There are many options for accommodation in the Nuquí region, but from our point of view there’s only one place to totally disconnect from the real world: head for a unique ecohotel, a real favorite, located just a few kilometers from Arusí by boat, at the southern tip of the Gulf of Tribuga in the Nuqui region on the Pacific coast of Choco.
We discovered this ecohotel during our 10-day stay in Arusi. Our friend Andres, a scuba diving specialist in the region, had recommended this magical place to us. We followed his advice, and we’re glad we did!
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.
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On the road to disconnect
Punta Brava in the pacific coast of Choco
We made an appointment with Susana to organize our arrival, and it didn’t take long to realize that the service was top-notch. A lancha picks us up on Arusi beach and we’re off to Punta Brava, at the southern tip of the Gulf of Tribuga.
A short fifteen-minute journey takes us to a tiny, wild bay where it’s clear that man has to adapt to nature, not the other way round.
A wooden staircase through the forest takes us up to the ecohotel, and from the very first seconds we fall in love with the place! What more can we say? The images speak for themselves..
What to do in Punta Brava, Choco
Reconnecting with nature
From Punta Brava, of course, you can do all the things the Nuqui region has to offer. Whale watching, river walks, forest walks, surfing, scuba diving and even visits to other villages in the area. But you have to bear in mind that, as the hotel is totally isolated from the rest of the world, all outings outside the hotel’s “playground” (forest, river, beach) have to be made by boat, and this has an impact on the price of excursions.
For us, Punta Brava is above all a place where you should decide to stay for at least two nights and enjoy the best that nature has to offer.
Playa Brava
Even if the ecohotel just makes you want to sit back and stay put, there’s plenty to do from the hotel, and our first outing of the day was down to Playa Brava, the beach at the foot of the hotel.
A short path and a few steps later, we arrive at one of the region’s most beautiful beaches. After a stroll along the beach, our first swim in the waves is a life-saver. Then we attend our first sound and light show at last light. We feel great.
It’s time to go back up for dinner and prepare for the next day, which includes a walk through the forest to a pretty little waterfall.
Special favorite hotel
Contact Suzana to book a night in Punta Brava
Forest walks and Playa El Amargal
Numerous forest walks are available directly from the hotel, with varying levels of difficulty. For us, it’s a half-day stroll in the company of one of the ecohotel’s young indigenous Embera guides.
So we set off for our first little stroll, plunging into the forest until, as is traditional on the Pacific coast of Choco, we arrived directly on a deserted beach (like all the beaches around the hotel!). What a pleasant surprise to discover Playa El Amargal just for us… We take the opportunity to take a dip in the water to cool off a little from the heat, because yes, the surprises don’t stop there, and we head back into the forest to continue on our way..
A few ascents and descents later, we arrive at an enchanting spot, a small waterfall with its emerald-green pool of water, which stretches out its arms to us after all that effort.
On this walk, it’s possible to observe various species of frogs and sometimes other animals. We weren’t too lucky on that score, but it was magnificent all the same!
Special favorite hotel
Contact Suzana to book a night in Punta Brava
Scuba diving
Cabo corrientes is a sanctuary for marine life. It’s the entry point for the humpback whales that head for Ensenada de Utria to give birth to their young, and it’s sometimes possible to see the whales from the hotel. Great luxury!
Susana explained that this underwater effervescence is also due to the rocky seabed, which makes it impossible for fishermen to use their nets, and has therefore been preserved from industrial fishing.
On the second day, Samuel and two other travellers went scuba diving. Pacific Ocean currents can be strong here, making it a perfect place to learn to dive in difficult conditions. But once you’ve got past the challenge of getting into the water and starting the first few meters along the rope, the calm and beauty of the underwater world takes over once you’ve reached the bottom.
Memories that will remain engraved in Samuel’s mind.
Kayaking, surfing, etc.
As you can see, for us, the most beautiful beaches in the area are at the foot of Punta Brava. But the Pacific Ocean isn’t just there to be admired! You can surf, kayak and snorkel. In short, there’s no shortage of things to do at sea here!
