Located in the physiographic region of the Eastern Chain of the Cordillera de la Costa. It includes a coastal and insular marine region where you can find beaches, gulfs, bays and inlets of great scenic beauty and important sea beds, with the presence of coral communities of great richness and biological diversity.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Historical review
The Mochima National Park, located in the Northeastern region of Venezuela, between the towns of Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná, occupies a coastal strip with mountain, coast and sea areas. Administratively it is part of the Sucre Municipalities of Sucre and Sotillo State of Anzoátegui State and covers an extension of 94,935 Has. of marine and continental surfaces.
The park was created by Decree No. 1.534 dated December 19, 1973, in order to preserve these valuable scenarios and channel the development of the area in a rational manner. The official boundaries grant legal protection to relevant extensions of the mountain, to its foothills and valleys, to beaches, gulfs and inlets, to the seabed and to several rocky islets. Within the park there are some rural communities of peasants and fishermen, whose subsistence activities were not constrained by this legal situation although they were regulated within the current provisions.
Decrees
Reason
No. and Date
Creation:
1,534 dated 12/19/1973 / GO 30,285 dated 12/20/1973.
to download
Plan of Regulation and Regulation of use
No. and Date
to download
Nº 1,030 dated 07/19/1990 / GO Nº 34,581 dated 26/10/1990.
to download
Nº 2,563 dated January 19, 1993 / GO Nº 4,520 (Extraordinary) dated January 19, 1993.
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Altimetry
01-1.150
Weather
Warm rainy.
Temperature
24º C to 28º C.
Precipitation (mm)
150 – 2,100 mm
Water resources
Quebrada de San Pedro
state
Anzoategui and Sucre
State
Superfice (Ha)
%
Anzoategui
37,132
61
Sucre
57,803
39
Total Area (Ha)
94,935
Public consultation
Yes
Date of the Public Consultation workshops
20 to 03/22/90
WEATHER
Annual temperatures range between 22 ° C and 28 ° C. The climate is coastal with high temperatures, constant insolation and winds.
SURFACE
94,935 hectares.
CREATION
It was declared a National Park on December 19, 1973.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Geological and Geomorphological Information
The relief of the Mochima National Park is usually very rugged. They constitute mountains, formed by metamorphic rocks, which have been subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures, altering their original form during their geological history. The extensive coastline of the park provides an indescribable effect throughout its contrasts. The continuous contact of the sea with the mountain produces a steep profile with narrow valleys and skirts that fall abruptly to the coast, forming giant cliffs devoid of vegetation that resemble strange figures. The park is made up of a large number of islands, which are located in front of the area of Puerto La Cruz are: Chimana Grande, Chimana Segunda, Mono, Picuda, Picuda Grande, Caracas, Venado, Isla de Plata and Borracha. In front of Sucre State are the Arapo Islands. Hydrography is determined by short water courses and radial drainage, which are mostly subject to seasonal variations. The most important water courses are the Santa Fe, Nurucual and Yaguaracual rivers that drain their waters to the Santa Fe gulf. On the North slope is the Río Barbacoas, which flows near Punta El Peñón and on the south slope the Río Colorado that flows into the Neverí River, border of the park in that sector and Guaranache River in the Southeast end.
Vegetation
Halophilic and psomophilic coastal grasslands. Coastal xerophytic shrublands. In the marine area the coastal mangroves, the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle, the black Avicennia nitida and botoncillo Conocarpus erectus and the meadows of phanerograms in the underwater space, such as Thalassia testudinum and Ruppia Marítima, important refuge of fish, birds and food, are exposed. for sea turtles.
Flora
In the islands and mountains near the coasts stand out the glass grass Sesuvium portulacastrum, Batis maritime and cactáceas. In the deciduous forest are the araguaney tabebuia chrysantha while in the coastal cloud forests there are arboreal species such as the saman Pithecelobium saman, along with numerous lianas and epífetas.
Fauna
The fauna is interrelated with the patterns of vegetation distribution. In the zone of xerophilous vegetation the saurians live like the black lizard Cnemidosphorus lemniscatus and the iguana Iguana iguana, the rabbit of mount Sylvilagus brasiliensis and the caramerudo deer Odocoileus virginianus. Some marine mammals like the herring whale Balaenoptera endeni and the dolphin Delphinus delphis stand out. Among the felines we find the jaguar Panthera onca, the puma or American lion Felis concolor, the lapa Agouti paca, the cachicamo Dasypus novemcintus. Equally the ophidios like the rattlesnake Crotalus durissus cumanensis and the cuaima pineapple Lachesis muta mutates that inhabit the valuable ecosystems of the northeastern zone of the country. The avifauna of the park is represented by large groups of birds such as the paraulata Mimus gilvus, the caricare Polyborus plancus, the guacharaca Ortalis ruficauda, the earwig Fregata magnificens, the Alcatraz Pelecanus ossidentalis, the gull Phalacrocax olivaceus, migratory species such as the chíparo Phaeton aethereus, charadriidae sandpipers, as well as a host of small insectivorous birds. In the marine fauna there are reef communities rich in Hexacoral hard corals, sea urchins, anemones, calcareous worms, crabs and lobsters. There is also a great variety of fish such as horse mackerel, sardine, tajalí, and the hut, among others. as well as countless small insectivorous birds. In the marine fauna there are reef communities rich in Hexacoral hard corals, sea urchins, anemones, calcareous worms, crabs and lobsters. There is also a great variety of fish such as horse mackerel, sardine, tajalí, and the hut, among others. as well as countless small insectivorous birds. In the marine fauna there are reef communities rich in Hexacoral hard corals, sea urchins, anemones, calcareous worms, crabs and lobsters. There is also a great variety of fish such as horse mackerel, sardine, tajalí, and the hut, among others.
ATTRACTIONS
The Mochima National Park is made up of a group of islands and beaches located in the vicinity of Puerto la Cruz. One of the parts that most identifies this park is the bay of Mochima, with calm waters and perfect for sailors.
Among the most important islands and islets are: the Chimanas, Mono, Picuda Grande, Caracas, Venado and Borracha. In the part of the coast occupies a mountain area with a set of beaches, gulfs and coves of extraordinary beauty.
LOCATION
Schedule
The visit to the park is from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
Location from the Nearest City
The Mochima National Park is located in the northeastern region of the country, between the cities of Puerto la Cruz, Anzoátegui State and Cumaná del Sucre State.
How to get
By paved road, following the road that joins Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná. By air to the airports of Barcelona or Cumaná. By sea to the town of Mochima from the ports of Guanta and Santa Fe.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for the Visitor
Do not disturb the environment with fast motor boats, respect the anchorage areas. When sailing, respect the maximum speed of 10 knots and maintain a minimum distance from the shore or 50 meter coastline. For the practice of underwater activities, obey the basic rules stipulated by the Venezuelan Federation of Underwater Activities, be accompanied, use the international diving indicator buoy and use the areas designated for that purpose. Respect the buoy area that indicates the bathers area and the rules established by Inparques.