Title : COLOMBIA: Visit Magdalena Beware Of Narco-traffickers And Backpacker Muggings
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COLOMBIA: Visit Magdalena Beware Of Narco-traffickers And Backpacker Muggings
Magdalena is a relatively small department of Colombia, on the North Coast.
Magdalena is a department of Colombia, located to the north of the country by the Caribbean Sea.
The capital of the Magdalena Department is Santa Marta and was named after the Magdalena River. It inherited the name of one of the original nine states of the United States of Colombia that its current territory integrated.
The Department of Magdalena is located on the North Coast of the Colombian Caribbean Region.
On the north it borders the Caribbean Sea. On the northeast it borders the La Guajira Department, being divided by the Palomino River. On the east it borders with the Cesar Department, which is in part divided by the Guaraní River.
On the west, it is divided by the Magdalena River, and it borders the departments of Atlantico in the Northwest, and Bolívar in the West and Southwest.
The territory of the Department of Magdalena is formed by four drainage basins which are very different in composition and importance.
The drainage basin of the Sierra Nevada's western slope is located in the northern part of the department. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta creates different rivers that run mainly through the municipality of Santa Marta, and that finally end up draining into the Caribbean Sea.
The rivers that form part of this basin are:
- Palomino River
- Don Diego River
- Buritaca River
- Guachaca River
- Mendiguaca River
- Piedras River
- Manzanares River
- Gaira River
Sierra Nevada’s Southwestern Slope, this basin gathers its waters from the rivers coming from the southern and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
The basin irrigates great extensions of the municipalities of Cienaga, Zona Bananera, Fundacion, Aracataca, and El Reten, which are the heart of the agricultural and livestock economy of the department. The rivers that form part of this basin are:
- Frío River
- Sevilla River
- Tucurinca River
- Aracataca River
- Fundacion River
- Rosa Creek
It also consists of a small number of arroyos that only flow during the rainy seasons.
This basin also encompasses the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, the largest marsh in the north of the country, which is formed by 16 smaller marshes that are connected by means of arms within the march.
The balance of the march is a delicate one that depends on the fresh waters coming from the Sierra Nevada, and the periodical flooding of the Magdalena River, and the salt water coming from the mouth of the March to the sea, that is carried by the current and winds into the marshland.
The Magdalena River Basin is the largest drainage basin in the department, it is formed by the Magdalena River and its tributaries that feed on to the river and the Marsh.
The Mompox Depression is found within this basin, this depression runs from the Zapatosa Marsh to the delta of the Magdalena River. This depression collects the most water in the department as its where the Cauca River, Cesar River, and the San Jorge River drain its waters.
The Magdalena River is by far the most affluent river of these, and during the rainy season when it overflows, it causes the other rivers to flow backwards, not before overflowing the marshes and sometimes flooding some valleys.
The Ariguani River drains into the Magdalena River through the Zapatosa Marsh and washes over the central valleys of the departments of Magdalena and Cesar that are the principal areas of agriculture and animal husbandry in the Caribbean Region.
The department of Magdalena is characterized by its many marshes and extensive marshland valleys. The whole western side of the department its dotted with marshes and lakes due to the Magdalena River that borders the department on this side.
Most of this marshes are located in the northwestern side. The permanent marshes are, Chilloa, La Rinconada, Tesca, Pijino, Juan Criollo, Jaraba, Playa Afuera, Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, and Zapatosa.
The Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, is the biggest and by far the most important march in the department of Magdalena and one of the most important marshes in the country.
It is located in the northwest of the department and is separated from the sea by a very thin margin of land, only a few meters away. It has an extension of 4,280 km², of which 730 km² are just water mirrors with a depth of 2 to 6 meters.
The Zapatosa Marsh, located in the municipality of El Plato in the southernmost part of the department, it is shared with the Cesar Department, who controls most of its waters.
It has an extension of 310 km² and at its deepest it reaches about 8m. In it many rivers of different importance merge. The Zapatosa Marsh drains into the Magdalena River by an arm of about 16 km of length.
The Department of Magdalena, because of its terrain, and proximity to the sea has an unstable weather. Its Climate is mainly dictated by its global positioning, and because the department of Magdalena is located on the Intertropical Convergence Zone it possess an inter-tropical climate.
Temperature in the department is affected by ocean currents, precipitation and atmospheric pressure, it mainly has a hot temperatures with high humidity, but temperatures vary as altitude raises.
The altitude of the department goes from 0m to 5,775m above sea levels, the drastic changes of altitude divide the territory into what is called thermal floors. There are no solid or determined divides between these floors as local factors can affect the temperature.
The first 200m of altitude are considered the warm lands, they occupy a great extension of the departmental territory, the average temperature is of 30 °C. The main urban centers are located in the warm lands, including all of the downtown urban area of Santa Marta.
The altitude increase because of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated mountain, the highest at sea level, and temperatures raise as it goes up.
The presence of the Sierra Nevada in this area of the country has consequences in the climate of the department, the SNSM stands windward blocking the path of the Trade winds that blow from the North and Northeast creating a greater cloud accumulation and precipitation.
The winds that crash into the mountain ascend in an Orographic lift, this cooler air cannot hold the moisture as well as warm air and this effectively raises the relative humidity, creating clouds and frequently precipitation.
The clouds that manage to pass over the mountain, move hastily downwards creating foehn winds that raise the temperature of the area west of the Sierra, which include the Santa Marta, and Cienaga.
In the coastal area, droughts are cause by the diversion of the cold and warm katabatic winds coming down the Sierra, however the sea breezes help to cool down temperatures a bit, but by because of their direction, they end up extending the drought effects farther inland.
The department of Magdalena due to its location in the Intertropical Convergence Zone has only two seasons. The Rainy season takes place between April and November, with a period of less intensity between June and August. The dry season takes place during December and March.
The Mompox Depression presents its own climatic conditions due to its many permanent bodies of water, like the different cienagas or mashes, and rivers and lakes.
This wet habitat, permanently exposed to solar radiation, makes for a very humid environment, with an average annual rainfall of between 1,500 and 2,000mm, these rains are Convection rains as they are created by evaporation of its waters by high temperatures, this is typical precipitation around the equatorial belt.
Due to its complicated geography, the precipitation in the department ranges from 250mm in the driest areas, to 4,000mm in the cold floors of the Sierra Nevada.
The territory of Magdalena has an area of approximately 23,188 km², small compared to other regions, but in its territory various types of different ecoregions are found.
From the beaches and sea landscape in the North, the snow-covered peaks in the Sierra, the swampy marshes in the west, the cloud forests, to the grasslands inland, the urban districts, the farmlands, the dry desert like, the deep rain forest, the rocky rivers to many other small ecosystems.
These ecosystem support different fauna and flora and house many delicate species.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, in the Magdalena Department 8 different distinct ecoregions are found in its territory.
- Magdalena Valley montane forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
- Magdalena-Uraba moist forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
- Sinu Valley dry forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
- Santa Marta montane forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
- Santa Marta páramo, Neotropic Montane grasslands and shrublands
- Magdalena Valley dry forests, Neotropic Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
- Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub, Neotropic Deserts and xeric shrublands
- Magdalena-Santa Marta mangroves, Neotropic Mangrove
Tourist Places To Visit
- Gold Museum
- Casa de la Aduana
- Isla de Salamanca or natural monument
- Simon Bolivar National Memorial
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino - National Sanctuary and Museum
La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino which is Spanish for Quinta of Saint Peter of Alexandria, is an hacienda or quinta built in the 17th century, famous for being the death place of Simón Bolívar on December 17, 1830.
At that time, the estate produced rum, honey and panela. The hacienda is located in the corregimiento of Mamatoco within the tourist district of Santa Marta, near the Caribbean sea in northern Colombia. Nowadays it functions as a tourist site, museum and historical landmark.
Simón Bolivar is considered one of the most influential people in the struggle for independence for South American countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
This museum is considered a tourist site where others can come to honor his actions. There is a small entrance fee for the museum, with a discount for children.
Touristic, Cultural and Historic District of Santa Marta
Santa Marta, officially Distrito Turistico, Cultural e Historico de Santa Marta or Touristic, Cultural and Historic District of Santa Marta, is a city in Colombia.
It is the capital of the department of Magdalena and the fourth largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad.
Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia, and is the oldest surviving city in that country, and second oldest in South America.
This city is situated on a bay of the same name and as such, is a prime tourist destination.
Before the arrival of Europeans, the South American continent was inhabited by a number of indigenous groups.
Due to a combination of tropical weather, significant rainfall, and the destruction and misrepresentation of many records by Spanish conquistadors, our understanding of the peoples of this region is limited.
