WATER WORLD
Water World
Life without land in sight
There is a village out in the middle of the swamps, in the middle of nowhere, miles from land, barricaded by huge expanses of mazy mangroves, where generations of families of fishermen have lived and thrived since memory has it. Just to get there it takes one hour in a fast boat from dry land, navigating through the beautiful mangrove forests full of countless species of birds (a birdwatcher’s dream!).
Fisherman’s village in the open marshes
Peaceful existence in harmony with nature
The village is called Nueva Venecia, New Venice. To reach Nueva Venecia you have to drive 3 to 3.5 hours on the road from Cartagena to Santa Marta, then stop at a town called Ciénaga to hop on a fast boat to get there. The boat ride is one hour into the waters of the huge Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta marshes. The bird-watching alone during this ride is mind blowing.
Legend has it that the first people to come out and settle in the swamps on houses built on stilts were local aborigines seeking to be free from Spanish colonisers that would enslave their people. Just travelling out to these villages will make you realise they knew what they were doing.
There are over five hundred homes and two hundred families live in this village and life here -despite the fact that they live over water and have no streets- goes on normally like any other small village community.
There is a school that goes from primary to high school, which all children attend and are given an education plus their daily lunch.
There is a church built on a bed of sediment dug out from the shallow waters and where weddings, baptisms, first communions and confirmations are held, but only once a year and all on the same day. July 16 day of La Virgen del Carmen, is the only day of the year that a priest visits the town of Nueva Venecia.
To get to the magical town of Nueva Venecia you have to first reach the mainland town of Ciénaga to catch a speed boat. From Cartagena, Guanabana Tours will pick you up in a modern air-conditioned SUV for a scenic 3 to 3.5-hour coastline drive passing the city of Barranquilla on the road to Santa Marta and Tayrona Park. After reaching Ciénaga a fast boat is boarded for the one-hour ride to the village of Nueva Venecia. From Santa Marta same deal with a thirty minute drive south.
Included:
- Pickup in Cartagena, in private vehicle with English-speaking driver/guide.
- Breakfast.
- Private boat ride from the mainland to the village of Nueva Venecia and return to the mainland.
- Lunch.
- Risk insurance.
Cost per person:
- 2 persons ………… 700,000 COP each.
- 3 persons ……….. 650,000 COP each.
- 4 pax & up ……… 620,000 COP each.
Itinerary:
This Cartagena tour can be done either as a day trip from Cartagena or for those who plan on traveling from Cartagena to Santa Marta and want to fit in this amazing tour on the way.
Departure from Cartagena at 5 am with a stop for coffee and breakfast on the road (included).
Arrive at Ciénaga and depart on fast boat at 9 am.
Arrival to village of Nueva Venecia 10 am.
2.5 hours visiting Nueva Venecia then return to land at 12:30 pm.
Arrive back to land and lunch at 1:30. Lunch is fish, coconut rice, plantains, and salad (included).
3 pm return drive to Cartagena (2.5 hours) or continue to drop-off in Santa Marta (20 mins).
If interested in being dropped off in Minca or Tayrona and even Palomino please let us know and we’ll quote you.
During your visit to the Caribbean coastal region of Colombia Guanabana Tours also has other fantastic activities such as skydiving, private sailboating the Rosario islands, private boat tours to the Rosario islands, kitesurfing lessons, and tours to the Guajira desert.
And don’t forget all our other cool stuff!
