It is a unique department for several reasons, since no other department has a border with Panama, nor has so much African heritage, nor is it bathed by two oceans, the Pacific and the Caribbean.
This makes Chocó a place that mixes abundant jungles, beautiful rivers and magnificent beaches, which is currently a resounding success among Colombian and foreign tourists.
Another characteristic that you will love about Chocó is its musical folklore, which has African origins and uses drums to create frenetic rhythms, which, even today, are heard and danced in the area, like the shawm.
What to do in Chocó?
The Darién jungle that merges with the beach and reaches the sea is the backdrop for many experiences that are lived in Chocó, a department that offers countless natural and cultural tourist attractions.
Among the main places of interest, the Sal de Frutas Waterfall in Tutunendo and the Utría, Katíos and Tatamá national parks stand out.
Furthermore, in Chocó there are jungles and virgin beaches where you can appreciate the incessant tropical biodiversity.
The department also has municipalities of great interest for tourism. Quibdó, its capital, entails all the magic of the Colombian Pacific. The city, located on the banks of the Atrato River, has a boardwalk from which you can enjoy a magnificent sunset. From the same place, you can board small boats that will take you to nearby towns where you can have typical food for lunch and dance to the rhythm of the marimba.
Another interesting municipality is Sapzurro, an authentic earthly paradise that has beautiful beaches, trails, waterfalls and hot springs.
Nuquí is another traditional Chocoan town surrounded by beautiful beaches that are bordered by the tropical jungle. In the area, there are hotels with comfortable beachfront cabins that offer an incomparable view.
It is also worth visiting Capurganá, an ideal destination for rest and contact with nature. The main attraction of Capurganá is that it will allow you to disconnect from the urban bustle, since there are no cars or motorcycles in this town. The only means of transportation are bicycles and boats.
Keep in mind that the entire department has sea and rivers, so the gastronomy is based on different varieties of fish, which are a real delicacy when accompanied by other typical preparations of the region, such as cheese soup, rice nailed , borojó jam, birimbí dessert, mulata stroller sancocho, among others.
Unique experiences
An experience that, without a doubt, is unforgettable in Chocó is the sighting of humpback whales.
It occurs between the months of July and October in Bahía Solano, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Colombia, where the jungle, corals, mangroves and animal diversity give you an unparalleled natural experience.
Humpback whales arrive at that place and travel some 8,500 kilometers from Antarctica to mate and give birth in the warm waters of the Pacific.
Likewise, starting on September 20, an atmosphere of festivities takes over Quibdó in which the locals celebrate in a very emotional way the festivities of their patron Saint Francis of Assisi, affectionately called 'San Pacho'.
The San Pacho Festival, declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2012 by UNESCO, will surprise you with its color, its rhythm and its joy.
Activities you can't miss
In the different municipalities of Chocó, you can carry out countless activities, such as sport fishing, ecological walks, cycle walks, diving and bird and turtle watching, which acquires great charm in a natural territory as particular as this one.
Likewise, the region is conducive to adventure tourism. There you can practice sports such as skiing, surfing and kayaking.
In addition, thanks to the soils of volcanic origin, thermal springs emerge that will allow you to relax in unique environments.
And if you want to end the day with a party, the hectic nightlife of Chocó has bars and clubs that offer the best rhythms of the Pacific region.
recommendations
Chocó has a temperature that averages 30 °C, so wear clothing suitable for the heat.
We also recommend that you travel with small suitcases, since air connections from Quibdó usually allow you to carry a maximum of 10 kilos of luggage.
Another useful tip is to carry enough cash, as it is not always easy to find ATMs.
Finally, keep in mind that the Ministry of Health recommends getting vaccinated against yellow fever to travel to the Chocó municipalities of Carmen del Darién, Juradó, Acandí, Riosucio and Unguía.