Juanchaco
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Juanchaco and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
4 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
40 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
5
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
rapha_y_nici
Zurich, Switzerland5,938 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
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!
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!
Written September 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuisK Mogollón
Manizales, Colombia492 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
A unique experience, the cliffs bathed by the ocean make the landscape unforgettable. You definitely have to visit it. Remember it is a modest place to enjoy adventures.
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
turps66
Buga, Colombia204 contributions
Sep 2019
After whale watching we were glad to hit dry land after over two hours on a fast boat. The area we docked on was not very pleasant but we stayed positive and walked to the left. We soon left the town behind and found an open Sandy beach (dark colour not golden) which was almost deserted on a Sunday! We walked further and it just got better with interesting rock formations and caves to explore, hundreds of crabs on the rockface. We would have stayed longer and swam but we had booked lunch further along the coast at Lladrilleros where we were told the beach was better. The water for swimming was better at Lladrilleros but we preferred the quieter beach at Juanchaco.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Santiago
Cali, Colombia3,092 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Although the environment in general is beautiful, there is no culture regarding the care of the beaches (a lot of garbage) and the logistics for transportation are terrible, a lot of disorder both to arrive and to leave at the tourist pier.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the best way to get from Medellin to JuanChaco? Airline, bus, help!?
Written June 28, 2022
Hola, qué tal es la seguridad en Buenaventura? Hay alguna recomendación para tener en cuenta? Viajaré de Cali a Buenaventura, Juanchacho
Written January 15, 2021
Angie M
Cali, Colombia
Hola, el avistamiento de ballenas parte desde Ladrilleros?
Written August 12, 2019
Si lo puede llevar a Pianguita viaja al empresa Asturias y a Juanchaco Bahía Mar
Written August 28, 2019
Quiero ir con mi perrito a conocer el Pacífico, ir a pianguita y juanchaco hacer el avistamiento de ballenas pero no se si pueda sin problemas transportarlo en las las lanchas.. . Agradezco sus respuestas
Written July 23, 2019
No debe haber problema he visto que muchos llegan con sus mascotas.
La lancha más grande y segura es Bahía Mar
Written August 28, 2019
hola, yo llevo mi perro y claro que puede llevar el suyo, si vas este año ahora tengo una lancha muy cómoda para el avistamiento, capacidad 16 personas,acuérdate que a partir de julio empiezan a llegar hasta octubre.
si te interesa te puedo conseguir todo, transporte hotel restaurante, paseos a otros sitios kayak etc.
Written April 23, 2019
hola, me gustaría saber mas sobre si hay sitios de hospedaje y costos.
gracias
Written January 13, 2019
Quiero ir a juancho ladrilleros y tengo una duda puedo llevar a mi perro? Y si se ñiede opedarse con mi perrito también
Written July 11, 2021
Cordial saludo Laura, pudieras darnos un aproximado de los costos del viaje. Cómo llegaste?. Gracias
Written July 23, 2018
Buenaventura, yo viajo por Trasjuanchaco o bahía mar Costo 70.000, hoteles hay en Juanchaco y también en ladrilleros costos desde 30000 la noche
Written January 16, 2019
Fabian Giron
Tulua, Colombia
Buenas noches, me gustaría saber que cuesta la noche para tres personas, mi esposa mi niña de 3 años y yo, con la alimentación, muchas gracias quedo atento
Written June 15, 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 10
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing