Regenerative Tourism in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
- tierranativa27
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Regenerative Tourism in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
A movement of life led by farmers and Indigenous communities
In the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, tourism is being reimagined. It's no longer just about visiting, but about healing, regenerating, and learning alongside those who have safeguarded this territory for centuries: Indigenous peoples and rural communities.
1. Restoration from the land and the heart
Coffee farmers from San Pedro are leading forest restoration efforts on lands once devastated by illicit crops, with the support of organizations like WWF and the banana sector. This initiative is reviving biodiversity and restoring dignity to rural life.
The Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo peoples are protecting sacred sites like Nabusimake and have temporarily closed off areas to allow for spiritual and ecological regeneration. For them, regenerative tourism means caring for what is invisible — the spirit of the place. Regenerative Tourism in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
2. Organizations weaving life
Fundación ProSierra has promoted reforestation, conservation agreements, and regenerative production for decades.
Red Ecolsierra brings together over 300 families producing organic coffee and honey, linking fair trade with community ecotourism.
The Indigenous Tourism Association trains and certifies guides from native communities, with support from SENA and international allies.
3. International support for a new tourism model
FAO and the European Union have supported six tourism ventures on their path to full sustainability.
The IDB and Swisscontact are advancing scientific tourism in Minca, offering routes with camera traps, community science, and local guide training.
Projects like Organic and Inclusive Future, funded by European cooperation, support over 3,900 families in agroecology and rural tourism.
4. Commitment from the State
The Ministry of Environment expanded the protected area of the Sierra Nevada National Park by 172,000 hectares, recognizing Indigenous peoples as guardians of nature.
Programs like "Somos Rurales" from the Ministry of Labor and UNDP are promoting community tourism as a tool for peace and sustainable development.
5. An open invitation
Now is the time to change the way we travel. In the Sierra Nevada, regenerative tourism is not a trend — it's a calling. A call to walk with respect, sow with awareness, and return transformed.
Tierra Nativa invites you to be part of this movement. Come, learn, serve, and leave a living footprint in the Heart of the World.
Contact: Vereda Trompito Bajo – Santa Marta, Magdalena📧 tierranativa27@gmail.com📞 +57 321 837 2736🌐 www.tierranativacolombia.com
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