Atlántico: Dry Forest, Culture and the Caribbean

The department of Atlántico in Colombia can be explored through a range of travel interests: tropical dry forest near Usiacurí, waterscapes in Tubará, literature and handicrafts in different places, and activities along the coast. The Ruta 23 invites visitors to travel through the department and discover its many forms of Caribbean life. To plan your trip, it helps to decide on your main focus first: nature, cultural interests, regional cuisine or water sports. That also gives your hotel search a clear connection to what you want to experience.

Nature between dry forest and water

The Reserva Natural de Luriza in Usiacurí is located within a tropical dry forest area considered one of the region’s most representative. In Usiacurí, 311-meter-long paths connect the public square area, with its four fountains of mineral-medicinal water. In Tubará, Corral de San Luis is a natural pool fed by a waterfall and surrounded by forest vegetation.

For travelers interested in nature, these offer different highlights: the dry forest area near Usiacurí and the pool in Tubará, shaped by its waterfall and forest vegetation. As you organize the nature-related parts of your trip, you can treat these landscapes as separate focal points. If you plan to visit the fountains, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Literature, Mokaná culture and handicrafts

The Museo Julio Flórez is one of the visitor attractions in Usiacurí. It is located in the house where the Colombian poet lived and died. Another cultural landmark is the Centro Cultural Rebeca Coll in Tubará, where Mokaná objects and remains are on display.

Handicraft traditions also give the region its own character. In Usiacurí, crafts are made from iraca palm. In Galapa, artisans make masks depicting the characters Marimonda, Torito and Burra; they are carried in the carnival parades each year. These examples offer different ways to experience culture: a poet’s house, Mokaná objects and remains on display, and handicrafts that feature in a recurring carnival tradition.

A 2023 report mentions six service modules at Plaza Julio Flórez. They enabled a group of women artisans to display and sell their products. If you want to visit the Museo Julio Flórez, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Regional cuisine and activities on the water

Dishes associated with Atlántico include bollos and traditional sweets. In Soledad, the 2025 edition of the Festival de la Butifarra celebrated butifarra soledeña, which is considered part of the city’s gastronomic heritage.

Water sports are another travel interest: sailing and kitesurfing are practiced at Puerto Velero beach; Salinas del Rey is also a kitesurfing destination. A different, date-specific experience took place at an event in Salinas del Rey in 2023: participants could try carving totumo for a day under instruction. This tradition is associated with the Mokaná.

Choose the right focus for your hotel search

The places and themes mentioned offer a range of starting points for planning your trip. First consider whether landscapes, cultural attractions and handicrafts, regional cuisine, or activities on the water are most important to you. This way, you can begin your search with a clear travel interest rather than reducing the department to just one type of stay.

Discover more destinations: Barranquilla, Puerto Colombia, Tubará, Veracruz, Arroyo De Piedra, Santa Lucia, Juan De Acosta, Soledad, Hacienda El Marques.

For the broader travel overview: Colombia.