaz.org

Inclusive Bird Watching Destination

A captivating experience that will allow visually impaired people to enjoy the wonders of the San Antonio Cloud Forest and its hundreds of bird species, in one of the most biodiverse areas of South America: the Valle del Cauca.

First Birding Route for People with Visual Disabilities in South America

This is a project carried out in order to find a new way of approaching, recognizing, and linking with nature for the population with visual disabilities.

This contributes to the enjoyment and identification of the species of most representative birds of the Andean region of Colombia, in the AICA/IBA San Antonio Fog Forest – Km. 18, in Cali. Know more about San Antonio Forest in our entry Know the Winged Jewels Held by San Antonio Cloud Forest – Km 18.

The initiative transforms birdwatching tourism in Colombia into an inclusive activity and fosters new market niches. In addition, it takes into account the creation of a special sound guide for the visually impaired population and the training of tourist guides in the region.

Oiga Mire Lea Festival – Birding activity with visually impaired people at San Antonio Cloud Forest with Juan Pablo Culasso and CVC ©Sonidos Invisibles

Jaguar Sighting in Colombia

An experience that allows you to walk the jaguar route and get to Hato La Aurora to visit the first destination for safe jaguar watching in colombia. 

First Jaguar Sighting Route in Colombia Post-Covid-19 Destination

Ensuring a future for jaguars in the only jaguar sighting destination in Colombia: Hato La Aurora, in Casanare. This project’s aim is to strengthen this jaguar sighting destination as a strategy for the conservation of big cats and flooded savannas, and coexistence with sustainable productive activities.

The project includes the creation of a guide to good practices for cat watching, the training of guides from the region, and the creation of trails and a portfolio of services associated with nature tourism.

Jaguar ©skeeze at Pixabay 

Nature and Immersion Tourism in Vichada

Connect with the indigenous traditions of the Piaroa people in one of the most beautiful jungle areas of Colombia!

Matavén Forest and Piaroa Indigenous People

This project seeks to strengthen nature and immersion tourism products with indigenous communities, as the Piaroa indigenous communities from La Urbana and Pueblo Nuevo, of the Great Matavén Reserve, in Vichada. Its aim is to motivate an economic reactivation and conservation of the region’s biodiversity.

Piapoco Culture at Matavén ©Mauricio Romero Mendoza at Flickr

We are all very happy for the winners. We hope to have wonderful products by 2022 that offer you the best nature destinations in Colombia. Destinations that support our biodiversity, that are inclusive, that use innovative technological tools, and of course, that help the economic reactivation of nature tourism in Colombia.

Stay tuned!

References

About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

19 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint During a Nature trip to Colombia

Posted on by Frank59872

Global warming is an issue that should concern everybody on this planet. Therefore, reduce your carbon footprint. Sadly, what we love the most, which is to travel, generates a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions in general, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in particular. And this is why many authors and organizations call on travelers to change their travel behaviors.

However, some of the proposals are not the most attractive for many tourists, among them:

  • Travel less often, which is unmotivating.
  • Stay longer in the destination, which could be unaffordable in terms of money or time.
  • Reduce aerial transportation, which becomes difficult if you live very far away, as in another continent…
  • Switch from air transport to train, ship, public transport or bicycle, which may be very unfeasible in less developed countries.
  • Choose destinations that are closer to home, which sounds boring…
  • Participate in carbon offsetting programs or purchase carbon credits, from what you know nothing about, and
  • Purchase goods only from certified tour operators, hotels and destinations, but without falling into the hands of greenwashers*!

*By definition, a greenwasher is someone who does greenwashing. And greenwashing is “behaviour or activities that make people believe that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is” (Source: Cambridge Dictionary).

Changes to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Begins Through Your Own Habits

Studies on environmental behavioral change identified a significant gap between awareness and action. There are even studies suggesting that the most aware individuals are unlikely to change their behaviors when traveling.

On the other hand, some extreme conservationists and journalists have come to say that tourism, traveling, is an expendable activity and that it only fulfills superficial and selfish interests.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint ©Glasbergen Cartoon Service

But nothing could be further from the truth. Tourism is one of the main sources of income in many places. Also, it can even bring benefits for the conservation of local biodiversity and the maintenance of surrounding human populations.

