The Amazing Secrets of a Lost Paradise

When talking about pirates and explorers visiting a lost paradise, you might think it’s a myth or part of a story invented to entertain little kids, because the location and surroundings are full of magic, fantasy, and legends. However, the truth is that many of the settings that appear in books and movies are real places that exist in our world. One of those particular places is the incredible Robinson Crusoe Island.

This remote and almost uninhabited land mass is one of the three islands belonging to the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, located 411 miles west of South America. The other two islands are Alejandro Selkirk and Santa Clara. It was on the Robinson Crusoe Island where the sailor Alejandro Selkirk was abandoned in the year 1705 and had to live in complete solitude for 5 years. This situation lead the famous writer Daniel Defoe to write the classic novel, Robinson Crusoe.

Just as it is described throughout the story, the island is a real, amazing paradise with a rich variety of flora and fauna. In fact, it is estimated that at least 70% of the plant species are endemic, meaning that they are not found in another place in the world. Consequently, the island was declared a World Biosphere Reserve.

The Robinson Crusoe Island is of volcanic origin and has a mountainous terrain with impressive peaks rising more than 1,000m above sea level. Due to the intense erosion, steep valleys have been formed. There is also a narrow peninsula in the south-western part of the island and an incredible beach with temperate and crystalline water where you can swim or scuba dive in the company of a great variety of fish and shellfish.

People wanting to visit this marvellous place need to adjust their itinerary to certain months. According to inhabitants, the best time to visit the island is between October and April because the weather is very warm, there is not much rain, and you will be able to enjoy every single tour and excursion. The ones really interested in getting to know a bit more about the hidden secrets of this place, need to take a 2 ½ hour flight on a special plane from the airport in the city of Santiago. After landing in the island, you’ll enjoy another 1 ½ hours in a taxi–boat that will take you to the only inhabited town called San Juan Bautista, that has a population of no more than 500 residents. It is important for you to know that the plane has a maximum capacity of 8 passengers and that the flights are not daily, only from Monday to Friday, and are subject to weather conditions. However, tickets are not as expensive as you would imagine.

Once on the island, the best place recommended is the Pangal Hotel. It will allow you to rest and enjoy your time with your family or friends in total contact with nature. This hotel was recently opened and has satellite TV, music, and an exceptional dining room specializing in lobster and fish. It also has a big swimming pool and a comfortable fireplace next to the bar. The hotel also has a special boat in charge of taking people to the village and back.

Even though the island is not very big, there are plenty of things to do. Here are some of the most interesting places you can visit during your vacation on the isle.

• Hike to Yunque’s Plateau: It includes a wonderful tour that allows people to see some endemic flora and fauna.
• Hike to Selkirk’s Lookout: You may be able to reach the place where Alejandro Selkirk constantly looked in search of a ship that could rescue him from his eternal confinement.
• Juan Fernandez Lobster Fishery: This island is well known for its lobster. The idea is that people travel on a tour by boat and eat lobster together cooked on board while they enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

• Scuba Diving and Snorkelling with seals: If you are interested, you may pay a few dollars to the only company in charge of teaching you how to scuba dive. The company has a special instructor that gives everybody specific orientation on how to manage your scuba diving gear and get used to the underwater environment. Another interesting option is the possibility to snorkel among a great, big group of fur seals; the only endemic mammal of the archipelago.

Besides all these activities, people can also go horseback riding, fishing, or visit some caves and forts, which are full of history and magic.

Depending on the travel agency you choose, prices can vary. However, it is important for you to know that the best option is to buy your ticket in advance. As a general reference, each ticket may cost $572 from Santiago. The price includes the travel ticket, the hotel, and some excursions. Lunch and dinner are generally not included, but it may be a good opportunity for you to try seafood.

Robinson Crusoe is definitely a place worth visiting. It is a paradise that preserves a wide variety of endemic flora and fauna, it is not excessively expensive, and, most of all, it preserves even today a special atmosphere of adventure and mystery.

By Rose Marie Kuschel R.