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Puerto Colombia, Choroní, beaches,....
Quinta Cachama Negra is located in Puerto Colombia,
Puerto Colombia:
Puerto Colombia is the
port of Choroní. It is a colonial village, with various posadas
(lodgings), restaurants, the Malecón (boulevard), and
most importantly: Playa Grande, the beach! A very fine palm shaded
beach, ideally for relaxing.
The Malecón of Puerto Colombia
is an ideal place to walk a while, sit down in the evening, meet other people,
browse or purchase local art or eat a hot-dog or hamburger. During weekends (mainly
on Saturday nights), this is the spot where the "Tambores de Choroní" (traditional
drums) play their music, while the spectators are encouraged to join in to sing and
dance with them.
During the colonial era ships
arrived here, from, among others, Spain and The Netherlands, to take cocoa,
coffee and sugar back to Europe.
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| Puerto Colombia - Mainstreet |
View from the malecón (boulevard) |
Choroní:
Choroní is a colonial village
which was founded around 400 years ago. This was the place where the slaves who
worked at
the cocoa haciendas lived. The village of Choroní is situated at about 3
kilometers from the coast. In colonial times villages were build away from the
coast to prevent them from being attacked by pirates.
Madre María de San José was born
in Choroní in the year 1875, she dedicated her live to help the poor. The house
where she lived can be found on the Plaza Bolívar. At the entrance of Choroní
is a statue dedicated in her honor.
Most visitors to Choroní generally stay
in the posadas of Puerto Colombia.
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Narrow streets of Choroní. |
Chuao:
Chuao is situated 20 minutes by
lancha (boat) from Puerto Colombia, and is well known for its cocoa and "Diablos
Danzantes" (Dancing Devils). It is an isolated village and there is still no
road to Chuao. There are a few cars however, transported
by lancha from Puerto Colombia! Arriving at the beach of Chuao, you can walk or
take a bus to the village, passing through the cocoa plantation. In the village
you'll find the church, with a square in front. On the square, cocoa is left to
dry in the sun. You'll have to taste a chocolate caliente (hot chocolate), or a
chocolate-bar, they're delicious!
Walking another 5 minutes
uphill, you'll encounter a river. Cross the bridge, and you can take a bath in
the crystal-clear (and cold) water of "Pozo Copei". For those who want to see
more nature, keep on walking uphill for another two hours to reach a spectacular
70 meters high waterfall,
"El Chorreron".
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Cacao drying in the sun on the square in Chuao. |
Devilsdancer. |
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Nearby beaches:
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Playa
Grande (Big Beach):
Playa Grande is the closest
beach and most popular with tourists. Situated in Puerto Colombia, Playa Grande
is only 15 minutes away on foot (5 min. by car) from Cachama Negra. A
beautiful beach, with various restaurants. You are able to rent chairs with
parasols and purchase goods from merchants, who sell among other things, cold
drinks and ice-cream. A guarded car park is available.
Bathing hours: 8:00 AM until
4:30 PM (During this period the lifeguards are around).
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Playa Grande in high season. |
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Tipire:
From the town of Puerto Colombia, you'll have to cross a
river, follow a narrow trail, to reach a small beach. There are a lot of rocks,
and the waves normally are strong. |
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El
Diario (The diary):
This beach will take a 45 minute walk to get to. Enter the street
leading to the cemetery (also to Posada "El Portete"). After
passing the
cemetery, you'll encounter a road that climbs up steeply. After
about 100 meters, there is a trail on your left hand side.
Through
here you will reach El Diario. |
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Lanchas (boats):
There are several beaches which can only be reached by boat. These boats are
called "Lanchas". The lanchas can be found at the end of the malecón
(boulevard), next to "Bar la Playa". Local fishers make journeys with their
lanchas to different sites. The lanchas normally will take up to 8 persons per
trip. If your group is smaller, the captain will try to find other persons or
groups to complete the trip. With the captain you'll agree a time to have you
picked up for the return trip. The trip with the lancha is spectacular, you'll
see the coastline with its mountains, pelicans diving for fish, and if you are
very lucky, it's also possible to see dolphins alongside the lancha. |
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Valle seco (dry valley):
This is the nearest beach to which
you'll have to go by lancha (10 minutes). This beach has a natural pool, formed
by a coral reef. Therefore the waves, if any, are very small. Ideal for
snorkeling. The beach has no
palms, or any other trees, so there is no natural shade. There is one small
restaurant, which is likely to be closed during weekdays. It's advisable
to take your food and drinks yourself. |
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Chuao:
In 20 minutes a lancha can take you to Chuao, a beautiful beach with various
small restaurants on the beach itself. From the beach you can walk (or take the
bus) to the colonial village of Chuao. See above.
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Cepe:
To go to Cepe, the boat trip takes about 30 minutes. Another fine beach, with
various small restaurants on the beach itself.
Here there is the possibility for snorkeling, and see different fishes and
corals.
You can hire diving-equipment, or take a diving course at "Puerto Escondido
Diving Center".
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| Other beaches where you can go by lancha are: Uricao (30
minutes), Puerto Maya (1 hour), La Ciénaga (1¼ hour). |
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