However, if our attitude to travel does not change, they will be right. Today sustainability is a must. It is also a must to be aware of the impact we produce when we travel, or when we do whatever other activity.

Thus, tourism development must be ecologically bearable in the long term, and economically viable and equitable for local communities from an ethical and social perspective.

Realistic Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

If you are looking for realistic ways to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling, here are your options:

1. Know your impact.

Calculate your carbon footprint. By definition, the carbon footprint is “the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community” (Source: Oxford Languages).

Now, try to understand what it is. Make your numbers with this FREE CARBON CALCULATOR by Carbon Footprint TM:

I also recommend you to visit CeroCO2 (In Spanish) to calculate your carbon footprint, and just in case you feel motivated to help. Also visit Flight2Fart (very funny!) to know your flight emissions.

2. Investigate the tour operators and destinations

Do some research on the measures taken to care for the environment in the place where you are going to travel.

Look for information on how sustainable development is applied, how you can support this practice, how to make your carbon footprint lower when you visit the area.

  • Try to choose environmentally responsible suppliers: Choose service providers that are environmentally responsible and try to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible.
  • Try to choose socially responsible suppliers: Choose service providers that are respectful of local communities and also help their economic and social development.

Read our blog: Recommended Sustainable Tourism Destinations in Colombia.

The Government of Colombia recognizes that the country’s wealth does not correspond to the policy of sustainability. So, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MinCIT) is working on the creation of Colombia’s first sustainable development policy, to be released at the end of 2020.

Today, Colombia is part of VIRTUOSO, the tourism committee of the OSD, among other important organizations related to sustainable tourism worldwide.

Colombia’s first sustainable development policy may become the most important and best made policy at regional and worldwide level. It has 6 strategies, 120 lines of action, among other things.

It goes hand in hand with updated definitions of sustainable development, ecotourism, carrying capacity, sanctions for environmental violations, incentives.

It also proposes the development of manuals for nature guides in Colombia, with the support of USAID, to strengthen the guidance of nature tourism in the country.

3. Choose sustainable and eco-friendly hotels.

In Colombia there are several options among nature reserves, eco lodges, and hotels. For more information, read our entry Complete Guide to the Best Eco lodges in Colombia.

Zero Footprint Project at Rancho Camaná in Meta

4. Travel also to help and care.

Look for a trip that has something else to offer, not only for you but also for the local community you visit and for the environment. Look for value-added tours.

For example, you can go plant trees during your trip, help remove trash from nature, saving animals, providing humanitarian aid etc. We recommend one of our trips to Casanare, which support the conservation of the moriche palm and the anteater.

5. Bring your own towel.

It sounds funny, but bringing your own towel avoids huge expenses in water, chemicals, and energy. Nowadays, there are towels that don’t weigh anything and dry very fast in a natural way. One of the most reviewed and recommended is the Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel. If you are already in Colombia, go to any Decathlon store and find your towel there.

6. Use good, durable clothing.

Poor quality, non-durable clothing has devastating effects on the environment. Buy durable clothing produced in your country and in environmentally responsible factories. If you travel to Colombia, buy at local stores as GEF, Velez, Tennis…

7. Unplug all electrical chargers.

If you are not using your electrical chargers or do not need to have your devices connected, please unplug them. Although chargers are not in direct use, they still consume energy and contribute to global warming, which is why they are called “energy vampires”.

8. Don’t produce unnecessary waste.

Avoid single-use plastics. Always carry your reusable bottle with you. Also use cloth or recycled material bags to carry your objects. Use your own cutlery and containers for your meals.

9. Leave no trace.

Do not leave trash everywhere. If you produce garbage, take it with you until you find the right place to dispose of it. The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are:

  • Plan ahead and prepare.
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
  • Dispose of waste properly.
  • Leave what you find.
  • Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
  • Respect wildlife.
  • Be considerate of other visitors.

10. Try not to waste water or light.

Use only the essential water. Do the same with light. Remember that in some places these resources are very limited. Turn off lights when they’re not needed.

