Difference between revisions of "Isla Gorgona"
Revision as of 16:43, 4 March 2006Isla Gorgona is an island in the Pacific Ocean near Colombia.
UnderstandParque Nacional Natural Isla Gorgona is an small island 30 kilometres out of the Colombian coast. HistoryIt was a prison island, but now it is national park. Some of the prisons are converted into a research centre, accommodation and a restaurant. The rest is overgrown by jungle and can be visited. LandscapeFlora and faunaThe island is covered with tropical forest. The island is famous for it's poisonous snakes. Further inhabitants includes monkeys, endemic lizards, pelicans and more. The ocean is roamed by sea turtles, whales, whalesharks, whitetip sharks and a lot of other fish species. ClimateWarm and wet. Get inThere are three ways to get to Isla Gorgona The cheapest way to get to the island is by boar from Buenaventura. There are three boatcompanies.
Via GuapiGuapi is only accessible by air. Aerolíneas Satena has flights from Cali. Contact them in Cali (2)8857709 - (2)885798 or in Guapi (2)8400547 - (2)8400313 Several companies have boats with a maximum capacity of 10 persons. The price is between C$350,000 anc C$400,000 for the 2 hour trip. Here is a list of contacts.
Via El CharcoTaxi de Carga (2)6663042 has flights from Cali. Contact Dagobert Paredes (in El Charco (2)7470177 - (2)7470091 or in Cali (2)3155605 ) for boats to the island. The capacity is 15 to 20 persons and cost C$500,000 one-way.
If your boat out of the island doesn't show up, you get a free night on the island. It is not allowed to bring alcohol to the island. Bags are sometimes checked on entrance. Confiscated goods will be returned at your departure. On departure bags are sometimes checked for corals or endangered animal species. A vaccination against yellow fever is required, and vaccinations against hepatitis B and tetanus are advised to get in. Fees/PermitsThe entrance to the park is COP$ 20.000 and has to be payed in advanced together with the cost of accommodation. The easiest way is to arrange it in person in the office in Bogotá, but it's also possible to arrange by phone and fax. Bogotá: Oficina de Ecoturismo, Carrera 10 N. 20-30 piso 4. Tel: 2431634 2433095, Fax: 2434174. The office in Cali can provide useful information: Territorial Suroccidente en Santiago de Cali, Avenida 3 G No. 37N-70 (Barrio Prados del Norte), Tel: (092) 6656124 / 6543719/ 6543720/ 6658084/ 6654261 (mmambiente@emcali.net.co). Get aroundAccess to the park is restricted. You're only allowed without a guide on the area, called El Poblado between the accommodations and the dive shop. With a (free) guide it is possible to visit the former prison area and the one trail leading to the other side of the island. SeeDo
BuyThere is nothing to buy on the island, so take everything you need with you. EatThere is only one restaurant. The meals are good, but prepare for lots of seafood and rice. A breakfast cost COP$4,000, lunch and dinner COP$11,500. DrinkSleepAccommodation is in shared 4-person rooms and cost COP$30.000 a night and has to be paid in advanced. Stay healtyVaccination against yellow fever, tetanus and hepatitus B is recommended There are several species of poisonous snakes on the island. Walking to playa Blanca and further is only allowed with guide and rubber boots (You can rent them at restaurant for COP$7000). After 5pm the it's advisable to wear rubber boots as well and use torches. External linkshttp://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/areas/lasareas/gorgona/gorgintro.htm -- Official homepage (Spanish).
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
