It used to be a prison, now it's the most beautiful place in all of Colombia: where is it?

Rarely does a place change its history as much as this site, a hidden treasure of the Colombian Pacific that was once synonymous with confinement, isolation, and punishment. Once known as the "Colombian Alcatraz," it now dazzles as one of the country's most beautiful ecotourism destinations thanks to its lush jungles, coral reefs, humpback whales, and unforgettable experiences. Where is it now?

Located about 35 kilometers off the coast of Cauca, opposite the municipality of Guapi, Gorgona Island was for more than two decades a maximum-security prison where the country's most dangerous criminals were sent. Its natural isolation, surrounded by sharks and jungles teeming with snakes, made escape virtually impossible. Inspired by Nazi concentration camps, Gorgona Island Prison operated for 23 years as a maximum-security center for inmates who were housed in extremely precarious conditions.

Over time, multiple complaints of human rights violations began to emerge, both against prisoners and their families . This led the president at the time, Belisario Betancur, to order its permanent closure in 1984.

From that moment on, the Colombian government decided to give the island a new purpose, and Gorgona was declared a National Natural Park with the goal of preserving its extraordinary biodiversity and promoting scientific research.

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Today, those who come to Gorgona are not recluses, but adventurers looking to dive among sea turtles , hike among monkeys and sloths, or simply enjoy the migration of the majestic humpback whales, which each year cross thousands of kilometers to give birth in its warm waters. The island, with a land area of just 26 km², surprises with its natural wealth, as it contains more than 148 species of birds, 56 reptiles, 85 types of fish and some of the most evolved reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific.

As highlighted by the specialized website ProColombia, the National Park has a protected area of nearly 62,000 hectares, where various activities are offered, such as diving, snorkeling, wildlife watching, and guided tours of the ruins of the former prison.

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How to get there?

It can be reached from Guapi, a one-and-a-half to two-hour boat ride; or from Buenaventura, in organized groups, with a sea trip of up to 12 hours.

Gorgona is, without a doubt, one of those places where nature and history intertwine to offer a unique experience. A destination that went from oblivion to wonder, and which today invites you to rediscover the beauty that was once hidden behind bars.