Tasajeras: Mangrove Work and Fish Trade

Two themes give Tasajeras a distinctive profile: community work on the mangroves and fish trade at El Mercadito. In the wider travel area, the Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca offers a different perspective, shaped by a large protected area, birdwatching, and trails on land and water. It is worth keeping this distinction in mind when planning your trip: life in Tasajeras and the nature trails in the protected area are different focuses.

Community Work and Fish Trade

The Asociación de Mujeres Resilientes de Tasajera takes part in restoring mangrove stands and establishing nurseries. It also makes and sells products from mangroves. At El Mercadito in Tasajera, artisanal fishers, entresacadores, desembuchadores, and permanent vendors take part in the trade and distribution of fish. This brings community mangrove work alongside several roles in the fish trade: mangrove work includes restoration, nurseries, and products; at El Mercadito, different participants are involved in the fish trade.

Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca in the Wider Travel Area

The Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca is a national protected area within the Colombian National Parks system, with a strict conservation purpose. It is located in the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta lagoon complex, in the Department of Magdalena and within the municipalities of Sitionuevo and Pueblo Viejo. It covers 56,200 ha. The park is considered an “international airport” for migratory birds, including waterbirds and coastal birds such as gulls and terns. In the protected area, the lagoon landscape and birdlife take center stage, while the themes described in Tasajeras are shaped by community work and fish trade.

Trails and Nature Watching

The park has three land trails: El cangrejo, Olivos y Clemones, and El Cocodrilo. An elevated platform over Caño Clarín Viejo is located on the El Manglar trail. There are also the water trails La cuna del caimán and Ciénaga de Marchena, which are currently operating and staffed. The trails offer opportunities for bird, animal, and plant watching, as well as environmental interpretation. When planning, you can distinguish between trail types and operating status: three trails are identified as land trails; the two water trails are currently operating and staffed. The platform over Caño Clarín Viejo is a specific feature of the El Manglar trail.

Getting There and Planning Your Visit

From Santa Marta, the road route to the Vía Parque follows the Troncal del Caribe toward Ciénaga/Barranquilla and passes the toll point near the corregimiento de Tasajera. About 40 km farther on is the Los Cocos Visitor Center. Visitors to the Vía Parque must hire an authorized guide or environmental interpreter. The community group Birding Ecovivetour offers interpretation services and water- and land-based excursions there; its telephone number is 605 4230722. Check road conditions and current park information before setting out, especially the operating status of the water trails.

Choosing the Right Focus

When looking for a holiday rental in Tasajeras, you can first decide what you want to focus on: community mangrove work and fish trade in the town, or nature watching along the trails of the Vía Parque. For a park visit, include the road journey, the guide requirement, and current information about the water trails in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Fundacion, La Ceiba, San Fernando, Minca, Papare, Llanogrande, Buritaca, Bonda

For the broader travel overview: Magdalena.