Beaches in Colombia: The Pacific Coast

The country’s Pacific Coast is less explored than the Caribbean, but there are still plenty of beautiful beaches to visit. 

We wrote an extensive guide to help you explore Colombia’s Pacific Coast.

1: Playa Juan De Dios, Beach in Bahía Málaga

Playa Juan De Dios is a pleasant beach secluded from the hustle and bustle of major Colombian cities. With the jungle on one side and the pristine waters of the Pacific on the other, you’ll love switching between both universes. This beach is one of the best to relax and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. 

• How to get there: You’ll have to take a boat from Buenaventura (a 3h bus from Cali).
• TPMT Tip: This eco-lodge does not offer good value for money. You can stay at Pacifico hostel and organize a day trip to Playa Juan de Dios.

2: Ladrilleros & La Barra

Ladrilleros and La Barra are two beautiful beaches. They’re close together and are two of the most accessible beaches on Colombia’s Pacific Coast. Since they’re easily accessible, they tend to be busy, especially during the humpback whale season, from July to September. 

• How to get there: You’ll have to take a boat from Buenaventura (a 3h bus from Cali).
• TPMT Tip: La Barra is my favorite beach, but little accommodation is available.

3: Guachalito, the most romantic beach

Guachalito is the most well-known beach in El Chocó. It’s in the Gulf of Tribuga and only a 30-minute boat ride from Nuquí. The beach extends from the jungle and mountains and will be a perfect spot to spend a romantic 3 or 4 days with your loved one. Guachalito is one of the best beaches in Colombia.

• How to get there: You’ll have to take a 20-minute flight from Medellín to Nuquí and then a 45-minute boat ride.
• TPMT Tip: Planning your activities in the mountains can be challenging. Pick the right ecolodge carefully and let them organize everything for you.
• Where to stay: Here are my favorite ecolodge in the area.

4: Termales & Arusí: Surfing and Diving

When you want to visit the beaches in Choco but don’t want to feel crowded, Termales and Arusí are fantastic. Termales is famous among the surfer community for its waves, and Arusí has the only Padi Dive center in the area.

• How to get there: You’ll have to take a 20-minute flight from Medellín to Nuquí and then a 1-hour boat ride.
• Where to stay: Casa Cielito or Punta Brava.

5: Playa Cuevita

Playa Cuevita is another fabulous beach in Choco. It’s probably most known for its eco-family farm, Mama Orbe. Mama Orbe will be your best option if you want to stay in the area — basic rooms. Besides the pristine waters and soft sand, you can see sea turtles and their eggs along the beach during nesting season. 

• How to get there: a 40-min walk from El Valle
• TPMT Tip: You can help rescue baby turtles from August to February. Double-check with Mama Orbe
• Where to stay: Here are our favorite ecolodges in El Valle et Bahia Solano

6: Playa El Almejal, best beach in el valle

One of the best places to surf on the country’s Pacific Coast is Playa El Almejal. It’s a 1.2-mile beach that provides tourists a sandy place to lounge after catching some waves. There are also a few places to stay near the beach and enjoy some drinks at sunset.

• How to get there: a 15-min walk from El Valle.
• TPMT Tip: in my opinion, it’s the best area to stay in El Valle.
• Where to stay: Here are our favorite ecolodges in El Valle et Bahia Solano

7: Playa Mecana, best beach in bahia solano

Not all the beaches on the Pacific Coast of Colombia offer lodging options, but Playa Mecana does. They have several options along the coast for you to stay at for the night or longer if you want. There are some boat rental and fishing experiences. 

• How to get there: Once you’re in Bahía Solano, take a 10-min boat ride from the dock.
• TPMT Tip: in my opinion, it’s the best area to stay in Bahia Solano. There is also a fantastic botanical garden to visit.
• Where to stay: Here are our favorite ecolodges in El Valle et Bahia Solano

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Beaches in Colombia: The Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean coast of Colombia is much more accessible than the Pacific coast. That being said, there are many more excellent beach options in this area. 

8: Playa Soledad, a stunning private beach near Capurgana

Most people take a boat from Capurganá to get to Playa Soledad. It’s an excellent place to spend the day — snorkeling, sunbathing, and swimming. The bravest tourist can decide to hike to Playa Soledad and come back by boat.

• How to get there: a 20-min boat or 4-h hike from Capurganá

9: Bahia Aguacate, a Peaceful Beach for Snorkeling

Bahia Aguacate is another lovely beach you can reach from Capurganá. You have two options to get to this beach: You can take a boat, or if you’re up for an hour or so hike, you can travel this way and see some beautiful views. The sandy beach is small, but there are plenty of places to set up your towel on the grass. You’ll only note a few houses scattered among the palm trees, making it a perfect place to rest in silence.

• How to get there: a 1-h hike from Capurganá (or a 10-min boat)
• TPMT Tip: Bring your snorkel gear. There are beautiful coral reefs.

10: Sapzurro Beach: peaceful

On the border of Colombia and Panama is Sapzurro. This beach town is one of the best places in Colombia if you want a beach getaway for a couple of days. You’ll easily be able to find a place to stay and a few economical restaurants.

• How to get there: a 1h30 hike from Capurganá (or a 15-min boat)
• TPMT Tip: Paraíso Cangrejales serves delicious meals (and it’s a hotel, too).

11: La Miel, a Beach Located in Panama!

La Miel is a beach in Panamá. You won’t need to stamp your passport to get on the other side. Just bring your passport and sign a document at the border. This small, white-sand beach is a sleepy area, which makes it a tranquil place to lay your towel for the day. There are various bars to grab drinks by the beach if you’d like. 

The only negative point is that the currents sometimes bring plastic waste to the beach.

• How to get there: a 20-min walk from Sapzurro.
• TPMT Tip: There is a duty-free shop where you can buy wines at an affordable price! The border will close at 5 pm.
• Where to stay: In Sapzurro.

12: Cabo Tiburon

For those who want to see what some call a virgin beach, Cabo Tiburon is the place to be. The water is pristine, and the sand isn’t littered with trash like some of the more popular beaches in the country. 

• How to get there: a 20-min walk from Sapzurro.
• TPMT Tip: bring your snorkel gears and swim straight until you reach the colorful reefs.

13: Isla Fuerte, the Forgotten Island

Isla Fuerte is only 20 minutes from the coast, but it’s widely unknown to travelers. If you want a truly authentic experience, visiting any of the beaches on this island is worth your while. 

• How to get there: 20 min boat from Paso Nuevo
• TPMT Tip: Bring some cash. There is no ATM on the island. Playa San Diego is the most famous beach.

14: Rincón del Mar, my favorite beach town

Rincón del Mar is a small fishing village on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. There’s one main street in the town parallel to the coastline. You’ll see plenty of boats in the sand, hostels along the beach, and people sunbathing with a cocktail in their hands. You can rent a boat to venture on the San Bernardo islands or go fishing/diving with the locals.

• How to get there: a 3-h drive from Cartagena.
• TPMT Tip: Bring some cash. There is no ATM.

15: Isla Múcura, Private Beaches and Upscale Hotels

Isla Múcura is a tiny coral island off the coast of Rincón del Mar. Even though this small island is filled with primarily private beaches, it’s a lovely place to rest —if your budget allows it. Múcura Island is part of the San Bernardo Archipelago.

• How to get there: a 2-h boat from Cartagena or 30-min from Rincón del Mar
• TPMT Tip: because you won’t be able to wander everywhere you want, I recommend you choose a pleasant hotel with a lovely beach.

16: Isla Tintipán, the Best White-Sand Beach in Colombia

Next to Isla Múcura is Isla Tintipán. This large island has one main beach that’s popular amongst island visitors. There are also several hotels, hostels, and other lodging options that line the coastline. The island is partially composed of mangroves. This makes it an ideal place to observe luminous plankton at night.

• How to get there: a 5-min boat ride from Isla Múcura
• TPMT Tip: because you won’t be able to wander everywhere you want, I recommend you choose a pleasant hotel with a lovely beach.

17: Isla Barú and its Famous Beach, Playa Blanca 

Playa Blanca is the most popular beach on Baru Island. With beautiful water, soft sand, and plenty of places to grab a drink, it’s no wonder people flock here. Unfortunately, mass tourism makes this beach unpleasant (jet skis, loud music, and many people). South of the island of Barú, you’ll find primarily private beaches that you can use if you stay at one of the many hotels.  

• How to get there: a 1-h drive from Cartagena.
• TPMT Tip: Avoid Playa Blanca and decide to stay further south of the island.

18: Tierra Bomba and its Beach Clubs

Tierra Bomba is known for its fantastic day beach clubs. If you love partying and dancing under the sun, then Tierra Bomba is a place you’ll want to visit in Colombia. The only problem is that the water is not as turquoise as the Rosario islands – due to its proximity to Cartagena.

