One week after Colombia ordered the indefinite closure of Tayrona Park, the measure remains in effect and continues to keep one of the country’s main tourist destinations in the Caribbean on edge.
The decision, adopted in early February as part of the annual ecosystem regeneration program, extended beyond the scheduled timeline and has raised concerns among tour operators, local communities, and regional authorities.
Amid rumors and reports circulated by some media outlets about the alleged presence of illegal armed groups in the area, the leadership of Colombia’s National Natural Parks moved to clarify the real reasons behind the closure.
According to its director, Luis Martinez, the situation is due to environmental factors and recent incidents related to irregular occupations within the protected area, not to security threats stemming from armed groups.
Indefinite closure of Tayrona Park triggers major losses in Colombia’s tourism sector
Tayrona Park, located within the jurisdiction of Santa Marta, is Colombia’s most visited natural park. Each year, it receives hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists drawn by its beaches, trails, and ecological richness.
Traditionally, a temporary closure is implemented in February as part of the annual ecosystem regeneration program, a pause intended to reduce human pressure on natural resources.
This year, however, the closure coincided with impacts stemming from the rainy season. Martinez explained that heavy rains caused damage in some areas of the park, including trails and basic infrastructure, which required strengthened preventive measures.
“First of all, the closure has nothing to do with the presence of armed groups, as has been suggested. It is about damage associated with the rainy season and specific situations that we are addressing,” he stated.
In addition to the climate-related impacts, another problem emerged. According to the National Natural Parks authority, several individuals brought unauthorized construction materials into the protected area and erected buildings with the intention of charging tourists for services. These structures did not have permits, nor did they comply with current environmental regulations.
When park rangers questioned the presence of these structures and requested explanations from those promoting them, the response was violent. According to Martinez, some of those involved reacted against public authority, creating a tense situation inside the park. “We will not allow illegality to prevail or the safety of visitors or our staff to be put at risk,” he said.
“La protección del Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona nos llama a tomar acciones. Por eso decretamos su cierre temporal. Estamos dialogando con autoridades locales, la Gobernación y la Alcaldía, y con el apoyo de la @DefensoriaCol, @PGN_COL y @MinInterior hemos restablecido espacios… pic.twitter.com/vLJhl8BiCq
— Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (@ParquesColombia) February 18, 2026
There is no presence of armed groups in Tayrona Park
In light of this situation, National Parks decided to extend the closure that had already been scheduled for February until full order is restored and the individuals who entered and built without authorization are removed. The priority, the director insisted, is to guarantee safe conditions and avoid any inconvenience for tourists once the area reopens.
Martinez firmly rejected claims linking the closure to the presence of illegal armed structures or organized crime within the park. “There is no presence of armed groups or criminal organizations operating in Tayrona Park,” he stated. He added that the agency remains in coordination with the competent authorities and that, so far, there is no evidence to support those assertions.
The official noted that the spread of unverified information can seriously affect the image of the park and the destination as a whole. In a region where tourism is one of the main economic drivers, any sign of insecurity has an immediate impact on travel decisions.
Economic impact in Santa Marta awaits reopening
As the closure continues, the economic consequences are mounting. Tayrona National Park is not only an environmental symbol, but also a source of income for thousands of people.
Boat operators who transport visitors from El Rodadero, small hotels, tour operators, guides, informal vendors, and restaurants depend heavily on the steady flow of tourists.
The suspension of activities for nearly a month has caused significant losses. In Santa Marta, the city that serves as the gateway to the park, hotel occupancy has declined, and several businesses report substantial drops in revenue. For many informal workers, each day without visitors represents a complete loss of income.
Tourism associations have called for clarity regarding the reopening timeline and have requested institutional support to mitigate the economic impact. Although they acknowledge the importance of protecting the ecosystem and enforcing the law within the protected area, they warn that the indefinite extension of the closure worsens the financial situation of hundreds of families.
National Parks says that reopening will depend on the normalization of environmental conditions and the definitive resolution of illegal occupations. The agency insists that this is not a security crisis, but rather a preventive and control measure.
For now, Tayrona National Park remains closed to the public as efforts continue to restore areas affected by the rainy season and remove irregular constructions.
In Santa Marta and throughout the Caribbean region, expectations are focused on the date when the park can once again receive visitors and reactivate an economy that, to a large extent, beats to the rhythm of its beaches and trails.