Ecotourism is an activity whose purpose is the search for ecological and social sustainability. In this sense, the purpose of this research is to analyse the condition for the ecotourism development in the wetland Ciénaga de Mallorquín (CM), located in Atlántico, based on: the analysis of socio-ecological system and their participation in the activiy; (2) identification of the actors; (3) strategies to promote sustainable ecotourism. To reach these goals were made 180 polls to the community around the CM, an actor’s matrix and were designed strategies focus on the environmental education, environmental recovery and sustainable local entrepreneurship. The results showed that the local community perceives that, despite the degree of environmental deterioration that threatens the ecosystem, the potential of ecotourism is favorable. 80% of people are willing to participate in an ecotourism project and there is a preference for non-economic benefits for people with low incomes. Further, in the actor’s matrix the lack of articulation regarding the development of ecotourism in the area was evidenced. Therefore, strategies were defined to promote joint actions for the promotion of ecotourism. Definitely, this research marks a new trend towards participation of local communities in ecotourism projects and is highlighted its usefulness for future research in similar contextEcotourism is an activity whose purpose is the search for ecological and social sustainability. In this sense, the purpose of this research is to analyse the condition for the ecotourism development in the wetland Ciénaga de Mallorquín (CM), located in Atlántico, based on: the analysis of socio-ecological system and their participation in the activiy; (2) identification of the actors; (3) strategies to promote sustainable ecotourism. To reach these goals were made 180 polls to the community around the CM, an actor’s matrix and were designed strategies focus on the environmental education, environmental recovery and sustainable local entrepreneurship. The results showed that the local community perceives that, despite the degree of environmental deterioration that threatens the ecosystem, the potential of ecotourism is favorable. 80% of people are willing to participate in an ecotourism project and there is a preference for non-economic benefits for people with low incomes. Further, in the actor’s matrix the lack of articulation regarding the development of ecotourism in the area was evidenced. Therefore, strategies were defined to promote joint actions for the promotion of ecotourism. Definitely, this research marks a new trend towards participation of local communities in ecotourism projects and is highlighted its usefulness for future research in similar contexts