Capurganá

Capurganá is a city in the Choco region of Colombia. Surrounded on three sides by dense jungle, Capurganá is the last town of any reasonable size on the Colombian Caribbean coast before the border with Panama. A sleepy little place with a laid-back atmosphere, it is popular with Colombians, but is only just starting to put in an appearance on the Gringo trail; mainly because it is the last place on the coast with a DAS office where you can get stamped out of Colombia. If you are passing through, Capurganá is a great place to spend a few days relaxing and savouring one of the few places left with no cars (there are no roads to Capurganá, so the only form of land-based transport there are horses or bicycles). It has a couple of small beaches (although with strong currents, so take care when swimming), and is a great place for snorkelling. There are numerous hotels and restaurants scattered throughout the place, so there are plenty of options for the budget traveller (who are likely to arrive on the bone-shaking launches from Puerto Obaldia or Turbo), as well as more up-market choices for those who can afford to fly in. Get in Plane Capurganá has an airstrip and tiny airport, from which a couple of companies provide regular and charter flights from Medellín: ADA: has flights from Medellín at around 290,000 COP. They can be contacted in Medellin +574 444 4232 or Capurganá 682 8817/682 8804 Searca : provide passenger and cargo flights: +574 444 4232 Boat Most people are likely to come in on one of the launches from Turbo in Colombia, or Puerto Obaldia in Panama. There are no roads leading to Capurganá, hence the feeling of being in an island. Get around See Do Dive and Green. A place providing diving services. For more informaton see check the website [1]. 2 dives : 180,000 COP. Buy Eat Drink Sleep Hotel el Uvito, (At the start of the main street, right next to the docks). From 25,000 COP (30,000 with breakfast). Hotel Don Blas, (On the right of the main street as you leave the docks). Los Delphines, (Walk up the main street from the docks, take the first right and carry on walking about 100m). Owner Hannibal will most likely be at the dock waiting for new arrivants. A cheap, clean and friendly place that also serves good food. Rooms with bath from 15,000 COP.. Hostal Capurganá, (On the left on main street leading from the docks). Contact Several places provide internet services. Capurganá Tours on the main street [2] provide internet for 3,000 COP per hour. A public internet service for 3,000 COP is also provided at an office in the high school, although the connection is painfully slow. Get out Boat There are regular launches to Turbo (49,000 COP). There is an office selling tickets on the sea front where you can reserve your ticket the day before. Launches to Puerto Obaldia depart when there are enough people to fill them. If the office is closed, ask around to find Marcelino, almost everyone will be able to point you to the right person. The going rate seems to be about 25,000 COP. It is also possible to arrange launches to Sapzurro and La Miel, further along the Colombian coast. Walk It is possible to walk to the town Sapzurro on the border with Panamá, with an almost perfect circular bay. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!