Chocó
Nuquí and Utría National Park
Nuquí, Colombia: humpback whales breaching near shore and jungle meeting the Pacific. Flights from Medellín, boat-access lodges, Utría park and prices.
Region
Pacific coast
Colombia's wild Pacific coast: Nuquí, Bahía Solano and Utría National Park, how to get there, when to see humpback whales, where to stay and what to pack.
The Pacific coast is Colombia at its wildest: rainforest running straight down to the ocean, almost no roads, and small Afro-Colombian and Indigenous villages reachable only by plane or boat. For travellers the simplest choice is Nuquí or Bahía Solano in Chocó, with 4-5 days at a beachfront lodge; from July to October it’s one of the best places on earth to see humpback whales. This isn’t a trip to improvise: here’s how to get there, how to choose between the two areas, when to go and what to pack.
Where to go on the Pacific coast
| Area | Why go | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nuquí | secluded beach lodges, natural hot springs, rainforest waterfalls | lodges are spread along the coast and reached by boat |
| Bahía Solano and El Valle | long beaches, surfing, sea turtles, access to Utría National Park | more simple places to stay and lower prices |
| Utría National Park | a sheltered inlet between Nuquí and Bahía Solano, with mangroves and trails | a day trip by boat from either area |
| Quibdó | Chocó’s capital and the San Pacho festival (September-October) | a city, not a beach destination |
Other well-known spots, such as Gorgona Island and Bahía Málaga, are reached via Buenaventura or the Cauca coast, areas currently covered by government travel warnings: read our guide to safety in Colombia before booking.
Chocó as a whole is still a difficult area with armed groups present: the UK advises against all but essential travel to most of it but makes exceptions for Quibdó, Nuquí, Bahía Solano and Capurganá, while the US rates Colombia Level 3 without listing Chocó among its Level 4 areas. That’s why it’s best to go through a lodge or a registered agency. The latest advice and 2026 events are in our Nuquí guide.
How to get to Nuquí and Bahía Solano
There are no roads: you arrive by small plane, usually from Olaya Herrera airport in Medellín, in about 50 minutes; there are flights from Quibdó too. Bahía Solano has had a new passenger terminal since September 2026. Once you land, you continue by boat to your lodge.
- On regional flights baggage weight limits are tight (Satena, for example, allows 5 kg, or 11 lb, of hand luggage): check your fare and pack light.
- The sea can be rough: keep your phone and documents in a waterproof bag.
- Flight times often change with the weather: don’t plan a same-day connection with an international flight.
All the tips on flights and airports are in our guide to getting around Colombia.
When to go: whale season
Humpback whales come here to breed between July and October, peaking in August and September: it’s the most popular time and lodges should be booked months ahead. Colombia’s Pacific coast is one of the wettest places on the planet and it rains in every season, often at night or in short bursts; it’s hot and humid all year. Outside whale season you still have the rainforest, waterfalls, surf and near-empty beaches. Other periods are covered in our guide on when to visit Colombia.
What to pack and what to know
- A rain jacket, quick-dry synthetic clothes, water shoes or closed sandals, and repellent.
- Cash: ATMs are very scarce or non-existent, and many services are paid in pesos only.
- Internet and power: signal is often weak, and at some lodges electricity runs only a few hours a day.
- Health: ask your doctor or travel clinic about recommended vaccines (yellow fever) and malaria tablets. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential, as the nearest well-equipped hospital is in Medellín.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Nuquí?
By small plane from Medellín (Olaya Herrera airport), in about 50 minutes, or from Quibdó. From the airport you continue by boat to your lodge: flights, taxes, prices and lodges are covered in our Nuquí guide.
When can you see whales in Nuquí and Bahía Solano?
From July to October, peaking in August and September. Boat trips are arranged through your lodge or licensed local guides.
Nuquí or Bahía Solano?
Nuquí suits travellers looking for a secluded lodge between rainforest and sea; Bahía Solano and El Valle have simpler places to stay, lower prices and surf beaches. Both let you visit Utría National Park.
Places & nature