What to do in Bahia Solano, Pacific coast? 5 activities not to be missed!

Bahia Solano, beach, surf and rainforest

Bahia Solano and El Valle occupy a sublime beach nestled between the Serranía del Baudó mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. On this part of the coast you can enjoy the warm, untamed waters of the ocean, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. The coast of Bahia Solano is the ideal place to be if you are looking for contact with the lush and wild nature, totally disconnected from the modern world.

It is also a surfer’s paradise for some adrenaline! You can also go there for big game fishing. Bahía Solano is an ideal place for a romantic escape. There are paradisiacal beaches and you will have the opportunity to dive and admire the beauty of the coral reefs and the whales. Jungle walks amidst rich biodiversity, beautiful waterfalls and streams are also activities you can enjoy.

Pacific Coast in video :

Some information about the region:

The municipality of Bahia Solano is located in the department of Chocó and covers 1,667 km2. The landscape of Bahía Solano is rich in cultural assets: you will find freshwater waterfalls by the sea, beaches as far as the eye can see, tropical rainforest and above all humpback whales from July to October! The economy depends on agriculture (with crops of cassava, lulo and plantain), fishing, livestock and especially ecotourism, which is developing more and more.

What to see and do in Bahia Solano?

Ensenada de Utria

If during your stay in Nuqui you did not do the Ensenada de Utria, here is your second chance in Bahia Solano, do not miss it! 

Utria National Nature Park is a unique and magical place. Home to rainforest, coral reefs, estuaries, mangroves and the ocean, the Park has one of the most diverse ecosystems and biodiversity in the world. However, it is also one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet.

The park covers 54,300 hectares and consists of coral reefs with very few sandy beaches. The jungle almost reaches the sea shore. In the park live Afro-American and mestizo communities, as well as ancestral indigenous communities, such as the Embará and the Kunas.

• Admission: 44,500 pesos for non-residents
• From 8am to 5pm – 30 min boat ride from Bahia Solano.

Not to be missed! We advise you to enter Ensenada by boat! The scenery is breathtaking.

The coast of Utria is rocky and narrow, with small islands dripping with lush rainforests, where hundreds of birds can be found.

El Valle

For us, this is THE beach not to be missed during your stay in Bahia Solano! El Valle is a small authentic village, preserved from any modernity, located 40 minutes from Bahia Solano. It is here that you will find a superb black sand beach, El Almejal, where, during the season, you will be able to observe humpback whales from the beach!

Here nature is king and flows into the ocean. The atmosphere is peaceful and timeless. Walking on the beach is already a fascinating activity, so beautiful, but also soothing.

It is possible to make excursions into the jungle or walks such as to Playa Larga, a beautiful beach to the north of El Valle where you can admire the beautiful waterfalls.

Our favourite : We also recommend a visit to the El Tigre waterfall, the main attraction in El Valle. It takes about 20 minutes by lancha and some walking. Beware: it is not easy to get there and you need a guide!

Marine mammal watching

If you like wildlife watching, we strongly recommend that you take a boat trip to see the whales. Humpback whales come every year from July to October along the Pacific coast to give birth.

It is truly a moving show, where you will have the chance to listen to their songs and admire their dances, in beautiful settings of lush wilderness.

But that’s not all!

It is also during this season that you can observe the sea turtles that come to lay their eggs on the beaches. The baby turtles start their race towards the ocean between September and November. This species is endangered (mainly due to the hand of man) and some associations try to protect this vital process in the life of turtles.

Water sports and activities

For a bit of sport and adrenaline, we advise you to take an afternoon to enjoy yourself! Because on the beaches of Bahia Solano and its surroundings (such as El Valle), there are many possibilities to practice water sports and activities in the water. 

You can go angling from the rocks along the Pacific Ocean. Take a day trip to dive or snorkel off the black sandy beaches, discovering an extremely rich and rare marine life.

Please note : the diving level is for experienced divers!

Bahia Solano is also one of the best spots for surfing. Indeed, the beaches are not crowded and the waves are well supplied for an unforgettable experience, especially if you surf alongside the whales!

The Embera Community

Would you like to discover a people completely untouched by the Western world in a lush natural setting? 

We advise you to make a full day expedition to their village. From the beginning of the trek (count 4 hours of walking!) you will be fully immersed in the culture of the Embera community, far from the codes of our modern society, where spirituality and respect for nature are the rule. You will be able to cook, eat and dance with them, while learning a little more about their way of life.

Did you know? The Embera community is one of 80 ethnic groups in Colombia. There are approximately 40,000 registered members of the community in the department of Chocó.

Our advice : The village is difficult to access. Be prepared for a long walk through the jungle. We advise you to be in good physical condition as it is uphill.

What to do in Bahia Solano? Aventure Colombia Activities

Whale watching, boat tours, hiking … discover our activities in Bahia Solano. Contact Aventure Colombia for more information and tours ([email protected])

The Magic of the Pacific

This 4, 5 or 6 day trip to the heart of the Colombian Pacific is based at the El Almejal Hotel. This hotel has its own nature reserve with an ecosystem of tropical forests that the hotel tries to conserve by raising awareness of ecology and responsible tourism. It is a paradise for nature and ecotourism lovers.

On this trip, you will discover the sublime Utria National Park and hike through the reserve to meet the wildlife. A few more days will give you the opportunity to take a pirogue ride on the Tundo River, the Chado River and discover the surrounding waterfalls for swimming. 

During humpback whale season, the 4-day Pacific Magic tour offers a whale watching boat trip on day 2.

Ensenada de Utria and whales (4 days)

Few destinations are able to combine so much charm and mystery at the same time as the Ensenada de Utria National Park. The changing landscape of mangroves evolves with the tides and forces its flora and fauna to change with it. It is a place wedged between exuberant vegetation, mountains and the calm and warm waters of the Pacific, favourable to the settlement of migratory species such as whales, turtles and certain birds.

During this stay in Utria Park, you will sleep in the heart of the park, discover social projects and local communities, walk through the jungle to discover the fauna and flora and above all, go on a boat trip to meet the humpback whales!