Colombia is a country that has it all, from rich culture to unique ecosystems found nowhere else. In this article, discover with us 7 of the most beautiful beaches within the Caribbean and Pacific Region.
7 Most Beautiful Beaches in Colombia
1. Playa Cristal- Tayrona National Natural Park
Tide whispers tales of the past, washing ashore on the Playa del Muerto. As the legend goes, this beach was a sacred place where locals said their final goodbyes to their loved ones. Nowadays, Playa del Muerto, also known as Playa Cristal, is a crystal-clear, white sand beach surrounded by an impressive tropical forest. It is located within the Tayrona National Park in the Magdalena Department.
During your stay on this beach, you can do the following activities:
Explore the coral reef while snorkeling, offering a great chance to admire the diverse underwater creatures.
Complete your aquatic adventures by kayaking.
Rent a beach tent and relax.
Make a stopover at Playa Siete (7) Olas or Playa Brava viewpoint on your way to Playa Cristal.
How Do I Get to Playa Cristal?
These are some of the routes that can take you to the beach:
From Taganga: You can reach Playa Cristal in approximately 40 minutes by boat (lancha) departing from Taganga.
From Santa Marta: Take a boat from Muelle de Santa Marta (pier) to the beach in approximately an hour.
From Tayrona’s entrance: Palangana is one of the park’s entrances and provides the closest access to Playa Cristal. Pay for the entrance ticket, then take a taxi or motorcycle to Bahía Neguanje and board a boat for a 10-15 minute trip to Playa Cristal.
2. Cayo Cangrejo-Providencia
Many people visit San Andrés, but not everyone gets the chance to visit Providencia. If you're one of the lucky ones, discover the island's best-kept secrets, Crab Cay or Cayo Cangrejo, a small island located in the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park. The destination is one of the world's most prestigious oceanic parks.
During your visit, you will have the opportunity to snorkel in the sea and encounter amazing species like crabs, barracudas, blue anoles, hawksbill turtles, and snappers.
How Do I Get to Cayo Cangrejo?
First, take a flight to San Andrés Island. From there, take a 15-minute flight or a 3-hour catamaran ride to Providencia Island. Once in there, hop on a boat to the stunning Crab Cay.
3. Isla Múcura and Tintipán-Archipelago of San Bernardo
The Colombian Caribbean's greatness is evident in the Archipelago of San Bernardo, home to Isla Múcura and Tintipán, within the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park, under Cartagena’s jurisdiction.
“What do you do on these beaches?” It will depend on how much you’re planning to do. So, here are some ideas:
Renting a beach tent and relaxing all day.
Engaging in aquatic sports like paddle surfing, snorkeling, or kayaking.
Exploring marine life and discovering unique species and ecosystems like corals, sea turtles, lobsters, coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, rocky shores, and others.
Visiting Rincón del Mar, a wonderful seaside town in San Onofre with crystal-clear water and white sand.
Purchasing a tour to explore all the wonders in the Archipelago of San Bernardo.
How Do I Get to Isla Múcura and Tintipán?
To reach these islands, you must arrive in Cartagena or Tolú first:
From Cartagena (Bolívar Department): Head to Muelle de La Bodeguita for a 2-hour boat trip to the islands.
From Tolú (Sucre Department): Go to Malecón de la Playa for a 45-minute boat trip to the islands.
Note: Whichever beach you choose to visit first, they are all just 15 minutes away from each other.
4. Cabo San Juan del Guía and La Piscina-Tayrona National Natural Park
Approximately 40 km from Playa Cristal, you’ll find other amazing beaches in Tayrona Park: Cabo San Juan and La Piscina:
Cabo San Juan del Guía: The park’s most popular beach, known for its tranquil sea, camping spot, and restaurant area.
La Piscina: This beach is surrounded by a magnificent coral reef, creating a crystalline pool of water ideal for diving.
Protip: As mentioned earlier, Tayrona Park is a wonderful destination suitable for people of all kinds, from photographers to highly trained athletes. Enjoy the stunning beaches and explore its great biodiversity.
If you prefer to sleep in a more comfortable place near Tayrona Park, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
How Do I Get to Cabo San Juan del Guía and La Piscina?
Take a bus or rent a car to Tayrona’s main entrances: El Zaino or El Calabazo. From there, hike approximately 2-3 hours to Cabo San Juan. Once there, continue in an 18-minute walk to La Piscina. You can also take a 40-50-minute boat ride from Taganga.
5. Johnny Cay, San Andrés
Just picture yourself lying on a white sand beach, sipping a piña colada in front of the Sea of Seven Colors. Make this a reality at Johnny Cay, a marvelous islet 1.5 km northeast of San Andrés.
During your visit to this paradise, forget about the outside world and simply relax. Additionally, you can:
Visit El Acuario, another beautiful islet with calm waters where you can swim alongside a wide variety of fishes.
Enjoy local food to the rhythm of reggae.
Explore the islet and discover new animal species.
Swim and snorkel in its crystal-clear waters.
How Do I Get to Johnny Cay?
Fly to San Andrés from major cities like Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, Cali, or Barranquilla. Once on the island, head to Muelle de San Andrés, where tours will take you to Johnny Cay in a 15-minute boat trip.
6. Capurganá, Chocó
Capurganá, in the Chocó Department, is a paradise with stunning beaches like:
Isla de los Pájaros: Also known as Torrón de Azúcar, this moun in the sea is the home to a variety of bird species.
La Coquerita: A natural reserve with mixed freshwater and saltwater pools.
Bahía El Aguacate: Also, a natural reserve known for its crystal-clear waters and deep sea is the perfect place to snorkel or dive alongside fishes, coral reefs, sea turtles, and other great species of marine life.
How Do I Get to Capurganá?
You can only get to Capurganá by boat or plane. Here are some options:
Take a direct flight to Acandí from major cities like Bogotá, Barranquilla, Medellín, Cartagena, and others. From Acandí, take a 1.5-hour boat to Capurganá. We recommend you check these flights on the airline Satena.
Take a boat from Necoclí and Turbo, towns in the Antioquia Department. The journey takes 90 minutes from Necoclí and 2.5 hours from Turbo.
7. Nuquí, Chocó
Are you ready to continue exploring beautiful beaches? Nuquí, a town in the Chocó Department, is home to several stunning places, including Utria National Natural Park, Guachalito, Playa Morromico, Coquí, Joví, and Bahías de Tribugá, and among others.
The turquoise waters, black sand, and abundant flora and fauna in the vicinity of Nuquí are truly captivating. Experience it like never before by:
Whale-watching: A must-do activity from July 12th to October 14th. Nuquí is one of the favorite spots for visitors during the humpback whale-watching season.
Note: We highly recommend purchasing a tour for this activity.
Freeing Sea Turtles: From July to November, sea turtles arrive at Nuquí’s beaches to complete their nesting process. On the other hand, the hatching process goes from September to January.
Aquatic Sports: Nuquí’s beaches are also ideal for surfing, diving, or kayaking.
Ecotourism: Explore the jungle or humid forest by following the trail routes surrounding Nuquí.
Visit the Villages: Enjoy nearby villages like Guachalito, Termales, Jurubida, Coquí, Joví, and Arusí.
Explore Utria National Natural Park: This Park, situated in Nuquí and Bahía Solano, offers visitors the opportunity to explore designated trails and take part in snorkeling or diving activities in specified areas.
How Do I Get to Nuquí?
Since the arrival at Nuquí is not that simple. Here are some options you can choose from:
From Main Cities: Take a direct flight from Medellín, Bogotá or Quibdó to Nuquí’s airport. From there, head to the pier and take a 30 or 60-minute boat trip to one of the nearby villages.
From Buenaventura or Bahía Solano: Take a 7-hour boat ride from Muelle Turístico de Buenaventura. On the other hand, if you’re departing from Muelle de Bahía Solano, there’s also a 1-hour trip boat to Nuquí.
We hope you don't leave these places only to your imagination. Come to Colombia and discover the hidden gems in every corner of the Caribbean and Pacific Region.