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    Pacific Coast: Whales in Bahía Solano and Nuquí

    by Felix Gillen

    A trip to the Pacific Coast of Chocó, where humpback whales are visible offshore from July to October. Bahía Solano and Nuquí are only accessible by plane or boat, connecting rainforest, beaches, and Utría National Park.

    7 Days / 6 Nights
    July to October for whales, with August and September as peak months. Some sources cite a season until November.
    2 stops

    Why This Route?

    The route links the two prime whale-watching spots on Colombia's Pacific coast. By flying into Bahía Solano and out from Nuquí, you avoid backtracking and get to see the Utría National Park coastline by boat.

    Hidden Gems

    • Cascada El Tigre
    • Playa Cuevita
    • Manglares de Coquí
    • Playa Guachalito

    Getting there and back

    Open jaw: start and end are in different places

    Arrival
    Flight · Bahía SolanoFlug ab dem Stadtflughafen Olaya Herrera in Medellín nach Bahía Solano, rund 50 Minuten, unter anderem mit Clic. In der Walsaison sind Flüge und Unterkünfte schnell ausgebucht. Prüfe vor der Reise die aktuellen Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise des Auswärtigen Amts.
    Departure
    Flight · NuquíClic and Satena fly from Nuquí to Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín, flight time around 45 to 55 minutes. Satena also connects Nuquí with Quibdó. Check the current flight schedules directly with the airlines.

    Itinerary

    Bahía Solano
    Stop 1 • 3 Nights

    Bahía Solano

    City
    Bahía Solano is a coastal town on the northern Pacific coast of Chocó, surrounded by mountainous rainforest and only accessible by plane or boat. People come here for whale watching, beaches like Playa Huina, and the surf village of El Valle on the edge of Utría National Park. The main town of the municipality is Ciudad Mutis; El Valle is about 18 km south at the end of the only road.
    Flight from Olaya Herrera City Airport in Medellín, approx. 50 mins. Whale watching, Playa Huina, and the surf village El Valle, on the edge of Utría National Park.
    4 Sights
    2 Restaurants

    Between Sea and Rainforest

    Afro-Colombian heritage and indigenous traditions shape the area. Emberá guides from Mecana lead rainforest treks to see monkeys, sloths, and birds.Second half of year: sea turtles lay eggs nightly on Cuevita & Almejal beaches. Cuisine: daily catch, tropical fruits.
    All Info
    Nuquí
    Stop 2 • 3 Nights

    Nuquí

    City
    Nuquí is a small coastal town on the Gulf of Tribugá on the Pacific coast of Chocó, with no road access and only reachable by plane or boat. You come here to observe humpback whales from July to October, bathe in hot springs, and surf at beaches like Guachalito. The town has around 1,200 inhabitants, and accommodations are mostly found in the villages along the coast.
    From Bahía Solano by boat, about 2+ hours, depending on stops, boat, and tides; departure usually early morning. Hot springs in Termales, mangroves near Coquí, Guachalito beach.
    4 Sights
    1 Restaurant

    Life on the Gulf of Tribugá

    Nuquí became an independent municipality in 1917. Its people live from ecotourism, small-scale farming with plantains, cocoa, and coconuts, as well as artisanal fishing.Boats operate between the villages of Jurubirá, Tribugá, Panguí, Coquí, Joví, Termales, and Arusí; you can also walk along the beach, depending on the tides.
    All Info
    2 stops

    Route Summary

    Duration7 Days
    Stops2 Places
    TypeAdventure
    Best Time to GoJuly to October for whales, with August and September as peak months. Some sources cite a season until November.