Isla Salamanca Parkway Voyage Tips and guide

Isla Salamanca Parkway (officially, Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca) is a protected natural area along the Caribbean coast in the Magdalena Department in northern Colombia. It is also an important transportation corridor, linking coastal cities via a well-maintained parkway that attracts tourists who come for the ocean views and to see the mangrove swamps and inland lagoons that are a haven for native and migratory birds as well as marine mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

The park covers an area of 56,200 hectares.

The long barrier island with its sprawling mangrove swamps and inland lagoons was established as part of the Colombian national parks system in 1964. The Cienega swamps (inland side of the Isla Salamanca barrier island) are designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.

Tourists will normally travel along the 60-km long parkway, which runs along a coastal barrier island (Isla de Salamanca). Sandy beaches line much of the coast along with mangrove swamps. Forests line the banks of the Rio Magdalena. The sheltered lagoon side of the island has shallow lagoons with aquatic grasses.

The predominant plant life are the gnarly stands of mangrove in the park's many swamps and salt marshes. These are mostly black mangrove and white mangrove with stands of buttonwood.

Birds are the most diverse form of fauna with some 200 identified species in the park, representing endemic and native species as well as migratory birds since the park lies at the South American convergence of flyways across the Caribbean as well as across Central America. There are many aquatic bird species who find plentiful food sources in the lagoons.

More than 100 fish species have been identified in the park, including both saltwater species and freshwater species.

Snakes thrive in the mangrove swamps and wetlands throughout the park and alligators live in both the saltwater and freshwater lagoons.

The climate is tropical with very warm temperatures that average about 30 °C. Temperatures are relatively stable year-round. The park receives little rainfall with as little as 400 mm per year in the eastern park to about twice that in the somewhat wetter and more humid western side of the park. Beach lovers will enjoy over 300 days of sunshine per year.

The nearest major airport is in Barranquilla (BAQ  ^IATA). From Barranquilla, guided tours go through the park, often stopping at scenic beaches, birdwatching spots, or other points of interest. You could also rent a car and drive along the parkway yourself.

The parkways is designated as federal highway (ruta Nacional) 90, also identified as Troncal del Caribe. From Barranquilla, drive east towards Ciénaga and Santa Marta.

There is no fee or permit required for this park.

The best way to get around is by car (or tour bus/van). There are numerous stopping points and side roads off the main parkway where you can access hiking trails, beaches, or scenic overlooks (miradors).

Boats can be hired at various points, or arranged in Cienega. Boats are really the only way to get into the mangrove swamps or the small estuaries where birds and other wildlife can be spotted. There are small islands, such as Marchena, that can also be visited on a boat tour. A motorized boat with a local guide is the most comfortable option, but hardier or more adventurous visitors may prefer to rent a kayak and paddle through the swamps and lagoons.

• Hikingː - there are several short trails from parking areas and side roads to scenic spots and good places to observe wildlife, most are

unpaved dirt trails with boardwalks over wetlands. A popular trail is at the Los Cucos Park Administrative Center

There are hotels in nearby Cienega, as well as Santa Marta or Barranquilla.

• Tayrona National Park
• Paramillo National Natural Park
• Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park