And don’t leave devices on standby — some of them use quite a lot of energy still, adding to your footprint. Turn off the lights and air conditioning when you leave your room in a hotel.

11. Apply the rule of the 3 “R” plus two.

Try to apply this rule whenever you can: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, REJECT and RECOVER. Read our entry: Top 5 Tools for Sustainable Nature Tourism in Colombia.

Reduce – Reuse -Recycle – Reject – Recover

12. Eat with the locals.

Having breakfast in Caquetá at the main square of Morelia

Visit farm-to-table restaurants and hotels. Eat at the local squares. And do not waste food! Buy local and seasonal food, both at home and during your trip.

13. Support Local Economies

Locally made crafts and souvenirs are not always the cheapest, but buying them ensures that your contribution to the economy will have a more direct and positive impact.

Buying local products contributes to the maintenance of cultural heritage and makes the work of local residents sustainable.

Find here what you can buy when you visit Colombia:

Masks made by local designer LifeWings with the Multicolored tanager as an inspiration. ©Sula’s Instagram

14. Try to use eco-friendly products.

Try to use animal and environmentally friendly cleaning and personal care products. Here some examples from Colombia:

  • ArthroFood: producing flour made from crickets to eradicate hunger in vulnerable populations by giving them the opportunity to use cricket flour in their cooking.
  • Carton Made: Design customized products made with cardboard.
  • Natpacking: 100% organic bags made with Cassava.
  • Magnolia: Handmade food bags made with beeswax, essential oils and natural textiles.
  • Conceptos Plasticos: Bricks made from recycled plastic to construct houses at a cheaper rate.
  • Baobab: Circular-economy fashion, without waste of water.
  • Lifepack: Biodegradable plates made with corn and pineapple to create disposable plates, which can then be planted.
  • Mayorga Design: Bags made with natural fibers, exalting the Wayuu indigenous people.
  • Papelyco: Biodegradable products. 
  • Vana: Clothes made with recyclable material.

15. Say no to trafficking.

Picture by Agencia EFE. Saimiri sciureus at the Wildlife Center in Bogotá, Colombia, after it was seized from animal traffickers. EFE-EPA/ Mauricio Dueñas Castañeda

Never buy products made from animals. Period. And don’t eat exotic animals either. Look what happened to us with the coronavirus! When you do that, you’re contributing to a growing market for trafficking in products made from rare and endangered animals or plants such as souvenirs. Just say no.

16. Travel light.

Don’t carry what you don’t need. Besides, there are many places in Colombia where you will have a baggage limit of 15 kg per person. Some of these places are:

17. If you can, offset your flights.

You could try to offset the emissions that you are unable to reduce using transparent and recognized certified carbon offsets. Search for Gold Standard offset projects.

There are websites where you can calculate your flight carbon footprint and then offset your Flight’s Carbon Emissions for Free such as FlyGreen.

18. Offset your travel to reduce your carbon footprint.

Some travel agencies make it easy to offset emissions. Or just make your calculations and PLANT TREES! For more information about the initiatives in Colombia to plant trees, read the blog Colombia wants to plant 180 million trees: Is it a realistic goal? at Mongabay News Website.

Tree Counter – Environmental Minister of Colombia

“The Ministry of the Environment has a dedicated area for the Sembratón campaign on its website. They have a tree “counter” figure that allows Colombians to know exactly how many trees are being planted and where. The objective is to keep track of how close or far the country is from achieving its goal of planting 180 million trees between 2018 and 2022.”

Wrote Antonio José Paz Cardona in the Mongabay Report. 23 April 2020. Mongabay Series: Global Forests

Follow the Tree Counter at Cifras Contador de Árboles.

19. For smokers

If you are used to smoking, bring your portable ashtray (buy it on Amazon) so that you do not fall into the temptation of throwing away your cigarette butts.

If you are interested in knowing about sustainable destinations in Colombia, how to help local communities or the conservation of biodiversity, follow our blog, visit the entries … And contact us!

