How to Visit the Stilt Villages of Ciénaga?
March 2, 2026
Stilt Village Tour
An experience built from the ground up by the region and its communities.
Each route is an invitation to discover nature, culture, and local traditions, promoting conscious, respectful, and meaningful tourism.
💱 Approximate equivalent
Approximate amounts based on the current exchange rate. Payment in local currency.The booking we require an initial deposit per person of: $50,000 COP
The initial deposit is non-refundable.
Tour of the Stilt Villages of Ciénaga Grande from Santa Marta
Discover Nueva Venecia and Buenavista, two amphibious communities built on the water, an experience combining nature, culture, and community-based tourism in the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.
Sail through mangroves and natural waterways, learn about daily life in the stilt-house communities, interact with local residents, and discover how fishing, water, and traditions have shaped a unique way of life in the Colombian Caribbean.
Plan your visit to the Stilt Villages in 2026.
The price of the experience depends on the number of travelers participating in the trip:
- 1 Passenger $600,000 COP
- 2 Travelers $250,000 COP per person
- 3 or more travelers: $220,000 COP per person
Booking a trip on your own? If, at the time you confirm your reservation, you are the only person registered for that date, the initial amount will be $600,000 COP. However, if additional travelers are added to the same trip later on, the fare will be automatically adjusted based on the total number of confirmed passengers.
For example:
- If you are initially the only confirmed participant, the value is $600,000 COP.
- If a second person is subsequently confirmed, the value becomes $250,000 COP per person.
- If more travelers join and the group reaches 3 or more people, the price becomes $220,000 COP per person.
Note: Travelers do not have to be part of the same group or booking. The experience is shared with other travelers who have been confirmed for the same date.
How Do I Get to the Meeting Point?
📍 The meeting point is the Macondo's "Magical Marsh" Tourist Inn and it is located along the road Ciénaga–Barranquilla, in the area of Old Town, just a few minutes from the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.
👉 View meeting point on Google Maps
If you're coming from Santa Marta, take the road toward Ciénaga and continue toward Barranquilla.
If you need help getting here from Santa Marta or elsewhere, we can also make arrangements Private transportation to the meeting point and back at the end of the experience.
Experience Itinerary
Our experience begins at the Macondo's "Magical Marsh" Tourist Inn, located across from the Popeye restaurant, in the Pueblo Viejo neighborhood.
📌 Important: Be careful when crossing the street to get to the meeting point.
Boat Trip and Background Information
Around 8:00 a.m., we'll board a speedboat—a motorized canoe with a canopy—to begin our journey along the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.
Before we begin the tour, our local guide will provide a brief overview of this important wetland complex in the Colombian Caribbean, where large bodies of water, mangroves, and a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna come together.
Boating on the Ciénaga Grande
We'll set out on our boat trip toward the stilt villages, passing through natural canals and mangrove areas.
The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. During the boat ride, we’ll be able to observe birds, small-scale fishing activities, and various scenes of daily life that take place on the water.
Arrival at the stilt villages
At approximately 9:30 a.m., we'll arrive at the stilt-house communities of the Ciénaga Grande.
Our first stop will be at Buenavista, where we'll have some coffee and get a glimpse of daily life in this community built on the water. Afterward, we'll continue our guided tour toward New Venice.
In New Venice We will explore the waterways that connect the homes, the wooden bridges, and some areas on dry land where important community spaces are located, such as the parish church, the boarding school, and the soccer field.
During the tour, we'll have the opportunity to:
- Observe traditional artisanal fishing practices.
- Learn about various aspects of community organization.
- Share knowledge and stories with local residents.
- Learn about the red mangrove and white mangrove nurseries.
- To understand the relationship between the communities and the Ciénaga Grande ecosystem.
Community Experience and Local Lunch
Around noon, we'll enjoy a lunch prepared by members of the community, featuring the local flavors and culinary traditions of the region.
This will also be a space to share, discuss, and exchange knowledge about the life, culture, and conservation of this ecosystem.
Nature and Environmental Observation
This afternoon, we'll continue to enjoy the natural surroundings of the stilt-house communities.
We’ll have opportunities to go birdwatching and learn about the different ecosystems in the area, including the mangroves and wetlands that are part of one of the most important natural regions in the Colombian Caribbean.
Return to the meeting point
About the 2:15 p.m., we'll begin our return trip to the Pueblo Viejo pier.
On the way back, we’ll continue to enjoy the scenery of the Ciénaga Grande, its mangroves, and the calm waters, while observing scenes from the daily lives of the local communities and fishermen.
The experience will end once again at the Macondo's "Magical Marsh" Tourist Inn, where we will conclude our tour of this region of nature, culture, and amphibious life.
⚠️ Recommendation while browsing: While sailing on the water, you may encounter strong winds and brackish water spray. We recommend that you protect your personal belongings and keep them in a safe place.
💵Price and booking terms
Tour price:
From $250.000 COP per person
- Available starting 2 people (subject to confirmation)
- Small groups for a more authentic experience
- Fare for 1 passenger on that date: $600,000 COP
📌How do I make a reservation?
To confirm your spot on this trip, you must:
- ✅ Payment of $50,000 as the initial amount
- ✅ Submission of basic traveler information
- ✅ Confirmation of available dates
- ✅ A second deposit ($200,000 COP) This must be done before starting the tour.
What's Included in My Visit?
✅ Motorized Canoe Trip with Camping through the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.
✅ Accompaniment by a local community guide during the experience.
✅ Visit to the stilt villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia.
✅ Traditional Local Lunch, prepared by members of the community.
✅ Coffee during the visit to Buenavista.
✅ Cultural exchange with local residents and an introduction to their way of life and traditions.
✅ Access to a panoramic observation tower.
✅ Drinking water during the experience.
✅ Insurance coverage during the activity.
What's Not Included?
- Transportation from other cities to the meeting point.
- Personal expenses.
- Drinks and Additional Purchases not specified in the program.
- Tips, which are optional.
- Bilingual guide or interpreter. Available for an additional fee. Check the rate based on the number of passengers.
Dress Light and Cool
And cool and comfortable clothing
Cap or hat
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
Camera or cell phone with a fully charged battery
A respectful attitude toward the community and the environment
Be there 15 minutes before the agreed-upon time.
Important recommendation before the tour.
- Bring enough cash, since although there is cell service in the area, it can sometimes be unreliable; therefore, we recommend cash, as it is one of the accepted payment methods in town.
- Pack your equipment in moisture-proof bags, since we have a humid climate and constant splashes on the boat.
- Protect yourself from the sun and glare off the water by using sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Bring reusable containers to carry liquids that will keep you hydrated.
- We recommend that you get your yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before your visit.
- These communities depend on fishing and community-based ecotourism, so be respectful and open to learning.
- Please take all the trash you generate (wrappers, bottles) with you so as not to pollute the mangrove ecosystem.
- Enjoy the moment.
Book your experience
Discover a unique way of life and connect with the cultural heart of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.
Book your community experience with Round Trip Travel. SMR
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