Natural Crafts Colombia

Panguí is about 6 km from Nuqui. It can be reached in around twenty minutes by lancha (boat). It's a typical Pacific village, with a welcoming Afro-Colombian population and magnificent rivers - the ríos Sampichí, Panguí and Chicuí. It also boasts a number of waterfalls, a rocky coastline and splendid black sand beaches. The village is not very touristy, and you can expect a quiet atmosphere. But it's well worth the detour. What's more, an initiative was launched a few years ago by a woman with an endearing personality, Ruth Nibeth Marinez Caizamo, aka "Chachita". A former schoolteacher, she aims to help her village through responsible, community-based tourism projects. In particular, she offers a posada nativa (guest house) in the village, in the form of a wooden house on the beach. It's a long way from the comforts of a hotel, so you shouldn't expect luxury. But that's not why we go here. It's the omnipresent nature, between jungle and ocean, with dreamy sunsets. You can go up the ríos, watch whales and turtles, and of course discover the Afro-Colombian culture. The experience is truly unique. To top it all off, you can enjoy the warm company of Chachita, who will make you feel right at home. And her fresh, tasty Pacific cuisine is sure to win you over.

El Valle resident and local heroine Evelyn Pérez founded this conservation organization in honor of a species of sea turtle. She believes that human communities must learn to co-habit with lush nature, without harming or destroying it. Deeply concerned about environmental issues, she runs a turtle monitoring and nursery program to ensure their survival in the ocean. She also works on mangrove restoration and organizes beach clean-ups with tourists.

Halfway up Playa Cuevita's 9 km of fine sand, make a detour to Mama Orbe. Home and restaurant, the place is renowned for its family's involvement in turtle conservation. You'll be greeted by Orfilia's broad smile, as she and her husband set up a private foundation and a large incubator to protect turtle eggs. The beach is a major nesting ground for these sublime marine creatures (Golfina, Negra, Verde and Carey turtles). Numerous excursions, including whale watching, are available.

After a pleasant, mostly shady climb, you'll discover no less than Colombia's largest waterfall! At a height of 700 metres, the majestic Sardinata cascades down a series of rocky waterfalls to create beautiful natural pools below, allowing you to bathe while overlooking the surrounding jungle. The panorama unfolds as you climb, the horizon takes shape and the surrounding landscape is simply magical. Along the way, you're sure to come across monkeys and perhaps even jaguar tracks.

Just 30 minutes by 4x4 from Uribe, a truly unique experience awaits you: the tuning descent of the canyon del Guape. Immersed in nature, the feeling of beauty, freedom and adrenalin will transport you through spectacular rock formations. Sailing on the crystal-clear waters of the Magdalena River, you'll enjoy a landscape untouched by human construction. Surrounded by nature's rich flora and fauna, the riverbanks are home to monkeys, birds and colorful butterflies.

These Moyas de Santa Rita are characterized by imposing rocks whose shape is the result of complex geological processes involving erosion, sedimentation and the formation of limestone rocks. Over time, these rock formations have left their famous "ochos", natural slides and pools. Even more impressive, the site is home to petroglyphs engraved by ancestral civilizations. However, this archaeological discovery has not yet been the subject of detailed or published studies.

The "7 Cascadas" are a group of seven waterfalls in the heart of the jungle. Associated with local legends, their charm is all the more stunning! The site is rich in natural pools, with plenty of places to cool off. Canyoning is becoming increasingly popular here, combining contemplation with sporting activities! The "Cascada del Amor" is said to have the power to bless all couples who visit it with eternal love...

From the Charco Azul site, a hike like no other promises to fill you with wonder in the heart of Colombia's most beautiful canyon... An aquatic hike, combining 3km of canyoning with a shallow water walk. The canyon's majestic walls captivate the imagination, and their time-sculpted lines are home to an astonishing biodiversity. Equipped with a life jacket and suitable footwear, let yourself be carried along by the current and observe this natural setting of dazzling verticality... A truly magical activity!