The Tairona formed mid- to large-size population centers, consisting of stone pathways, terraces, protected waterways, and spaces dedicated to agricultural produce. Their economy was primarily agricultural, cultivating corn, pineapple, yucca, and other local foodstuffs.
The Tayrona are considered quite advanced for their time period. Surviving archaeological sites consisted of formed terraces and small scale underground stone channels. They also were known to actively collect and process salt, which was a significant trading commodity.
We know that they traded with other indigenous groups along the coast and interior. Archaeological excavations have recovered significant works in pottery, stonework and gold.
Santa Marta’s flag consists of two colors: white and blue. White symbolises peace, in that all are united without restriction. Blue symbolises the sky, the sea, the magic found in the horizon, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.
Santa Marta is located on Santa Marta Bay of the Caribbean Sea in the province of Magdalena. It is 992 km from Bogotá and 93 km from Barranquilla. It is bordered to the north and west by the Caribbean and to the south by the municipalities of Aracataca and Cienaga.
Santa Marta's economy is based on tourism, trade, port activities, fishing and agriculture, in that order.[citation needed] The main agricultural products are: bananas, coffee, cocoa and cassava.
Santa Marta is a major port. Simon Bolivar International Airport is 16 km (10 mi) from the city centre. Historic figure Simon Bolivar died here, a significant event for South America as a whole.
His villa known as La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is located just outside the city centre. As the main city centre is located close to the coast, the city itself has had difficulty controlling expansion.
Although, technically a separate locality, Rodadero is often considered part of Santa Marta itself.
Ciudad Perdida a World Heritage Site
Ciudad Perdida was discovered in 1972, when a group of local treasure looters found a series of stone steps rising up the mountainside and followed them to an abandoned city which they named Green Hell or Wide Set.
When gold figurines and ceramic urns from this city began to appear in the local black market, archaeologists headed by the director of the Instituto Colombiano de Antropologia reached the site in 1976 and completed reconstruction between 1976-1982.
Members of local tribes—the Arhuaco, the Koguis and the Wiwas have stated that they visited the site regularly before it was widely discovered, but had kept quiet about it.
They call the city Teyuna and believe it was the heart of a network of villages inhabited by their forebears, the Tairona. Ciudad Perdida was probably the region's political and manufacturing center on the Buritaca River and may have housed 2,000 to 8,000 people.
It was apparently abandoned during the Spanish conquest.
Ciudad Perdida consists of a series of 169 terraces carved into the mountainside, a net of tiled roads and several small circular plazas. The entrance can only be accessed by a climb up some 1,200 stone steps through dense jungle.
The area is now completely safe but was at one time affected by the Colombian armed conflict between the Colombian National Army, right-wing paramilitary groups and left-wing guerrilla groups like National Liberation Army (ELN) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
On September 15, 2003, ELN kidnapped eight foreign tourists visiting Ciudad Perdida, demanding a government investigation into human rights abuses in exchange for their hostages. ELN released the last of the hostages three months later.
The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), the paramilitary right-wing groups in that country, continued attacking aborigines and non-aborigines in the zone for a while. For some time the zone has been free of incidents.
In 2005, tourist hikes became operational again and there have been no problems since then. The Colombian army actively patrols the area, which is now deemed to be very safe for visitors and there have not been any more kidnappings.
For a six-day return hike to the lost city, the cost is approximately US$300. The hike is about 42 km of walking in total, and requires a good level of fitness. The hike includes a number of river crossings and steep climbs and descents. It is a moderately difficult hike.
Since 2009, non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF) has been working in Ciudad Perdida to preserve and protect the historic site against climate, vegetation, neglect, looting, and unsustainable tourism.
GHF's stated goals include the development and implementation of a regional Management Plan, documentation and conservation of the archaeological features at Ciudad Perdida and the engagement of the local indigenous communities as major stakeholders in the preservation and sustainable development of the site.
Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta a flora and fauna sanctuary
The Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta which is Spanish for Large Marsh of Saint Martha, is the largest of the swampy marshes located in Colombia between the Magdalena River and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
It has an area of 4280 km2 and belongs to the outer delta system of the Madgalena River. It is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrow, sandy artificial spit built in the 1950s, on which is situated coastal route 90 from Barranquilla to Santa Marta.
