Introduction
To the ancient indigenous who lived and inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta this place is the heart of the world. It is a territory where highly mystical spirituality is the basis of existence, is the umbilical cord that binds us to the mother land where respect and responsibility are the essence of peace. But beyond the spiritual value there is a vast area of Colombia to the north and east of the Atlantic Ocean.
It is undoubtedly one of the richest and most beautiful in the country where rivers , mountains, forests, wildlife, flora mingle and which descends to meet with one of the most beautiful natural national parks of America, the Tayrona.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is part of the departments of Magdalena, La Guajira and Cesar and is the highest mountainous coastline in the world. There flow more than 29 major rivers and many of them come directly to the Caribbean Sea. Its peaks are the highest in Colombia with the Bolivar beaks Columbus and reaching 5778 meters above sea level.
The place is very visited specially the area where the eco-lodges or inns are. It has a large number of attractions that make it one of the top destinations in Colombia.
The area is known as the buffer zone of parks in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Tayrona, and it is from the city of Santa Marta to the mouth of the river Buritaca on the road that joins La Guajira with Magdalena.
Welcome!
Climate:
Calid and warm with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees centigrade in the buffer zone of the parks. In the upper falls below zero.
Location:
The Tayrona National Park is 34 km north from Santa Marta via Riohacha. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is among the departments of Magdalena, La Guajira and Cesar northwest of Colombia, limiting with the Atlantic ocean. However, the area where the program has been developed for ecotourism lodges are located on the main route Santa Marta - Riohacha on a route of about 60 km. And that is where most of the attractions are found.
Culture:
Being that the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is located on the Atlantic coast and receives the influence of Caribbean culture is determined by the happiness and friendliness of its people.
The coaster citizen is always characterized by its easy going attitude and its kindness. They like dancing and live proud of the spring of cultural resources that emanate from their regions. Rhythms like cumbia,porro, the bullerengue and vallenato, have been around the world and are a symbol of national joy.
As for the population, in the whole coast there is a particular fusion of races. Whites, mestizos and Afro-descendants form the human landscape. Likewise, in the Sierra Nevada and its foothills remain intact some indigenous reservations that inherited the legacy of cultures as the Tayrona.
In the mountains there are settled four main communities: the Arhuaco, the Koguis, The Wiwas and Kankuamos. The first are the most prevalent and organized. They have their capital in NabusÍmake, a village located behind the mountains in the department of Cesar. The Koguis are located in Ciudad Perdida, one of the most striking places of history and geography of Colombia.
Gastronomy:
The recipes are varied and change according to the location of the various destinations. Towards the coastal areas they are dominated by fish-based dishes that are served fried, or boiled as sancocho and is complemented with fried plantain tortillas, rice, cassava and salads.
In the savanna areas are the traditional beef and goat meat dishes which are served. And in the cities is common to taste and try the local food such as buns or bollo limpio, serum, yams, sausages called butifarras, carimañolas and pork meat among other delicacies.
Getting There:
Remember that this is a wide area between the city of Santa Marta and the mouth of the river Buritaca on the Caribbean Highway which connects this city with the department of La Guajira. The full itinerary lasts about an hour, but access to the inns or hostels vary depending on the location.
In your trip you will find these following places in order:
The Tinajas (6 inns or hostels): It is about 20 minutes from Santa Marta and 20 minutes from the highway to any of the six inns with mountain climbing, hiking trail trough ancient indigenous footpaths.
Nuevo México (2 inns): It is about 25 minutes from Santa Marta. There are two lodges or inns separated from each other, one of them 10 minutes from the highway and the other about a 30 minute walk.
Calabazo sur (2 inns): It is about 30 minutes from Santa Marta. There are two guest houses separated by a trail that takes about an hour. These inns are accessed by different routes on a tour takes about an hour to reach each of them from the highway. It can be accessed on horseback.
Calabazo Norte(1 inn): It is about 40 minutes from Santa Marta. This inn is accessed by an off road from the highway of the Caribbean on a journey of about 30 minutes.
San Rafael (5 inns): It is about 45 minutes from Santa Marta and 500 meters before the Tayrona National Park. The inns are next to the road and it take you three minutes to get there on foot.
