Tubará: Mokaná Culture and the Caribbean Coast

The municipality of Tubará is connected to the Caribbean Sea and the roots of the Indigenous Mokaná people. Its attractions range from petroglyphs and cultural sites to coastal landscapes and water sports. Local Totumo art is also part of the town’s cultural heritage. This gives you a practical question to consider as you plan your trip: should your stay focus mainly on Mokaná culture, nature by the water or activities that depend on the wind?

Mokaná Heritage and Cultural Sites

A description from 2016 places the Centro Cultural Rebeca Coll near the church, at a viewpoint overlooking the mountains and the region’s landscape. It mentions vessels, abstract stone figures and remains attributed to the Mokaná. The exhibits mentioned there also include a human skull estimated to be about 600 years old.

The Casa de Cultura Mokaná also draws on cultural references in its architecture: openwork design elements and other details incorporate features of Mokaná culture. Mokaná heritage is associated with 14 recognized communities and a council of elders with 200 members. Totumo art is described as a local craft of Tubará. Together, these topics offer different ways to explore cultural heritage, design and crafts.

The Plaza San Luis Beltrán was opened to the public in December 2023. It is a public space for recreation, gathering and reflection, adding a place for communal use to the town’s cultural sites.

Petroglyphs and Nature Trails

Piedra Pintada is a sacred site with ancient petroglyphs depicting human figures, animals and geometric motifs. A government account dated March 31, 2023, describes a hiking route in Tubará that leads to Piedra Pintada and Chorro de San Luis. Along the way, visitors can experience nature and learn about efforts to preserve Mokaná culture.

On the Sendero Ecoturístico Chorro de San Luis, a 90-metre-long stretch of stone slabs leads to the calm, clear waters of Chorro de San Luis Beltrán. The trail in the Corregimiento Corral de San Luis also has a rest area, a tourist viewpoint, a drinking-water station and a parking lot. These specific features give the route a different focus from the petroglyphs: here, the trail, the water and the view from the lookout take centre stage.

Coast, Marine Life and Wind

Caño Dulce lies in a bay that protects its beaches from sediment. The deeper waters off the beach are home to corals, algae and marine plants. A description from 2016 mentions more than 20 restaurants in Caño Dulce serving seafood such as Lebranche and red snapper. These details connect the coastal town with marine life and a selection of fish dishes; the description dates from 2016.

Puerto Velero and Caño Dulce are described as kitesurfing and windsurfing hubs because of their steady winds. In the shallow, sheltered bay of Puerto Velero, Kite Puerto Velero offers kitesurfing lessons for all levels. Check opening hours in advance. Salinas del Rey is described as the continent’s first Blue Flag sports beach. These coastal destinations therefore appeal to different interests: marine nature, seafood dishes or wind-powered activities.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Trip

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what mix of experiences you want from your stay. If you’re especially interested in Mokaná heritage and petroglyphs, you can make them the starting point for planning your trip; if you’re more drawn to coastal landscapes and seafood, you can focus on those instead. Wind and water sports offer another option.

Discover more destinations: Barranquilla, Hacienda El Marques, Arroyo De Piedra, Santa Lucia, Veracruz, Puerto Colombia, Soledad, Juan De Acosta.

For the broader travel overview: Atlántico.