The Salamanca Island Road Park (Spanish: Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca) is a national park in the Caribbean Region of Colombia, near the city of Ciénaga in the Magdalena Department. The park has many plants and animals because fresh water from the Magdalena River mixes with salt water from the Caribbean Sea. It was created in 1964 to protect birds and coastal mangroves.

The Spanish name "Vía Parque" means "Park Road" because a road runs through the park, connecting the cities of Santa Marta and Barranquilla. In 2000, the park was named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Climate

The climate is dry and hot, with an average temperature of 28 to 30 °C. The average yearly rainfall is 400 mm in the eastern part of the area and 760 mm in the western part. More water is lost through evaporation and plants releasing water than the amount of rain that falls, which creates a shortage of water.

Flora and fauna

Mangrove forests, tropical dry forests, and riparian forests cover most of the area. Mangroves cover one-third of the area (12,000 hectares), and the three most common species are: red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove, and buttonwood.

The park has many different types of wildlife, including several that are endangered. There are 33 species of mammals, showing that the area has a high level of diversity even though the environment faces challenges. The park is home to 98 species of invertebrates, nine species of amphibians, 35 species of reptiles, more than 140 species of fish, and 199 species of birds. Many of these birds are migratory, live only in this area, or stay in the park year-round.