Top Things to do in Buenaventura
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The 8 Best Things to Do in Buenaventura, Colombia
Discover the best top things to do in Buenaventura, Colombia including Playa Juan de Dios, Reserva Natural San Cipriano, Catedral de Buenaventura, Pianguita Beach, Juanchaco, Centro Comercial Viva Buenaventura, Bahia Malaga, Visit.org.
Restaurants in Buenaventura
1. Playa Juan de Dios
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By rapha_y_nici - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
This region around Buenaventura (about 3h from Cali) is very nice and different from other places. We took a speedboat from B/ventura to Juanchaco for 60'000cop pp roundtrip, the ride back is valid for about 10days. It takes about 50-60mins per way. Juanchaco seems to be the main harbour over there. From there it is possible to go to Ladrilleros and La Barra as well. What we heard it's also possible to get to Playa Juan de Dios from there by boat, if there are enough people.
Overall we are very happy to have visited the region and stayed three nights in Ladrilleros (30min walk or 5min mototaxi ride from Juanchaco, 3'000cop pp). We stayed at Hotel Cooperativa in Ladrilleros. Jimmy who asked us after arriving in Juanchaco if we need a hotel and he brought us there and it was perfect. About 25'000-30'000 pp in a doubleroom. Was a great deal and next to the beautiful beach in Ladrilleros. You have a nice seaview from the hotel Terrace. Good value for money. Ask for Jimmy upon arrival but he seems to be around when a boat from Bventura arrives anyway. He offers an easy going mangroves tour as well for about 25'000cop, was a great experience. Could swim in a hidden natural pool in a nice environment and for this price unbeatable.
In late August it was quiet and there were not many tourists what made it even more special. There are good accommodation (in Juanchaco and Ladrilleros) options available and the people are very nice and helpful. La Barra is a bit more rough and basic but not less impressive. We took a mototaxi from Ladrilleros to La Barra (mototaxi 15'000cop for 2p) and walked back on the beach (45min) in the afternoon.
For the whale watching tour you can ask at the little harbour in Juanchaco (whales seems to be around from June to November, but best in Jul/Aug/Sep) They try to sell it to you already in B/ventura but it seems to be a bit cheaper in Juanchaco itself (25'000cop pp for about 1 hour), well worth it, did it twice. Don't expect whales to jump out like in movies (it can happen.. but don't expect it for sure) but it was great to see this impressive animals! Very good value for money, we saw a lot and they handle it responsibly.
Before arriving to Bventura we were a bit sceptical if we should explore this area but afterwards we just can recommend this area and we are thankful for this experience. It's not necessary to stay in B/ventura, directly head to Juanchaco. It's a bit off the beaten path and seems the easiest way to get to the pacific coast. There could be heavy rain so prepare/protect your equipment accordingly. We would definitely come again and for whale watching it's an unbeatable price.
Just GO ;-)
2. Reserva Natural San Cipriano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By rapha_y_nici - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
From Cali Terminal we took a bus direction Buenaventura but jumped off in Cordoba (after about 2h15min). Bus ticket was 23'000cop.
There some guys will bring you to the Brujitas (transportation on rails). This transportation takes about 15-20 minutes and is the highlight of the trip. We payed 10'000cop pp per way, but this was a bit too much so you can discuss about it. After that you're in San Cipriano itself.
The people overthere are nice and the accommodation is basic. You can walk through the village and reach after 30 and 45 mins places where you can enter the clear river what can be very refreshing while it can be humid and hot in this environment. Tubing also possible, several places in the village to rent inner tires.
Overall it's worth a visit. It feels quiet remote what makes it special and infrastructure is basic but that's what makes it charming as well. Meals they offered (ceviche colombiano and rice with camarons) were delicious!
We stayed a night to be closer to Buenaventura the next morning since it seems to be easier to get a boat to Juanchaco before noon. The bus ride from Cordoba to B/ventura took about 45mins (3000cop pp). So we were not in a hurry.
San Cipriano was a good experience and worth it as well to support a bit the community. It can be done as a tour but we thought it was not a big problem to do it individually.
3. Catedral de Buenaventura
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By rapha_y_nici - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
This Catedral in rough Buenaventura is located approx on the half way from the Bus terminal to the pier where you canget a boat to Juanchaco. If you walk from the terminal would do it during the day and follow bigger streets. Otherwise take a taxi to the harbour, about 5'000cop.
But definitely recommended to come to the region around Buenaventura, Juanchaco is just 1 hour by boat and very nice, also to do whale watching.
