00:00 Where to camp in Cuyagua?
00:54 How did they end the robberies in Cuyagua?
01:28 How much does it cost to camp in Cuyagua?
02:03 How do they make a living in Cuyagua?
02:45 Security rounds in Cuyagua.
03:09 Tourism program for schools in Cuyagua.
04:16 Tibisay Naranjo chocolates in Cuyagua.
05:09 Coconut kisses from Doña Chepa.
05:43 Why was the Niño Cuyagua Foundation founded?
06:26 Rice with coconut by Eufemia Escalona.
07:23 Drums of “Caraota” in Cuyagua.
08:13 Chocolates toasted with firewood in Cuyagua.
10:00 Is it safe to camp in Cuyagua?
11:12 The ark of coconuts in Cuyagua.
12:10 Cuyagua Surf School.
12:52 Jesús Osorio Venezuelan surfer.
13:26 Rancho de Coto Restaurant in Cuyagua.
14:43 Sweet Cocoa Cuyagua.
15:07 Where to kayak in Cuyagua?
15:54 What is camping like in Cuyagua?
16:50 Camp at night in Cuyagua.
18:00 Sunrise in Cuyagua.
18:36 Empanadas in Cuyagua.
19:18 Fiber boats vs. wooden boats.
19:43 Tuna, anchovies and jams in Cuyagua.
20:33 What is a longline and what is it for?
22:09 Juan Andrés Beach in Aragua.
20:33 Sailing through Ocumare de la Costa.
23:24 Valentina Quintero fishing.
24:26 Knowing the Church of Cuyagua.
25:35 Dances of Cuyagua.
26:07 Venezuela, a country for camping.
In the 70s I used to camp in Cuyagua. We would spend up to 10 days at one end of the beach where hardly anyone came near. There were so many, so many coconut trees that you couldn't see the beach from the road when you were arriving. Over the years Cuyagua deteriorated. Robberies took over the place, shorts pants, sandals, cell phones disappeared... People walked away because they feared worse situations. Bumblebees destroyed the coconut trees and no one bothered to save them or plant them again.
Why did the town of Cuyagua organize itself so that visitors could return? Because they realized that their biggest income was tourism. Those people who came camping, ate in restaurants, surfed, went to town, bathed in the river and bought coconut candies, coconuts, fried fish and tostones, in addition to taking surf lessons or buying a fish to make in your camp kitchen.
What did they do to get visitors back? The first thing was to guarantee security. The method is somewhat arbitrary, because the one who steals will be "beaten" and so the posters say. The misbehaviors already know this, so they don't come close. They also set up a checkpoint where every car pays a fee and that income is used to clean the beach, pay security personnel and maintain roads. There are rules of use. A surf school was created that works right on the beach so that everyone who comes can learn to climb on the waves. There are most diligent lifeguards. They rent kayaks to ride the river. Restaurants abound with a varied offer. Many coconut trees are being replanted, watered and cared for.
The most interesting thing is that the school trains children to care for the environment. There is an emphasis on math and reading. They use the Amblema method that Santiago Otero led and the teachers are delighted. There is a cinema in the evenings on weekends. A lot of sweets and crafts to spoil visitors. And even the dance and music school that holds events in front of the church square. Although almost the entire public camps to enjoy the joy of being in front of the sea, there are also some inns and little houses for rent. Venezuela has to be a country for camping. Hopefully many coastal towns will follow the example of the Cuyagua community.
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