The marsh's large lagoon is connected to the Caribbean Sea via a narrow strait the La Barra channel, located between the town of Pueblo Viejo and the city of Cienaga.
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park
The Salamanca Island Road Park is a national park located in the Caribbean Region of Colombia, on the eastern outskirts of the city of Barranquilla in the Magdalena Department.
The flora and fauna is in abundance because of the confluence of sweet water flowing from the Magdalena River and saline water of the Caribbean Sea. It was created in 1964 to protect the abundant bird life and coastal mangroves.
Via Parque is included in the Spanish name because of the road that runs through it, connecting Santa Marta with Barranquilla. In 2000 the park was designated a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Mangrove forests, tropical dry forests and riparian forest cover most of the area. The mangroves cover a third of the area (12,000 hectares) and the three predominant species are: red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove and buttonwood.
The park has an abundant variety of wildlife, many of them endangered. The existence of 33 species of mammals indicates a maintained high diversity, despite the environmental problems affecting the ecosystem.
The park is home to 98 species of invertebrates, nine species of amphibians, 35 species of reptiles, more than 140 fish species and 199 birds, many of which are migratory, endemic and residents.
Tayrona National Natural Park
Coastal stretch of palm-fringed beaches backed by lush mountains with ruins of a pre-Hispanic town.
The Tayrona National Natural Park or Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is a protected area in the Colombian northern Caribbean region and within the jurisdiction of the Department of Magdalena and 34 kilometres (21 mi) from the city of Santa Marta.
The park presents a biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range presenting a variety of climates and mountain climate, geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900 meters above sea level.
The park covers approximately 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of maritime area in the Caribbean sea and approximately 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi) of land.
It was the second most visited national park in Colombia in 2012, with 293,502 visitors. The most visited park was the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park.
The park has an area of 150 square kilometers. It is located in the jurisdiction of the Santa Marta municipality, in the Department of Magdalena, alonged the north coast of Colombia that borders on the Caribbean Sea.
Taganga is its most southern part; its western boundary goes toward the northeast following the coastline, including a kilometer of sea area, until the Piedras River.
The boundary follows the left side of the river until the North Highway, and then toward the west, crossing the following places with clear demarcations on the terrain:
- Santa Rosa Hill
- Tovar Hill
- Guacamayo Pick
- Aguas Muertas Hill
- Cielito Pick
- Hondanada Site
- Humo Hill
It also crosses several creeks, like the Piedras River, Canaveral, Santa Rosa, La Boquita, Cinto, and other water branches, including the Rodriguez and Gairaca creeks.
Temperatures in the park and surrounding citites range from 27 to 35 °C, 81 to 95 °F at sea level. Rainfall in this region varies from nothing to around 975 millimetres (38 in) per month, but overall the climate is semi-arid and hot, with agriculture requiring irrigation from streams that drain from the snowy peaks.
Scholars have done an extensive classification of animal species living in the park, which include about 108 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. The Mantled howler, the oncilla, deer and more than 70 species of bats are among the park's typical residents.
The park's 300 species of birds include the montane solitary eagle, the military macaw, black-backed antshrike, white-bellied antbird and the lance-tailed manakin.
There are also approximately 31 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 202 species of sponges, 471 species of crustaceans, 96 species of annelids, 700 species of molluscs, 110 species of corals and 401 species of sea and river fish.
There are more than 350 algae and more than 770 species of plants.
It is one of three national parks in the Colombian Caribbean with coral reefs on its territories, the other two being Old Providence McBean Lagoon and Rosario and San Bernardo Corals.
There is archaeological evidence of ancient human settlements in the area of the park up until the 16th century. The place now has facilities for the eco-tourism, with paths suitable for walks.
The Archaeologic Museum of Chairama is located in the Canaveral Site, near the mouth of the Piedras River. Other places which attract visitors are Los Naranjos Path, Castilletes Beach, The Pool, the Piedras River and the San Juan Out.
Santa Marta
It's the gateway for trips into the Tayrona National Natural Park, and for multiday guided treks to the Lost City Teyuna archaeological site in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
Revolutionary Simon Bolivar spent his last days at the villa La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, now home to the Museo Bolivariano contemporary art museum and a botanical garden. The city’s Gold Museum occupies a colonial mansion in seafront Bolivar Park.
To the south, high-rise hotels, bars and nightclubs line the beach at El Rodadero. To the north, Taganga Bay has numerous scuba-diving sites.
