Whales and Culture in the Colombian Pacific It’s the start of the season!

Dazzling sunrises, warm sunsets, and bright nights await you in the Colombian Pacific at any time of the year, but to appreciate the whales, we recommend traveling between the months of July and November.

After traveling at least 8,500 kilometers from Antarctica, Humpback Whales arrive in the warm waters of the Colombian Pacific to mate and give birth. The tails of these giants are a sea spectacle as they shimmer at times, surprising tourists on boats, although sometimes you need a little luck to spot them.

The Humpback Whale encounter spans four departments of Colombia: Nariño, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, and Chocó. In each of these departments, there are tourist service providers offering whale-watching plans, and you can also find information at the National Natural Parks offices in these areas.

In Valle del Cauca for instance, you can travel from Cali to Buenaventura, a journey that takes approximately two and a half hours by road. From there, you can reach the tourist dock, where boats depart to Juanchaco. Once there, you can select a beautiful beach, such as Ladrilleros and The Bar. This marks the beginning of your immersion into the territory covered by the Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park, considered one of the best places in Colombia for whale watching.

Besides whale watching, the Colombian Pacific offers other ecotourism activities such as hiking, observing flora and other wildlife species, taking a dip in imposing waterfalls or exploring the rustic landscape of the mangroves.

The local communities are the perfect complement to this extraordinary experience due to their warmth, joy, and cultural richness. Their gastronomy is a highlight, featuring dishes like fish sancocho, crab and shrimp empanadas, deviled rice, seafood casserole, piangua or tollo with coconut, and other culinary delights that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

When it comes to drinks, viche is a must-try. This sugarcane distillate serves as the base for many of the region’s artisanal and ancestral beverages. The arrechón, tumbacatre, tomaseca, curao, and cream of viche are some of the drinks, each with its own story, family tradition, and territorial significance, often associated with healing or even aphrodisiac properties according to the oral traditions of the communities.

Music is another cultural experience that will deepen your love for the Colombian Pacific. The sounds of instruments like the marimba, guasá, and cununo are integral to the ambiance and will get you moving to the rhythm. The singers’ voices will narrate stories about their ancestors. In the Pacific, magic is omnipresent and welcomes you with open arms!

Remember: The success of whale watching depends on factors such as weather conditions, the boat’s distance, caution, and timing in alignment with the whales’ migration. Ensure that the boat possesses the necessary permits for whale watching and adheres to all safety measures. Wear a life jacket and request the guidance of a certified guide.