Juanchaco y Ladrilleros

johan says on Oct 7, 2004, 08:59:

trip Hi,

I don’t know much about prices on that area but I have been told that December is typically not a good time to go. If I was you I would probably wait till the holydays are gone say during the middle of January. What I do recommend is going to Bogota and staying there during December. I have been told its quite entertaining during Christmas.

Glad to be of any help :)

Johan torroled@yahoo.com

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 7, 2004, 09:12:

hotels at Juanchaco and Ladrilleros if they haven't built some in the recent years then you don't have to worry about reservations, because except some rustic cabañas with no amenities there aren't any.
Admitted, it was a long time ago I went to both of those places, and there just wasn't anything that could be called a hotel there at that time. There was a rickety tourist hotel at La Bocana, but only cabañas that looked like sheds at Juanchaco, and nothing at Ladrilleros, which can be reached either by a shortcut path across the jungle or bordering the beach (a bit longer way)from Juanchaco. It was very primitive, altogether, but if you don't mind the bumpy boat trip and rustic accomodations it's a beautiful there.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Erik says on Oct 7, 2004, 10:38:

Ladrilleros is the better one if you looking for a nice place to stay. I was there just 2 weeks ago and stayed in a very nice hotel which arrange very nice ecological tours. I also know a nice cañan with a few rooms close to the beach which you can rent in total. This should be the reason to go there as there isn't much in Juanchaco or Ladrilleros.
I have good contacts with the hotel in Ladrilleros and if you want I can give you some more info.
Erik Rupert
DE UNA Colombia Tours
ww.deunacolombia.com

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isaactraveler says on Oct 8, 2004, 22:11:

Hi Mariposa! I have info for you I came back from Ladrilleros just before my return to the U.S.
If you want a decent place to stay ("decent" being relative) try this place:

HOTEL PALMA REAL
Proprietor: Aldemar Grisales
Cali # 092-683-0049
Ladr. # 092-246-0335/246-0149

Tell him the gringo Isaac recommended his place. MORE INFO:
Ladrilleros is a 40 minute bumpy boatride from Buena Ventura Dock. The Cab driver dropped us off at one of the shuttle services (surely a friend/commission) and it was that gentleman that referred this place to us. BTW the boat ride cost us 80,000 for 2 adults and one child total.

Once we hit the dock, I was impressed at how trashy the island looked at first glance. lots of trash and wood and stuff along the island, but the beaches looked clean.. this is because the tides cover most of the beach a couple times a day.

As soon as the boat pulled into the slip, people are there to grab you and help you up and take your luggage to the "mini-chiva" which I think is a converted Willy's jeep for a bunch of passengers. The chiva ride cost us about 3,000 each adult. There are no paved roads there except for where the small military airbase is, and MOST of the "hotels" are nothing more than shacks. I was completely put off when our helper got us off the jeep, only to make us walk off the road and along a dirt path to arrive at his "hotel" which was a ramshackled hovel. I was very glad that we were given the name of PALMA REAL. It wasnt cheap ( About 40,000 per adult per night) but it was clean and included breakfast and lunch and Aldemar struck me as very honest, conciencious and nice ( my fiance' said he was a "Paisa".) I didnt much care for the fish he prepared for dinner, but they make a meat plate too. Anyway, just ask him, he is a nice guy.
We stayed in a cabin that had a queen bed and a twin, and a private shower and a very comfortable hammock on the deck. There was a large reed-topped hut near the main office where they served you meals,juice drinks and bottle water, beer, and even coffee. There was a walkway and stairs down to the beach, and once we got to the beach it was clean and fairly isolated. Apart from some locals that seemed to be working or heading from one place to another, there were very few tourists ( we were there during the week).

Note: The people here charge like it is a tourist place, but it is VERY rustic. I wouldnt change much, since seeing it loaded with tourists would probably ruin the place.

THere are a couple of corner stores with full supplies and this place has most of what you need, but it is more expensive so..
TAKE:
a few bottle waters
sunscreen
sunglasses
crackers or snacks
towel for beach
SHOES for the water/beach
lots of underwear.damn sand and saltwater!
Bug repellant. mosquitos are said to be a problem at night on the beach, and there is a risk of malaria. We didnt get bit near the cabins.

BTW, you can negotiate for one of the shuttle drivers to take you to see the whales, we paid 60,000 and it was just us!
check out some of my pics, i think i posted a few of the beaches at Ladrilleros.

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Mariposa says on Oct 8, 2004, 23:15:

Thank´s a lot for the info! I really appreciate that!

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 9, 2004, 00:44:

isaac nice pictures! I'm glad there is a hotel at Ladrilleros. I didn't even know you could take a tour to watch the whales there; last time I was there (long time ago) it was really very primitive and rustic. The food was rice and canned tuna, except one day when the fishermen had caught something and we got fried fish for dinner. I'm definitely due another visit to Juanchaco and Ladrilleros.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Mariposa says on Oct 9, 2004, 18:01:

So guys I have some questions for you... I understand is really rusty, but did you like it? is better to go some other place? and by the way how is the security problem over there? Can we find different places to eat outside of the hotel?

Hey erick really nice web site!!!
my e-mail is mariposasazules at hotmail.com.

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isaactraveler says on Oct 9, 2004, 21:20:

GAH!! why do people call me erick? well its better than being called Irving.

Mariposa. We went to Ladrilleros with the intention of staying one day. It was a beautiful beach and ocean, and it wasnt crowded. I didnt really care for the village but the people are friendly and the food was good. Yes there are other places to eat, but it is really very simple. Dont go planning fine dining. EAT.. and go to the beach. we found 3 really nice sand dollars, and that was at noon!! Go naked, take some pictures and POST!!!

but if you want a better place to go, I heard that SAN ANDRES was much nicer. This trip cost me about $120 for 3 people. that included the whale visit.

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Erik says on Oct 14, 2004, 15:06:

Nuquí Thanks mariposa for your comment on my site. It soon will have loads of more info and also a spanish version. After ladrilleros I went to check out Nuquí and I really liked the place. It is another paradise in Colombia and had a great time. I stayed in a very comfortable lodge/resort or whatever you want to call it about 40 minutes with lanch from Nuqui. It's situated on a very nice beach, close to waterfalls, thermales, isolated beaches. On the 2nd day I saw whales and dolphins close to the beach and a boa constrictor of 3 meters was just below the comedor at the same night. Really beautiful place and highly recommended. I will be organizing trips to this place so if you are interested you know how to find me.
good luck.

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