• How to get there: a 15-min boat ride from Cartagena.
• TPMT Tip: the locals do not hesitate to rip off travelers who can’t speak Spanish. It is best to book your beach club in advance and use their boat.

19: Isla Grande, lovely beach hotels

Isla Grande will be your best option if you want to enjoy the beach during your stay in Cartagena. Isla Grande is part of the Rosario Islands, and the only sandy beaches on the island are artificial. You will find them in the best hotels on the island. If you are traveling with a group, don’t hesitate to rent a boat!

•  How to get there: a 1-h boat ride from Cartagena
• TPMT Tip: Most of the resorts offer a day pass from Cartagena. Still, I recommend staying two nights to make the most of Isla Grande.

20: Cartagena Beaches: not so great

If you’re staying in Cartagena and don’t want to travel far to a beach, you can visit the beaches in the city. They’re not the picture-perfect beaches you’ll find in other parts of Colombia, but they’ll make for an easy beach day —just be prepared to be surrounded by many locals and street vendors.

•  How to get there: walking or by taxi.
• TPMT Tip: They are far from being my favorite beaches in Colombia. Your best options will be Laguito or Manzanillo.
• Learn about the best Cartagena beaches

21: Rodadero, a Beach in the Shadow of Tall Buildings

Santa Marta’s Rodadero is the equivalent of Bocagrande in Cartagena. You will find long beaches full of plastic chairs and tourists. And you can forget about the turquoise waters.

The only advantage is that you’re closer to Santa Marta’s airport.

• How to get there: a 20-min taxi from the center of Santa Marta.
• TPMT Tip: If you plan to take your flight the next day and want to stay by the beach, I advise you to choose your hotel in the Pozos Colorados area. The beach is way better.
• Learn everything about Santa Marta beaches.

22: Bahía Concha, the Most Accessible Beach in Tayrona

Bahia Concha is a beautiful beach in Santa Marta. The one thing to note about this beach is that while it’s lovely, it tends to be very crowded on weekends because it’s easily accessible. 

•  How to get there: a 45-min drive + 2o-min walk from Santa Marta
• TPMT Tip: Head to Bahía Concha early in the morning and walk to the right end of the beach. There will be fewer people and some shades.

23: Playa Cristal, the Most Famous Beach from Santa Marta

It takes over an hour to get to this beach from Santa Marta, but it’s worth every second. Aboard a speedboat, you will go along the green coast of Tayrona Park to find out about this little piece of sand. This is considered the most excellent beach you can go to from Santa Marta. Unfortunately, there are always plenty of tourists visiting Playa Cristal.

• How to get there: a 1-h boat ride from Santa Marta.
• TPMT Tip: Go first to Playa Cinto, then stop in Playa Cristal on the way back.

24: Playa Cinto, my Favorite Beach in Tayrona

Few people know about Playa Cinto. This secluded area has no restaurants, but the waters are ideal for snorkeling and seeing marine life once you arrive. You can swim peacefully here with the Sierra Nevada mountains towering over you. 

• How to get there: a 1-h boat ride from Santa Marta
• TPMT Tip: Bring your snorkel gears, some food, and water.

25: Punta Playa Brava, a Remote Beach in Tayrona

Punta Playa Brava is one of the most remote beaches in Tayrona National Park. The sound of waves crashing on the shoreline with the forest in the background makes this a wonderful place to be alone with nature while you catch some rays.

• How to get there: a 4-h hike from the Tayrona entrance, El Calabazo.
• TPMT tip: Start the hike early (7 am) to avoid the heat. It will be easier if you sleep near Tayrona.

26: Playa Cabo San Juan, the Most famous Beach in Tayrona

The most visited beach in Tayrona is Playa Cabo San Juan. It’s the picturesque spot in the park where you see the hill in the sea with a cabin on top and hammocks lining the beach where you can rest if you want. There’s a restaurant and a large camping area near the beach. 

• How to get there: a 2-hour hike from the Tayrona entrance, El Zaino.
• TPMT tip: Stay overnight in Cabo San Juan and wake up early. You’ll have the beach all for yourself.

27: Playa La Piscina

Whether you’re hiking through Tayrona or just looking for a beautiful beach, Playa la Piscina is the best. Due to the natural rock formations lining the beach, the waters are protected and calmer here. This makes it the best spot in the park for a relaxing swim — which is not the case for most of Tayrona’s beaches.

However, you can’t sleep over there.

• How to get there: a 1h30 hike from the Tayrona entrance, El Zaino.

