A national park on the Caribbean sea
Trip Start
Aug 26, 2005
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Trip End
May 26, 2008
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Tayrona National Park,
Colombia
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Mitch, Penelope and I traveled to the park in a taxi, which we thought would be a good option. Boy were we wrong. We were taken along a busted up and bumpy old road so the tight taxi driver could avoid paying 6000 pesos (3 bucks) in tolls. The road was extremely dodgy and took us much longer to reach the park than expected. We arrived at the gates at 5:05pm. 5 minutes late and consequently, were refused entry. No amount of begging, bribery, pleading, arguing, and finally abuse would let us in. So we had to spent the night close by and get there early the next day. Luck was on our side and we found a resort to stay in. Originally they wanted 50,000 pesos, but through some stern action, we got a bungalow for 10,000. ($6 Au)
The place was surreal. We weren't sure how a Colombian could come up with something like this. The only explanation we could come up with was drugs. Drug money and corruption built this amazing resort in the jungle. There were 3 monstrous pools, a dance floor, a sauna, water slides and bungalows hidden deep in the forest on a winding cobbled footpath. We were the only people there, adding to the mystery.
We had a great sleep, despite a few strange noises in the night and arrived at the park at 8am - opening time. Well, not really - see, these people have no problem shutting up shop right on closing time, hell, even earlier if they feel like it. But don't ever expect them to open on time. It was closer to 9am when we finally entered the park, catching a jeep then walking for an hour through an amazing muddy jungle path to the beaches.
Huge boulders litter the beach and it was just as spectacular as the photos made it out to be.
Tayrona1
There are palm trees and coconuts and the Caribbean sea is as inviting as ever. The first beach we arrived at was called Arrecifes. We swam about in the crystal clear, warm water and then headed round the cove, to the next beach, then another one, and another, finally reaching the place where we would stay for the night. In hammocks in a bungalow on a small hill looking over the beach.We picked out our hammocks, dumped our stuff and headed back to the inviting Caribbean, but we were armed - with 2 forks that we borrowed from the restaurant. We made a spear and attempted to catch dinner. The spear fell apart after a few minutes, so we used the forks to pry balmain bugs off the rocks and later, when our pockets were full, we swam to shore, borrowed someones fire roasted them over the hot coals. They were a good appetizer and we topped them off with a spaghetti napolitanaiana.
The next day we woke with the sun, crawled into the Caribbean sea and lazed about on the white sandy beaches.
After lunch, we hiked out of the park via ´El Pueblito´
I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THIS PLACE IS ALL ABOUT SO STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS.
After exploring El Pueblito, we began our hike back to civilization. It took much longer than expected and we were dripping with sweat in the hot Caribbean jungles. We arrived at the main road and caught a bus back to the Hostel.
The next day we sadly parted ways. I headed back to Cartagena in search of a yacht to take me through the Caribbean and Mitch and Penelope are off to Bogota then south through the rest of south America. They will love it.
Comments
El Tayrona National Park
I loved the story about your stay in El Tayrona, great detail and unforgettable experience.
How long ago was this?
Colombia still has beautiful spaces not touched by 'civilization', hopefully they will prevail for many many years and future generations will be able to enjoy for some more hundred years.
Re: El Tayrona National Park
Tayrona was an amazing place, and as you say, one that hasn't been wrecked by develpoment like most of these South American gems.
I was in Tayrona on the 21st of October. But I think that place would be perfect all year round.