Tren Ecoturístiso de las Flores to Las Bocas de Cenizas

Location:
Barranquilla, Colombia

Other Activity Types:
Train ride

By Lorraine Caputo

The long, covered wooden cars of the Tren Ecoturístico de las Flores rock along these narrow tracks, slowly, steadily pulled by a mini máquina. Already the winds have grown stronger. Sand swirls through the warm sky. My hair whips across my face in a furied frenzy. We are arriving at Las Bocas de Cenizas, the Mouth of Ashes. There is no reason to take this ride, one could say. Pass some time with other sojourners, listen to folk music…and to see the mouth of the Magdalena River. Here powerful currents meet, whirlpooling the silty waters of the río with the azure Carib Sea. Come, súbense al tren and let’s ride the silver rails to this end of the world where few ever venture.

Getting There
For the Tren Ecoturístico de las Flores, make reservations with Cajacopi (Carrera 46 53-41, piso 1, Tel.: 5-371-4583, Web: www.cajacopi.com). Or, for a more rustic ride, go out to Flores, just West of Barranquilla; from there independent operators run sm

Travel Tips: The trip is 45 minutes one way. In the high season, Cajacopi runs its train almost everyday. At times the tracks are under repair, and so Cajacopi won’t operate its train; however, the independent operators will.

Because of the strong currents, you cannot swim in the sea or river.

Price Description: $7 adults, $5 children round trip.

Relative price: Mid-Range

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Take along a camera, water and snacks.

Visit Puerto Colombia and its beaches; on the way there, drop by the Castillo de Salgar. Meander Barranquilla’s museums (especially the train museum at the ex-Aduana) and Parque Zoológico.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso