Capurgana

[Cali vet]

We just returned from a week in Capurgana near the Panama border and I can't wait to go back. I reccomend it as an ideal alternative for guys who aren't interested in the commercialism, big hotels and moterized watersports of San Andres. It's accessable by boat plane or feet, no cars no motorcycles anywhere. It cost about $950 for 8 days and that included airfare from Cali, air-conditioned room, three great buffet meals a day and Pilsner beer (a Medellin brand) and national liquors all day untill midnight. I took a three hour scuba diving course including a dive in the ocean for $27. Launch excursions to Panama and other nice beaches cost $10 per person and there is a great hike through the jungle up to a great natural swimming pool. I'll post a site with pictures later for anyone interested.

[jeff a1]

... in response to Capurgana, posted by Cali vet on Mar 4, 2003

[This message has been edited by jeff a1]

Thanks for the fotos! Reminds me a lot of PAnama, and with reason, I suppose... I'll show Luisa, and perhaps we'll take a vacation there. It looks spectacular.

[Hiker]

... in response to Capurgana, posted by Cali vet on Mar 4, 2003

Yeah!! Please do post!  This sounds very interesting.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Capurgana, posted by Hiker on Mar 5, 2003

Hiker, hiking is where it's at in Capurgana. There are foot/horse trails through the jungle connecting it to other pueblos. The surrounding mountains have permantly stationed army. Everyone I talked to there said the guerrilla weren't a problem localy unlike the Fallarones outside Cali. As you know however in Colombia there are never guarentees.

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Re: Capurgana, posted by Cali vet on Mar 6, 2003

I am going to seriously pursue going there.  Thanks!

[lswote]

... in response to Capurgana, posted by Cali vet on Mar 4, 2003

This place sounds great!  How did you hear about it?

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Capurgana, posted by lswote on Mar 4, 2003

Capurgana has been a Colombian tourist destination for a long time but three years ago the guerrilla came into town. They didn't attack they just came in and got (stole) food and medicine and didn't even mess with the police. However that shut down tourism and there were no flights in for  awhile. Everything has been cool for a couple of years now and it's a great beach destination on the caribbean.

[Throw]

... in response to Capurgana, posted by Cali vet on Mar 4, 2003

I would love to hear more about your trip, the place you stayed etc...

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Capurgana, posted by Throw on Mar 4, 2003

[This message has been edited by Cali vet]

I posted some pics of Capurgana on the following site. Copy/paste this, I hope it works. Sorry no chica.

http://www.picturetrail.com/OREJUELA

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Capurgana, posted by Throw on Mar 4, 2003

[This message has been edited by Cali vet]

We stayed at a place called Almar www.almar.com.co. It seems to be the most expensive but probobly because of the included open bar all day long. It's right on the beach a five minute walk from the town. The attention was terrific. Similar but a tad cheaper is Alcazar next door. No website, phone in Medellen:412 40 47. There was a guesthouse next door too that only cost fifteen thousand pesos per person a day, no air which may not be a problem because of the breeze. Had fan, private bath. There's a bunch more. The town is completely layed back. Never any hassling or sales pressure on the beach or anywhere else and unlike Jamaica say, the people are really friendly. Everyone will return a "Buenos dias". In fact one of the few options was buying a lottery ticket from an old guy who walked down the beach every morning but a simple "gracias" sent him on his way. Any terrestrial transport besides walking is by two wheeled horse cart or hoseback. One of the launch excursions takes you to Sapzorro, the last Colombian pueblo. The next town north is La Miel, Panama. Sapzorro has some pretty fancy beach houses owned by "medicos" in Medellin. There're two motorbikes in Capurgana but one's broke. I overlooked that in my post above. It's humid selva all around with toucans and parrots aplenty.

There was only one negative. It's a long day from Cali. You fly to Rionegro airport outside Medellin but then have to make the hour or more trip to the regional airport Olaya Herrera in the city. A taxi costs $35.000 or bus if you have the time $6.000. Our agent didn't tell us this and it took us by surprise. The flight to Capurgana is in a Twin Otter so you bounce around but it's fun. They serve earplugs along with the juice and crackers.