4 Days 3 Nights
Colombia
15
1
BAHIA MALAGA 4D3N
During the months of July to October it is possible to observe the humpback whales that reach the Colombian Pacific coasts to have their cubs. Bahía Málaga is one ofthe most accessible areas to make this sighting, offering also a rich hydric wealth in pristine ecosystems, in a destination that has a strong black communities and small indigenous groups culture offering great gastronomy, vibrant rhythms and chill vibes in the area.
Itinerary
Itinerary Expand All
WELCOMING TO BAHIA MALAGA
This day starts at the tourist pier in Buenaventura, where you can arrive at the airport with a flight from Bogota or a 3-hrs. transfer by land from Cali. From the pier you will embark on speedboats according to your schedule to Juanchaco, where you will always take a 15-mins. transfer to the hotel and back by your own means. You will check-in, with the possibility of hiring optional activities there directly with the hotel.
WHALE-WATCHING
On this day after breakfast, you will have included a humpback whale watching in the open sea, which you can schedule according to availability of groups for this activity that departs from the dock of Juanchaco. The rest of the day you will have different tour options, according to the tide, to hire at the hotel such as visiting the waterfalls of La Sierpe, Ostional or 3 Marias, kayaking, bioluminiscense plancton at night or just enjoy the beach of Ladrilleros.
ESTUARIES & MANGROOVES
On this day, after breakfast at the hotel, you will have included a tour of the estuaries and mangroves of the area, reaching a waterfall where you can cool off, passing by a Wounaan indigenous settlement on the way back.The rest of the day you will have different tour options, according to the tide, to hire at the hotel such as visiting the waterfalls of La Sierpe, Ostional or 3 Marias, kayaking, bioluminiscense plancton at night or just enjoy the beach of Ladrilleros.
RETURN TO BUENAVENTURA
On this day, after breakfast at the hotel and depending on the departure time of your boat back to Buenaventura that can be at 10:00, 13:00 or 16:00 hrs, you will have free time to enjoy your last moments at the destination or hire optional activities. The lunch this day is not included, but you will have the boat back to Buenaventura included, which you should choose in advance according to its schedules and in the same way you arrived.
Cost Info
Cost Info
Included
- ACCOMMODATION Beachfront hotel.
- ROOMS Family and private.
- ACTIVITIES All activities mentioned in the plan are carried out in shared tours.
- MEALS 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
- TRANSFERS All land/water transportation in shared vehicles and boats (except for private groups).
- GUIDANCE Local Spanish-speaking guides throughout the trip for all activities.
- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CARD The tour includes a travel assistance card for all days, covering possible accidents, medical care, and emergency transportation for a quick response if necessary, according to the evacuation time during activities and the level of medical care at the destination.
Not included
- National and international flights.
- Activities, additional drinks or elements not described in the plan.
- Tips, snacks and souvenirs.
- Personal items not described in the itinerary.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators.
- Taxis from the airport of Buenaventura to the touristic dock, which can only be hired at your arrival and the price per taxi is 30.000 COP (8 USD) approx.
- Internal transportations between the Juanchaco dock and the hotel in Ladrilleros or vice versa, since they can only be hired and paid in cash at the destination, with a cost per person of 7,000 COP (approx. 2 USD) each.
Add-ons & optionals
Add-ons & optionals
- Roundtrip flights from Bogota or with connections there from any other Colombian city to and from Buenaventura. The price would depend of the dates and the anticipation the flights are booked.
- Private transfers from Cali to and from the touristic dock of Buenaventura.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators from Cali, according to availability of guides for the desired dates, in this case it is necessary to book very in advance.
- Private tours for big enough groups that don’t want to have shared activities and transportations.
- Individual private accommodations depending on availability and date (in long weekends during whale season this is not possible).
- Specialized guides for special itineraries
What to take?
What to take?
- Hat and/or other protection for the head and neck.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the reflection of the sun.
- Long-sleeved shirts to avoid sunburn and mosquito bites during outdoor activities.
- Comfortable pants and avoid wearing jeans.
- Waterproof and preferably quick-drying clothing and a rain poncho.
- Bathing suit and towel, as there will be an opportunity to swim in the sea, rivers, waterfalls and streams of the destination.
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
- Protection for electronic devices since they may be susceptible to damages due to humidity and/or rain.
- Non-disposable rigid container to refill water (canteen or thermos).
- Hands-free backpack, please avoid suitcases with wheels as much as possible.
- Day-packs for carrying personal stuff, hydration, snacks and other elements during the outdoor day activities.
- Personal documents and count with your own medical insurance.
- Personal medicines and first aid kit.
Recomendation
Recomendation
The ecosystem of Bahia Malaga area is special and have environmental and ethnic significance, therefore it is important to follow the recommendations in order to avoid or diminish any negative impact on them, as well as being prepared for a pleasurable experience, according to that:
- It is necessary to have an acceptable physical condition, since you will do some hikes and outdoor activities in nature.
- It is important to reduce waste generation (single-use plastics). Accordingly, it is important to bring your own rigid, non-disposable container for liquids.
- Follow and abide by the instructions of the guides and authorities during each of the routes and tours.
- Take your cautions against mosquitoes, such as long-sleeved clothes, repellent, among other cautions you or your doctor might consider.
- You must be vaccinated against yellow fever, ideally at least 10 days before your visit to the destination.
- Currently, there are no major outbreaks of contagious diseases or mosquito transmission in the areas to be visited. However, if there is a major outbreak or biological risk in the destinations to be visited, it will be reported in a timely manner prior to the trip.
- Keep in mind that the ocean transports are run according to the tides, which rise or fall approximately every 6 hours and change their schedules by some minutes every day.
- We recommend the use of binoculars to observe wildlife and cameras protected against humidity.
- During the whales’ sightings, these mammals do not always jump or do spectacular movements, sometimes they are calm and the boatmen are not allowed to chase them, so take into account that they are in their natural habitat and humans can’t control or influence in their behavior.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances during the activities mentioned in the plan can be harmful to your health and safety.
FAQ'S
FAQ'S
WEATHER CONDITIONS & BILINGUALISM
It is necessary to be properly prepared for the weather conditions in the destination, which is one of the rainiest areas not only in Colombia but in the world, and which are detailed below, but as this is an approximation, please note that they may vary. Also keep in mind that there won’t be bilingual staff or people at the destination.
Bahia Malaga:
Temp. Min: 18°C, Max: 32°C, very humid climate / (0-30 m.a.s.l.)
ATM´S
It is advisable to carry cash for extra expenses during the trip since access to ATMs and dataphones at the destination may be limited or present problems in the area. The last place with ATM'S is Buenaventura.
PHONE SIGNAL & WIFI
You will visit a destination where there is very poor and intermittent phone and internet signal. Once you visit rural areas or open sea you won’t have any phone or internet connection.
TIPPING
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you consider you can tip the guides and/or other staff with an amount from 20.000 to 50.000 COP (5 to 12 USD approx.) per day of service.
SEASONS
- The whale watching season normally begins in mid-July and ends in mid-October, however, it can be shorter or longer depending on natural phenomena and the criteria of the local authorities.
- Accommodations on weekends with public holidays during whale season may be much more limited or private accommodations may be difficult to arrange. Also, on holidays you should be prepared for many tourists visiting the destination.
- It is advisable to travel on weekdays or non-holiday.
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