Buenaventura is tired of being known for only one thing: its port. This time, the spotlight hits a different scene, community leaders, local guides, and nature lovers turning rivers and forests into a tourism story that wins awards.
At a national tourism gathering in Quindio, three projects from Buenaventura made it into the top group. One took home a prize, and the city walked away with something else too: momentum.
The win that put Agua Clara on the map
A community organization from Agua Clara earned a national award in the Community Tourism category during ENART 2025 in Armenia, Quindio. It was recognized for responsible tourism built with the territory, not against it.
Community tourism sounds simple: people welcoming visitors, sharing food, stories, and nature. In real life, it takes rules, teamwork, and patience, so that tourism income does not break the very place tourists come to admire.
For Buenaventura, the award works like a stamp of trust. It tells travelers that local communities are not waiting for outside companies to “discover” them; they are already leading, organizing, and protecting what they offer.
It also sends a message inside Colombia. Pacific destinations are not only beaches, they are rivers, trails, biodiversity, and Afro-Colombian culture, built into real experiences that can compete with famous tourist regions.
Two more finalists from Buenaventura
Buenaventura did not arrive with a single bet. Two other initiatives represented the city: the Asociacion Turistica y Ambiental de San Cipriano and the Asociacion de Guias y Orientadores Turisticos de Buenaventura.
Together, the three proposals ranked ahead of more than 500 participants, landing among the first places in the national call. That is not luck; it usually means solid local work, consistent training, and a clear story for visitors.
San Cipriano already has a strong reputation, with its rivers and nature-based activities. A tourism association can help keep standards, coordinate services, and reduce conflicts, so visitors have fun without leaving a mess behind.
A guides association matters too. Guides shape the whole experience, they set safety habits, explain culture, and help tourists respect local rules. In community tourism, a good guide is not a luxury, it is the backbone.
Why community tourism is a big deal
Community tourism moves money in a different way. Instead of one big resort taking most of the income, more families can earn through guiding, food, transport, crafts, and lodging. That spreads benefits and lowers the “tourism or nothing” risk.
It also pushes sustainability from the start. When residents are the hosts, they have a direct reason to protect water, wildlife, and trails. If the ecosystem suffers, the business suffers, so conservation becomes part of the plan.
Still, the model needs support. Communities often face barriers such as training, permits, marketing, infrastructure, and safety coordination. That is where public institutions can help, without taking control away from locals.
This is why Buenaventura framed tourism as a strategic pillar, linked to Colombia’s Plan Sectorial de Turismo 2023–2026 and longer-term goals looking toward 2030.
National recognition and looking ahead
ENART 2025 also included national awards such as the Medalla al Merito Turistico and the Premio a la Calidad Turistica, which highlight projects and people who improve standards across the sector.
Awards feel symbolic, but they can bring real results. Recognition helps attract partners, invites more travelers to search the destination, and can make it easier to secure training programs or small investments for better services.
For Buenaventura, the next challenge is growth without losing soul. If more visitors arrive, communities will need stronger visitor limits, clearer rules, and better coordination, so tourism stays friendly, safe, and respectful.
Keeping the three top projects visible also matters. When travelers hear “Buenaventura,” they should think of a package, nature, culture, guides, and community leadership, not one single attraction.
Community leadership as the future of tourism
Buenaventura’s win in community tourism was not just a trophy moment; it was a signal that local leadership can build high-quality experiences that protect territory and create income.
If the city keeps backing these community-driven projects with training and smart planning, Agua Clara, San Cipriano, and local guides can turn recognition into steady progress and show that the Pacific has many stories worth the trip.