The revamped Puerto Mocho will open to the public on Saturday, November 30, 2024 , marking a milestone for Barranquilla. The city’s only public beach will offer a variety of spaces and opportunities for tourist to enjoy.
Simply boarding the electric train, with its two cars named Mar (Sea) and Río (River), each capable of holding 60 passengers, is enough to realize that this journey has the potential to transform an entire community.
The station, equipped with 110 parking spaces for cars and motorcycles, is located at the end of the Las Flores neighborhood. From its entrance, the tranquil Magdalena River can be seen flowing a short distance away toward Bocas de Cenizas.
The Locomotive of Tourism
According to estimates, this new tourist attraction is expected to bring 250,000 new visitors to the city by 2025. Among the first tourists was Martha Brierley. Martha is originally from the United States, but has been a resident of Barranquilla for the last five years.
“There’s plenty of space and many families can enjoy the beach. It’s a nice place for kids since the waves are very small,” she said.
“It’s also close to home. If you want to come out for a few hours in the afternoon, you don’t have to drive out of town for 30 or 45 minutes. Now you can stay in Barranquilla and go to the beach,” added Brierley.
A Rejuvenated Beach
Upon stepping off the train, visitors are greeted by a lush garden, vibrant with ornamental plants under the blue sky and the breezy, freshly cleaned sandy beach. It feels like a poem brought to life with flowers.
A short path leads down to the beach. Several areas have been restored. Where there once were logs washed ashore by the tide, kiosks now stand, ready to display handicrafts.
In one of these kiosks is artisan Karina Cervantes, 27, holding a sea turtle figurine made of totumo. She is one of the first vendors offering handcrafted items to visitors.
However, she recognizes the challenge ahead: cultivating a culture of care among visitors to maintain Puerto Mocho’s pristine condition.
A Space for Sports
As visitors walk along Puerto Mocho, newly installed multicolored tents create an inviting path toward the calm shoreline, where the waves are only a few centimeters high. The water is as tranquil as a pool. It’s a great place to practice paddle boarding.
Nearby, a yellow frame resembling a picture frame stands out, perfect for snapshots of the scenery.
In the center of the beach, two large kitchens have replaced old restaurant shacks, where cooks will prepare fresh fish caught nearby. Lunches are expected to cost around 38,000 pesos once the area is fully operational.
Further along, more tents lead to a section dedicated to beach sports, including volleyball and soccer, which have gained popularity in the city in recent years.
As children laugh while playing barefoot soccer on the sand, community members express their gratitude for the new space.
“For us, it’s vital to have these spaces. Normally, we have to make do with non-beach areas. It’s a joy to have these places now,” said Jeison Salgado, a youth soccer coach.
A Vision for the Future
Every 30 minutes, the trains will arrive at the station, accessible with the Sibus card. As visitors return, they’ll pass majestic ships in the access channel and walk along paths flanked by mangroves, carefully preserved as treasures.
“This will be our Disneyland. Maybe even better,” Mayor Alejandro Char joked. His request to visitors was simple: “Enjoy it and take care of it.”
Puerto Mocho promises to transform tourism in Barranquilla, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s culture and its people.
Image Credit: El Heraldo
2 Comments