| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Travel Related
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
YAVIZA |
| |
 Founded
by the Spanish in 1638 as a garrison town to establish colonial control
over the gold mines further up river, YAVIZA is the terminus of the
Darién Highway. Beyond here, the only transport is by water, and the
river port is always busy with the plantain-laden Emberá canoes from the
upriver communities of the comarca who come here to trade with the
town's mostly black population. It is also a good base for trips into
the Emberá Comarca Cemaco, and a short distance from the Parque Nacional
Darién office in El Real. Sadly, though, with the recent upsurge in
bandit and paramilitary incursions from Colombia, Yaviza is today once
more beginning to resemble a garrison town, with nervous, heavily armed
policemen and the thud of military helicopters. You should let the
police know of your presence and your plans when you arrive and ask
their advice before you continue.
Buses from Meteti arrive and depart from beside the dock at the entrance
to town. From here the town's only real street runs down to a small
square, just off which the friendly Hotel Tres Americas has simple rooms
(US$10-15). There's a basic restaurant next door and a few others on the
main street, as well as shops where you can buy supplies.
|
|
