Bahía Solano, El Valle and NNP Utria
Bahía Solano is the most urban point in the region—even though calling it “urban” might be an overstatement. You can get there either by sea from Buenaventura (depending on ocean conditions) or by plane, as the town has a small airport. It is essentially a coastal town where daily life revolves around the port and fishing. Most travelers stay here because it serves as the base for visiting the beaches, waterfalls, and whale-watching areas.
The infrastructure is simple but sufficient for anyone who doesn’t require luxury. There is a variety of eco-lodges and small hotels that make it easy to spend a few peaceful days in town.
About 40 minutes away is El Valle, an even smaller and more laid-back village located between the sea and the jungle. El Almejal Beach sets the pace of daily life: there’s surfing when the conditions are right, sunset walks, and nights where the only sound is the ocean.
Many travelers arrive planning to stay just a few days and end up staying for weeks because of the calm atmosphere. There are no large tourism developments, but there are local initiatives that combine accommodation, conservation, and culture.
Utría Nacional Natural Park
Utría National Natural Park protects one of the most diverse and best-preserved coastal ecosystems in Colombia. It’s not a park you explore by road or visit in large groups. Access is by boat, and once inside, the experience is more about observing than doing: walking along boardwalks surrounded by mangroves, swimming in calm waters, or simply taking in the landscape where the rainforest meets the sea. For many travelers, it is one of the few places where you truly understand that the Colombian Pacific is nothing like what most people imagine before seeing it.