Nuquí

Where to stay

Nuquí is a compact coastal town where almost everything sits within a few blocks of the main plaza and the waterfront. Budget beds cluster along the central streets near the bus terminal and the pier, keeping you walking distance from tour agencies, comedores, and the ferry dock. A few eco-lodges and cabins sit further out along the coast toward Coquí and the Utria park entrance, which is ideal for nature access but means relying on boats or mototaxis to get back to town.

Getting around

• Reyes Murillo Airport is the main gateway, with flights from Medellín's Olaya Herrera Airport on Satena. The overland alternative is an extremely long bus ride through rough mountain roads, so most travellers fly in despite the higher cost.
• Bring enough cash for your entire stay. ATMs are unreliable or nonexistent in town, and the remote location means cards are rarely accepted outside of a few larger tour operators.
• Utria National Natural Park is the main draw, with boat trips departing from Nuquí's pier. Tours to the park's beaches and mangroves typically take about an hour by boat, and guides are usually arranged through agencies in town.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest during the wettest months, particularly from May through November, when heavy rain keeps visitor numbers low. The drier stretch from December through April sees the most visitors, especially for whale watching as humpback whales frequent the nearby lagoons, driving up prices and filling beds quickly.