Innovating from the ground up
A living laboratory where community, knowledge and tourism come together to care for nature, strengthen culture and improve local life.
What is the Living Laboratory?
The Living Laboratory of Bioeconomy and Sustainable Tourism in Puerto Nariño it is a space for open innovation and co-creation where indigenous leaders, young people, tourism entrepreneurs, researchers and local authorities work collaboratively to transform tourism into a positive force for the region.
The Laboratory promotes a new form of tourism: sustainable, regenerative and inclusive. Tourism can be a strategic driver of the Amazonian bioeconomy, provided it is based on respect for nature, ancestral knowledge and responsible innovation. When all stakeholders are committed, tourism not only generates income: it also conserves ecosystems, promotes indigenous culture and builds opportunities for new generations.
Since 2025, the Laboratory has been led and supported by the Stockholm Environment Institute Latin America (SEI), with the support of FONTUR, Fundación Univalle, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism.
What is the Living Laboratory?
The Puerto Nariño Living Laboratory for Sustainable Tourism is a space for open innovation and co-creation. Here, indigenous leaders, young people, entrepreneurs, researchers and local authorities work together to transform tourism into a positive force for the region.
It's not theory: it's action, learning and continuous improvement based on the crazy reality.
Listen
The community is the starting point. Its knowledge, challenges and aspirations guide every process.
Co-create
We design solutions collectively, integrating local and technical knowledge.
Test and improve
Ideas are implemented, evaluated and developed in the territory.
Our approach to innovation
Tourism value chain
We analyse the entire visitor experience, from trip planning to returning home, to identify opportunities for improvement at each stage:
Design thinking
We apply participatory methodologies to identify real challenges, prioritise solutions and create practical, sustainable ideas adapted to the Amazonian context.
Innovations already underway
Guía Digital de Puerto Nariño:
Una herramienta creada para orientar al viajero antes y durante su visita, posicionando mensajes clave sobre turismo sostenible y regenerativo en el territorio.
La Guía Digital mejora la planeación del viaje, reduce la desinformación y fortalece la experiencia del visitante. Además, se realizaron capacitaciones en marketing digital para prestadores turísticos y jóvenes del territorio. A su vez se produjeron videos que reflejan la voz y la identidad de Puerto Nariño.
Lineamientos de diseño y arquitectura amazónica y bioclimática
En alianza con la Universidad Nacional de Colombia – sede Leticia, se desarrollaron lineamientos para orientar el diseño de infraestructura turística en un territorio amazónico e indígena.
El proceso integró saber académico y conocimiento tradicional para abordar confort climático, materiales, manejo de aguas y residuos, resiliencia y respeto cultural.
El resultado: orientaciones para política pública que promueven construcciones más sostenibles, adaptadas al clima y coherentes con la identidad del territorio.
Concurso gastronómico “NAANE MECHAWÁ – Amazonía en la Mesa”
Realizado del 28 al 30 de enero de 2026, este concurso impulsa el uso de ingredientes amazónicos y la innovación culinaria basada en tradición local.
En su primera edición participaron seis cocineros en dos categorías: cocina tradicional y experiencias gastronómicas. Los concursantes recibieron formación especializada y presentaron propuestas que combinan creatividad, identidad y producto local. Conoce a los ganadores.
La meta: consolidar un evento anual que fortalezca la gastronomía como motor de innovación turística.
Semillero de Turismo Sostenible
Un proceso formativo con estudiantes de instituciones educativas de Puerto Nariño para fomentar el interés por el turismo sostenible, la cultura y la biodiversidad.
El semillero fortalece habilidades en comunicación digital, investigación y monitoreo, y se articula con el Laboratorio Vivo de Bioeconomía y Turismo Sostenible para impulsar nuevas generaciones comprometidas con la innovación del territorio.
Creación de junta directiva
que lidera al laboratorio
- Ismael Rodriguez
- Lilia Java
- Karina Laureano
- Dolly Almeida
- Edgar Pinto
- Dannia Colombia Torres
- Esadith Lopez Ahue
- Abner Ramos
Con apoyo de la Secretaría de Cultura, Turismo, Recreación y Deporte de la Alcaldía Puerto Nariño
Innovations already underway
Planeación del viaje
Guía Digital de Puerto Nariño
Talleres de marketing digital para jóvenes y prestadores
Desplazamiento
Información clara y accesible sobre cómo llegar al municipio
Accommodation
Lineamientos de arquitectura bioclimática
Alianza con la Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Alimentación
Promoción de ingredientes locales
Concurso gastronómico “Amazonía en la Mesa – NAANE MECHAWÁ” 28–30 enero 2026
Actividades
Conexión directa con servicios locales desde la Guía Digital
Talleres de comunicación para jóvenes
Creación de junta directiva
que lidera al laboratorio
- Ismael Rodriguez
- Lilia Java
- Karina Laureano
- Dolly Almeida
- Edgar Pinto
- Dannia Colombia Torres
- Esadith Lopez Ahue
- Abner Ramos
Con apoyo de la Secretaría de Cultura, Turismo, Recreación y Deporte de la Alcaldía Puerto Nariño
Allies of knowledge and innovation
The Omacha Foundation has been a key ally in the development of this digital tool and in strengthening knowledge of the Puerto Nariño region. Its scientific research, environmental education and content production work has contributed for years to the empowerment of local communities and the protection of Amazonian ecosystems.
The inputs developed by Omacha have served as technical and pedagogical basis for responsible tourism, conservation and cultural appropriation processes, and today they are part of the knowledge ecosystem that feeds the Living Laboratory of Sustainable Tourism.
Featured publications
-
River tourism in the Amazon
Booklet providing guidance on responsible navigation and tourism practices on Amazonian rivers, with a focus on conservation and communities.
Download river tourism brochure in the Amazon
-
Stories of bufeos (Amazonian dolphins)
Publication compiling myths and stories associated with the pink dolphin, integrating science, culture and oral tradition.
Download booklet Stories of Bufeos
-
Flooded Forest of the Amazon
Programme document Forest Library, which explains the dynamics of the floodplain forest and its ecological and cultural importance.
Download publication Flooded forest of the Amazon
A constantly evolving process
This Laboratory is alive, which means that it is constantly learning, adapting, and improving.
Throughout 2026 and the coming years, it will continue to evolve in order to respond to new challenges and opportunities, always working hand in hand with the community and local tourism stakeholders.
Why is this laboratory so important?
Because we believe in tourism that:
- Protect the Amazon rainforest and biodiversity.
- Strengthens indigenous cultural identity.
- Generates opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
- It offers authentic and responsible experiences to visitors.
Be part of the change!
Whether you are a tourist, visitor, resident of Puerto Nariño, or institutional partner, we invite you to learn about, support, and share this initiative. Puerto Nariño awaits you with tourism that transforms, cares for, and connects.