28: Playa los Naranjos: PERFECT BEACH HOTELS

Near the beautiful Tayrona National Par is Playa Los Naranjos. This somewhat secluded beach is still close enough to hotels and restaurants but far enough away that you feel like you’re on your hidden beach. It’s where you’ll find some of the most luxurious hotels on the Caribbean Coast.

• How to get there: a 1h drive from Santa Marta.
• Where to stay: Finca Barlovento or Villa Playa Tayrona.

29: Playa Costeño, a Chill-Out Beach for Surfers

Playa Costeno Beach is a fabulous beach in the Magdelena department. It’s about an hour from Santa Marta and is a small gathering of several hotels that backpackers love to visit. The most famous of them is the hostel Costeño beach. It is a small paradise for relaxing in the shade of palm trees. Surfing lessons are indeed tiring!

• How to get there: a 1h30 drive from Santa Marta
• Where to stay: Costeño Beach (hostel), Cayena Beach Villa (luxury), or Blue Mango (hotel).

30: Playa Buritaca, a Beach Where the River Meets the Sea

Playa Buritaca is before the town of Buritaca and is where the Buritaca River meets the Caribbean Sea. It’s a great place to stroll along the coast and see where the river and sea meet. Plus, the waters are calmer here.

• How to get there: a 1h30 drive from Santa Marta

31: Palomino, the Most Popular Beach town

Palomino Beach is a well-known spot in La Guajira. The waters are warm, the sand is soft, and there are leaning palm trees that offer a great photo opportunity to remember your trip. There are several hotels in town to stay at if you don’t want to make it a day trip. 

Tom’s note: Every year, the beach of Palomino is disappearing a bit more.

• How to get there: a 1h30 drive from Santa Marta
• TPMT Tip: The most famous activity in Palomino is tubing!

32: Dibulla + Punta de los Remedios

Dibulla and Punta de los Remedios are two small and quiet beach towns in La Guajira. There is nothing to do but lounge on the beach and eat local seafood. The long beach of Punta de Los Remedios is perfect for a walk — too bad there are so many sandflies in the evening.

• How to get there: a 1h drive from Palomino
• TPMT Tip: You can plan your tour to La Guajira from there (instead of staying the night in Riohacha).

33: Pilón de Azúcar, Best beach in Cabo de la Vela

Cabo de la Vela is a fishing town built along the coastline in the La Guajira desert. You’ll find several basic hotels and kitesurfing schools —although most of them decided to move to Riohacha. Once in Cabo de la Vela, you can take a moto-taxi and head to the photogenic beach of Playa Pilón de Azúcar.

• How to get there: a 2h drive from Uribia, or you can book private transportation in Riohacha.
• TPMT Tip: It’s better to get to Pilón de Azúcar in the morning —fewer waves.

34 Punta Gallinas, the Northernmost Point of Colombia 

One of the most secluded beaches in Colombia is located in Punta Gallinas. This area is the northernmost point in the country and is famous for its indigenous population. There aren’t any amenities here, but if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, this is the place. During your trip, you’ll stop at Las Dunas del Taroa.

• How to get there: an organized trip from Cabo de la Vela or Riohacha.
• TPMT Tip: November is a bad month to get there — the path becomes muddy with the rains.

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Beaches in Colombia: Caribbean islands

Colombia has a few islands along the Caribbean that are stunning. If you can make it to one of them, here are three of the best beaches you can visit on your trip. 

Isla Fuerte, San Bernardo, and the Rosario islands have been mentioned in the previous section.

35: San Luis a Popular Tourist Beach on San Andrés

San Luis is known for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear blue water. Restaurants, bars, and hotels line the beach, making it a popular place for tourists to come and enjoy themselves. 

You should pick your hotel in this area if you travel to San Andres.

It’s the only beach of this article where I didn’t go yet. This is why there is no picture.

• How to get there: direct flights from Cartagena, Cali, Medellín and Bogotá

36: South Bay, the Largest Beach in Providencia 

On the island of Providencia is South Bay Beach. This part of the island has several Airbnb options and incredible beach views and makes for a fantastic long-weekend beach getaway. There are restaurants and bars in the area to eat authentic Colombian seafood while you stay. It’s also the most expensive part of Providencia.

• How to get there: you must take a flight from San Andrés.

37: Playa Manzanillo, a Beautiful White-Sand Beach in Providencia

Manzanillo is in Providencia, and it’s one of the best beaches in Colombia. There is plenty of room for taking a pleasant stroll along the water, with stunning ocean views on one side and towering palm trees on the other. 

• How to get there: you must take a flight from San Andrés.