explore the pacific region, luxuriant nature, and historic cities!
Bordered by Panama to the north and Ecuador to the south, the Pacific region forms the western slice of Colombia along the Pacific Ocean. This beautiful jewel is amongst the most biodiverse and rainy areas in the world.
Humpback whales are some of the recurrent visitors to this region. They usually come from the Antarctic between July and September to mate, raise their young, swim quietly in the depths of the Pacific and then raise to the surface to blow streams of water.
The Pacific coast is quite remote and is the ideal place for you if you're a nature fanatic looking for an off the beaten path destination. There is a great variety of wildlife, and it's not unusual to spot dolphins and whales swimming at stone's throw distance from the beach.
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top places & activities in the pacific coast
whale watching
One of the most popular things to do along Colombia's Pacific coast is whale watching. This once-in-a-lifetime experience gives people the chance to see whales surfacing and blowing water up to 7 meters in the air. July through November is the best time to see these creatures as they migrate from Antarctica to give birth.
almejal nature reserve
Almejal Natural Reserve houses conservation projects and an organic garden. On the way to the reserve, visitors can see a breath-taking view of the ocean meeting the jungle below. They can also learn about specific species and ecosystems in the jungle.
nuqui and bahia solano
Bahia Solano is where most of the adventures in Colombia's Pacific Region start. Diving, fishing and birding are the main activities there. You can reach Nuqui by boat and explore untouched beaches and deep jungles but also do ecological hikes and enjoy the incredible biodiversity.
utria national park
Utria National Park is located in one of the most gorgeous inlets in Colombia. Visitors can take a dip in the calm, emerald-green waters or walk through a mangrove swamp. Admire the fascinating coral reefs with powder-white sand.
gorgona
Gorgona Island is a real Paradise for eco-tourism. For 20 years the island functioned as a maximum-security prison before turning into a protected Natural Park in 1984. Today, you can explore the jungle to see the remains of the prison but also some incredible species such as the blue anole, the only all-blue lizard in the world, capuchin monkeys or whale sharks.
birding & wildlife
This region's lush rainforests and mangroves harbor unique species, including the Harpy Eagle, Chocó Vireo, and colorful poison dart frogs. With over 600 bird species, Chocó in the Pacific Coast is a top destination for birdwatchers. Its rich ecosystems provide a sanctuary for endangered species, making it a vital area for conservation and ecotourism.
Best time to go
when is the best time to visit the pacific region?
Weather:
The Pacific Coast in Colombia is one of the wettest regions on Earth, with an annual rainfall of up to 13,000 mm. The climate is consistently warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Frequent rain showers, often intense, contribute to the region's lush rainforests and rivers, supporting its incredible biodiversity.
Transports
how to get there?
Colombia's Pacific Coast is very remote, and they are no roads to access Bahia Solano and Nuqui. The only way to visit this region is by plane or boat.
- You can fly to Bahia Solano and Nuquí from Medellin or Bogota. Then you can access most of the places we recommend.
- To visit Gorgona you can reach Buenaventura by bus from Cali then take a boat.
Safety
Is it safe to travel to the pacific coast?
Most of the coastal settlements of interest to tourists are quite safe, but the borders with Panama and Ecuador remain major drug-trafficking corridors. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:
- The department of Chocó (except its capital Quibdó, the whale-watching towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano, and the tourist site of Capurganá)
- The South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño
- The Western region of Cauca
- Buenaventura in the department of Valle del Cauca
- The Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia
For the recommended touristic areas, these are some simple tips that should keep you out of trouble:
- Don't flash large amounts of money in public
- Look out for pickpockets on public transportation
- Call or use a smartphone app to arrange for a taxi instead of hailing it on the street
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your phones and cameras out of sightDon't wear flashy jewellery
- Avoid taking cards or passports out with you
Local
Gastronomy
Like the other regions in Colombia, the Pacific region also has a variety of dishes and unique flavours. With its strong Afro Colombian influence, the Gastronomy of the Pacific coast is very colourful and tasty. They use a wide variety of seafood and fish with ingredients like coconut, rice and coriander to create simple but delicious dishes. These are the specialities you definitely need to try when you visit this part of Colombia:
Shrimp Ceviche: The Colombian ceviche is different from the Peruvian one. In the Pacific Region, it's made with cooked shrimps dressed with ketchup, hot sauce, mayonnaise, lime juice and onion.
Carantanta: The leftover of the corn dough used to wrap empanadas is fried and eaten as an appetiser or in Carantanta soup. It's a local version of tortilla soup that you can find in the Colonial city of Popayan.
Empanadas de Pipian: These typical empanadas are extremely popular in the Caucan region of Colombia. They can be distinguished from the traditional ones by their peanut flavour and crisp and crunchy shell.
Hervido: This hot alcoholised drink is the perfect cocktail for cold weather. It's made by boiling acidic fruits with sugar; this juice is then mixed with aguardiente an anise flavour liquor from Colombia.
Sancochos: One of the best traditional pacific food and very convivial as it's often cooked during familial reunions. It's made with fish, corn, cassava, plantain and served with rice, lime and avocado.
Atollados: this type of ‘risotto’ is very popular in the Pacific region of Colombia. There are many variations of this dish in the country, but this one is made with fish and coconut milk.
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