Canoe Trip in the Mangroves of La Boquilla in Cartagena

Description

Mangroves are swamp ecosystems of the incredible diversity that are key for the environmental balance of many tropical coastal areas. This is the place where a big part of the maritime life originates. They work as a natural barrier to protect the land from natural disasters and make a unique scenario to be in close contact with nature.

The beaches of La Boquilla located in the northernmost part of Cartagena are a popular place for most residents of the City, especially for families in the medium and low-income ranges. For decades this district was left behind the investment and growth seen in richer areas of the city like Bocagrande where skyscratching hotels and buildings started to rise thanks to the attraction of tourists thanks to Cartagena's charming Caribbean atmosphere and colonial heritage. But La Boquilla was kept outside these developments and struggled to guarantee basic necessities such as potable water, waste management, energy and food security. Everything seemed to be going wrong until a group of fishermen noticed a significant decline in their fishing activities, attributable to deteriorating natural conditions. This downturn affected not only their economic livelihood but also the well-being of their families and the entire community. So they organized themselves and took matters into their own hands, engaging with the local government to secure public services in their territory and training the community in waste management to stop the contamination of water flows, and consequently, the ocean. After many years of efforts, the mangrove ecosystem, which had been the community's landfill, began to recover. Fisherbirds such as herons, egrets, ibis, and pelicans started to thrive, and typical fish species like mojarra and snook, integral to the identity of La Boquilla and its fishers, returned.

This canoe trip will take you through the channels and tunnels formed by dense mangrove swamp forests at Cienaga de la Virgen. Here, you will go deeply into the heart of this ecosystem, making stops at small hideaways where biodiversity reveals the treasures that surround this magnificent place.

This tour takes place in La Boquilla; here you’ll find mainly fishing communities of Afro-Colombian families. The contrast between this area and the heart of Cartagena couldn’t be any bigger, but that is exactly what makes this excursion so attractive and appealing to adventurous souls.