The 12 Best Beaches in Colombia [2023]

Colombia is a vibrant and welcoming place to plan a vacation. With its landscape that varies from tropical coasts to cooler mountains, it offers a plethora of excursion opportunities. However, no journey to Colombia would be complete without spending a few days at some of the country’s beaches. The question is, which one should you choose?

No matter what sort of beach-goer you are, there’s a stretch of Colombian shoreline for you. To make your trip planning as stress-free as possible, we’ve done some of the hard work for you by weighing up Colombia’s beaches to find the best.

Map of the 12 Best Beaches in Colombia

The 6 Best Beaches in North Colombia

1. Playa De Bocagrande, Cartagena

Playa De Bocagrande is one of Colombia’s most family-friendly beaches. Its location on Cartagena’s coast means any essentials or amenities you might need are a short distance away. So you can enjoy your day without lugging a stuffed beach bag around. If you want a little extra comfort, you can rent a beach chair as well.

The beach is covered in soft sand that’s comfortable for walking and laying out, and there’s even plenty of shade from the line of palm trees that create some separation from the city. The current at this beach is surprisingly versatile. If you stay near the shore, you can splash around without worrying about strong waves, making it safe for kids.

However, things pick up just a short distance from the coast, where the waves are often strong enough to allow for windsurfing. The beach is popular all day, but particularly around sunset for its views.

2. Playas De Mayapo, La Guajira

Mayapo is a pristine beach that’s maintained much of its natural charm despite its growing popularity as a coastal destination. There are a few pavilions on the sand where you can get some shade, but otherwise, the beach offers a wide expanse of light, soft sand.

The beach is just far enough away from busy areas so that you can disconnect and unwind with some peace and quiet. However, it’s still just a short distance away from eateries if you need some refreshments after a long day full of enjoying the sand and sun.

This beach is extra special because, on occasion, you can even see flamingos from the nearby sanctuary flying while you’re on the sand. You can’t find these birds in very many places in the country, but Mayapo happens to be in the part of northern Colombia — Riohacha — where they flock.

3. Playa San Luis, San Andrés

If you’re looking for a tropical getaway in the Caribbean that’s part of Colombia, look no further than Playa San Luis on San Andrés island. The beach is famous for its coral formations which can be found just a few feet from the shore, making this a highly recommended spot to try your hand at snorkeling.

Even if you’re just interested in wading in the water or listening to the waves, this might be a nearly ideal spot to spend the day. The water is bright blue and extremely clean. Even when the beach is busy, the water doesn’t turn murky from its sand getting disrupted or shifted around.

There’s some natural shade on the beach as well. The shore is in part lined with palm trees, but there are also umbrellas you can rent that are a little closer to the water. You can also get an authentic Colombian beach experience here since it’s a favorite among locals.

4. Playa El Rodadero, Santa Marta

Playa El Rodadero is a favorite stretch of Colombia’s coasts among frequent visitors. Part of its charm is the fact that it hasn’t changed much over time while also not feeling dated.

Since it’s near the city, you can easily drop by for a few hours or spend an entire day by the water enjoying the sea breeze and sun. There are even vendors and artisans selling local gift items, so you can grab something unique to remember your trip by in between dips in the sea.

The beach is family-friendly. While it can get crowded, the ambiance isn’t too rowdy, and the water is gentle enough that young or inexperienced swimmers won’t have to worry about getting overwhelmed by waves.

Hot Tip: December, June, and July are the 3 busiest months for this part of Colombia, so get to the beach early during these times.

5. Punta Roca, Maizal

Punta Roca is one of the best places to surf in Colombia. The formation of coral reefs in the area creates a break for the water, which leads to consistent waves throughout the year. Even when the ocean is calm in other parts of the country, you’ll still be able to get some time on your board here.

That being said, this isn’t the best beach for swimming for the same reason. The current can be a little strong if you stray away from the shore. If you’re not a surfer or a fisher, consider coming to Punta Roca in the evening. The sunset views are dramatic and picturesque.

Just make sure to watch your step if you’re not wearing shoes, as driftwood often washes up on the beach, especially during the fall and spring when there are fewer visitors to the area.

6. Tayrona National Natural Park, Magdalena

The Tayrona National Natural Park is known for being one of the most biodiverse places in Colombia. Visitors can hike over boulders and through lush greenery or even swim in the park’s crystal blue waters. The park has 5 locations that are safe and swimmable:

• Cabo San Juan de Guia
• Bahia Concha
• Bahia Gayraca
• Bahia Neguanje (certain areas)
• La Piscina

These stretches of the area’s coastline offer seclusion and the natural ambiance that are characteristic of the park. They’re also protected from strong currents by reefs off the shore. You can even rent a hammock or beach chair if you wish to spend the whole day soaking up the sun.

