Pacific Coast recommendations?

Peter (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 06:30:

Nuqui is interesting. You can take a pain from Medellin.

Poor but snappy

nueva york bombero says on May 15, 2008, 07:46:

I'm surprised there aren't more destinations on the pacific coast.
What's the deal?

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 07:53:

Yes, there are. I dunno, however, there have been kidnappings on the Pacific, just a few and apart and no foreigners targeted and yet I feel uneasy about sending people that way. Bahia Solano, Ensenada de Utria (national park) , Nuquí, all interesting, rather primitive, grey sand, mangroves and beaches. I have never been there but I've heard there's a nice hotel in Bahía Solano.

Then there are a couple of places further south, near Buenaventura, Ladrilleros and Juanchaco with some tourist facilities; you can also rent a boat with a guide and go whale-watching. The iffy part is B/ventura.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 15, 2008, 07:57:

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

angelcanada says on May 15, 2008, 08:12:

bahia solano will be a good and safe place to go, try to get there by plane, it will be safer and quickly.....Nuky is nice to bu as I said take a plane and from the airport they will bring you to a hotel...good luck.

MY NAME IS ANGEL. I AM COLOMBIAN AND LIVED IN CANADA AND THE USA FOR 18 YEARS. I RETURNED TO MEDELLIN AND WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SERVICES AS INTERPRETER/ ESCORT AND DRIVER. I CAN ALSO HELP IN FINDING SHORT TERM APT. RENTALS.

Bill Turley says on May 15, 2008, 08:54:

I have been to PN Gorgona which was my best experience in Colombia. If you are either a bird or whale watcher it is not to be missed. The best way is to fly to Guapi and take a motor launch to the Park. Reservations are needed!!

Mr. Bill Somondoco

Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 09:16:

nueva york bombero says on May 15, 2008, 07:46: flag
I'm surprised there aren't more destinations on the pacific coast.
What's the deal?


There are several reasons why the Pacific Coast is not loaded with tourist destinations. But the main two are:

1. Is not very pretty since the water is dark and the beaches are not very clean. There's also a lot of poverty so most places are not designed to be "tourist attractions".

2. There's a lot of drug trafficking and guerilla action. The reason for this is because it's easier to send large drug shipments out of ports like Buenaventura into Mexico and other Central American countries. That's the main reason why the FARC keeps fighting Uribe for "la zona de despeje", they want a large portion of the Pacific Coast just for them, and no can do.

But there are some touristy places you can go to, just have to be very careful of where you go.

Diana

nueva york bombero says on May 15, 2008, 09:21:

I was thinking that, but thanks for the clarification.
It's too bad.... coastline is valuable for tourism.

romy says on May 15, 2008, 09:22:

coveñas and capurgana are other amazing pacific coast destinations.

On Gorgona, it is amazing if you are a scuba diver or even just a snorkeler. We went a few years back and it's truly wonderful, we got to swim with a whale-shark which was an unreal experience. Also, the history of the prison there is pretty cool if you're into that.

On bahia solano, you HAVE to fly in. the alternative would be to take a boat in but that's just a waste of time. Very cool destination as well.

I love the pacific coast and though it may not be as developed, the natural beauty and high tides make it wonderful.

Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 09:29:

Coveñas and Capurganá are on the Atlantic Coast.

Diana

Morrongo says on May 15, 2008, 09:31:

Agree with Desideria..there are many great places on the Pacific Coast..but feel uneasy in recommending locations....

Bombero.... the deal is.... that most of these locations on the Pacific Coast are not secure enough at present.That does not mean you cannot visit ,just there are certain risks.

romy says on May 15, 2008, 09:33:

"Coveñas and Capurganá are on the Atlantic Coast." good call, obviously my geography is lacking this morning.

Capital of Somalia... Mogadishu... ok it's back

Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 09:39:

LOL

But you're right they're great places to go. I haven't been to Capurganá but Coveñas is pretty nice and very inexpensive.

Diana

nueva york bombero says on May 15, 2008, 09:54:

Understood... I'd like to explore sometime in the future....

Sam Salmon says on May 15, 2008, 11:33:

" Is not very pretty since the water is dark and the beaches are not very clean. There's also a lot of poverty so most places are not designed to be "tourist attractions". "

This is garbage.

The water is the Pacific fucking Ocean it's sometimes muddy from rain-just like anywhere else-get in a boat and go 100 meters out to see and it's blue-how many here have even been in a boat off the coast of Choco?

The beaches are not dirty at all I've never seen windrows of garbage anywhere like I have on the coast of Costa Rica for instance.

Poor people are everywhere they don't bite.

A person wants to get off the beaten track and are told not to go because it's 'too far off the beaten track'-WTF?

