Isla de Salamanca
A mangrove park on the road between Barranquilla and Santa Marta, whose forest was killed by that road and is being brought back.
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The park protects a barrier of mangrove and lagoon between the Caribbean and the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, and its history is a case study in what infrastructure does to wetlands: the highway built along the barrier in the 1950s cut the exchange of salt and fresh water that mangrove depends on, salinity rose past what the trees could tolerate, and tens of thousands of hectares died - the standing dead forest was visible for decades. Channels have since been cut to restore water exchange and mangrove has regenerated substantially, though not completely. Boardwalks and a canopy walkway run through the recovered forest, and the bird list is long, with migratory species using the lagoons. Howler monkeys and caimans are present.
What you actually see
- Mangrove killed by a road - and now substantially regrown.
- Restoration channels - cut to bring the water exchange back.
- Boardwalks and a canopy walkway - through the recovered forest.
- A long bird list - including migratory species on the lagoons.
When to go
December to April; early morning for birds. Half a day.
Honest expectations
The highway runs through the park and is noisy. Heat, humidity and mosquitoes are heavy. Recovery is incomplete and dead stands are still visible. Facilities are limited.
Nearby
Cienaga is east; Barranquilla is west.
What to pack for Isla de Salamanca
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.