Miami, FL (August 5, 2026) – Just days after Santa Marta marked the 501st anniversary of its founding on July 29, the historic collaboration between Colombian icon Carlos Vives and Juan Luis Guerra reaches a new dimension with the release of the official video for “Buscando el Mar.”
Inspired by Gabriel García Márquez’s novel Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude), the song is part of Carlos Vives’ album El Último Disco, Vol. 1 and serves as a tribute to the Colombian writer, drawing from the story of the Macondo character who longed to find the sea; a metaphor used to convey freedom. Blending Caribbean rhythms, pop and instrumentation that includes percussion, guitars and piano, “Buscando el Mar” creates a sonic journey filled with nostalgia, hope and connection.
The music video for “Buscando el Mar” complements the essence of the song with visuals that journey through some of the Caribbean’s most iconic landscapes. Amid beaches, mangroves and rocky coastlines, Carlos Vives and Juan Luis Guerra embark on a voyage that celebrates their roots, nature and the connection to the sea. The video takes on even greater significance with a heartfelt tribute to Egidio Cuadrado, whose final accordion performance was immortalized in the song.
Following the release of the single in April, media outlets reacted to the collaboration that many had been waiting for for years:
Rolling Stone wrote: “Although collaborations have increased significantly within the music industry over the past few decades, there was one that could not happen casually or halfheartedly: Carlos Vives and Juan Luis Guerra, La Provincia and 4.40. What better place for them to meet than that town of Macondo, brought to life by Gabriel García Márquez in Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude)? A town born from the search for and longing to find the sea, to attain freedom, and that, through countless discoveries along the way, ultimately found itself. Just as Carlos Vives did with vallenato, and Juan Luis Guerra with merengue and bachata, they started from those roots to discover what makes them unique and what today makes them two of the greatest exponents of Spanish-language music.”
Billboard said: “In the Juan Luis-assisted ‘Buscando el Mar,’ the two Grammy-winning acts are inspired by Gabriel García Márquez’s Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude), for a metaphorical journey filled with nostalgia, hope and connection.” El Nuevo Herald published: “When two giants of Latin music come together, the result is extraordinary. Colombian legend Carlos Vives and Dominican icon Juan Luis Guerra prove just that in ‘Buscando el Mar,’ their first and highly anticipated collaboration.”
Following the success of “Te Dedico,” which was included among Billboard’s best songs of 2026 and reached No. 1 on the Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay charts, Carlos Vives released “Te Dedico (Remix)” alongside Puerto Rican artist Jory Boy. The collaboration blends the Colombian icon’s signature sound with the urban style of the former Nova & Jory member, offering a new version that preserves the song’s romantic essence while adding fresh energy to reach new audiences. In addition to “Te Dedico,” another track that has captivated Carlos Vives’ audience is “Tuyo y Nada Más,” which reached No. 1 in Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Chile, and continues to solidify its success on radio.
Now, with the release of the “Buscando el Mar” video, the successful journey of El Último Disco, Vol. 1 continues. The album brings together the essence of Vives’ entire career: the richness of Colombian sounds, honest songwriting, impeccable production and an artistic evolution that demonstrates why he remains one of the most influential figures in Latin music. The album features collaborations with Juan Luis Guerra (“Buscando el Mar”), Niña Pastori (“Sombra Perdida”) and Sergio George (“Si Yo Volviera a Nacer”).
Carlos Vives will join the benefit show “A Concert for Venezuela,” taking place on August 23 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. The event, led by Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic, will raise funds to support Venezuelan communities affected by the recent earthquakes.