However, locals recommend getting to the park early if you visit between December and March when it’s high tourist season. Some excursion tours make stops at the park’s swimming areas which can increase crowd levels.

The 6 Best Beaches in West Colombia

1. Bahia Sapzurro, Choco

Sapzurro is a charming little town that’s very close to Colombia’s border with Panama and offers beach experiences for multiple types of visitors. If you prefer being a little more social, some parts of the coast are just a few steps away from the village.

However, there are also multiple areas that are more private and secluded if you’re looking for a place to hide away from crowds for a while. These areas tend to be more natural, with climbable rocks and nature trails as well.

The water around the bay is crystal clear as well, making it an easy favorite for avid snorkelers. You can even let kids splash around without much stress because the current here is generally pretty gentle. There’s even quite a bit of shade created by the trees that line parts of the beach to protect you from the sun.

2. Gorgona Island, Cauca

Gorgona is a small tropical paradise of an island in Colombian waters. The island used to be a maximum security prison, but since the Gorgona Natural National Park opened in the 1980s, only park staff are allowed to stay on the island territory for extended periods.

You can spend the night on the island as a guest at the lodging made available by the park’s administration services. However, to protect the environment, camping isn’t allowed. Visiting Gorgona is a great way to get immersed in Colombia’s wilderness in its most natural state. You’re able to dive into the clear water or hike through lush greenery to spot the native flora and fauna.

Since only 80 guests are allowed on the island at a time, you’ll find plenty of peace and quiet. If you visit between May and October, you can even spot humpback whales in the distance from the beach.

3. Nuquí, Choco

Nuquí is a simple town, and that sort of ambiance transfers to its beach areas as well. There are some attractions near the water you can visit, such as natural hot springs, but there is also a lot of peace here if you’re looking for a place to unwind.

One thing that sets Nuquí apart from other beaches in Colombia is the whale-watching season. Since the beach doesn’t get too busy, you can easily find a free spot to set out a towel and watch the whales that migrate through the area between May and September.

However, try to get to the sand in the early morning, just after dawn, or at sunset because that’s when the whales are most active. During the rest of the day, you can enjoy the water without overheating since Nuquí tends to be a little more overcast.

4. Juanchaco Beach, Buenaventura

Juanchaco’s beach is a gray-sand coast that’s recently started garnering the attention of tourists. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s something to do on these shores. During the summer and fall, it’s a popular lookout spot for humpback whales. You can go on designated whale-watching cruises that depart from here or keep an eye out while on the sand.

It’s also a versatile beach. You’re near the town, so if you need refreshments or other necessities, they’re just a short distance away. However, you can also find secluded areas as well that won’t have many frills to distract you from enjoying the water.

Juanchaco is also known as being one of the friendliest places in Colombia for foreigners. The locals are welcoming and happy to help you if you have any questions about what to do while you’re in the area.

5. Playa Juan De Dios, Buenaventura

If you’re looking for a place to get away from the bustle of city crowds and tourists, Playa Juan De Dios is a beach worth considering. This remote beach is so far removed from the rest of Colombia’s vibrance you can only reach it by boat. That seclusion is part of why it was also turned into a natural preserve.

Once on the sand, you’ll be surrounded by clear, bright blue water on one side and lush, thick greenery on the other. While this particular beach doesn’t usually get too crowded, you’ll likely run into locals and other visitors enjoying the peace and tranquility of nature if you visit in the summer months.

You can also stay overnight here at on-site huts and camping areas. Since it’s a reserve, you’ll find staff around if you need them. There’s also an eatery where you can grab some seafood that’s been fished locally and prepared fresh.

6. Utría National Natural Park, Choco

Utría National Natural Park is a one-of-a-kind park due to the vast diversity of landscapes and wildlife in its territory. From mountains and forests to gray sand coasts, you’ll be able to experience Colombia’s different types of wilderness all in one place.

While many people visit Utría National Natural Park to go hiking through its thick tropical forests, the beaches in the park are also unique and well worth visiting. The water is clean and clear of pollutants or litter to protect the marine life that calls the area home.

You don’t just have to admire the water from dry land, either. There are swimmable areas that are rarely crowded and have gentle currents.

Hot Tip: You can visit the park by yourself, but there are tours available as well if you’d like an expert guide nearby while you’re exploring. 

Final Thoughts

Clearly, Colombia has no shortage of beaches worth visiting. Its tropical coasts make it a great destination spot if you’re planning a getaway somewhere where you can enjoy some sun, sand, and warm water. Hopefully, this list has helped you narrow down your options so you can pick the right Colombian beach for your trip.