Bello Horizonte: The Secret of the Green Roofs
Bello Horizonte is not just any neighborhood in Santa Marta. While the city grows southward with concrete buildings and air conditioning running at full blast, here, on the hillsides overlooking the sea, there is a different story. Since the early 2000s, a group of architects and residents began experimenting with something that today seems obvious: green roofs. But not those decorative magazine gardens. I'm talking about living roofs with native species that regulate temperature, capture rainwater, and turn rooftops into viewpoints of the Sierra Nevada. If you walk through its steep streets in May 2026, you will see more jungle than roof tile. And that, in a city that often exceeds 35°C, is pure gold.
Why Bello Horizonte and Not Another Neighborhood
The history of Bello Horizonte as a neighborhood began in the 1980s, when upper-middle-class families from Santa Marta started building country houses on these hills. But the real turning point came in 2008, when local architect Carlos Jiménez designed his own house with an experimental green roof. The idea was simple: lower the indoor temperature without spending a peso on electricity. It worked so well that today, according to data from the District Planning Secretariat, Bello Horizonte concentrates more than 60 registered green roofs, making it the neighborhood with the highest density of vegetative covers in Santa Marta. And it's no coincidence: its location on the foothills of the Sierra, with constant trade winds and panoramic views, makes it perfect for this type of bioclimatic architecture.
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What few people know is that the movement started almost in secret. "My neighbors looked at me strangely when I put in the first green roof," Doña Lucía, a resident since 2005, told me. "They said it was going to collapse or attract bugs. Now everyone wants one." And the result speaks for itself: her house consumes 40% less energy than a conventional one, and her rooftop has become a community garden where she grows basil, thyme, and even a small mango tree.
What to Do in Bello Horizonte
Green Roof Tour
The star activity is walking to see the covers. There is no official tour, but the neighbors themselves have created a collaborative map. Start at Calle 12 with Carrera 5, where Doña Lucía's house is (80 m² roof with succulents and cacti). Then go up Carrera 6 to Calle 15, where there are three residential buildings with community green roofs. The best observation point is from the Mirador de Bello Horizonte, a public park at the highest part of the neighborhood (Calle 18 with Carrera 8). From there you can see at least 15 green roofs in a single glance, with the Caribbean Sea in the background.
Vertical Gardening Workshops
The Fundación Techos Vivos (located at Carrera 4 #13-20) offers workshops every Saturday from 9am to 12pm. They cost $25,000 COP per person and include materials to make a small vertical garden that you take home. You learn about native species like the helecho de monte or the suculenta siempreviva, ideal for the dry climate of Santa Marta. Spaces are limited, so arrive early or book a week in advance.
Bird Watching from Rooftops
Thanks to the green roofs, Bello Horizonte has become a biological corridor for urban birds. The Hotel Casa Verde (Calle 14 #6-30) allows non-guests to go up to its rooftop on Sundays from 6am to 8am for $10,000 COP. Bring binoculars: you will see hummingbirds, orioles, and even Australian parakeets that have nested in the vertical gardens.
Where to Eat or Drink
Coffee with a Green View
Café del Jardín (Carrera 5 #12-45) is a small place with a terrace that directly overlooks a neighboring green roof. They serve coffee from the Sierra Nevada (from $4,000 COP) and pipián empanadas ($3,500 COP each). Open Monday to Saturday, 7am-6pm. The owner, Don Alberto, will tell you how he installed his own green roof 10 years ago while you have a coffee.
Restaurante La Azotea
At Calle 16 #7-50, this restaurant has a terrace with a vertical garden that grows its own herbs. The menu changes according to the season, but always includes options like fried fish with patacón and roof-leaf salad ($28,000 COP). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm-9pm. I recommend going at sunset: the view of the sun setting over the sea, framed by plants, is spectacular.
Organic Products Store
Verde que te quiero verde (Carrera 6 #14-10) sells honey, herbs, and vegetables grown on the neighborhood's green roofs. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 2pm. Prices are fair: a bag of fresh basil costs $2,000 COP. It's the perfect place to buy an edible souvenir of your visit.
How to Get There and Transportation
Getting to Bello Horizonte from downtown Santa Marta is easy. You can take a city bus on the "Bello Horizonte" route from Calle 22 with Carrera 1 (near the public market). The fare is $2,200 COP and the trip takes about 25 minutes. Buses pass approximately every 15 minutes, but during peak hours (7am-9am and 5pm-7pm) the frequency decreases.
If you prefer a taxi or Uber, from downtown the trip costs between $12,000 and $15,000 COP. From Simón Bolívar Airport, it's about $25,000 COP. I recommend getting off at the corner of Carrera 5 and Calle 12, which is the starting point for the walking tour. The neighborhood has steep streets, so if you're not used to walking uphill, it's better to ask to be dropped off higher up.
To get around the neighborhood, walking is best. Distances are short (the neighborhood is only 1.5 km long) and the views from each street are worth the effort. If you have mobility issues, there are mototaxis that charge $3,000 COP per short trip. Ask at the corner store at Carrera 5 and Calle 13, where there is always one waiting.
Local Tips
- Bring a hat and sunscreen. The sun in Santa Marta is strong, and although the green roofs cool the environment, the streets have no shade. The sombrero vueltiao is a classic and is sold at the craft store on Carrera 6 #15-20 for $15,000 COP.
- Visit during the week. On weekends, especially Saturdays, there are more people at the workshops and restaurants. If you can, come Tuesday through Thursday, when the neighborhood is quieter and you can talk to the neighbors without rushing.
- Don't limit yourself to green roofs. Bello Horizonte also has houses with bahareque facades and clay tile roofs, a heritage of traditional Santa Marta architecture. The Casa del Maestro (Calle 13 #4-15) is an example: it dates from 1920 and still preserves its original structure. Ask if you can enter; sometimes it is open to the public.
