Our Adventures in Guachalito, Colombia

After a first stop in Coquí, I continued my 13-day trip along the Colombian Pacific Coast in February 2025 with a stay in Guachalito and its stunning beach.

Check out the rest of my adventure in my travel journal. You’ll get a day-by-day glimpse of my time in Guachalito and discover how to make the most of this magical place.

TOM’S TIP

Check out our selection of ecolodges between Nuquí and Punta Brava, and don’t forget to take a look at our guides on Coquí, Termales, Arusí, and Punta Brava!

Day 3: Arrival in Guachalito

1:00 PM – After a 20-minute ride by lancha from Coquí, we land on a stunning beach with vegetation-covered rocks. A short rocky path leads us to our ecolodge, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and surrounded by lush jungle.

Daniela welcomes us with a refreshing cocktail. After a tasty lunch in a cozy common area, I settle into my new space and doze off in one of the hammocks on the upper terrace, waiting for the rain to pass.

As soon as the weather breaks, I head out to explore the area. I find myself in a spectacular setting where sand, rocks, and jungle come together.

I end the afternoon reading in the hanging net above the greenery, until it’s time for dinner, which I share with other travelers in a warm and friendly vibe.

ADRIEN’S TIP

Rain shows up on the Pacific coast whenever it wants, but showers usually don’t last long. So forget the weather forecast and learn to go with the flow!

Day 4: Viche tasting, beach time, and a night outing

After a traditional breakfast, I set off on foot along the beach, heading toward the village of Guachalito. The tide board in the common area shows the tide is going out—perfect timing for today’s adventure: the “Ruta del Viche.”

Viche: a local spirit made from sugarcane

After a relaxed 40-minute walk, I arrive at Diego’s place, a friendly local who welcomes us into his beachfront garden. We smell and taste a few aromatic plants—ginger, Estavia, and mint.

Diego tells us about two local palms: Tagua, used for roofing, and Jicra, with which he makes me a little pointy sun hat, just like the locals wear. Picture a Teletubby, if you know the reference 😉

He takes us to see his handmade sugarcane press and invites me to crank the wheel, turning a set of geared rollers that crush the cane stalks. A stream of sweet juice pours into a bucket.

We try the fresh sugarcane juice with a squeeze of mandarin lime—absolutely delicious.

The visit continues with a look at his homemade still—simple but really clever.

Then, from behind a counter, Diego pulls out six bottles of Viche, each infused with a different plant. One is even said to have medicinal properties. We taste all six—some stronger than others.

On the way back, a gentle tropical rain follows me to the ecolodge, where a tasty fish lunch awaits.

The afternoon is peaceful, with a mix of swimming, reading on the terrace, and watching birds and sleepy iguanas through the binoculars.

Night walk in search of snakes and frogs

After dinner, I join a night walk through the jungle. With my headlamp, I climb a steep path starting from the ecolodge. For about three hours, we move deeper into the dense vegetation.

Aside from a tree boa digesting its meal above my head and a few frogs and spiders, I didn’t see much. The guide was friendly, but not very knowledgeable about herping.

TOM’S TIP

Even if you don’t drink alcohol, I still recommend the “Ruta del Viche”—I loved it! Diego’s setup is handmade, but super informative and well-organized.

Day 5: Trek attempt and a rainy day

6:30 AM – I have a hearty breakfast and lace up my hiking boots. Adrien bursts out laughing as I suddenly do a little jig and let out a yell—a crab had crawled into my shoe overnight and pinched my foot!

Discovering Termales in the rain

Jim, our guide for the day, comes to pick us up for the Cuatro Encantos trek. We set off along the beach toward Termales. The tide is going out, but the sea is still high, and in some spots, we have to dodge waves crashing against the rocks.

At El Morro, a mysterious little islet covered in thick vegetation and visible from afar, we must swim across the river that cuts through the beach.

The rain starts falling harder and harder. When we get to Termales, we wait in vain for the guide who was supposed to take us to Cuatro Encantos—apparently, the rain scared him off. After half an hour of waiting, soaked to the bone, we decide to head back. We’ll give it another shot during our next stop in Termales.

Back at the ecolodge, I chill in a hammock and chat with my travel companions in the common area until the rain stops. When the weather clears up, I walk along the beach to visit two other ecolodges. The light is gorgeous—perfect for a quick drone flight. And since it’s low season, the beaches are almost empty—pure bliss.

A jungle-hidden ecolodge

After about a 30-minute walk, we arrive at our first ecolodge. Nelson built it a little off the path, tucked into the jungle, to give guests more privacy and allow wildlife, especially monkeys, to come closer.

You can get there via long wooden walkways (a bit slippery, so watch your step) or by coming up the river—a real bonus: there is no need to jump off the boat commando-style with your gear, the waves, and all the arrival stress on the beach.

We’re welcomed by Choco’s son, all smiles. Choco is the cooking chef at the ecolodge where we’re staying in Guachalito. Here, everyone knows each other—it feels like one big family.

The cabins are simple but clean. Like many places in the region, they’re lightly insulated, so you might hear your neighbors. Think of it as chic camping vibes!

During the tour, I’m pleasantly surprised by the two rooms on the third floor. Each has a small balcony with a colorful woven plastic chair (I love that style!) and a gorgeous view over the river, the jungle, and the whole property—honestly, a fantastic spot.

The most comfortable cabins in Guachalito

We then continue to another newer ecolodge, which opened in 2024. It’s a more upscale setup: each cabin is independent (up to 4 people) and offers total privacy. They’re connected by wooden walkways lined with red heliconias—absolutely gorgeous.

This beautiful project was born from a shared dream between a Colombian and a Belgian (they take turns running the place). The result? You’ll hear English, Spanish, Italian, and French spoken here, so no stress about communication.

Gonzalo’s ecolodge

Time flies, and the tide is coming in. We start heading back to our ecolodge, but not without stopping to say hi to Gonzalo, our very first partner in the area. He welcomes us with a good coffee and his famous chocolate cake.

A former Colombian soldier, Gonzalo was one of the first to open an ecolodge here over twenty years ago. His cabins have a vintage feel, but the location is unbeatable: a gorgeous beach all to himself. So yes, you give up a bit of comfort, but for a truly dreamy setting.

After a delicious dinner, we play “trouduc” and drink beers with a friendly Swiss couple.

ADRIEN’S TIP

On the Pacific side, you’ll regularly find yourself in the water, walking or swimming, so plan on appropriate footwear, quick-dry clothes, and a dry bag. Oh, and definitely check your shoes if they’ve been drying outdoors!

Day 6: Transfer to Termales

This morning, the sun is shining.

I grab one of the yoga mats available and head over to the beautiful maloka-style pavilion near the beach for a light morning workout.

At 10 AM, we hop onto the lancha that picks us up on the beach—off to our new ecolodge near Termales, where we’ll spend the next two nights.

To find out what happens next on my journey along the Colombian Pacific coast, read the story of my stay in Termales, straight from my travel journal.

TOM’S TIP

Choose your ecolodge wisely, based on your budget and the kind of experience you’re looking for. This choice makes all the difference on the Pacific coast. Discover all our Guachalito partners right here.