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This was recently reported on Caracol and translated from Spanish...

CARACOL RADIO 03/11/2017 - 21:42 COT
During the next January 28 to February 28, four indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta will carry out cultural processes of cleaning, healing, environmental and spiritual protection to the Tayrona National Park .
The closure, which was agreed between the indigenous communities and National Parks of Colombia , hopes to give a respite to the fauna and flora of the place and allow the regeneration of the natural processes of the beaches , the ecosystems and the species that inhabit the Tayrona Park .
"This measure is adequate to let the ecosystems rest. Likewise, the Mamos of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta believe that it is a favorable date to fulfill their payment activities ", says Carlos Mario Tamayo , director in charge of National Natural Parks of Colombia.
Tamayo added that "during the last closure we could observe the jaguar, small and medium mammals and other species, which began to leave a few days after the closure of the Park, when the transit of people was limited. In addition, this measure recovers soils, water sources and air; it diminishes the stress of the ecosystems and contributes to the nature, that for that time of the year, faces a dry season ".
The Tayrona National Park is the second most protected area visitors to the country. During the first semester of 2017 a total of 185,325 visitors entered.

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1

Thanks for posting this, I was going to be there around this time so I'm going to have to work out a way to get me there after the 28th. I'm travelling from Bogota on 22 Jan and was going to do a loop round Colombia before going to Ecuador. Have to schedule 5 weeks before I even make it to Tayrona now.

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We had the exact same problem this year. We had 7 weeks and were going to do a loop as well. We ended up flying from Bogota to Santa Marta so we could start with Tayrona just before the park closed. Our itinerary was: Tayrona, Minca, Cartagena, Medellin and Guatape, Jardin, Manizales, Pereira for the Laguna del Otun trek, Salento, Popayan, Tierradentro, San Agustin, Tatacoa, Bogota, Mongui, Villa de Leyva, San Gil and Barichara.

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It sounds easier doing it that way but I really didn't want to spend money on flights, I was planning on doing a work away somewhere so I might look for one near Tayrona around that time so when I've finished the park will be open. I don't have a time frame to be anywhere so I guess I have that going for me lol.

Going to look at some of those places you mentioned too as I haven't heard of some of them. Did you do it all in 7 weeks?

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Yes, that was our itinerary for 7 weeks. We were on a budget too but took two flights (Bogota to Santa Marta and Cartagena to Medellin) because flying is cheap with VivaColombia and can even be cheaper than taking the bus. But you have to read their rules of course. They are a budget airline so you pay extra for checked luggage, strict carry-on rules, you have to print your boarding pass...

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5

Hi there - coming to Colombia in Feb. Have spent lots of time in parque tayrona. Do you know by any chance if they keep Bahia Concha open during the park closure? I know that this area is technically the park, but it seems governed by some private owner.

Thanks - Melissa

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