Tayrona Park is a protected area with several beaches that’s accessible by day trip, but also has accommodations. Its sheltered La Piscina beach is popular for swimming.
Taganga
Both Santa Marta and Taganga were founded by Rodrigo de Bastidas on July 29, 1525, making them two of the oldest remaining colonial settlements in present-day Colombia. The touristic town and backpacker hub is famous for its sunsets, diving and access to the Tayrona National Natural Park.
Bohemian and richly decorated Taganga is full of hostels and forms part of the South American Gringo Trail. In the months of July and August the village is visited by many Israelis who finished their military draft period.
Gaira
Touristic Places in Magdalena
- Aracataca, hometown of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a pleasant respite from the big coastal destinations, and a must visit for fans of his work.
- Cienaga, site of the Banana Massacre.
- Santa Marta, one of Colombia's biggest tourist destinations, a hub for adventure tourism, and home to colonial architecture and white sand beaches.
- Taganga, a backpacker and hippie haven in a one-time peaceful little fishing village just north of Santa Marta.
Other destinations
- Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta
- Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City of the highly advanced Tayrona civilization, an arduous and legendary 5-6 day trek through the dense jungle of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
_ Tayrona National Park, a tropical unspoilt beach paradise, with overnight options ranging from expensive eco lodges to beachside hammock rentals.
Magdalena is easily one of Colombia's most visited regions, as it is home to the ever popular port and tourist hub of Santa Marta. Santa Marta also serves as the jumping off point for virtually anything further east.
including the famous Ciudad Perdida trek, the Sierra Madre mountains, the beautiful beaches of Tayrona National Park, and onwards to Riohacha and Cabo de la Vea in Colombia's northernmost department, La Guajira.
Magdalena is also most infamous for the Banana Massacre. As Colombia's principal and very productive banana-growing region, the department swelled with workers for the one-time banana empire of the United Fruit Company the present-day Chiquita.
The incoming migrant workers, pejoratively dubbed fallen leaves to equate them with rubbish, worked under conditions that would not be tolerated in the modern era.
Indeed were not tolerated then, the workers organized an enormous strike, demanding written contracts, eight-hour days, six-day weeks and the elimination of food coupons.
The Colombian government, in part fearful of a U.S. military intervention to protect its interests, decided to dispatch an army regiment to Cienaga, with orders by General Cortes Vargas to end the strike by all means necessary.
Having set machine gunners on the rooftops of the main square, surrounding the strikers, the army issued a five minute warning and then opened fire on the assembled workers, along with their families.
Hugely important to Colombian history, the massacre was followed shortly by the civil war known as La Violencia, and to this day, anti-government militants such as the FARC point back to this day as one of the beginnings of their cause.
In a far less violent manner, Magdalena is further important to the history and culture of Colombia for having reared one Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Born and raised in Aracataca, he became Colombia's and one of Latin America's greatest and most respected authors.
Gabo drew upon his personal history in the region extensively in his literature, basing the fictional town of Macondo on his own hometown, and creating a fictional version of the Banana Massacre in his most well-known novel, One Hunded Years of Solitude.
Despite being by far one of the country's top tourist destinations, Magdalena has some serious problems. Narco-traffickers, paramilitaries, and even FARC militants are present in the area, most notoriously in the Sierra Madre mountains.
Attacks on civilians do occur in the cities, where business owners are routinely forced to pay extortion money to the paramilitaries.
Less exotic crimes of opportunity, such as backpacker muggings on forest trails, are nonetheless a more realistic concern to travelers.
As a rule, foreign governments advise against travel in the countryside, especially into the mountains and this very much does include the nevertheless-popular trek to Ciudad Perdida.
The main roads are well policed, though, so you should rest easy traveling along the coast, or down the road towards Aracataca and Fundacion.
If riding a motorcycle, there is one weird problem to be wary of along the main coastal road to the west of Cienaga, beggars/bandits pulling a rope across the road, forcing motorcyclists to either stop and pay up, or be sent flying.
Motorcyclists should reconsider whether motorcycle travel is a great idea in Colombia, and ride alongside a large vehicle, such as a truck or inter-city bus, which will force the kids to drop their rope.
The clear next destinations from Magdalena lie to the east, along the coast of La Guajira, or to the west, to the big cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena.
Tourism Observer
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