MOCHIMA
National Park
El Parque Nacional Mochima is located in the northeast section of Venezuela, in close proximity to the cities of Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná. Its expansive area of 94,935 hectares includes mountains, beaches, mangroves, rain forests and coralline islands.
The park was founded in 1973 and covers areas of spectacular natural beauty like the Golfo de Santa Fe, Islas Caracas, El Archipelago de La Borracha, Las Islas Chimana, La Peninsula de Manare and the Bahia de Mochima, the only fjord that exists in Venezuela.
In areas of the park that are at 1,500 feet above sea level, the vegetation is lush, trees are tall and you can find various types of ferns and orchids. There are also gigantic cliffs devoid of vegetation, uneven relief and slopes which fall vertically into the sea. At lower elevations the vegetation is essentially arid, with many species of cactus, dividivi, sweet acacia and broom. Towards the insular section, there are three species of mangrove: black, red and button-mangrove. The fauna is scarce on the islands with iguanas and lizards being the predominant species. Higher on the coast you can find rabbits, deer, foxes, capuchin monkeys and the elusive jaguar. The birds that are common in the park include the brown pelican, boobies, terns, and the frigatebird on the coast, with thrushes, scaled doves, chachalacas and the oropendola found on higher elevations.
The scene here is pristine and unspoiled. Although beach areas can be overrun with local tourists during national holidays, many have compared this area to Acapulco and other resorts of the Mexican Riviera 50 years ago. The waters of El Parque Nacional Mochima are of great delight for those who scuba or snorkel. In nearly all its bays and coves fans you can find hundreds of types of reefs, such as the one found on Islas Caracas, where marine life varies dramatically the deeper one descends. Extensive forests of coral of various sizes, shapes, and colors cover almost every inch of exposed rock in this underwater world.
Isla Borracha has numerous underwater caves to explore. These vertical caves
have been molded by years of erosion and the impact of the surf against the
rocks. Within these caves there exist a great number of air pockets buried deep
within the strata of the island.
Although in Mochima reigns a peaceful atmosphere, which is ideal to relax, the cutting edges of the cliffs and the ceaseless waves of the open sea hide a wild, violent nature that is deceivingly fragile.
On the way of Picuda Grande island, it is possible to observe the reservoir quality of this land: exotic sea swallows fly above the wake left by the dolphins; lead colored backs are seen here and there, living in safe harmony. In Nurucual beach, which is the drain of La Bodega lagoon, the old cetaceans come to die, as in the stories told by old sailors.
To the east lies one of the most virgin areas of the marine zone of Mochima: La Cara del Pirata (the pirate's face), a violent expresion shaped by the wind and the sea on the rock of La Picuda.
Other islands, Canoa and Canoíta, offer a unique landscape where snorkeling and activities fot for its rich coral bed. A sunken steamboat presides this underwater universe, offering hidden wonders to the lovers of the deep blue. These deserted beaches remain closed to the public from May to August, which is the nesting season of the protected sea turtle.
Near the peninsula known as Aceite Castilla, and leaving behind the cactus
filled island of Los Venados, you reach three beaches: Manare, with a fishermen
settlement and a hallucinating expanse of cristal clear waters, lies on the
western side of the peninsula, Bordering the coast line you may reach one of the
most famous beach of this park, Playa Blanca, with its white sand honoring the
place's name, and all the services and access facilities from the town of
Mochima. Even closer to town, and of geat beauty, Las Maritas offers the visitor
ample areas for walking and disembarking.
There are also a few sunken vessels to explore in Isla Chimanas Grande and Las Islas Caracas. The wreckage of ships sunk decades ago have helped form a diverse ecosystem and rich coralline reefs which today provide refuge and food to a great variety of fish such as swordfish, yellow fin tuna, black fin tuna, striped mullet and sea bass. In lower depths you can observe red snappers, groupers, grunt and sharks. The inlets are rich in crustaceans and mollusks.The town of Mochima is the last destination of this tour, a wonderful place where you can taste the typical food of this region.
Most of these islands, beaches and coves can be best accessed from the city of Puerto La Cruz by boat services regularly scheduled in the ports near paseo Colón. Secluded coves and private beaches can also be reached by a combination of off-road vehicles and short walk.
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se actualizó por última vez el 14/08/04
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