Experience the magic of the mangroves

La Boquilla isn’t a place you stumble upon by chance. Tucked between the Caribbean Sea and a vast network of mangroves, this small fishing village sits on Cartagena’s fringes – guarding a cultural heritage deeply rooted in Afro-Colombian history. And it’s here that your experience begins. Together with fisherman Iván, you’ll glide silently through the mangrove maze in a traditional canoe, watching the landscape shift in sound and stillness. Iván knows every root, every ripple in the water. He casts his net, shows you how crabs are caught and explains how his community is working to protect their home through gentle, responsible tourism.

The local project, Ecotours La Boquilla, is supported by our own vSocial Foundation – Ventura’s initiative dedicated to driving positive social impact through sustainable travel. This is more than an excursion. It’s a genuine encounter: with people, with nature and with a history that still lives in every tide. And it ends with a home-cooked lunch infused with the flavours of the sea, coconut and recipes passed down through generations.

La Boquilla was founded in the 17th century by Africans who had escaped enslavement. Their descendants still live here today, deeply connected to the sea, the mangroves and their cultural heritage. The delicate mangrove ecosystem surrounding the village is not only home to countless species, but also a vital source of fish, crabs and income. Yet increasing urban development and environmental damage are placing this balance at risk.

To help protect it, Ecotours La Boquilla was created – a local initiative that combines sustainable tourism with environmental conservation and cultural preservation. The quiet boat trip with fisherman Iván and his colleagues is far more than a simple tour: it is a living example of how travel can act responsibly while offering profound and lasting impressions.