In this post, we’re going to give you a brief overview of the things to do and see around Nuqui, on the Pacific coast of Choco.
It’s on this Pacific coast that, year after year, trip after trip, we leave a piece of our hearts. That’s why we can’t forget it, and why we always want to come back. If not on the next trip, then on the next, or the one after that, but one thing’s for sure: once you’ve discovered the Pacific coast of Choco, there’s no turning back.
Here’s the situation: you wanted to discover the Pacific coast of Choco, you had the choice between Bahia Solano and Nuqui and you chose the Nuqui region. You fly from Medellín to Nuqui airport via San German Express.
Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
You’ve arrived in the southern Gulf of Tribuga. This region of Colombia boasts some of the greatest biodiversity in the world. You’re entering a rich, unspoilt territory that needs protecting. That’s why, until 2020, citizens and scientists fought against the project to create a gigantic industrial port in the middle of the Gulf of Tribuga.
Thanks to widespread mobilization, the project was successfully halted, but it remains on the drawing board and the sword of Damocles still hangs over the region. We must therefore remain vigilant. We recommend that you watch Expedition Tribuga‘s documentary on the subject.
General information on Nuqui
Name: Nuqui
People: Nuquiseños
Population: 8.500 on the entire gulf
Founded: 1917
Region: Pacific
Department: Choco
Climate: Warm and humid
Average temperatures: 28°C
Dry season: December to March
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Nuqui
What to do in Nuqui, Pacific coast of Choco
Along with Bahia Solano, Nuqui is the largest city on the Gulf of Tribuga on the Pacific coast of Choco. Nuqui spearheads tourism in the Choco region and is probably the best-known destination.
What travellers don’t necessarily know is that “spending a week in Nuqui” means “spending a week in the Nuqui region“. After all, you don’t really stay in Nuqui when you spend a few days in the area. You take a boat and head for one of the small villages south of the Gulf, or to Guachalito beach for the less adventurous.
But we still like the atmosphere of Nuqui, to spend a few hours waiting for the lancha or avionetta. The main street is teeming with life, with shops and bouibouis of all kinds, and we could spend some time at the juice shack watching the passers-by go by again and again.
Good to know
LOCAL FESTIVALS
In early January, the Fiesta del Tamborito is dedicated to the region’s traditional music and dance. Then in July comes the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, which travels between Jurubirá, Coquí, Joví, Termales and Aruzí.
September sees the Migration Festival, in which we took part in 2018 at the invitation of the Mano Cambiada association. This event aims to raise awareness among locals and travelers of the need to protect the region’s migratory animal species: turtles, humpback whales, birds..
Jurubira
Best things to do around Nuqui
Jurubira is the second most populous town around Nuqui and the only village in our post north of Nuqui. After Jurubira, we reach the Utria National Park and enter the Bahia Solano and El Valle region.
We’ve never been to Jurubira before, but there was no lack of interest! We had put it on our list of discoveries, but it’s true that its geographical location didn’t help us!
Inland, along the banks of the rios Chori and Jurubira, live numerous Embera communities, the native indigenous populations of Choco. The Jagua community has banded together around community tourism to offer tourists a chance to immerse themselves in Embera culture.
In Jurubira, the Afro-descendant population has also formed an association of guides to offer nature activities, forest walks, rivers, and you’ll also find hot-water spas, simple and without fuss.
- From Nuqui, by sea with a lancha
- Journey time: approx. 45 minutes
- Fare: approx. $17.000 COP per person with public lancha
Pangui
Best things to do in Nuqui, Pacific coast of Choco
Another tiny, authentic Pacific village, this time within walking distance of Nuqui. Located 5 km south of Nuqui, it’s even possible to get there on foot via Olympica beach.
There’s beach and forest, mangrove swamps, walks to Cascada Murillo, on the Pangui River, in the Río Chicui… you can also discover the Playa Arena Azul and its shades of blue sand..
In short, all the magic of Choco over and over again, and very, very little tourism in Pangui. For accommodation, there’s just one address to recommend: Chachita’s Posada Ecoturistica, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms and a reputation for excellent cuisine!
- Accessible on foot from Nuqui, 5km walk from Olympica beach but you’ll have to cross a river so pay attention to tide times.
- Accessible by lancha publica from Nuqui, Arusi, Termales and Coqui
Coqui
Best villages to visit around Nuqui
Coquí was one of the highlights of our 10-day stay. We’d wanted to go there for a long time, mainly to discover the “Zotea” project, a community gourmet restaurant offering excellent Pacific cuisine and classes with village cooks.
In Coqui, community tourism really comes into its own, and for us the village is one of the models to follow in this respect. The local people are involved in various projects to protect and enhance their natural, tangible and intangible heritage.
