Colombia’s many must-sees include its captivating, almost 2000-mile-long coastline. Be it jungle-draped bays, tropical islands or coastal deserts, Colombia’s beaches always deliver on wow factor. Whether sunbathing or water sports are on the agenda, there’s plenty to choose from: it’s the only South American nation with a Pacific and Caribbean coast. So, where to begin? Read on to discover our inside scoop on where to find the best beaches in Colombia…
1. La Piscina, Tayrona National Natural Park
2. Cabo San Juan, Tayrona National Natural Park
3. Playa Manzanillo, Providencia Island
4. Playa San Luis, San Andres Island
5. Playa del Pilon, La Guajira
6. Playa Guachalito, Nuqui
La Piscina, Tayrona National Natural Park
First up on our list of the best beaches in Colombia is La Piscina, an aptly named slice of paradise in Tayrona National Natural Park. Enjoying calm, swimming pool-like waters (thanks to a natural barrier of rocks protecting the bay from dangerous currents), La Piscina is postcard-perfect. Picture a curve of golden sand, gentle waves and a dense green jungle with palms poking from the canopies. While swimming is forbidden at most of Tayrona’s tantalising beaches, that’s not the case at La Piscina, where you can smugly (and safely) cool off in the tranquil waters. It’s a beach that demands you stay a while.
Cabo San Juan, Tayrona National Natural Park
Tayrona isn’t short of beauty spots, and Cabo San Juan ranks among the top. Boasting the classic Colombian combo of tropical trees, cerulean blue waters and powder-soft sand, it’s no surprise it’s the park’s most popular beach. You even get two beaches for the price of one; Cabo San Juan comprises two crescent stretches of sand that meet in the boulder-strewn sea. And if you fancy sprinkling your beach day with some culture, climb the steep path inland to reach the indigenous village of Pueblito (around a one-and-a-half-hour hike away). Cabo San Juan also boasts a beachside campsite and restaurant, so lazy days can easily become nights. Thankfully, swimming is allowed here, as who can resist the lure of the ocean?
Playa Manzanillo, Providencia Island
Our list of the best beaches in Colombia wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the nation’s island idylls. The first shoutout goes to Providencia Island, a speck in the Caribbean Sea, home to stunning beaches. Remote and unspoilt, Providencia is surrounded by a protected coral reef – the third longest barrier reef in the world – so underwater exploration is non-negotiable. Our pick of the lot is Playa Manzanillo, a beautiful palm-fringed beach on the island’s southeast coast. Spend your time here lounging on the sugary sand, snoozing in a shaded hammock or soaking in the balmy sea. The (reggae) soundtrack to your visit comes courtesy of Manzanillo’s quirky beach bar, which serves fresh seafood, cocktails and good vibes all day (and night) long. And relax…
Playa San Luis, San Andres Island
A stone’s throw (some 61 miles) south of Providencia lies another paradisical place, San Andres Island. Among the isle’s bounty of beautiful beaches is a clear standout: Playa San Luis. This serene spot is located away from the tourist-laden beaches, bordered by swaying trees and catered to by a clutch of bars and restaurants set back from the shore. It’s the ideal destination to enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as snorkelling with tropical fish and colourful coral. Here’s a fun fact: San Luis has earned the nickname ‘Sound Bay’ thanks to the distinctive noises made when strong winds collide with coconuts in the resident palm trees.
Image by Frank Tophoven/LAIF-REA
Playa del Pilon, La Guajira
This next beach takes us off the beaten track to the nation’s northernmost point, the La Guajira Peninsula. In contrast to the other best beaches in Colombia, there’s no white sand in sight at Playa del Pilon. Here, the desert meets the Caribbean. Picture vibrant orange sand backed by rocky cliffs and lapped by tempting turquoise waves; it’s a lovely swimming spot and rarely gets crowded, so you can bask in the beach’s beauty in solitude. For more breathtaking views, climb the headland’s peak – a sacred place for the indigenous Wayuu people of La Guajira – which boasts sweeping views across the vast coastal desert and ocean below. It’s especially stunning when the sun sets, bathing land and sea in a golden glow.
Playa Guachalito, Nuqui
It’s time we gave Colombia’s pretty Pacific coast some well-deserved attention. Nestled on the west coast near the village of Nuqui, Guachalito Beach is a tropical treasure trove replete with ashy sand, vivid blue waters and lush virgin rainforest. Whether you settle under the shade of a bowing palm tree, snorkel in the Pacific, spot whales and dolphins (between July and October) or hike inland to discover waterfalls, you’ll never want to leave. Luckily, eco-lodges are aplenty in the surrounding jungle, so you can wake up to the sound of waves. Even better, this region of Colombia was closed to tourism until recently and still benefits from fewer crowds than popular tourist hang-outs.
Written by Hannah Whitehall
