Tumaco: Beaches, Tourism & How to Get to the Colombian Pacific
Tumaco and its beaches on the Colombian Pacific coast, in the Nariño department.
The city's official name is San Andrés de Tumaco, also known as the Pearl of the Pacific.
Tumaco has the second most important port on the Pacific (after Buenaventura) and, while it is not among Colombia's main tourist destinations, the city has beaches and several places well worth visiting.
How to get to Tumaco
Tumaco is on the Pacific coast of the Nariño department. You reach it on the paved highway known as the Vía al Mar from the city of Pasto (a distance of 300 kilometers).
By air you can fly to Tumaco from various Colombian cities with a connection in Cali (Avianca); from Cali there are daily direct flights.
Several bus companies serve Tumaco. Approximate travel time: 5 to 6 hours.
Bus companies to Tumaco
Transipiales
WhatsApp: +57 317 4410917
Website: www.transipialesvirtual.com
Cootranar
Phone: 314 814 1850
Website: www.cootranar.com
The other way to arrive is by flights from the city of Cali.
Tourism in Tumaco
Tumaco is a city whose population is mostly Afro-Colombian, and this shapes the food, music, sport and many aspects of everyday life with the culture of its people.
The city has hotels, restaurants and travel agencies that offer their services to visitors.
Beaches of Tumaco
Tumaco has beaches of different kinds along the Pacific. Among the most popular are El Morro, El Bajito and Bocagrande. By boat you can also reach deserted beaches backed by jungle vegetation.
Things to see in Tumaco
On the outskirts of Tumaco you can visit areas of great natural richness. Jungles and mangroves are part of the landscape and are home to many animal species. Excursions are organized from the city to discover the surrounding nature.
Hotels
Hotel Los Corales
Phone: (+57) 317 436 8949 / (+57) 312 841 1949
Website: www.hotelloscorales.com
Hotel La Sultana
Address: Calle Sucre #6-57
Phone: (572) 7272438 / (572) 7271547
Website: www.hotellasultana.com
Hotel Resort Villa del Sol
Address: Isla del Morro, Tumaco.
Phone: (+57) 317 3741577
FB: Hotelvilladelsol.tumaco
Hotel Colón Plaza
Address: Calle Mosquera #7A-32
Phone: (2) 7271354 / 7275097
Mobile: (+57) 318 493 61 15
Website: www.colonplazahotel.com
Map of Tumaco
Frequently asked questions about Tumaco
San Andrés de Tumaco, 'the Pearl of the Pacific', is on the Pacific coast, in the Nariño department, in southwestern Colombia. It has the second most important port on the Pacific.
Via the Vía al Mar highway from Pasto (300 km, 5–6 h by bus) or by air with a connection in Cali, from where there are daily direct flights.
The most popular are El Morro, El Bajito and Bocagrande; by boat you can reach more remote beaches backed by jungle vegetation.
Enjoy the beaches, see the iconic El Morro arch, experience Afro-Pacific culture (music, dance and seafood cuisine) and take boat trips along the coast.
Warm and humid, with the frequent rains typical of the Pacific; pack light clothing, a raincoat and insect repellent.
The climate is warm all year; it is best to choose drier days and check the state of the Vía al Mar before traveling overland.