Coqui also has an association of guides who show visitors around one of the region’s largest mangroves . The association does a great deal of educational and conservation work .
We spent the whole day in Coqui, starting in the morning with a visit to the mangroves and the Museum of Ancestral Knowledge, followed by a cooking workshop in Zotea with Cruz and his unforgettable smile, then a delicious meal, before returning to Arusi in the afternoon with a wealth of memories.
In Coquí, the beach is magnificent and accommodation is of course available, with various posadas nativas welcoming visitors as if they were at home.
- $20.000 COP per person from Arusi or Nuqui / Easily accessible on foot from Jovi
- Daily departure of the lancha publica from Arusi around 6.30 a.m. and from Nuqui around 8 a.m
Mangrove tour
- $45.000 COP per person
- 45-minute pirogue ride with a community guide
Museum of knowledge
- $7.000 COP per person
Zotea – Cooking class
- $75.000 COP per person
- 2-hour course including meal (4-hour courses are available)
Full-day plan
- $165.000 COP per person
- Includes mangrove tour, cooking class and meal.
Joví
Best things to do around Nuqui, Pacific coast of Choco
Jovi is a tiny village located between Guachalito and Coqui. We didn’t go there, but Jovi is one of those villages on the Gulf of Tribuga where you can come and stay for a few days in one of the traveler-friendly accommodations and enjoy the beach and forest walks .
From here, of course, it’s easy to get to neighboring Coqui, just 2.5 km along the beach. But you can also take a lancha to go wherever you want, if you want.
Once there, you can take a pirogue to the Chontaduro cascada. Here again, Jovi is a very untouristy destination south of Nuqui.
- Accessible on foot from Coqui, 2,5km walk by the beach
- Accessible by lancha publica from Nuqui, Arusi andTermales
Guachalito
Best things to do in Nuqui
When people talk about Nuqui, they see images of beautiful black sand beaches lined with palm trees and rocks in the ocean… in fact, this is the landscape of the entire Pacific coast of Choco. But most of the photos you see circulating were taken in Guachalito, the most popular tourist spot in the Nuqui region.
Guachalito isn’t really a village, it’s more of a beach with a succession of luxury hotels for tourists in search of comfort.
That said, we must admit that some of the hotels are dreamy, but be warned: we’ve had some feedback on the quality of service in Guachalito, which sometimes leaves something to be desired despite the very high prices.
From our point of view, nothing beats the experience of living Choco up close to the locals, in a village, any village, but not in Guachalito. And if you really want to get away from it all, in a wilderness setting, then Punta Brava is the place for you! We recommend it 100%, and you can contact them directly by clicking here or book via Booking.
Good to know
Getting around locally
Transport
There are no roads on the Pacific coast of Choco, so the only means of local transport is by lancha (motorboat).
There is a “lancha publica”, operated by the great Don Marcos, a taciturn character who nonetheless has a funny life story that we’ll tell you about soon. One day, Marcos settled in Nuqui, built a lancha and decided to operate a kind of local “public” service. With a lancha that can carry around 40 people, Marcos makes the daily trip between Arusi and Nuqui, passing through each village once in the morning and once in the evening. It’s the cheapest way to get between the different villages, but you have to plan ahead.
Alternatively, you can hire lanchas on a “private” basis. Hotels often offer this service, but you can also ask the locals. This service is obviously much more expensive, but also more flexible in terms of timetables.
Price: $20.000 COP
Termales
Best things to do around Nuqui, Pacific coast of Choco
Termales is one of the best-known villages south of Nuqui. Located between Guachalito and Arusi, Termales is a must-see on any trip to Choco. As its name suggests, the hot springs here have been developed by the community: 1 small pool, small restaurant, massage services and baths with traditional plants.
We went there for a day, walking along the beach from Arusi, and had a great time. The water isn’t as hot as you’d expect, it’s lukewarm, pleasant, the place is nice and we really enjoyed the moment of relaxation !
From Termales, there are several forest hikes to various waterfalls, including the Cascada de 4 Encantos and the Cascada del Amor. There’s also a surf club where beginners can try their hand at surfing in waves accessible to all.
Termales is following Coqui’s example and betting on community tourism. You can feel that the village is prepared to welcome tourists, and you’ll find accommodation in the village.
- Easily accessible on foot from Arusi or Guachalito.
- Departure every day from the Nuqui lancha publica at around 8 a.m
Admission to thermal baths
- $12.000 COP per person.
- Massages available for around $60.000 COP per person.
4 encantos hikes
- From $75.000 COP with local guide (see Mar y brisas hotel)
Surfing classes
Ask for Nestor Tello, the local leader and pioneer of surfing in the region.
