This city is a bastion of Afro-Colombian culture, as it has a rich culinary and musical tradition regardless of its size that has been setting trends far beyond the city limits.
The extensive network of bays and inlets that surround the city is protected as the Uramba Bahía Málaga National Park, a place full of unspoilt nature. On the one hand, you will see how the raging sea crashes against the rocky outcroppings crowned by the jungle. On the other, you will venture through hidden coves and small unexplored beaches that turn your back on the bright green foliage of the jungle. If you enter the park, you will see that, without any effort, the narrow water channels make their way through the density of the mangrove forests full of birds.
Off the coast of Buenaventura, you will witness one of the most impressive natural spectacles on the continent: you will find majestic humpback whales frolicking in the warm waters with their newborn calves. To the east of the city, the mountains are also the vivid embodiment of nature. Here, your eyes will delight in the crystalline rivers that gush from between the sharp peaks and rush towards the jungle plain. Along the way, they form spectacular natural pools where you can immerse yourself without problems.
The cultural experiences that Buenaventura offers are as captivating as the natural ones, whether collecting shellfish with villagers to the sound of music, learning to play the marimba or practicing the charming steps of folk dances. These types of unique experiences turn any trip into a resounding success.
Attractions and Experiences
Whale Watching from Buenaventura
The waters off Bahía Málaga are the most accessible place in the country to observe the humpback whales that migrate from the southern reaches of the continent to raise their calves in the warm waters of Colombia. Boat excursions can be organized from Buenaventura or Juanchaco to get up close and personal with these magnificent cetaceans as they jump and shoot water jets into the air. If you want to capture incredible moments of action, don't put your cell phone away at any time: the show happens in the blink of an eye.
Wildlife
Juanchaco, Ladrilleros and La Barra
These three beaches are off the coast of Buenaventura, at the far end of the national park, and you can only reach them by boat. Juanchaco stands out for having the calmest waters, but it is the most developed. Ladrilleros has a narrow beach surrounded by low cliffs from where it is sometimes possible to observe whales in the distance on the horizon. La Barra is the most "low profile" and remote of the three. It is a small town in the jungle located between a mangrove forest and a wide, but quite windy, beach.
La Sierpe Waterfalls Beach
Recommendation when choosing the place that best captures the magic of Bahía Málaga: the La Sierpe waterfalls. Because? They tumble down a jungle cliff directly into the emerald green water of a bay inlet. Swimming to the point where the waterfall falls is one of those unique tourist moments that simply has to be experienced to be believed. You can visit the falls by boat from Juanchaco. The journey lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Kayak and canoeing in Bahía Málaga
The dramatic settings and protected waters of Bahía Málaga make it one of the best places in the Colombian Pacific for kayaking. From Juanchaco, you can find two circuits available: the most challenging one is done against the current to Isla Palma, a small forested island near the coast, while the easier route travels along the bay to the La Despensa estuary, which It houses attractive natural pools where you can take a dip.
You can also explore the waters of the bay in a traditional canoe. It is a somewhat slower method, but much more authentic and natural. There are guides in local villages who teach you rowing techniques before accompanying you onto the waters.
Outdoor living
Cultivation of piangua clams
The piangua or ark clam is a key ingredient in Colombian Pacific cuisine, a nutritious source of protein found in mangroves along the coast. Visitors to Bahía Málaga can, along with local people, collect this tasty mollusk on a fabulous nature tour designed especially for food lovers in the town of La Plata.
After reaching the heart of the mangroves by canoe, experienced guides show participants how to find and dislodge the clams that cling to the bases of trees deep in the mud. When they return to dry land, a local chef turns the freshly dug clams into the freshest ceviche you'll ever taste.
Bird watching in Buenaventura
The pristine nature that surrounds Buenaventura attracts an incredible variety of birds, both aquatic and jungle species. One of the best places to observe the range of native birds is the village of Miramar in Bahía Málaga. Here, every now and then, you can see toucans crossing the forest, in addition to the mangroves that extend between Ladrilleros and La Barra and the rivers that surround Córdoba to the east of the city.
Wild life
Saint Cyprian
Not all the water adventures you can have in Buenaventura are salty: San Cipriano is a small town that clings to the shore of the crystalline Escalarete River, known for cutting through the density of the jungle. The surroundings of the town are full of impressive natural pools and imposing waterfalls. Without a doubt, it is a must-visit for those who enjoy a relaxing bath in the middle of nature.
Although the river is very energizing, the highlight of the San Cipriano experience is the tour of the town itself. A new highway was built away from the railroad that was once the main means of transportation in the region. Seeing themselves isolated, the ingenious locals put together handmade passenger cars that follow the original route of the train tracks. At first, they were propelled by pure muscle using a long wooden pole. However, they are now motorized with a fleet of old Hondas that push them at lightning speed.
Sitting on a small wooden bench while the cart hurtles through the jungle over rickety bridges and narrow gorges requires a certain level of courage, but it's still a lot of fun. If you manage to sit in the first seat, you will record videos worthy of any TikToker.
Practical details
Accommodation
There are several hotels in the area near the port of Buenaventura, including one in a beautifully renovated historic building. But because the city does not have a beach, many visitors choose to continue their trip without spending the night in the city or to stay only one night before taking the boat that takes them to their accommodations in Juanchaco, Ladrilleros and La Barra.
Arrival
Buenaventura has a small airport that is mainly used for small charter flights along with a twice-weekly scheduled service to Bogotá. If you are looking for frequent domestic and international flights, the best option is Cali's Alfonso Bonilla Aragón airport, which is a four-hour drive from the city.
Helpful advice
Getting around the places of interest near Buenaventura usually involves many boat trips that sometimes present some difficulties. A good idea is to bring a large plastic bag to cover suitcases and backpacks and a dry zip-lock bag to protect important items.