The Colombian coastal village reinventing itself as seas rise

"Buenaventura is the most important port on Colombia's Pacific coast, handling about 40% of the country's foreign trade and acting as the gateway to the Uramba Bahia Malaga national natural park. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists arrive there, heading to the village of Juanchaco or the beaches of Ladrilleros and La Barra. But the coast around Juanchaco, in the Valle del Cauca department, is experiencing accelerated erosion that has already left damaged streets, collapsed homes and a local economy exposed to the elements."

"Since the second half of 2024, more than 3,000 families have been affected in Juanchaco, La Barra and Ladrilleros. In Juanchaco, erosion has destroyed more than 100 metres of coastline and compromised another 800; in La Barra, nearly 60% of inhabited land has been lost, according to the National Unit for Risk Management. On the beach front in Juanchaco, damage caused by the rising tides has forced some people to evacuate their homes"

"Jesus Hernando Gamboa, marine biologist and Juanchaco community leader, inspects his hydroponic tomato crop Gradually, the beach is pushing us back. The sandbags won't protect us completely, and some people have lost their homes. It's becoming inevitable, says Jesus Hernando Gamboa, a marine biologist and community leader. He worked for several years as a teacher and researcher in communities along Colombia's Pacific coast. Today, he has a hydroponic farm on the Pacific coast."

Buenaventura is Colombia’s main Pacific port, handling about 40% of foreign trade and providing access to Uramba Bahia Malaga national natural park. Tens of thousands of tourists travel annually to Juanchaco, Ladrilleros and La Barra. Accelerated coastal erosion has damaged streets, collapsed homes and undermined the local economy. Since mid‑2024 more than 3,000 families have been affected; Juanchaco lost over 100 metres of coastline with another 800 metres compromised, and La Barra lost nearly 60% of inhabited land. Biweekly high tides (puja) have destroyed and damaged dozens of homes. Residents use sandbags and ditches; many are relocating and authorities declared a public calamity.

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