Fauna, Flora and Communities

Fauna, flora and communities

Tayrona National Natural Park protects approximately 19,309.4 hectares, of which about 12,692.2 hectares correspond to its continental area. Its territory includes terrestrial and marine-coastal ecosystems of great importance for the conservation of biodiversity in Colombia’s Caribbean region.

Fauna

Tayrona National Natural Park is home to a wide diversity of terrestrial, bird and marine species. The possibility of observing wildlife depends on factors such as the ecosystem, time of day, season, weather conditions and the presence of visitors.

Terrestrial fauna

Among the mammals and other terrestrial animals recorded in Tayrona Park are species such as jaguars, ocelots, tiger cats, agoutis, peccaries, pacas, anteaters, howler monkeys, night monkeys and different species of squirrels, among others.

Many of these animals avoid areas with a high human presence, so sightings are not guaranteed. Wildlife should always be observed from a safe distance without interfering with its natural behavior.

Birds

Tayrona Park is an important area for birdwatching and bird conservation. Close to 400 species have been recorded across its different ecosystems, including both resident and migratory birds.

The combination of tropical dry forest, humid forest, coastal areas and mountain environments creates suitable habitats for numerous species. For this reason, the park is visited by birdwatchers, researchers and travelers interested in biodiversity.

Species found in the region include macaws, curassows, birds of prey, hummingbirds, flycatchers and many other birds characteristic of the Caribbean and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Biological inventories continue to be updated as new biodiversity studies and records are carried out.

Marine fauna

The marine area of Tayrona National Natural Park contains important ecosystems, including coral formations, rocky seabeds, seagrass areas and coastal habitats that provide shelter and food for numerous species.

The park’s coral formations cover approximately 9 km² and support 53 coral species. These ecosystems contribute to coastal protection and sustain a high diversity of fish and other marine organisms.

The waters surrounding the park are home to species such as snappers, groupers, moray eels, parrotfish and different species of sea turtles, among many other organisms characteristic of the Caribbean. Lionfish, an invasive species found in different areas of the Caribbean Sea, has also been recorded.

The beaches and marine-coastal sectors of Tayrona Park are used by different species of sea turtles for processes such as nesting. Their presence and nesting periods vary depending on the species and natural conditions.

Flora

Tayrona National Natural Park is located on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and contains a wide variety of ecosystems due to differences in altitude, humidity, temperature and proximity to the Caribbean Sea.

The park includes tropical dry forests, humid forests, cloud forest sectors, mangroves, coastal vegetation and other plant communities adapted to very different environmental conditions. This diversity allows visitors to find everything from cacti and plants adapted to dry areas to large trees, palms, epiphytes and species associated with humid environments.

Plant species found in the region include trupillo, aromo, dividivi, cardón cactus, coconut palms, jobo, caracolí, icaco and different species of orchids, among many others.

The appearance of the vegetation changes depending on the ecosystem and the time of year. During dry periods, some tropical dry forest areas lose part of their foliage, while more humid sectors maintain different vegetation conditions.

Indigenous communities and ancestral territory

Tayrona National Natural Park forms part of the ancestral territory of the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Although these peoples do not permanently inhabit every tourist sector of the park, they maintain a deep cultural, spiritual and territorial relationship with this area.

Within Tayrona Park there are places considered sacred and of special importance for their cultural and spiritual practices. For this reason, some areas have access restrictions and require specific measures of protection and respect.

The four Indigenous peoples understand the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta as an interconnected territory in which ecosystems, sacred sites and traditional practices form part of the same system of knowledge and care for the land.

Their relationship with Tayrona Park must also be understood within a much larger ancestral territory associated with the concept of the Black Line, which connects numerous sacred sites surrounding the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Kogui

The Kogui people live in different areas of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and maintain strong continuity in their cultural, spiritual and linguistic traditions. Their social organization and understanding of the territory are closely connected to the balance between nature, communities and sacred places.

Within their worldview, the Sierra Nevada occupies a central place, and caring for the territory is considered a spiritual responsibility passed down through generations.

Kankuamo

The Kankuamo people are mainly located on the southeastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, particularly in territories near the municipality of Valledupar. Communities such as Atánquez, Chemesquemena, Guatapurí and La Mina form part of their traditional territory.

Throughout their history, the Kankuamo people have experienced important processes of cultural transformation and recovery. Today, they continue to strengthen their identity, traditional practices and the transmission of knowledge between generations.

Arhuaco

The Arhuaco people mainly inhabit areas of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and maintain a deep relationship with rivers, mountains, sacred places and other elements of their ancestral territory.

Their traditional knowledge system is closely connected to environmental balance, the protection of the territory and the transmission of cultural and spiritual practices between generations.

Their communities actively participate in conservation, territorial protection and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Wiwa

The Wiwa people mainly inhabit areas of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and maintain cultural, agricultural and spiritual practices closely linked to their ancestral territory.

Their traditional activities include agriculture, weaving and the use of natural fibers such as fique, which is used to produce handicrafts including bags and other everyday items.

Like the Kogui, Arhuaco and Kankuamo peoples, the Wiwa maintain a spiritual relationship with the Sierra Nevada and with the sacred places that form part of their ancestral territory.

In 2022, the ancestral knowledge system of the Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Kogui and Wiwa peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition highlights the importance of their knowledge, spiritual practices and relationship with the territory.