References

About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

The Treasure of “El Dorado”: The Guatavita Lagoon

Posted on by Frank59872

The Guatavita lagoon was one of the most sacred of the Muiscas, since the ritual of investiture of the new Zipa (Cacique- chief) was carried out there. This is one of the origins of the El Dorado Legend. The famous Muisca Raft that is exhibited in the Gold Museum of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia is evidence that this type of ritual was celebrated in the lakes of the region. Find out more about the museums of Colombia in The 117 Museums Guide of Colombia for Culture Travelers travel guide.

Guatavita comes from the Chibcha language GUA-TA-VITA, which translated into Spanish means “tillage of the tip” or “end of the mountain range”, as stated by the linguist Joaquín Acosta Ortegón in his Chibcha dictionary. The Chronicler Fray Pedro Simón, in his “Historical News”, said that Guatavita was called Guatafita, which means “thing set on high”, stating that it was the Spaniards who made the change from F to V to give it more phonetic sweetness to that name.

 

Origins of El Dorado Legend

According to the Muisca tradition, in Guatavita the cacique Sua was married to a beautiful princess from another tribe. Sua was very fond of chicha and bacchanals, and his wife, with whom he had a daughter, fell in love with a warrior who was courting her.

The lovers were caught by Sua, and he subjected the warrior to horrendous tortures, to the point of taking his heart out and serving it to his wife. The woman fled in despair, took her daughter in her arms and dove with her into the lagoon.

The cacique ordered the priests to recover his family. They informed him that the woman was now living under water, where a large snake had betrothed her. The cacique demanded that his daughter be brought to him, and they brought him a child without eyes. Sua, disheartened, returned her to the waters and ordered that from that day on, the best emeralds and gold filigrees be thrown into the lagoon (if you want to know about filigrees watch our video Santa Fe de Antioquia). The purpose of the ceremony was to beg the queen to ask the gods for prosperity and bonanza for her people.

Every full moon, Guatavita’s snake emerged from the waters to remind the people about the offerings, the priests watched his appearance as a sign of prosperity.

The Golden Indigenous

El Dorado Legend, gold statue at the Gold Museum, Bogotá, Colombia, picture by Pedro Szekely, from flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia.

With the Spanish invasion, the ritual acquired a new meaning. They were told that a ritual was carried out when a new cacique, usually the nephew, son of a sister of the previous cacique, was in power.

The heir prepared himself within a six years period before the ceremony. He had to purified himself through fasting, and confined himself in a cave where he could not see the sun or eat food with salt or chili.

Some chroniclers have narrated it this way:

“…In that Guatavita lagoon, a great raft of reeds was made, decorated as brightly as possible… They undressed the successor, smeared him with a sticky soil and sprinkled him with gold powder and ground, so that in the raft everything was covered with this metal…

The golden indigenous man made his offering by pouring all the gold and emeralds he carried into the middle of the lagoon, and the four chiefs who went with him did the same. During the way back to land in the raft, they started a party, with bagpipes and “fotutos”, with dances in their own way, with which ceremony they received the new cacique who was recognized as lord and prince …”

From this ceremony was taken that so celebrated name of El Dorado.

The Search for the Treasure

The history of the “golden indigenous” gave rise to the “El Dorado”, a mythical place that the conquistadors sought from the Andes to the Amazon, with such eagerness that within a week, in 1539, three expeditions led by Sebastián de Belalcázar, Nicolás de Federmán ​and Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, from Peru, Venezuela and Santa Marta, respectively, coincided in Guatavita.

There were several attempts to drain the lagoon to find its hidden treasures, among which the most important were that of Captain Lázaro Fonte, who was able to extract several pieces of fine gold, and that of Antonio de Sepúlveda in the 16th century, who also managed to remove emeralds and ceramic pieces.

In 1580, a merchant named Juan Sepulveda employed 5,000 indigenous men and dug a canal to drain it. The water level dropped as much as 20 meters, but then the canal collapsed and the King of Spain refused to continue financing the enterprise. Sepulveda had to abandon, despite having rescued several pieces of filigree and an emerald the size of a fist.

