Post-conflict Destinations in Colombia: What Places Can we Visit Now

With the shadows and the lights of six years since the signing of the Peace Agreement, it is true that the post-conflict has opened spaces to take advantage of spaces that were traditionally war territories to turn them into productive or tourist spaces. This is how several departments, which years ago were almost impossible to visit, today are natural destinations for travelers with high-profile tourism projects.

In fact, the Tourism Sector, with an emphasis on nature tourism, is part of the Productive Transformation Program, which aims to transform sectors of the national economy to steadily increase their productivity and have a high impact on the economy. Therefore, tourism in regions that have been historically affected by the armed conflict can become a catalyst for the economy and promoter of reconciliation processes and the construction of the social fabric.

In fact, the Ministry of Commerce indicates that “between 2018 and 2021, the investment in the Tourism and Peace strategy has been $10,124 million distributed as follows: eight tourism competitiveness projects for $4,815 million; two for infrastructure for $5,088 million; and two for tourism promotion for $221 million”.

Meta – Sierra de la Macarena

This place is famous for housing the Caño Cristales, known as the river of seven colors, which served as inspiration for one of the scenes in the movie “Encanto”. It is an area that was traditionally occupied by the Farc, but today it has great tourist potential. The wide color range, which combines red, blue, yellow, pink, and black, that covers the bottom of the river makes it quite a sight to see and has earned it the nickname of the liquid rainbow.

Guainía

This department belongs to the Amazon region. According to Colombia Travel, it is part of the largest river and ecological reserve in the world. In this sense, it is a land with rivers of extraordinary beauty. There are the Mavicure hills or the Puinaw National Park, ideal places for bird watching and hiking trails. Likewise, they inhabit indigenous communities that possess extensive ancestral knowledge.

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Guaviare

The department of Guaviare is a place with extraordinary biodiversity, which is also part of the Colombian Amazon. is located there Serranía de Chiribiquet National Natural Park, one of the most attractive destinations that Colombia has today. It is a territory with an extension of 4.3 million hectares, home to indigenous communities, in which there is one of the oldest geological formations on the planet in which there are nearly 75 thousand cave images of incalculable cultural value. for the planet.

Chocó

The department of Chocó is one of those with the greatest social problems in the country. However, it has a very rich cultural and natural diversity. For this reason, in recent years various projects have been implemented that seek to promote sustainable and ecological tourism. Of these, several have a community approach to peacebuilding, which have even been supported by the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation.

Destinations such as Quibdó, Nuquí, Carmen de Atrato, Capurganá or Acandí are examples of exuberant nature. Likewise, it is one of the best destinations for diving, because the Pacific has wide biodiversity, as well as the right place to see humpback whales.

Putumayo

The Cahuinarí National Natural Park, the Sibundoy Valley, or the waterfalls at the end of the world are natural destinations in Putumayo that offer experiences for adventurers. In addition, they are wonderful destinations for wildlife lovers. According to the Colombian Association of Ornithology, more than 1013 species are found there, that is, about 52% of the country’s species.

If you like nature and exuberant landscapes, these destinations are an excellent option. Likewise, they will allow you to support local communities that are betting on projects with social and environmental responsibility.