Tourism in Chocó

The department of Chocó is one of the most spectacular nature destinations on the planet. With the Pacific to the west and the Caribbean to the north, Chocó offers two completely different seas in a single department. Nuquí and Bahía Solano on the Pacific are the best place in Colombia for humpback whale watching (July–October), while Capurganá and Acandí on the Caribbean have crystal clear waters and coral reefs on the edge of the Darién. Chocó is the most biodiverse department in Colombia and one of the most biodiverse in the world.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF CHOCÓ

The most visited and unmissable destinations and experiences in Chocó:

Attraction	Type	Description
Whale Watching — Nuquí / Bahía Solano	Ecotourism	July–October. Humpback whales in the Pacific. Females come to give birth. Unique experience.
Utría National Natural Park	Nature	Marine park with mangroves, coral, dolphins, turtles, whale sharks. Crystal clear cove.
Capurganá and Sapzurro	Beach / Caribbean	Virgin Caribbean beaches without roads, only maritime or air access. Diving, snorkeling, hiking.
El Almejal	Ecotourism / Beach	Eco-lodge on a Pacific beach, tropical rainforest, surfing, turtles in season.
Quibdó — San Pacho Festival	Culture / Party	September–October. San Francisco de Asís festival with Afro-Chocoan influence. UNESCO Heritage.

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE IN CHOCÓ

The biogeographic Chocó is considered one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots on the planet. Los Katíos National Park (UNESCO Heritage) on the border with Panama protects 720 km² of unique tropical humid forest. Chocó has more amphibian and reptile species per km² than any other place in the world.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF CHOCÓ

Afro-Colombian culture in Chocó has unique musical expressions: Chocoan chirimía, currulao, Chocoan porro. The San Pacho Festival in Quibdó (UNESCO Heritage) mixes religious and Afro elements in ten days of celebration. The Emberá-Katío community maintains ancestral traditions of basketry and body painting.

TYPICAL GASTRONOMY OF CHOCÓ

Rice with coconut milk, piangua encocado (mangrove mollusk), tapao de pescado, pusandao (salted meat sancocho), fried toyo, rice chicha. Fresh Pacific seafood is the star dish in Nuquí and Bahía Solano.

HOW TO GET THERE

Nuquí and Bahía Solano: flights from Medellín (1 h, small aircraft). Capurganá: flight from Medellín or boat from Turbo (Antioquia, 2 h). Quibdó: flights from Bogotá and Medellín. No paved road to the Chocoan Pacific.

Also check the climate of Chocó and the list of municipalities of Chocó to plan your visit.