Unsuccessful attempts continued throughout the colony, but the legendary gold continues to fuel treasure hunters’ dreams to this day. In an old German book published in 1911, for example, there is even a photograph, supposedly real, of the totally drained lagoon.

In the book is narrated that some W. Cooper, representative of the English company Contractors Limited, had shown two German tourists photographs of objects taken from the lagoon as rings, snakes, frogs and men’s heads, made of gold. This Cooper told them that the value of the gold found since 1909 amounted to at least 500 pounds, which paid several times the investment of the expedition.

Recovery of Guatavita Lagoon

What is certain is that the Guatavita lagoon, when you visit it for the first time, is smaller than you could imagine… given the size of the legend!. But the sad thing is that this happened after it was emptied of more than half its contents by gold diggers, English and Germans, among others, until the end of the 19th century. These treasure hunters opened a hole in the mountain to drain the water to take out the gold pieces that rested at the bottom of the lagoon.

Fortunately, the failure of all these expeditions appeased the greed of the gold diggers. Initially, the place was reduced to abandonment, and at the beginning of the 21st century the park was closed to the public to try to recover it.

Today, a good part of its splendor has been reborn, with the frailejones, bromeliads, lichens, arnicas and multicolored mosses. The true treasure is the lagoon and the páramos of Colombia, because from there the water flows to all the surrounding regions.

Currently, the lagoon is located in an environmentally protected area where you can access a trail that crosses an impressive mountainous area, full of vegetation and typical species of the Colombian páramo.

We recommend you to visit the Guatavita Lagoon after visiting the Golden Museum in Bogotá. 

How to Get to Guatavita Lagoon

Guatavita town is located 75 kilometers northeast of Bogotá, bordering the municipalities of Sesquilé and Machetá to the north; Gachetá and Junín to the east; Guasca and Sopó to the south; and Tocancipá and Gachancipá to the west.

However, Guatavita Lagoon is 8 km from the road that borders the Tominé reservoir, besides the town.

The Guatavita lagoon today is a Regional Natural Reserve of the System of Protected areas of Colombia. Entrance fee for foreigners is around of 13,000 COP (3.5 USD). After paying, you will be led by a local specialized guide, in small groups, through a natural path along the paramo.

Local guides are from the Muisca community which still inhabits the region.

 

Accomodation near Guatavita Lagoon

You can find accommodation in the town of Guatavita or in the nearby parks associated with the reservoir circuit that exist throughout the region. This accommodation, offered by the parks, is of the shared cabin type, with a minimum cost of 215,000 COP (60 USD), depending on the number of people.

Recommendations

To enjoy it to the fullest, we recommend you take comfortable, warm and waterproof clothing, as the average temperature of the place is 13ºC and rainfall is frequent. However, none of this will prevent you from having a deep connection with nature and with the ancestral past that this lagoon hides, and that makes it an authentic cultural heritage of the country.

If you want to know more about Colombian nature tours, or want to visit Guatavita Lagoon, follow us, write us comments, or just contact us.

References

About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

Covid-19: Let’s take care now so we can meet soon in Colombia!

Posted on by Frank59872

Colombia is an exceptional nature tourism destination where it is possible to enjoy a variety of activities from scientific research to simple contemplation and living the natural experience. This is why Colombia is a good post-covid 19 destination for everyone who wants to connect deep with nature. Worldwide, it ranks second as the most biodiverse country on the planet, supported by its offer of protected ecosystems, unique landscapes, fauna and flora and the geographical and climatic characteristics of its six natural regions: Andean, Caribbean, Pacific Coast, Insular, Amazon and Eastern Plains.

Colombia’s Natural Resources Facts

  • 3,000 species of fish at inland waters
  • Diverse marine and coastal ecosystems covering 95% of the continental shelf with coral reefs, mangrove forests, lagoons with coastlines and deltas, phanerogams meadows, beaches and cliffs.
  • 53 million hectares of natural forest.
  • 22 million hectares of savannahs, arid zones, wetlands, and snow peaks.
  • one million hectares of inland waters.
  • 14% of the national territory is a protected area in which there are national parks, nature reserves and sanctuaries.
  • First place worldwide with 20% of bird species in the world.
  • 17% of amphibians in the world.
  • 8% of freshwater fish in the world..
  • 8% of reptiles in the world.
  • 16% of butterflies in the world.
  • 10% of mammals in the world.
  • First place worldwide with 258 species of palms.
  • Third place worldwide with +2890 species in vertebrates and 222 species of reptiles.

