About this experience

Where the ocean and the jungle
truly meet

Pacífico: Ballenas, Selva y Raíces is a transformative experience that brings together the best of two worlds: the open ocean with humpback whales, and the dense rainforest with its nighttime secrets. Across 4 days in the Termales community of Nuquí, you'll go from a humpback whale watching trip to a hike through primary rainforest to Cascada del Amor in Guachalito, connecting with the ancestral medicine of the territory and its flavors.

Every activity is operated by people from the territory. No guide is brought in from outside — they were all born and raised here and have known this jungle and this sea their entire lives. Accommodation in a single, double, or triple cabin with a private bathroom is a fundamental part of the experience: a guesthouse that's a destination in itself.

🏡

Cabin accommodation — Termales – Agua Caliente – Nuquí Single, double, and triple rooms with private bathrooms. 100% locally owned, set deep in the rainforest, just steps from the sea.

What makes this trip unique

🍄

Bioluminescent fungi

Nighttime jungle walk to find bioluminescent fungi, with environmental interpretation, ancestral medicine, and flora and fauna spotting in the darkness.

💦

Cascada del Amor

Hike through Guachalito to one of the most iconic waterfalls of the Colombian Pacific, surrounded by primary rainforest.

Day by day

4 days in Nuquí and Guachalito

1 Day

Arrival · Afternoon · Welcome

Arrival in Nuquí — the rainforest welcomes you

You arrive at Nuquí airport, where we'll be waiting to transfer you by boat to your accommodation in the Termales – Agua Caliente community (1-hour ride). On arrival, a welcome cocktail or drink with flavors of the territory, then check-in. Walk through the community to get your bearings, free time to head down to the sea and stroll the beach. Visit to the natural hot springs. The day ends with a traditional dinner.

⛵ Boat transfer to Termales 🍹 Welcome drink or cocktail 🏘️ Community walk 🌊 Natural hot springs

2 Day

Morning at sea · Free afternoon

Humpback whale watching — navigating the Pacific

The most exciting day of the trip. In the morning, boat departure to Arusí for humpback whale watching — the waters of the Colombian Pacific are one of the most important breeding sanctuaries in the world for this species. Return at midday, lunch, and rest. The afternoon is free: beach, ocean, and jungle at your disposal. For those who coordinate it in advance, this evening offers the chance to join an optional bioluminescent fungi night walk.

🐋 Humpback whale watching ⛵ Route to Arusí 🌊 Free afternoon at beach and jungle

3 Day

Jungle · Waterfall · Cooking · Turtles

Guachalito, Cascada del Amor, and flavors of the territory

The third day is the most complete. In the morning, a hike through Guachalito to Cascada del Amor, going deep into primary rainforest with a native guide. On the return, rest and free time to enjoy the surroundings. In the afternoon, a traditional cooking class with local flavors and a viche tasting with historical and cultural context. And if conditions allow, the evening holds the chance to take part in a sea turtle release.

🌿 Guachalito hike 💦 Cascada del Amor 🍳 Local cooking class 🥃 Viche tasting 🐢 Turtle release (subject to conditions)

About the turtle release Takes place at the time set by the local association, depending on tides, hatchings, and weather conditions. We coordinate to maximize your chances of taking part.

4 Day

Morning · Farewell · Departure

Souvenirs, closing talk, and return to Nuquí

A relaxed breakfast at your accommodation. Time to browse the local shop and choose a territory souvenir — products made by community hands. Farewell talk with the team: we reflect together on the trip, its impact, and how to stay connected with the Pacific. Then, boat transfer back to Nuquí to catch your departing flight.

☕ Breakfast 🛍️ Local shop and souvenirs 💬 Farewell talk ⛵ Transfer to Nuquí ✈️ Return flight

Conditions

What's included?

✅

Includes

3 nights accommodation in a single, double, or triple cabin with private bathroom
Full board — Pacific flavors
Local transportation (boat transfers)
Humpback whale watching
Hike to Guachalito and Cascada del Amor
Visit to the natural hot springs
Traditional cooking class
Viche tasting with cultural context
Sea turtle release with local association (subject to conditions)
Local territory souvenir
Native guides on all activities
Travel insurance
Flights (Medellín → Nuquí)

❌

Not included

Expenses not specified in the itinerary
Additional activities outside the package
Tourism tax payable in Nuquí ($43,000 COP per person)

Personalize your experience

Optional add-on activities

These activities are not included in the base package but can be arranged in advance based on availability.

✨

Additional activities available

🍄 Bioluminescent fungi night walk — Nighttime hike in the jungle to find bioluminescent fungi, with environmental interpretation on ancestral medicine and flora and fauna spotting in the darkness. Coordinate when booking.
💆 Traditional Pacific massage — Ancestral medicine techniques delivered by people of the territory. A cultural practice, not a tourist treatment. Coordinate when booking.

Practical tips

Travel recommendations

✈️

Flights — The price includes round-trip flights from Medellín. If you're flying from another city, the price may vary. You can also book the plan without flights — just write to us for a quote.

👟

Footwear — Grip shoes for jungle and river. The hike to Guachalito and Cascada del Amor has humid and uneven sections.

🎒

Clothing — Warm, humid climate year-round. Light, quick-dry clothing, a layer for the evenings, and something waterproof for the boat.

🦟

Insect repellent — Essential for any jungle activity or beach time at dusk. Preferably biodegradable.

📅

Booking — Confirmed with a 30% deposit. Full balance due one week before the trip. Only available during whale season.

🍄

Optional activities — If you'd like to add the bioluminescent fungi night walk or a traditional massage, coordinate when booking to ensure availability with local guides and community members.

📶

Connectivity — Guachalito has very limited or no signal. Let your contacts know before heading out and enjoy fully disconnecting.

Responsible tourism

Real community impact

A full immersion in the Pacific:
nature, culture, and community.

Guachalito isn't a resort or a theme park. It's a real community in the Colombian Pacific that opened its doors to tourism with one condition: that tourism respect the territory, the culture, and its own pace. Every activity in this experience was designed with that principle in mind.

The guides have known this jungle since childhood. The cook at the accommodation has spent decades preparing these same flavors. The people who offer the massage and the fungi walk learned their craft from their own community. When you travel here, your money doesn't leave Guachalito — it stays in the hands that built this experience.

100%

Activities operated
by people of the territory

14

Activities and experiences
included in the package

+10

Guachalito families
benefited per trip

Gallery