Once inhabited by the Guayaberos, Guayanes and Guayupes, the Canyon del Guejar is characterized by its sheer rock faces and impressive cliffs, created by the erosion of rock by the waters of the Rio Guejar. The river rushes down the canyon, forming majestic waterfalls and natural pools. Over the millennia, these unique geological formations have forged a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty. Want to discover it? Choose rafting to enjoy the view while getting a good dose of adrenalin!

The Charco Azul site is both a former guerrilla camp and an unspoilt natural setting. It is particularly well known as a former camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). However, since the signing of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC in 2016, the area has been opened up to visitors and has become a popular tourist destination. But let's go back in history to better understand the workings of this now iconic site: in the 2000s, there were reports that FARC had found refuge and set up camps in the Charco Azul region. These camps often served as bases for guerrilla operations and weapons storage. Marked by community life and military discipline, the armed combatants lived in precarious conditions, often in temporary shelters built from local materials. Their lives were punctuated by military operations, territorial patrols, attack training and propaganda activities. In such an environment, they had to cohabit with the jungle, not always peaceful, and extreme weather conditions. Despite hostile conditions, FARC managed to maintain a significant presence in the region for many years. They often received ideological and political training to reinforce their commitment to the revolutionary cause, so the movement never ran out of recruits. Since then, FARC signed a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2016, putting an end to decades of armed conflict. Under the agreement, many FARC members have demobilized and reintegrated into Colombian society, while others have been involved in justice and reconciliation processes. Today, the region is slowly being rebuilt after years of conflict, and the Charco Azul still retains traces of those days: rudimentary shelters, makeshift beds, military equipment... It's easy to appreciate the close cooperation that must have existed between members to ensure the survival and security of the community. Don't miss a visit to the old camp! Charco Azul is also famous for its magnificent natural pool and impressive waterfalls: cascada La Honda, cascada El Escondido, cascada La Uva and cascada La Culebra with its natural turquoise pool.

A true natural jewel, the Caño Unión river flows through lush jungle, offering unforgettable escapades: visitors can enjoy pleasant hikes and life-saving swims, while admiring the surprising flora and fauna. Caño Unión is renowned for being home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, thanks to its rich and diverse ecosystems. Emblematic species include the Zocay monkey, an endangered species with abundant reddish-ochre fur.

Just 40 minutes from Trigana, you can reach the enigmatic "Forest of Giants". Set aside a day for a 15 km hike to observe the guardians of the jungle: known here as Bolao or Macondo, these trees are hundreds of years old and bear the scientific name Cavanillesia platanifolia. Along the trail, you can observe birds, monkeys and sloths. You'll bathe under beautiful waterfalls: a luxury when you're walking in 30°C temperatures!

In the heart of the Darien rainforest, easily accessible from Trigana or San Francisco, the Sasardi nature reserve alone protects 60 hectares of forest. Initiated in 1988 by a young woman named Betty, just 15 years old, the Sasardi reserve is the collective creation of a small group of ten or so families who, thanks to community purchase, were able to prosper until the end of the 1990s. However, with the paramilitary occupation of the region in the early 2000s, several administrators were forced to leave the reserve. Today, the project has risen from the ashes: a veritable civil society movement, the Sasardi reserve has been able to gain ground thanks to the purchase of private land by individuals. The aim? To conserve and protect the Darien jungle ecosystem. In the heart of the reserve, a charming camp has been set up with basic but functional infrastructure. Today, it welcomes volunteers, houses a small museum and has succeeded in implementing a responsible and sustainable use of natural resources. The archaeological exhibition showcases artefacts found in the region dating back to pre-Columbian civilizations (Cuevas and Cunas). In 2024, the Santa María La Antigua del Darién archaeological park team was studying the dating of these pieces. For those interested in volunteering, volunteers work approximately 5 hours a day, 5 days a week to carry out the activities.