Experience life on the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta with a visit to Nueva Venecia, a traditional palafito village built on the water. Sitting between Santa Marta and Cartagena, this stop gives you a vivid look at the culture, nature, and traditions of Colombia’s Caribbean wetlands.
The Ciénaga Grande is Colombia’s largest lagoon system and a key wetland ecosystem. Since 1998 it has held Ramsar status, and UNESCO named it a Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Its lagoons, channels, mangroves, and wetlands shelter an impressive range of wildlife.
Explore the Ciénaga Grande by Boat
Your experience begins with a boat journey through the wetlands. Cruise through natural channels and mangrove forests while spotting herons, kingfishers, and other native birds. The wetlands’ biodiversity becomes clear as you move deeper into the ecosystem.
You’ll arrive in Nueva Venecia, a remarkable community where homes and public spaces rise above the water. For more than 200 years, residents have shaped their daily routines around the wetlands, creating an amphibious culture rooted in fishing and life on the water.
Discover Life on the Water
Continue to Buena Vista, another picturesque village in the Ciénaga Grande. With a local guide, learn traditional fishing methods and see how canoes shape everyday life. You’ll also explore bogar — rowing through the waterways — a skill passed down through generations.
A walk through the village reveals colorful houses and murals that share stories of local culture. Meeting residents and exploring with a guide offers a personal look at this unique water‑based way of life.
This visit to Nueva Venecia is an ideal stop between Santa Marta, Tayrona, and Cartagena. It blends nature, culture, and tradition while giving you insight into one of Colombia’s most distinctive Caribbean communities.
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