Culture · Community · Regenerative
Katanzama: Arhuaco indigenous community
Arhuaco territory: traditional architecture, medicinal plants and a sacred pool.
Half dayDifficulty: Easy
Ask for rates
Regeneration programme
Se Regenera
A tree planted for every booking, solar power across the estate and a direct contribution to the Sierra's communities.
Se Regenera is the name of the programme that brings together what the company does so that a trip leaves things better than it found them. It is not a statement of intent: these are concrete practices you can verify on every booking.
For every booking a tree is planted in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The estate runs on solar power. Part of the value of every experience with indigenous communities goes directly to the community visited, as a contribution agreed with them: kitchen utensils, household goods, field tools, food supplies.
There is also a litter collection programme that accompanies the walks and visits, and internal practices for the rational use of water and energy: towels and sheets are changed every three days, biodegradable products are chosen and recycling is prioritised.
Regenerative tourism goes a step beyond sustainable: not damaging is not enough, the idea is that the destination should end up better. It is the framework Unique Colombia has worked with since it was founded in 2011.
What we offer
A tree per booking
Every accommodation booking includes planting a tree in the Sierra Nevada. Several experiences, such as the banana tour and the cooking tour, include it too.
Solar power
The estate runs on solar power. It is why we ask guests to use electricity sensibly and why there is no air conditioning in the units.
Direct contribution to the communities
Every visit to Kogui or Arhuaco territory includes a contribution agreed with the community. It is not a symbolic donation: it is part of the tour price and is delivered in whatever the community asked for.
Planting and pagamentos
Regenerative experiences the traveller takes part in: planting at La Jorará and accompanying indigenous pagamentos, the offerings with which the Sierra's peoples maintain the balance of the territory.
Practical details
- Towels and sheets are changed every three days. If you need a different frequency, ask and it is done.
- Guests are asked not to remove shells, snails, turtles or other flora and fauna specimens from the environment.
- In indigenous territory, asking consent before photographing is mandatory, not optional.
- The company rejects and reports the exploitation and sexual abuse of children and adolescents in travel and tourism, in accordance with Colombian law.
- We comply with Law 17 of 1981 and Resolution 1367 of 2000 against the trade and trafficking of wild flora and fauna.
- We reject the illegal trafficking of regional and national cultural property.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the trees planted?
In the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, on the estate and in its surroundings. In several experiences the traveller can plant it themselves, which is how the practice stops being a line on an invoice.
How do I know the contribution reaches the community?
Because the contribution is handed over during the visit, in front of the group, in whatever the community asked for: food supplies, kitchen utensils, field tools, thread. It is not an opaque transfer to a fund: it is a visible part of the visit.
Related experiences
Culture · Community · Regenerative
Seyviaka: Kogui indigenous community
A day in the Kogui village of Seyviaka, with the mamo's family, upriver from Palomino.
Full dayDifficulty: Moderate
Ask for rates
Nature · Regenerative · Culture
Banana tour
The estate's banana and plantain plantation, facing the sea, ending in a tasting.
2 hoursDifficulty: Moderate
Ask for rates
Related stays
La Jorará Eco Hotel · Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Arhuaco
A double room in the estate's oldest building, with its original terraces.
Room2 guestsGarden view
FromCOP 345,000per night
La Jorará Eco Hotel · Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Higuerón
A suite in the all-timber Aluna cabin, lulled by the sound of the Jorará waterfall.
Suite2 guestsMountain view
FromCOP 438,000per night