Punta Gorda Reserve

National Park, Eco-Tour, Volunteering

By Jeff Jackson

About a five mile beach walk outside of Bahia de Caraquez is Punta Gorda Reserve where volunteers can work on the last bit of the Tropical Dry Forest while getting away from the gringo trail, busy bus lines, always on the go travel style. The Cabin Tortuguita “Small Turtle” is perched high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the west. We were there for a week. We were able to discover many old pottery laden fields from thousands of years ago, hike, maintain the trails, fish with the only subsistence fishing family for miles, try out some surfing on the board provided, and just relax on the hammocks with the cool breeze. Bahia de Caraquez is easily accessible and weekly there are giant ultimate Frisbee games which was also a novelty for the trip. Over all, Punta Gorda is a great place if you really just want to relax with the books you brought to Ecuador, and the crash of the waves below. Best of all the money goes to the preservation of these lands and the food is free! We paid 50 dollars a week per person. www.projectsforpeace.org/puntagorda/