The Truth Behind Colombia: An Opinion

By: Luciana Vallejo

We began our project in 2025 after a visit to Bahía Solano with Kajuyalí, nestled in the Pacific region of Colombia. At the time, we were used to looking far beyond for beauty, thinking that only international travel could give us the bliss and excitement we were looking for.

Every part of this trip had some emotional aspect tied to it. Prior to boarding the plane, we were asked: What do you wish to find in this trip?

Once we arrived, we were greeted by paradise, literally. Bahía Solano is a place suspended in time, where the jungle meets the sea. It's a unique, colorful explosion, where dolphins swim alongside your boat, where the sea is pure sapphire, where culinary flavors are unmatched.

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Courtesy of APIÉ: Kajuyalí

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But far from its untouched beauty, the true gem of Bahía Solano is its people. Bahía Solano is rich with palenquera and indigenous culture, forging an intricate tapestry that permeates onto its every day manifestation.

We were dazzled by Bahía Solano's natural beauty. We found something special in every activity. Whether it be the sweet coldness of its natural waterfalls, the blinding iridescence of underwater life, the salty tanginess of its cheesy buñuelos, everything assures an unmatched experience.

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We were approached by indigenous groups in Bahía, where we bought gorgeous handmaid artesanías, and painted our arms and face with jagua, a tree and fruit traditionally used by Envera communities for ceremonial, ritual, and aesthetic purposes. In this cultural exchange, they highlighted their wish to be seen, to tell their story, to be recognized.

In a moment where tensions were high, due to many different factors, we viewed Bahía Solano as an escape. It was a place where we escaped career choices, the end of our senior year, and college decisions. It was a place where the languid hours of day stretched into infinity, where only the sun and tide marked the passing of time.

Once our voyage had ended, we were plagued with questions. Our worldview had been turned around. How could we have overlooked Colombia's pristine beauty in favor for what was famous or trendy?

And so, Herencia Viva was born. A project where we wished to highlight not only Colombia's natural beauty, but to allow marginalized communities a space to tell their stories, to allow the country to recognize their culture and appreciate our ethnic and racial diversity.

This is Herencia Viva, a project where we wish to explore all corners of our country to finally showcase everything it can offer.