- Bring cash. Although some places accept cards, the workshops, stores, and buses only accept cash. There is an ATM at the tienda Olímpica on Carrera 5 with Calle 14, but it sometimes doesn't work. It's better to withdraw money before you arrive.
- Respect the green roofs. Do not go up to the rooftops without permission. Many roofs are fragile and can be damaged by weight or trampling. If you want to see one up close, ask at the Hotel Casa Verde or the Fundación Techos Vivos; they organize guided tours.
- Try the agua de panela con limón. At Café del Jardín, they serve it cold for $3,000 COP. It's the perfect drink to rehydrate after the walk.
Checklist for Implementing a Green Roof at Home
If after visiting Bello Horizonte you feel encouraged to put a green roof on your house or apartment, here is a practical list based on what I learned from the neighbors. These steps apply to the climate of Santa Marta, but they work for any coastal city.
- Check the structure. Before anything else, hire a structural engineer. Green roofs can weigh between 60 and 150 kg per square meter when wet. In Bello Horizonte, most houses have concrete slabs that support that weight, but in older buildings it may be necessary to reinforce.
- Choose the type of green roof. There are three: extensive (succulents and mosses, 5-10 cm of substrate, light weight), intensive (shrubs and small trees, 20-40 cm of substrate, heavy weight), and semi-intensive (a mix of both). To start, extensive is cheaper and easier to maintain. In Santa Marta, succulents like Echeveria or Sedum work perfectly.
- Waterproof well. Use a PVC or EPDM membrane. The neighbors in Bello Horizonte recommend the Sika brand, which is available at hardware stores in the city. Don't skimp here: poor waterproofing can ruin the roof and the inside of your house.
- Install a drainage system. You need a layer of gravel or a drainage panel so that water does not stagnate. In Santa Marta's dry climate, drainage prevents roots from rotting when it rains heavily (November to January).
- Choose native species. Plants from the Sierra Nevada are the best adapted. Ask at local nurseries like Vivero El Jardín (Carrera 3 #10-20) for species like uña de gato, helecho serrano, or siempreviva. Avoid exotic plants that require a lot of watering.
- Water sparingly. In the first few months, water every two days. After that, once a week is enough. The green roofs of Bello Horizonte survive on morning dew and sporadic rain. If you install a drip irrigation system, even better.
- Basic maintenance. Every three months, check for weeds and pests. Leafcutter ants can be a problem; neighbors use diatomaceous earth (a natural powder) to control them without chemicals.
Curious Facts Few People Know
The first green roof in Bello Horizonte was not planned. In 2003, an engineer named Pedro Martínez covered his rooftop with soil to insulate against noise from a neighboring construction. Unintentionally, wild plants carried by the wind began to grow. That mistake became the vertical garden that today inspires the entire neighborhood. Pedro's house still stands at Calle 11 #3-25, and although it is not open to the public, it can be seen from the street.
Another fact: in 2015, a study by the Universidad del Magdalena measured the temperature on green roofs in Bello Horizonte and found that roofs with vegetation were up to 8°C cooler than neighboring concrete roofs. That in a city where the heat can be suffocating. Additionally, green roofs reduce outside noise by up to 10 decibels, according to the same study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Green Roofs Attract Mosquitoes or Dangerous Animals?
No more than a normal garden. In Bello Horizonte, green roofs are designed with drainage that prevents stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed. Native plants attract birds and butterflies, but not snakes or vermin. Neighbors report that, at most, they see lizards, which are harmless and help control insects.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Green Roof in Santa Marta?
It depends on the size and type. For an extensive 50 m² roof, materials (waterproofing, substrate, plants) cost between 3 and 5 million Colombian pesos. Labor can add another 2 million. In Bello Horizonte, some neighbors barter: they help install in exchange for plants or advice. Ask at the Fundación Techos Vivos; sometimes they have subsidy programs for neighborhood residents.
Can I Visit a Green Roof Without Being a Resident?
Yes, but with permission. The Hotel Casa Verde and the Fundación Techos Vivos have guided tours on weekends. You can also ask at Café del Jardín or Restaurante La Azotea, which have green terraces open to the public. If you see a roof from the street and want to get closer, knock on the door and ask politely. The neighbors are hospitable, but respect if they don't want to open.
Share Your Experience
If you visit Bello Horizonte and see a green roof that you fall in love with, or if you have one yourself at home, join the movement. Take a photo, tag Malokal, and use the hashtag #TechosVerdesBH. This way more people will be encouraged to turn their rooftops into small urban lungs. Because in Santa Marta, the future is not in concrete, but in the jungle that grows above our heads.
Historical or Contextual Introduction
Bello Horizonte, located on the Caribbean coast of Santa Marta, is a neighborhood that has evolved considerably in recent decades. Originally, this area was known for its extensive beaches and a tranquil atmosphere, characteristic of less developed areas. With the boost from tourism and the arrival of new residents, the neighborhood has seen growth that has transformed its landscape, but has also led to the implementation of sustainable initiatives, such as green roofs, which seek to mitigate the environmental impact of urbanization.
The history of Bello Horizonte is closely related to the need for balance between urban development and conservation of the natural environment. In this sense, the community has adopted practices that promote sustainability, making Bello Horizonte an example to follow in the region. The implementation of green roofs not only beautifies the environment but also contributes to temperature regulation and rainwater management, making this neighborhood a model of adaptation to climate change.
Furthermore, the inhabitants of Bello Horizonte actively participate in preserving their environment. It is common to see neighbors organizing beach clean-up days and promoting the use of recyclable materials. This environmental awareness has made the neighborhood not only an attractive place for tourists but also a space where a sense of community and commitment to nature is palpable.