Nature, Tours · Cartagena

Salinas de Galerazamba

The Salinas de Galerazamba are salt evaporation ponds in the village of Galerazamba, in the municipality of Santa Catalina (Bolívar), about an hour from Cartagena. At certain times of year the water turns pink.

Hours: Daytime; confirm access before you go.
Price: In 2019 admission was COP 5,000 per person (El Heraldo); the current rate wasn't confirmed. Tours combined with El Totumo are priced separately.
Duration: Over 4 hours
Address: Galerazamba, Santa Catalina, Bolívar

See on the map Google Maps

Galerazamba is a salt-making village on the coast between Cartagena and Barranquilla. The water in the salt ponds turns pink or reddish because of artemia, a tiny crustacean that lives there, and since 2018 it has become a tourist outing known as the 'mar rosado' (pink sea).

The color isn't constant: operators say it's best from December to April and in August and September, and that it fades with the rains. You can't swim because of the salt concentration.

It's a working salt operation, and there have been disputes between the community and the company holding the concession over tourist access. The most common way to go is a tour combined with the Volcán del Totumo, which is on the same road.

What to see

Pink salt ponds.
The salt-making village.
Pairing it with the Volcán del Totumo.

Getting there

By car along the Vía al Mar toward Barranquilla, turning off toward Galerazamba; about an hour from Cartagena.
Tours from Cartagena that combine it with El Totumo, with hotel pickup.

Tips

Ask the operator whether the water is pink before you pay; in the rainy season you won't see it.
Don't go in the water: the concentrated salt is harmful.
Use guides from the community and agree on tips and prices beforehand.
Buy the tour from a registered operator, not on the street.