On the way to more peace, Colombian biosphere reserves, national parks and privately owned protected areas have changed their main objective from conservation to becoming regions of sustainable development. On the basis of case studies in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Northern Colombia, this paper evaluates the concepts, strategies and measures by using the livelihood approach. The aim is to analyse if tourism and the export of cash crops like coffee can reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems and people. The study makes it clear that only on a small scale may tourism (eco-tourism and farm tourism) be regarded as a sustainable solution. This is also true of organic farming if it respects the natural ecosystems and does not pollute soil and water.