Malecón del Mar: Puerto Colombia’s megaproject

Puerto Colombia will soon have its own tourist attraction: the Malecón del Mar. This coastal municipality has taken the lead in the transformation of the Atlántico region. Its pier and main square underwent a renovation process and are now a “hit” as the most visited tourist destination in the department for both locals and foreigners.

The vision the local administration has had for this territory has been quite ambitious. The idea is to transform Puerto into an internationally renowned destination to boost its economy, provide a top-notch experience for visitors, and, of course, improve the living conditions and quality of life for families traditionally dependent on tourism-related goods and services.

The Governments of Atlántico and Puerto Colombia lead the larger project called ‘Malecón del Mar,’ which integrates this entire effort. This circuit is composed of ongoing projects that are expected to be ready near the end of 2023 and early 2024. This includes the International Gastronomic Center, the environmental restoration of mangroves, the Sazón Market and Crafts of Atlántico, and the renovation of the Miramar beaches.

“Visitors will experience the 1920s, connecting with the historical narrative of Colombia’s first pier, the second-longest in the world. This will revive the splendor of that era. With this attraction, the coastal area of Atlántico will become a must-visit stop between Cartagena and Santa Marta, reactivating the economy and creating 6,600 direct jobs and 11,000 indirect jobs,” stated Governor Elsa Noguera.

Puerto Colombia inaugurated the Malecón del Mar pier and plaza in December 2021.

The community has played a crucial role in this transformation process. Residents have praised the intervention in their region, aiming to contribute a new architectural landmark to the urban space.

International Gastronomic Center and Sazón Market

Governor Elsa Noguera stated that the International Gastronomic Center will showcase multiculturalism, which was introduced into the country through Puerto Colombia and continues to be present in local flavors, through gastronomy.

“This center pays tribute to immigrants, and visitors can enjoy the best Arab, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, or German cuisine. It will also be a beautiful public space for seaside dining,” she noted. The International Gastronomic Center is scheduled to open in August 2024.

With an investment of $29.7 billion COP, this project will open by February 2024. The current focus, according to the Infrastructure Secretary’s report, includes installing ceilings, flooring, roofing, railings, doors and windows, and bathroom tiling. Urban planning adjustments to the entrances, masonry work on the second floor, and wall plastering are also underway.

Similarly, the Atlántico Sazón Market, with an investment of $21.3 billion COP, is more than 50% complete. Various gastronomic festivals will converge here featuring iconic dishes from the region. It will also house crafts made by different local artists, offering souvenirs and items representative of Atlántico to tourists.

Renovation of Miramar Beach

The Malecón del Mar in Puerto Colombia also includes the renovation of Miramar Beach. This involves the ongoing organization of various beaches by the Government of Atlántico to strengthen tourist services, improve security conditions, ensure environmental sustainability, and enhance surveillance.

Miramar Beach, with a construction area of 1,600 square meters, has a reported progress of 99.20%. Renovation work is underway at Playa Pescadores, an area spanning 4,130 square meters, and it is currently over 22% complete. This area comprises boat docks, equipment for fishermen, a lifeguard booth, and 50 available parking spaces.

A 20,500 square meter sports field is approximately 50% complete. This space includes a surf school, administrative areas, a nursing station, public bathrooms, two kitchens, two food courts, two beach volleyball courts, two beach tennis courts, a beach soccer field, parking with 45 spaces, a surf house, and a warehouse for sports equipment for the Atlantic Surf League with locker areas for athletes.

Governor Elsa Noguera emphasized, “Puerto Colombia is the national capital of surfing and will have an organized beach for water sports. Thousands of visitors come every year to practice surfing and paddleboarding. We will enhance the current water sports schools as part of the Miramar Beach renovation, located in the urban center of the municipality.”

Environmental Intervention

The macro project also includes the recovery of the mangrove area in the municipality. The Mangrove EcoPark, or Ecoparque del Manglar, will cover an area of 630 linear meters. The ecopark provides environmental protection fencing and ecological equipment for environmental education activities.

The Atlántico Autonomous Regional Corporation (CRA) is collaborating to install environmental classrooms, contributing to the sustainability of the project. These classrooms will provide community training for the conservation and preservation of ecosystems.

Puerto Colombia Lighthouse

One of the newly opened features of Puerto Colombia’s Malecón del Mar is the lighthouse, or faro. The lighthouse is currently named la Venta de Sueños, or Window of Dreams.

The lighthouse was inaugurated on December 18, 2023. The structure is 70 meters tall and its beacon can be seen from 20 nautical miles away. This crystal structure pays tribute to the immigrants who arrived in the country through this municipality.

Tecnoglass CEO Christian Daes donated this megastructure to the city of Puerto Colombia. This is their third donation, the others being La Ventana al Mundo and La Venta de Campeones in Barranquilla.

Regarding the area around the lighthouse, the project also includes a parking lot with 152 spaces, access ramps, and kiosks.