- $80.000 COP/hour lesson with local instructor
- $30.000 COP/hour board rental
Arusi
Best village to visit around Nuqui, Pacific coast of Choco
Arusi is where we spent most of our 10 days on the Choco Pacific coast during our 2020 trip.
The village school has made it a nerve center for the area, so every morning and evening sees the waltz of groups of schoolchildren arriving on foot or by boat from the surrounding villages.
In Arusi, life goes by to the rhythm of fishing, domino games, and a few tourist activities such as forest walks to bathe in waterfalls or canoeing on the Rio Arusi.
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This is also where we discovered Casa Cielito, a great hotel/hostal run by lovely people, where you can feel at home and organize lots of activities.
It was also from Arusi that we spent two magical nights, 20 minutes from the lancha, in full connection with nature, in an exceptional place: Punta Brava
This village will always have a special place in our hearts. In Arusi, we had a wonderful time with some very beautiful people.
- $32.000 COP for about 1 hour’s journey from Nuqui
- Daily departure from the Nuqui lancha publica at around 8 a.m
Ride on the Rio Arusi
- $70.000 COP per person for a 2.5-hour pirogue ride with swimming
4 encantos hikes
- From $75.000 COP with local guide (see Mar y brisas hotel)
Surfing
Surfboards can be rented from the Arusi surf club (ask in the village)
Where to stay in Nuqui
While we love Nuqui for its popular atmosphere, we feel that you can best enjoy the area, the beaches and nature by staying in one of the villages to the south of town. Of course, if you absolutely must stay in Nuqui, many hotels and posadas offer comfortable accommodation in town.
In our opinion, the best options for accommodation near Nuqui:
For those who like to meet locals:
- Coqui
- Termales
- Arusi
And for those who are not keen to meet locals:
- Guachalito
- Punta Brava
Where to stay in Arusi
This is where we decided to stay our 10 days in the region.
Arusi
Eco Lodge
Punta Brava Eco Hotel
Punta Brava is an ecological luxury bubble in the middle of the jungle, with its feet in the Pacific Ocean. A unique, exclusive place, totally cut off from the world, which is well worth the effort if you have the means to indulge yourself.
Arusi
Hotel
Casa Cielito
Casa Cielito was our home for 1 week in Arusi, the place is magical and the food is simply the best we’ve tasted in Colombia!
Casa Cielito for a local experience
Located in a beautiful tropical garden directly on Arusi beach. It’s a little outside the village, but really connected to local life – it’s a 5-minute walk to the village.
They offer two styles of accommodation:
- Selva Cielito is the less expensive offer, with shared rooms and a small independent kitchen for self-catering.
- Casa Cielito is the top-of-the-range offer, with comfortable en-suite private rooms, beautifully decorated, including all meals – and what meals! It’s probably the best place we’ve eaten on any of our trips to Colombia !
Contact Alfonso to book your stay in Casa Cielito
Punta Brava for a total disconnection
The Punta Brava hotel is an experience in itself. Totally isolated at the southern tip of the Gulf of Tribuga, it is accessible only by boat and sits on a rocky spur overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The hotel’s architecture is entirely turned towards nature, with everything open and giving a surprising impression of “natural luxury”.
We liked their policy of eco-responsibility, and their willingness to act as guardians of the forest that surrounds the hotel. Everything runs on solar energy.
Punta Brava is the ideal place for those seeking total disconnection. You can stay there, away from the world, for as long as it takes to clear your mind, take a walk in the forest, swim in the Pacific Ocean or enjoy the sunsets from the magnificent terrace.
The rooms are very comfortable and include all meals, with a special mention for the open-air showers overlooking the jungle, even if they are shared!
Contact Suzana to book your stay in Punta Brava
How to get to Nuqui
There are no roads to Nuqui. No roads at all. The only two ways to get there are by plane and by boat.
Getting to Nuqui from Medellin
The only way to get to Nuqui is by air from Medellín, operated by a very small agency called San German Express. We’ve used their service and there’s nothing to worry about. You can book and pay for your tickets online on the San German Express website.
Flights depart from Medellín regional airport. On site, you’ll find the San German Express counter where you can check in. Then you’ll board a tiny plane with around 20 seats for a very short flight lasting around 45 minutes.
FLIGHT | Medellín <> Nuqui
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Airline: San German Express, Satena
- Fare: from $600.000 COP return (depending on dates and airline)
- Airport : Enrique Olaya Herrera
Getting to Nuqui from El Valle
LANCHA | From El Valle
- Duration: 2h00
- Fare: $80.000 COP
- Departures: Monday and Friday only
The easiest solution is to take Nuqui > PNN Utria, then PNN Utria > El Valle, as departures to the park are more fre