Samuel will also be enjoying the waves of Playa Brava at sunset… No surfboard available that day (it’s best to think about booking in advance, as logistics dictate), but a small bodyboard will do the trick for a few rolls. You’ll have to be a little careful, as some of the sandbanks are strewn with rocks, but once you’ve found the right spot, you’re ready to go!
For your information, the hotel organizes surf camps from time to time. Don’t forget to ask Susana if you’re interested.
Where to stay in Punta Brava
A paradise of the Choco’s pacific coast
We had a truly magical time in Punta Brava, and only dream of coming back! We felt so privileged to be there and only wish we could have stayed longer.
The hotel can accommodate a maximum of 12 people, which adds to the intimate atmosphere of the place, since even when fully booked, we feel really quiet and at home.
The 4 rooms share two bathrooms that are quite incredible, as they are located outdoors, where you feel as if you’re literally showering in the middle of the trees. This is no problem at all, as there are very few people in the hotel, and the cleanliness is beyond reproach!
There are also options for those who want more privacy: a room with private bathroom and 2 isolated cabins with private services… total luxury.
The common area of the hotel is ma-gni-fique: an immense terrace entirely open onto nature and the ocean, with various smaller terraces offering other viewpoints, and every evening a magical moment to admire the sunset.
Special favorite hotel
Contact Suzana to book a night in Punta Brava
Eco-friendly
The ecohotel is a family project. Susana, Santiago and their children have joined forces to build a responsible tourism project, choosing sustainable construction methods. The idea is to have as little impact as possible on nature. In concrete terms, this means: solar energy source, 100 iodegradable cosmetics and cleaning products, local and natural building materials, waste recycling policy, consumption of local products, etc.
Unique location
The house is situated on a rocky outcrop facing the Pacific Ocean, you can hear the waves crashing at the foot of the hotel and the scenery from the house is just indescribable .
The ecohotel is located in a place that is unique on the planet in terms of biological and cultural diversity. It’s a place where the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean come together in a wild symphony.
Cuisine
The ecohotel naturally offers full board, including all meals cooked on site by local cooks using local ingredients. If you’re staying at the hotel, meals are shared on a large convivial table, and if you’re staying in a hut, meals are served on site.
Disconnect
The ecohotel has been designed as a place to disconnect, or rather to connect with nature and/or others… That’s why there’s no internet access inside the hotel. There is a secluded outdoor spot where you can connect to the wifi if you need to, but the invitation is really to forget the phone and just live in the moment!
Conclusion
Ecohotel in Punta Brava
The Ecohotel in Punta Brava is a magical place in a dream setting: an unforgettable experience that we can only advise you to treat yourself to as a beautiful gift, worth all the gold in the world!
The welcome from Susana and the whole team was perfect and warm, we enjoyed the beach, swimming, Sam even did a bit of surfing. We had a great walk in the forest to a beautiful waterfall, we bathed in the most beautiful beaches in the area, we enjoyed one of the most beautiful sunsets of our lives … in short we enjoyed and we only dream of one thing: returning to Punta Brava!
Book a night in Punta Brava
Our favorite hotel in Arusi
Responsible tourism
The ecohotel has chosen a sustainable construction method with the idea of having as little impact on nature as possible. In concrete terms, this means: solar energy source, 100% biodegradable cosmetics and cleaning products, local and natural building materials, waste recycling policy, consumption of local products, etc.
How much does it cost
Rates range from $770.000 to $950.000 COP per night for two people on a full-board basis (3 meals included), depending on season and room type.
How to get to Punta Brava
Nuquí can be reached by air from Medellín with daily flights operated by San German Express (from Olaya Herrera airport).
- Duration: 45 min
- Airline: San German Express, Satena
- Fare: from $600.000 COP return (depending on dates and airline)
- Airport: Enrique Olaya Herrera
Once in Nuquí, you can either ask the hotel to pick you up with a private lancha (expensive), or take the public lancha to Arusi and then ask the hotel to pick you up in Arusi (cheaper).