There are all kinds of small places to stay with friendly efficient staff and all kinds of things to do including Sportfishing, Surfing, Kakaying, Windsurfing, Jungle Treks and of course Beachcombing.

You can fly into Bahai de Solano-head out to My Jerry's famous place or take a jeep to El Valle, fly into Nuqui and someone always meets the plane or head to somewhere like Gonzalo's place http://www.pijibalodge.com/ easy easy easy there are a number of other places on that stretch of beach too.

' a la orden!'

Sam Salmon says on May 15, 2008, 11:35:

http://image02.webshots.com/2/3/40/43/123534043ShVpXi_ph.jpg

' a la orden!'

Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 14:12:

Uhmm... no it's real garbage I've been there. I mean, the beaches in Buenaventura are so dirty that one time we were there we saw a big piece poop float on the beach. They're not very clean. Nuquí is pretty dirty as well. I say this because I've been there.

I didn't say poor people bite, don't put words in my mouth. I said that because these are poor cities, an due to fianancial constraints they're not kept well like Cartagena or Santa Marta for example so less tourists go there.

Then at the end of my original statement I did say that there are some, not very many, but some places you can go to but you have to know where to go.

Diana

gorgonabob says on May 15, 2008, 18:04:

the truth is that most of the posters on this site have not done much travelling aorund and shouldnt go telling people not to go somewhere when they know nothing about the place.

the pacific coast is stunning. ill be back to Bahia Solano-El Valle for the fourth time in a few months. Yes there are golden sand beaches, no there is not rubbish everywhere, yes you can arrive on a boat and no its not such a bad experience. there are a couple of dozen places to stay from cheap hotels to nice private cabanas. Pablo Escobar built a hotel out there... the Spanish have taken it over Theres an American Colombian called Enrique who has been living out there for 20 years and has a few world record marlin catches i believe. hes taken several presidents out fishing

there are no drugs being sent from Nuqui and Bahia Solano, thats rubbish. perhaps a few fisherman find the odd kilo floating in the ocean but the real drugs are sent from around Buenaventura

tejasmarcos says on May 15, 2008, 18:42:

i would be interested in seeing that area as well. can i invite myself next time someone takes the trip? i would feel more comfortable going with others/group.

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

Sam Salmon says on May 15, 2008, 20:43:

Buenavantura is a hellhole Yes but it's in no way typical of the Pacfic Coast of Colombia-your blanket statement condemning the whole place is garbage and worth the paper it's written on.

GorgonaBob has the right of it he knows the area better than anyone.

How could these Whales survive in dirty water?


Is this beach dirty?

' a la orden!'

Sam Salmon says on May 15, 2008, 21:12:

Is this beach dirty as well?


This one?


More unbearable squalor?


Gonzalo's place isn't dirty it's clean and orderly


Cabo Corrientes holds no garbage-none


Freshwater lagoon to swim in-might be Cocodrilos but no dirt I assure you

' a la orden!'

Mononoke28 says on May 16, 2008, 07:57:

You only read want you want to read.

Didn't I say that you have to know where to go??? If you answer yes that question, and it should be yes, then that's your answer.

It's funny how people say that I haven't been there when I actually have. And the truth is MOST of Colombian's Pacific coast has not been kept well. Why do you think there are so many starving people in el Chocó, 'cause I can guarrantee you they're not making money off of the big avalanche of tourists that go there every year, that's for sure. The beaches in Nariño are not out of this world either.

So again, take your time to read each post. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO GO. I've said it three times already.

Diana

bickerss says on May 16, 2008, 10:00:

They are rally great pictures. I tried to book to Bahia Solano a few days ago but the flights were all booked out for the dates I was able to go - bummer!!

Sam Salmon says on May 16, 2008, 12:03:

"YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO GO"

Avoid Beunaventura and anywhere in the immedate vicinity of the terminally clueless-all found no worries.

LMAO!!

' a la orden!'

Mononoke28 says on May 16, 2008, 13:59:

It's funny, I just went out to lunch with my husband who lived all his life in Tuluá and asked him this same question. He laughed and said the same thing, especially with so many roads being blocked out due to the guerilla. His final sentence "why would anybody want to even go there. It's not very pretty."

I told him about this thread but he didn't want to waste his time. Ahhhh, love the kid.

Diana

nueva york bombero says on May 16, 2008, 15:18:

Great pics Sam-----

bradenmiami says on May 19, 2008, 08:08:

Thanks for all the information everyone...and the great pics! Drummed up some great ideas, and I think I'm going to try putting something together for a short trip to Capurgana. I think with all the conflicting information I have received from the combination visitors, locals and one-time knowitalls, I am just going to head North for now. Have to much going for me at this point to be heading to areas in question. Will definitely put up a trip report if I make the trip!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!