Capurganá


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 until the early twentieth century when they were displaced by mostly mulatto settlers from Cartagena. The natives migrated to the archipelago of San Blas 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 helped to build a small airstrip. Mrs. Narcisa and the pilot Jorge Mario Uribe took the first tourists to Capurganá in a small plane Cessna. 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. The Palacio family established the first hotel in 1975, small log cabins and an iraca palm roof. After the cabins 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.

Activities

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. Capurganaá 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, El Aguacate and Soledad Beach. It is a "must see" tour to walk for one hour to the EL Cielo notch 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 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 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. Local boats visit "The Playona" beach where Cana and Carey 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 were a golden age of tourism in Capurganá. Thousands of tourists traveled from several Colombian cities for its natural environment. The increased activities of illegal armed groups impacted tourist numbers. On December 12 of 1999 Capurgana 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, but the high costs of airline tickets from Medellín and poor electrical infrastructure of the region make it an unattractive destination.
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.
Today many tourists and businessmen traveling between Colombia and Panama for Turbo-Capurganá route. Boat leave at 8:00 am daily with a capacity of 25 passengers between Turbo 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 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 and Cartagena. 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 will become again an unknown point on Earth's geography. Its leaders must decide whether to retain its tourist vocation. The tourists also can fly to Capurganá or to the nearby village Acandí.

Geography

Climate

Capurgana has a Köppen Climate Classification subtype of "Aw".. The average temperature for the year in Turbo is 81.0 °F. The warmest month, on average, is May with an average temperature of 82.0 °F. The coolest month on average is January, with an average temperature of 80.0 °F.