Tasajeras: Mangroves, fish trade and nature in the surrounding area

Tasajeras can be understood through mangrove work and the fish trade at El Mercadito. A natural area in the wider region is Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca. This gives travelers two distinct points of reference: local activities in Tasajeras and the nature and trails of the regional protected area.

Mangrove work in Tasajeras

The Asociación de Mujeres Resilientes de Tasajera is involved in restoring mangrove stands and establishing nurseries. Nurseries are used to grow young plants; this work is carried out alongside restoration of the stands. The association also makes and sells products from mangroves. Conservation work and economic activity therefore go hand in hand. Both aspects are helpful for understanding local work: restoring mangrove stands and making and selling products.

Fish trade at El Mercadito

At El Mercadito in Tasajera, artisanal fishers, entresacadores, desembuchadores and fixed-location vendors are involved in the trade and distribution of fish. Several different roles therefore come together in the local fish trade. While the association is involved in mangrove work and products, El Mercadito focuses on the trade and distribution of fish. These two local topics offer different starting points for travel planning: conservation work on the one hand, and the people involved in the fish trade on the other.

Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca in the wider area

Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca is a national protected area in Colombia’s 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. Vía Parque is described as an “international airport” for migratory birds, including waterbirds and coastal birds such as gulls and terns. Its conservation purpose, lagoon setting and description as a destination for migratory birds offer different points of reference for understanding this regional natural area.

From Santa Marta, the road route to Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca follows the Troncal del Caribe toward Ciénaga/Barranquilla and passes the toll point near the corregimiento de Tasajera. The Los Cocos visitor center is about 40 km farther on. These landmarks help orient you along the road route; check current road conditions before setting out.

Trails and nature observation

The protected area has three land trails: El cangrejo, Olivos y Clemones and El Cocodrilo. On the El Manglar trail, a raised platform crosses the Caño Clarín Viejo. Two water routes, La cuna del caimán and Ciénaga de Marchena, are currently operating and staffed. The trails offer opportunities for bird, animal and plant observation, as well as environmental interpretation. For planning purposes, the types of routes are easy to distinguish: three named land trails, the platform on El Manglar and two water routes currently in operation.

Visitors to Vía Parque must hire an authorized guide or environmental interpreter. The community group Birding Ecovivetour offers interpretive services there as well as walking tours by water and on land; its telephone number is 605 4230722. Check current park information before your visit and be sure to follow the accompaniment requirement.

Discover more destinations: Calabazo, La Ceiba, San Fernando, Aracataca, Guachaca, Pozo Colorado, Papare, Santa Marta

For the broader travel overview: Magdalena.