Visitors’ Perceptions and Valuation of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Three Urban Wetlands of Bogotá, Colombia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Urban wetlands provide cultural ecosystem services (CES) that are essential to human well-being. However, their study remains limited in Colombia and across Latin America, particularly in terms of quantitative assessments of CES in urban ecosystems. This research examines the perception and valuation of CES among visitors to three urban wetlands designated as Ramsar sites in Bogotá, Colombia—Santa María del Lago, Juan Amarillo, and Córdoba. We assessed how sociodemographic profiles influence the appreciation and valuation of CES employing a mixed-methods approach that combined structured surveys, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA). Results revealed notable differences among the wetlands: Santa María del Lago attracts younger visitors and is characterized by strong appreciation for landscape aesthetics and spirituality; Juan Amarillo exhibits a mixed visitor profile with lower appreciation for spirituality; and Córdoba receives older visitors with higher education levels, who prioritize recreation and tourism. HCA and PCA identified distinct visitor segments: “passive visitors,” oriented toward contemplation and learning, and “active visitors,” focused on recreation and tourism. Across all sites, the most valued services were aesthetic appreciation of the landscape and knowledge of nature. This study provides empirical evidence to support the integration of CES into decision-making and environmental policy for urban planning, recommending differentiated governance strategies, targeted environmental education programs, and low-impact tourism initiatives aligned with Ramsar principles and nature-based solutions.