Capurganá

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Capurganá is a tourist destination of the municipality of Acandí on the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Urabá in the Colombian department of Choco and adjacent to the border between Colombia and Panama. This region of Colombia was inhabited by the Cuna Indians and the name Capurgana translates to the "land of chili" in their language. The Cuna inhabited the area until the early twentieth century when they were displaced by mostly mulatto settlers from Cartagena. The natives migrated to the archipelago of San Blas (Region Kuna Yala) in the neighboring country of Panama. The Cuna maintain a semiautonomous region where they exercise a degree of self governance.

Capurganá remained unnoticed on the map until the 1970s when Mrs. Narcisa Navas, a community leader, convinced her neighbours to donate land and help to build a small airstrip. Narcisa Navas and the pilot, Jorge Mario Uribe, took the first tourists to Capurganá in a small Cessna aircraft. Today the Capurganá Airport remains.

Initially families from neighbouring Antioquia state arrived to build small summer houses. The Mora, Uribe, Arango and Isaza families as well as Samuel Isaacs, a relative of the Colombian writer Don Jorge Isaacs.^{[citation needed]} The Palacio family established the first hotel in 1975, small log cabins and an iraca palm roof (Carludovica palmata). After the cabins (now the renewed Tacarcuna Lodge) were established, similar hotels followed such as the Almar and Calypso. Tourist infrastructure had grown to more than 20 hotels, inns and hostels by 1990. The small town gradually became a destination for the emerging Colombian eco-tourists.^{[citation needed]}

Activities[]

Port of Capurganá.

The main attraction of Capurganá for nature lovers is to enjoy a holiday free of motor vehicles. In Capurganá there are no vehicles since it is completely disconnected from the rest the country. Capurganá also offers tourists its small crystal clear beach with a nearby coral reef for snorkeling enthusiasts and a real rainforest with mountains and waterfalls. By sea it is easy to travel to the nearby bays of Sapzurro, La Miel (Honey), El Aguacate (Avocado) and Soledad Beach. It is a "must see" tour to walk for one hour to the El Cielo notch (Heaven) and the "Pool of the Gods" where you can admire nature in all its splendor.

Diving[]

Although Colombia has a very extensive coastline in the Caribbean Sea, many coastal waters are turbid due to sediment from large rivers that flow into the sea. One exception is the short length of 30 km that starts from the border with Panama (Cape Tiburon) to the Acandi municipality. This stretch of coastline is bathed by crystal clear waters suitable for practice of Scuba diving and snorkeling. Beyond the Acandí Township and bordering half of the Caribbean Colombian coast to the archipelago of San Bernardo in the Gulf of Morrosquillo the sea is dark by the action of the mighty Atrato river and Sinú river.

The best time for diving is in the middle of the winter season from April to November when the waves practically disappear. During the summer^[1] from January to March the wave action becomes intense, making navigation difficult and not appropriate for tourists unaccustomed to sea life. Capurganá dive operators have certified PADI international agencies that highlight that work to international standards.

Biodiversity[]

The Choco department has many different animal species, some endangered.^{[citation needed]} Local boats visit "The Playona" beach where Cana (Dermochelys coriacea) and Carey (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles nest during the months of March and April. It is also possible to observe the famous Choco poison frogs. The dark green frog, Dendrobates auratus, is also common in the region.

Tourism[]

The late twentieth century was a golden age of tourism in Capurganá.^{[citation needed]} Thousands of tourists traveled from several Colombian cities for its natural environment.^{[citation needed]} The increased activities of illegal armed groups impacted tourist numbers. On December 12 of 1999 Capurganá was the victim of a guerrilla attack that ended the tourist flow for several years. The Colombian government eventually established a permanent military presence in the border area with the help of the United States Plan Colombia. Increased security also ended the "cajeteros" or arms smugglers who used the airport as its hub.

Capurganá may relive its heyday,^{[original research?]} but the high costs of airline tickets from Medellín (US$330) and poor electrical infrastructure of the region make it an unattractive destination.^{[original research?]}

Until mid-1980 the area had two contiguous coral sand beaches visited by tourists. The beach of the Virgin of Uvita was subsequently invaded by the sea by removing all the sand exposing the coral cliff. Today only the beach of "La Caleta" remains.^{[citation needed]}

Today many tourists and businessmen traveling between Colombia and Panama use the Turbo-Capurganá route. A boat leaves at 8:00 am daily with a capacity of 25 passengers between Turbo (Antioquia) and Capurganá. The trip takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on sea conditions. It was announced that by the end of 2012 a new Catamaran ferry service will run between the Antonio Roldán Airport (Apartadó Town) and Capurganá.

The nearest city of Panama is Puerto Obaldia, about 45 minutes by boat.

Transport[]

Currently all transport of goods is by sea from Turbo (Colombia) and Cartagena (Colombia). In the future the needed Pan American Highway will connect Colombia to Panama but this would be the end of tourism. If motor vehicles invade Capurganá all its charm will be gone and it will become again an unknown point on the Earth's geography. Its leaders must decide whether to retain its tourist vocation.^{[original research?][tone]} The tourists also can fly to Capurganá or to the nearby village Acandí.^[2]

Geography[]

Climate[]

Capurgana has a Köppen Climate Classification subtype of "Aw". (Tropical Savanna Climate). The average temperature for the year in Turbo is 81.0 °F (27.2 °C). The warmest month, on average, is May with an average temperature of 82.0 °F (27.8 °C). The coolest month on average is January, with an average temperature of 80.0 °F (26.7 °C).^[3]

References[]

External links[]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Capurganá.

• Capurganá, a small paradise, blog with useful information.
• Capurganá Colombian Caribbean, Paraiso reef information relating to tourism and diving activity
• Hotel las Mañanitas, Naturaleza Magica, Arquitectura Colonial, Cocina Regional.
• Hostal Capurgana,We can help you to get to know the area ,retaurant Regional.