National park · Colombia
Isla Salamanca ParkwayVía Parque Isla de Salamanca
Enter Isla Salamanca Parkway: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 60 km (37 mi) parkway, hike the Los Cucos trail (≈1 km (0.6 mi), easy) and visit mangrove boardwalks; best in dry months Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec; avoid the rainy season Jun–Sep.Enter Isla Salamanca Parkway: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 37 mi (60 km) parkway, hike the Los Cucos trail (≈0.6 mi (1 km), easy) and visit mangrove boardwalks; best in dry months Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec; avoid the rainy season Jun–Sep.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
562 km² (217 sq mi)217 sq mi (562 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 562 km² (217 sq mi)217 sq mi (562 km²)
- Area listed as 562 km² (56,200 ha); some sources round to 560 km².
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Isla Salamanca Parkway is a 60‑km coastal corridor on a barrier island in northern Colombia, offering mangrove boardwalks, bird‑watching spots and a scenic drive through wetlands and beaches. Established in 1964, the area includes a Ramsar wetland and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandCienega swamps are a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
- UNESCO Biosphere ReserveCienega swamps are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
562 km² (217 sq mi)217 sq mi (562 km²) · national park since 1964
Area listed as 562 km² (56,200 ha); some sources round to 560 km².
Why go
- Scenic 60 km (37 mi) coastal drive with ocean views.Scenic 37 mi (60 km) coastal drive with ocean views.
- Mangrove boardwalks and bird‑watching points.
- Easy short trails like Los Cucos for quick hikes.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, warm, clear skies
- FebDry, warm
- MarDry, warm
- AprIncreasing rain
- MayMore rain
- JunRainy season starts
- JulRainy, humid
- AugRainy, humid
- SepRainy, occasional storms
- OctDry, pleasant
- NovDry, warm
- DecDry, warm
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangrove birds (e.g., herons, kingfishers)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Fish species (salt and fresh water)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Snakes and alligators in lagoonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Barranquilla airport (BAQ)
Rent a car or join a guided tour; drive east on Ruta Nacional 90 (Troncal del Caribe) toward Ciénaga and Santa Marta.
≈2 h 30 min
Open the page →
From Ciénaga town
Local buses or taxis to the parkway entry near Los Cucos centre.
≈30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main parkway | 60 km (37 mi) paved road with pull‑outs, parking areas and trailheads.37 mi (60 km) paved road with pull‑outs, parking areas and trailheads. | Open to vehicles; free to drive. |
| Los Cucos trailhead | Short boardwalk trail to a mangrove overlook. | Parking available; trail open daily. |
| Mangrove boat launch | Access points for guided boat tours into swamps. | Boat tours require guide; pay on site. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; based on central parkway location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Exact fee not published; check locally |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited in mangrove areas.
- Boats
- Only use licensed guides for mangrove tours.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ciénaga hotels
Budget to mid‑range hotels 10–20 km (6.2–12 mi) from parkway.Budget to mid‑range hotels 6.2–12 mi (10–20 km) from parkway.
Near the park
Santa Marta hostels
Variety of hostels 30 km (19 mi) east, good for longer stays.Variety of hostels 19 mi (30 km) east, good for longer stays.
Safety
Heat medium
Road traffic low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main road is paved and suitable for standard vehicles.
- Boardwalks are flat but may be slippery when wet.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed boat operators that follow mangrove protection guidelines.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Isla Salamanca Parkway?
Entry fee is not published online; visitors usually pay a small ticket at the gate (check locally).
What are the best hikes in Isla Salamanca Parkway?
The Los Cucos boardwalk (≈1 km, easy) offers mangrove views; other short trails branch off the main road at parking areas.
When is the best time to visit Isla Salamanca Parkway?
Dry months Jan–Mar and Oct–Dec give clear skies and comfortable temperatures; the rainy season June–September can make boardwalks slippery.
Can I drive the parkway myself?
Yes, the 60 km road is paved and open to private cars; parking areas are available at trailheads.
Are guided boat tours required to see the mangroves?
Boats are the only way into the swamps; guided tours are recommended for safety and wildlife respect.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Isla Salamanca Parkway
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