About this experience

A trip designed to experience the Pacific
at its absolute best

The Ruta de las Ballenas Jorobadas is the signature seasonal experience for those who want more than a single sighting. Across four days in El Valle and Bahía Solano, you'll take two distinct whale watching trips during humpback season — each one toward a unique destination — combining nature, local culture, and a real connection with the Colombian Pacific.

One trip heads to Playa Juná, with a river hike and the option to reach Cascada del Tigre or Chadó. The other takes you to Utría National Natural Park — the breeding and calving sanctuary for humpbacks — where you'll have lunch at Playa Blanca and a short return sighting. Two completely different settings, two encounters with the whales from unique perspectives.

And if conditions allow, there's also the chance to take part in a sea turtle release with the Asociación Caguama in El Valle.

Playa Juná El Valle — whale watching and waterfall

🐋 Trip 1

Whale watching to Playa Juná

Humpback whale watching toward Playa Juná. River hike along the Juná to Cascada del Tigre or Chadó deep in the jungle.

🐋 Trip 2

Whale watching to PNN Utría

Sighting trip to Utría National Natural Park — the humpbacks' breeding sanctuary. Park tour, lunch at Playa Blanca, and a short additional sighting on the return.

Day by day

4 days following the humpbacks

1 Day

Arrival · Afternoon · Welcome

Arrival in El Valle — the Pacific welcomes you

You arrive at Bahía Solano airport, where we'll be waiting to transfer you by local transport to the village of El Valle and Cabañas Arrecifes. On arrival, a welcome cocktail with the flavors of the territory. A relaxed walk through the village to get your bearings, free time to stroll down to the sea, or kick things off with a viche tasting and its history. The day ends with lunch or dinner — depending on your arrival time — featuring traditional Pacific cooking.

✈️ Airport–El Valle transfer 🍹 Welcome cocktail 🏘️ Village walk 🥃 Viche tasting

2 Day

First trip out to sea 🐋

Whale watching to Playa Juná

The first big day on the water. You set out early from El Valle by boat for the first humpback whale watching trip, heading to Playa Juná. On the way out and back, there are good chances of encounters with humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine species. Once you arrive at Juná, a hike along the Juná river leads deep into the jungle toward Cascada del Tigre or Cascada Chadó depending on conditions. Return to El Valle, lunch, and a free afternoon.

🐋

First trip — Juná Route Humpback whale watching + jungle hike + Cascada del Tigre or Chadó

🌊 Boat trip 🐋 Whale watching 🏖️ Playa Juná 🌿 Jungle hike 💦 Cascada del Tigre or Chadó

3 Day

Second trip out to sea 🐋 · Special evening

Whale watching to PNN Utría + sea turtle release

The third day is the longest and the most epic. The second whale watching trip heads to Utría National Natural Park — the sanctuary where humpbacks come to mate and give birth. Sightings during the navigation, a tour of the park, lunch at the legendary Playa Blanca de Utría, and a short additional sighting on the return to El Valle. In the evening, if conditions allow, you'll take part in a sea turtle release with local community associations.

🐋

Second trip — PNN Utría Route The humpbacks' sanctuary + park tour + lunch at Playa Blanca + sighting on the return

🌊 Boat trip 🐋 Whale watching 🌿 PNN Utría 🏖️ Lunch at Playa Blanca 🐢 Turtle release (subject to conditions)

About the turtle release Takes place at the time set by Asociación Caguama, depending on tides, hatchings, and weather conditions. It's a natural event we coordinate to maximize your chances of taking part.

4 Day

Morning · Farewell · Departure

Souvenirs, closing talk, and return

Last breakfast in El Valle. Time to browse the local shop and take home a territory souvenir made by community hands. Farewell talk where we reflect together on the trip, its impact, and how to stay connected to the Pacific from wherever you are. Then transfer back to Bahía Solano airport.

☕ Breakfast 🛍️ Local shop and souvenirs 💬 Farewell talk ✈️ Airport transfer

Conditions

What's included?

✅

Includes

Round-trip Bahia Solano airport – El Valle transportation
3 nights accommodation at Cabañas Arrecifes
Full board (lunch or dinner day 1; breakfast, lunch, and dinner days 2–3; breakfast day 4)
2 humpback whale watching trips
Juná river hike + Cascada del Tigre or Chadó
PNN Utría tour + lunch at Playa Blanca
Sea turtle release with Asoc. Caguama (subject to conditions)
Welcome cocktail
Viche tasting with cultural context
Local territory souvenir
Farewell talk
Native guides on all activities
Travel medical insurance
Flights (Medellín → Bahía Solano)

❌

Not included

Tourism tax: $58,363 COP per person
PNN Utría entrance: nationals $22,000 · foreigners $63,500 · national children $14,500
Additional unspecified beverages
Personal expenses
Tips (optional and appreciated)

Practical tips

Travel recommendations

✈️

Flights — our experience can be booked with or without flights. In case you want to choose your flights, we provide arrival logistics advisory at no additional cost.

🌊

At sea — Waterproof and windproof clothing for the boat. Mornings on the water can be chilly. Sunscreen and a hat are essential.

👟

Jungle hike — Grip shoes that can get wet for the Juná river hike and the waterfall. The terrain is humid and can be slippery.

📅

Booking — Confirmed with a 30% deposit. Full balance due one week before the trip. Spots are limited during peak season.

🐋

Season — Humpback whales are in the Colombian Pacific between June and October. This experience is designed exclusively for that window.

📶

Connectivity — El Valle has very limited signal. Let your contacts know before heading out and use the chance to truly disconnect.

Responsible tourism

Real community impact

The whales belong to everyone.
The territory belongs to the community.

Humpback whales return to the Colombian Pacific every year because this sea is one of the few places in the world where there's still room for them. That space exists because the communities of El Valle and Bahía Solano have cared for it generation after generation.

When you travel the Ruta de las Ballenas Jorobadas, every activity is operated by local families: the guides who take you out to sea have known these patterns since childhood, Asociación Caguama protects sea turtle nests through months of nightly work, and the cooks at Arrecifes have spent decades feeding those who come to the territory. Your trip isn't consumption — it's a direct contribution to keeping this ecosystem and these communities alive.

2×

Whale watching trips
to unique destinations

100%

Local guides and providers
from the territory

+5

Families directly
benefited per trip

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