September 23, 2026, 3:22 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Each year, the TRAVELBOOK Award honors the most exciting travel trend destinations for the coming year. In 2026, the remote region around Nuquí on Colombia’s Pacific coast is among the nominees in the “Hidden Gem Destination in Central and South America” category. Find out here what makes the region so special and why it was chosen for the shortlist of the most promising travel destinations.
The Nuquí Region on Colombia’s Pacific Coast
While many travelers to Colombia visit the Caribbean coast around Cartagena or the Andean region, the Pacific coast remains largely unexplored. It is here, in the Chocó Department, that Nuquí is located: The small coastal town is the gateway to one of the country’s most pristine regions.
Most travelers don’t stay long in the town center. Instead, they take a speedboat to the remote beaches along the coast. In front of the accommodations stretch miles of beaches, and behind them, the tropical rainforest begins immediately. Small eco-lodges and family-run accommodations define the landscape.
What to Do Around Nuquí in Colombia?
The region’s greatest attraction is its nature. On the Pacific coast, dense rainforest meets the sea directly. Waterfalls cascade from the jungle, palm trees line the beaches, and the Pacific surf provides a backdrop that appears almost untouched in many places. The beaches of Guachalito, Termales, and Arusí are particularly popular. One of the most beautiful activities is hiking along the coast between these places. Depending on the tides, the path leads directly along the beach, offering spectacular views of the Pacific. Numerous bays invite you to swim and relax along the way.
Surfers are increasingly drawn to the Pacific coast as well. Around Termales, beginners and advanced surfers find good conditions. Toward Cabo Corrientes, the waves become significantly more challenging, attracting mainly experienced surfers.
However, the region’s biggest highlights are the humpback whales. Every year between July and October, thousands of these animals migrate along the coast to give birth to their young here. The chances of spotting them are particularly high on guided boat tours, but occasionally the massive marine mammals can even be seen from the beaches. Equally impressive are the sea turtles that lay their eggs on the region’s beaches between June and October. By December, the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the sea. Visitors can learn more about conservation projects at Playa Cuevita or the turtle conservation station in Termales and even participate in guided releases.
For those who want to delve deeper into nature, the rainforest offers numerous other excursions. Popular hikes include those to waterfalls like the “4 Encantos” or the “Cascada del Amor.” Guided night hikes through the jungle also provide an opportunity to discover the region’s extraordinary wildlife and plant life.
Best Time to Visit Nuquí
Choosing the perfect time to travel to Nuquí or the Chocó region is simple: If you definitely want to see turtles or whales, you must visit between July and September. During this time, the chances are highest to encounter humpback whales or see turtles on the beach at night. In May, June, and October, you might still get lucky, and the peak season is mostly over, so accommodations are generally a bit cheaper. If you prefer to focus on surfing, plan your trip from May to August, as conditions are best during this time. Beginners can try the waves year-round.
Rain is to be expected year-round on the Pacific coast. However, to avoid constant rain, it’s best not to travel to Nuquí in November and December.
Arrival by Plane, Continued by Boat
The easiest way to reach Nuquí is by domestic flight from Medellín. The flight to Aeropuerto Reyes Murillo takes about 45 minutes. The region is only accessible by road to a limited extent, and many places along the coast have no direct road connections.
After arrival, most travelers continue directly by speedboat. Most accommodations, beaches, and lodges are located along the Pacific coast and are accessible only by water. Travelers simply tell the boat operator their accommodation or desired beach, and they are taken directly there.
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Location of Nuquí in Colombia
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
Again this year, we say: All nominated regions, countries, and others for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners, even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. This also applies to the Nuquí region in Colombia. Every country made it to the shortlist in advance, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team sought help from the community on Facebook and Instagram and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. For the first time this year, not only TRAVELBOOK readers but also BILD readers voted. More than 150,000 votes were cast in total to crown the travel trend destinations for 2027.