Los Naranjos (2 inns): It is about 55 minutes from Santa Marta. From the highway there is a two minutes walk to the first inn and five until the second. If you travel by public transport should reach the market at the main square of Santa Marta where buses are constantly departing for this area and which will take you to the eco-lodges or inns.
Santa Marta has an airport where flights arrive from all over the country.
Attractives
Tayrona National Natural Park
It is the most visited park in Colombia by imposing its beaches and the color of the sea, being one of the most beautiful in America. Located some 34 km from the city of Santa Marta on a journey of about 40 minutes by car leading to the main entrance known as El Zain.
The charm of the Tayrona is represented on its beaches, its huge rocks in the sea, the forest well preserved and a large quantity of plant and animal species. With caution it is possible to see the deer, fox, dog, eagle, gray squirrels, owls, monkeys and marmosets cotudo, among many others. It is also an ideal place for bird watching because there are over 200 species in the park. Another attraction is the richness of beautiful underwater reefs and marine life, and hundreds of species of fauna.
Being in the park you must known beach of Canaveral, then following a path that on foot or horseback you can reach the beach of Arrecifes which will lead you to beautiful beaches such as La piscina and The Cabo San Juan de Guía, where you will find a restaurant, camping area and hammocks for hire.
In addition to the scenic beauty, the magic of the place comes from the indigenous people who lived here. The tayronas were great architects and a example of that it is Pueblito or Chairama, a wonderful vestige of stone terraces and water channels that can be known starting from Cabo San Juan de Guía going up by an archaeological pebbled road in the middle of the song of the birds and the native vegetation.
If you are staying at any of the Tayronas eco-inns or lodges you will get as many entrances you like for the Price of one.
Stones River
Lives up to its name. This is a nice river bed which borns in the icy peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and at the height of the tourist lodges of Calabazo Sur make beautiful natural pools as the imposing Poza del Amor surrounded by large rocks, where a refreshing Bathing is the reward for the walk or ride that usually takes place from the inn La Esperanza (Calabazo Sur) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
Downstream is the other inn in this area known as Brisas del Rio, and that has several pools of great beauty and enormous rocks. Also in the area of San Rafael there are 6 inns where eco-tourism, the river Piedras (stones) passes between large trees forming new pools and puddles for relaxing baths.
LOST CITY
The journey up to Ciudad Perdida is a spectacular trip requested in large part by foreigners, as the mystique of the place is known around the world The "city", which is located some 1,100 m above sea level.
Is a complex of stone terraces, paths and stairs that demonstrate the great architectural and engineering knowledge of indigenous people that lived here. The place is compared to the ruins of Machu Picchu (Peru) and the giants of la Isla de Pascua (Chile).
On the tour you can visit indigenous communities as the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo, the total time of ascent and descent is between five and six days. If you're staying at one of the ecotourism lodges of the Tayrona and want to make this trip, it should be planned in advance.
KAYAKING ON DON DIEGO RIVER AND BURITACA
They are two great rivers that begin in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and lead directly into the sea. In addition to the scenic beauty they possess, the main attraction is the ride down in its waters by kayak or tires.
The tours last between three and six hours, including snacks, induction, lunch and accompaniment.
For more information:
ECODESTINOS : Street 127D Nº 58-32
Phone: 608 80 31
Cell: 315 607 4044
Email: eco_destinos@yahoo.com
Bogotá - Colombia
VALENCIA GULCH
It is a beautiful nature reserve located about 45 minutes from the city of Santa Marta and after about 15 minutes of walking. Its main attractions are the natural pools and waterfalls formed by the streams on their way through the jungle.
SANTA MARTA AND TAGANGA
Santa Marta is one of the most important tourist cities of Colombia. Its main attractions are the beaches and the sea, there you will find good hotels, restaurants and various water activities, so you can have fun with your family.
On the other hand, Santa Marta has an important historical legacy as it is the first city founded by the Spaniards and which are several gems of the colony like the Cathedral and part of the historic center. There lies the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the place where the Liberator Simón Bolívar died.
In the capital of the department of Magdalena there is also the aquarium, and the beach of Playa Blanca and the promenade that leads to the nearby beaches within the Tayrona National Park.
Taganga is the name of a small village of fishermen very famous for its informal cuisine and for the constant visit of foreign tourists. It's in a beautiful bay where there are awesome sunsets.It has a small beach and its main attraction is diving, as there are marine havens for unforgettable dives. The visitor will find several diving schools.
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