4. Pianguita Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Zharg
Adjacent to Pianguita beach was our destination of la Bocan. A small hotel owned by long time family friends Marie and Jesus Whito. A bit of a camp type hotel but great people. Marie fixes some great local fish dishes and Jesus and his adjacent family members do their best to keep their section of the beach clean.
A black sand beach that could be paradise but suffers from the detritus of the locals and that brought by the tides daily.
A terrible consequence and struggle against the swarm of mankind in Buenaventura.
But a very tranquil location. No nearby discos or large hotels as occur further west.
Three horses, four friendly dogs and five other people who arrived after three days alone used the 2k of beachfront.
The breakers here are small and the winds light. Not suitable for surf or kite. The most placid sea I have ever encountered.
About 4k out is the main channel with the cargo ships passing by and many local launches serving the nearby communities.
5. Juanchaco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By rapha_y_nici - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
After a few weeks in Colombia we were thinking about visiting the Pacific coast and were a bit sceptical. For us Buenaventura and surroundings was the only option because we didn't want to take a plane.
In the end we were very happy and thankful to have taken the decision to go to this region! It's an easy approx 3hour ride in a convenient minibus (15seats) from Cali. Then a few minutes walk from the terminal to the harbor where you can find a boat to Juanchaco (1h speedboat ride). The roundtrip ticket costs 60'000cop pp and is valid for a few days, so no need to fix your return date in advance.. just enjoy it flexible!
Once arrived to Juanchaco we could find ourselves definitely in another part of Colombia. Just great! When we left the boat the nice guy Jimmy asked us if we need accommodation and we gave it a try and went with him. He brought us to laid-back Ladrilleros (30min walk or 5min mototaxi from Juanchaco) to the nice 'Hotel Cooperativa' with nice seaview. Convenient doubleroom with fan and ensuite bathroom for 30'000 pp. Good value for money such a nice place (travelstyle: backpacker on a budget).
Furthermore, the beach you can reach from there is just great and not crowded. But Ladrilleros beach is flooded in the morning due to the tide but it's beautiful in the afternoon and for the sunset! You can also walk from/to La Barra in 45mins on the beach or take a mototaxi (15-20'000cop pp). Basic backpacker area in a rough environment which seems to belong already to the wild department Chocó. There is basic accommodation and eating option available, worth a beachwalk.
Furthermore, you can do great value for money whale watching starting from Juanchaco pier (we could arrange it as well with Jimmy, small boat, not too many people, just perfect)! The price is 25-30'000cop pp depends on group size and is definitely worth it. Did it on two different days and saw a lot! They try to sell the whaletour already in B/ventura at the harbour, but it was cheaper to arrange it upon arrival in Juanchaco. Definitely recommended and also to support the lovely people overthere. Additionally, our great host Jimmy offered a tour through the Mangroves which was great as well. For 25'000cop pp he brought us with a canoe like boat to the a hidden natural swimming pool which was very nice. He is such a great guy, would recommend to ask for him once you arrive in Juanchaco. I assume he will be on the pier anyway when a boat arrives from Bventura.
Overall, we are very happy to have had the possibilty to see this (rough and impressive) environment which is off the common touristic path. People are lovely and accommodating and we thought it is definitely not expensive for what you get, especially whale watching. Felt safe all the time and met great locals and travellers.
Would definitely recommend to get there for at least one night.
Bring sunscreen, light close (hot & humid), swim suit for sure but as well rain protection if it rains hardly, at least for electronic equipment!
There are only a little accommodations right now which you can find on booking but there are more options available when you arrive there, I think for every type of travel.
Just Go, definitely a special area and a great destination for individual tourism!
6. Centro Comercial Viva Buenaventura
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Guillermo Ernes... E - Cali, Colombia
Tiene todo lo que se necesita. Está justa a la entrada de la ciudad. Buena plaza de comidas y cine. Es el entretenimiento básico. Es organizado, limpio y hay buenas tiendas de todo tipo.
7. Bahia Malaga
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By kunsac - Santa Marta District, Colombia
From august untill the december each year and without fail, this magnificent bay is visited by about 1.000 whales, who travel about 8.000 kilometers from the very south of America where they regularly live, this long journey is carried out to: give birth, give them the first lessons of life and subsistence and in the meantime they mate. It is simply an unforgettable experience, the huge dimensions of these marine monsters, with their profoundly noble character, make this contact with nature an experience to be repeated over and over again.
8. Visit.org
Explore this global hotspot for biodiversity and nature conservation strategically inhabited by 95% of marine species