Additionally, Colombia is rich in heritage and culture. In the natural and rural areas of Colombia are located the vast majority of indigenous communities, afro-colombian, raizales and palenqueras, in collective territories and reserves, which include rainforests, natural savannas in the Orinoco, the inter-Andean valleys, the Caribbean plain, the vastness of the Chocó Biogeographic and the Amazon.

Therefore, nature tourism in Colombia, besides preserving the natural heritage, promotes the integral development of local ethnic and peasant communities, because tourism is their possibility of generating economic incomes, through the provision of tourism services. In return, local communities are the basis for the development of nature tourism, and this constitutes an option for enhancing economic development, environmental sustainability, social and cultural integration, and the peace process.

Tourism as a factor of sustainable development in Colombia: post-covid 19 destination

International tourism is experiencing the “worst crisis” in its history because of the Covid-19. Experts in the field point that travelers’ preferences and demands will be oriented towards sustainable tourism experiences after the crisis. We know that nature destinations can help you offset the effects on your physical and mental health during the pandemic. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) plans to make Colombia a good post-covid 19 destination, as a major tourist destination in the region, when the coronavirus crisis is overcome, since Colombia has the potential to offer a vast nature tourism activities and wellness for travelers after the Covid-19 crisis.

Regarding on this, Colombia and the tourism sector are preparing to expand the offer of sustainable tourism around activities in nature such as ecotourism, wellness, birdwatching, safari, whale watching, among others, as well as community tourism experiences. In turn, more than ever, nature tourism will help people in rural areas to recover economically from this crisis, especially local nature guides, small nature reserves, ecological parks, zoos and small towns near important nature destinations.

“Check in Certificate” Covid-19 biosafety

Colombia would be the first country in the world to agree with the organization on a biosecurity seal for post-Coronavirus tourism. The Ministry of commerce, industry, and tourism (MinCIT), with the support of ProColombia and Icontec, created the “Check in Certificate” quality seal and established the conditions for its use. This seal, which is voluntary, seeks to generate trust among travelers and consumers so that they use tourist services that comply with the protocols issued by the National Government, minimize the risks of virus infection and encourage tourism in the country. This certification seal is a logo that can be carried by an airline, service provider, area or tourist attraction, according to the certification issued by the conformity assessment body, for complying with technical standards and/or biosafety protocols and the conditions established by the Colombian law.

The purpose of the “Check in Certificate” quality seal will be to minimize the risks for workers, users, visitors and suppliers. Also, to generate confidence, to increase the competitiveness of the productive sectors and to promote the recovery and sustainability of the tourism industry in Colombia.

We want our visitors can check in with confidence, whether it be in a hotel, restaurant, bar or any tourist site. The idea is to make you feel that you are entering into a protected space. Similarly, it will be an informative and commercial tool to differentiate those establishments that offer biosecurity conditions, providing guidance and verifiable, non-deceptive and scientifically based information on compliance with biosecurity conditions. In this regard, the certificate may facilitate the surveillance functions regarding compliance with biosecurity protocols and health standards.

The stamp will also be used in several regions of Europe, Africa and America.

Let’s take care now to meet soon!

Let’s take care now so we can meet again soon!

We want you to know that tourism is an absolutely key sector for the development of Colombia. For nature tourism it is crucial for the conservation of our biodiversity and for the development of local communities. That is why we joined the campaign “#StayHome – Take care now to meet soon”.

Tourism in Colombia will continue to develop with the same strength that it has been developing in recent years, now, and once the process of reactivation takes place!

In Sula we have been taking care of ourselves, working from home. We are preparing to offer you the best natural and sustainable destinations in Colombia, with the complete safety required. We are tired of not having you around, can’t wait to see you soon again!

References

About the author

Sara Colmenares

Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.