The Colombian government ordered the temporary closure of Tayrona National Natural Park, located within the jurisdiction of Santa Marta, following a series of incidents that, according to authorities, compromise the safety of visitors, workers, and officials.
The measure was adopted through an official resolution and will remain in effect until public order and institutional control are restored within the protected area.
The decision, adopted by National Natural Parks, the ministries of Environment and Defense, responds to recent situations reported at access points and in sectors of the protected area.
On Feb. 11, in the sector known as Cañaveral, an institutional intervention was carried out aimed at enforcing preventive measures against unauthorized occupations and constructions within the protected area, as well as supporting judicial actions related to the improper use of areas of special ecological importance.
This closure follows the traditional 15-day closure period for regeneration and natural conservation, which ran from Feb. 1 to 15. With this new decision, the park will remain closed longer than planned and will not reopen this week.
Colombia temporarily closes Tayrona Park
According to the government, these actions against illegal occupations and constructions led to adverse reactions that included intimidating messages against officials and a growing atmosphere of confrontation in different parts of the park.
In the following days, the situation worsened with blockades at strategic access points such as El Zaino and Neguanje. Authorities also reported irregular charges and the entry of visitors without complying with the protocols established by Colombia’s National Natural Parks.
These events, along with the inability to guarantee minimum safety conditions for tourists and workers, led to the order for the immediate closure and the withdrawal of personnel in some sectors.
The government stressed that this is not an ordinary administrative measure, but rather an exceptional response to circumstances that exceeded operational capacity on the ground.
In its official statement, it insisted that the priority is to avoid greater risks and prevent possible acts of violence or accidents in an environment where institutional authority must be exercised with full guarantees.
#Comunicado El Gobierno Nacional anunció el cierre temporal del Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona como medida preventiva para garantizar la seguridad de visitantes, comunidades y funcionarios, tras situaciones recientes registradas en los accesos al área protegida.
Más detalles… pic.twitter.com/uhY2Duargu
— Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (@ParquesColombia) February 18, 2026
Security, control, and dialogue with communities
The temporary closure also brings to the forefront the complexities surrounding the management of this park, located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the regions with the greatest biological diversity and cultural richness in the country.
Environmental, economic, and community interests converge there, requiring balance and ongoing coordination.
From the executive branch, coordinated efforts were announced between the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Defense, and other competent entities to strengthen the institutional presence in the area and regain full control of access points and services.
At the same time, the opening of spaces for dialogue with local actors and communities that have a direct relationship with tourism operations and daily life in the area is anticipated.
Authorities have reiterated that the objective is not to prolong the suspension indefinitely, but to create the necessary conditions for a safe reopening.
This involves not only restoring order at entry points, but also ensuring that activities within the park are carried out under the current legal framework and with respect for the environmental regulations governing this strategic ecosystem.
The park constitutes a key economic engine for the region, especially for tourism service providers, transport operators, and small merchants who depend on the steady flow of domestic and international visitors.
However, the government has said that the protection of life and personal safety must prevail over any immediate economic consideration.
Meanwhile, one of the most iconic landscapes of the Colombian Caribbean will remain without visitors, awaiting the moment when authorities manage to stabilize the situation and restore calm to a territory that combines ecological, cultural, and economic value in exceptional proportions.