The beaches of Nuquí, Colombia

Some of the most striking stretches of coastline on the Colombian Pacific — where the ocean meets the jungle and life moves at a completely different pace.

What makes the beaches around Nuquí different is that they don’t perform for visitors. Each one has its own character — some are made for walking for hours without seeing anyone, others for soaking in natural hot springs, others for sitting with a community that has lived by this coast for generations.

Pacific coast beaches you need to know about

The coastline around Nuquí, in Colombia’s Chocó department, looks nothing like the rest of the country. There are no large tourist developments here — just open stretches of dark sand, dense vegetation reaching the waterline, and a direct relationship with the territory that hasn’t been packaged for mass tourism.

These beaches are defined by dark sand, constant Pacific swell, and remarkable biodiversity. It’s common to spot birds, explore river mouths, and during season, watch humpback whales from the shore.

Beaches you can visit in Nuquí

Guachalito beach

Atardecer en una de las mejores playas de Nuquí, playa Guachalito

One of the quietest beaches in the area. Guachalito is made for long walks without interruptions — just the constant sound of the Pacific, jungle on both sides, and almost no one else around.

Nearby rivers and waterfalls come down from the mountains, creating small natural circuits you can explore throughout the day.

This is where Jenené Lodge is located — a place built for resting well while staying close to everything the region offers.

Termales beach

La playa de Nuquí llamada Termales es una de las más amplias y vibrantes por permitir conocer la cultura chocoana.

Near the village of Termales, this beach combines ocean and jungle with something rare: natural thermal springs that emerge directly from the ground.

After walking the beach or hiking nearby trails, you can sink into hot spring pools surrounded by vegetation. It’s the kind of contrast — warm springs, cool Pacific, dense jungle — that’s difficult to describe and stays with you long after you leave.

Arusí beach

Playa Arusí, ubicada en Nuquí, Chocó, Colombia

Arusí is one of the most authentic places along this coastline. The beach has an open, unhurried atmosphere — wide landscapes, river access, and trails that disappear into the jungle.

Beyond its scenery, it’s a good point for connecting with local life and understanding how people actually live in this part of the Pacific.

During whale season, humpback sightings in the surrounding waters are also possible from here.

Joví beach

La playa de Joví es conocida por su larga extensión y conexión con la cultura del Pacífico

Joví combines nature and Afro-Colombian culture in a way that few places along this coast do. Here you can spend time with local communities and get close to their way of life — not as a staged cultural experience, but as a genuine encounter.

It’s an ideal complement to the rest of your trip: food made from fresh local ingredients, river routes, and direct contact with the landscape.

Guachalito beach

¿Cuál es la mejor playa de Nuquí?

It depends entirely on what you’re looking for.

  • Guachalito is where you go to rest and walk without interruptions.
  • Termales is the one if you want to combine beach with natural hot springs.
  • Arusí is the right choice for open landscapes and a window into local life.
  • Joví is worth it if culture and food matter as much as the scenery.


The good news is you don’t have to choose just one. Most beaches are reachable from Guachalito by boat or on foot — many guests visit two or three in a single day without any rush.

Stay close to the best beaches in Nuquí

Jenené Lodge is located in Guachalito — one of the most well-positioned spots on this stretch of coast for exploring the region.

From here you can move easily between beaches, walk the shoreline, find waterfalls, or take a boat to other points along the coast.

The experience combines a good base, a good location, and direct access to everything that makes Nuquí worth the trip.

La experiencia combina comodidad, buena ubicación y acceso directo a todo lo que hace especial a Nuquí.

El hotel Jenené se distingue por la belleza y comodidad de sus cabañas ecológicas en frente del Pacífico colombiano
Salida al mar en el hotel Jenené de Nuquí, Chocó

Experience the beaches of Nuquí from Jenené Lodge

Experience the beaches of Nuquí from Jenené Lodge