Capurgana is a small town in the department of Chocó in Colombia, whose name means land of chilli peppers. Its 1500 inhabitants live mainly from the tourism attracted by its wonderful beaches and tropical rainforest. Considered to have one of the best beaches in the country, Capurganá is located very close to the border with Panama and is isolated by road from the rest of the Colombia. The only way to get there is by boat or motorboat.
Read on and discover Capurganá with Passporter, a little Colombian gem that feels like a paradise cut off from the rest of society. Its breathtaking turquoise beaches and lush nature will make you fall in love with this special destination and want to come back a thousand times over.
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What are the best things to do in Capurgana Colombia?
1. Playa Soledad and Aguacate Bay
The beaches of Capurgana are some of the best rated in all of Colombia. Its crystal clear water and fine white sand typical of the Caribbean, the rich seabed with colourful corals and thousands of fish, and the tranquillity that pervades everything, make Capurganá a unique holiday destination.
In addition to the main beach of Capurganá, there are two particularly beautiful beaches: Playa Soledad and Bahía Aguacate. Both are a bit far from the centre of the village, but well worth visiting to enjoy a day at the beach in a picture-perfect setting.
Both beaches are well connected to the centre of Capurganá thanks to the boats that leave the pier which cost about 10,000 COP (2.25€). The trip takes 25 mins to the first and 15 to the second. However, you can also reach Playa Soledad on foot,. The four-hour walk through the mangroves is an experience not suitable for everyone but wonderfully rewarding.
To organize your trip we recommend using the Passporter where you can get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that most interest you to add to your route map.
2. Scuba diving and snorkelling
One of the best experiences in Capurgana is seeing the seabed, which is why scuba diving or snorkelling are essential activities on your trip to this beautiful place. Despite being a tourist destination, Capurganá is not overcrowded, so the seabed is well preserved. When snorkelling on the beaches of Capurganá you can see the beautiful coral reef and a variety of animal species, from thousands of colourful little fish to turtles and rays swimming freely in their natural habitat.
3. Walking along the Calle del Comercio
Although Capurgana is known as a sun and beach destination, this is not the only thing to do in the town. Its main street, the Calle del Comercio, is the ideal place to stroll around in search of special souvenirs. Why not buy handicrafts and typical products of the region. This street also has many of Capurganá’s accommodations, as well as other services, such as restaurants and clubs. Many of the accommodations offer diving activities with different plans depending on experience, but you can also snorkel on your own.
4. Bathing in the Pool of the Gods
One of the most popular activities in Capurganá is to bathe in the Pool of the Gods. This is a natural pool that has been formed in the sea by rocks. It is one of the most special places to swim in Capurganá. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Aguacate Bay beach after a hike with spectacular views.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do around Capurgana Colombia?
1. Trekking to Sapzurro
Sapzurro is a small municipality of less than 600 inhabitants very close to Capurganá, a few kilometres to the north. Getting to Sapzurro from Capurgana can be very easy or a real adventure, depending on the traveller’s preference. There are two options, the easy one is to take a motor boat from the Capurganá pier that for about 10,000 COP (2.25€) will take you to Sapzurro in 10 minutes. The more adventurous, but also the most beautiful, is to take a trail through the rainforest that connects the two villages. The journey takes about an hour and, in addition to the lush Colombian vegetation, it passes through wonderful places such as the La Diana waterfall.
The fact that it is so isolated and not the easiest to get to has its advantages. Sapzurro is a true tropical paradise which where tranquillity reigns and few tourists reach, far fewer than you’ll find in Capurganá. In addition to its main beach in Sapzurro Bay, there is Cabo Tiburón beach and Playa de la Armada.
2. Go to La Miel, Panamá
One of the most frequent activities on trips to Capurgana is a visit to the Panamanian village of La Miel. Close enough to reach on foot, if you like long walks, La Miel is the perfect excuse to see a little piece of Panama very close to Colombia. This small village of about 80 inhabitants is a true paradise on earth, Playa Blanca, its main beach, combines the two main features that everyone wants to find in the Caribbean: stunning turquoise waters and peace and quiet.
As with Sapzurro, you can go by boat from the Capurganá pier or on foot. Once past Sapzurro, the road leads to high stairs where, behind them, you’ll find a military post where you’ll be asked for your passport before entering the village.
What to do in Capurgana in 3 days?
First and third day in Capurganá:
Capurgana is a place that you can enjoy at your leisure, it is not one of those destinations that you have to rush through in order not to leave any tourist attraction behind. On the contrary, Capurganá is a holiday destination that allows you to flow and enjoy your time as you wish. Therefore, our recommendation for your trip to Capurganá is to visit the beaches, go snorkelling, and above all, enjoy your holiday at your own pace, visiting the points of interest we have mentioned at your convenience.
Second day in Capurganá: Sapzurro and La Miel
Our suggestion for the second day of your trip is to put on some good trainers and go out to explore the wonderful destinations near Capurganá. Although you’ll need to leave early to make the most of the day and to make sure temperatures are not too high, the trekking route from Capurgana to Sapzurro is well worth the effort. Once in Sapzurro, enjoy the beautiful beaches and a nice plate of fresh fish in one of the restaurants in the village. In the afternoon, climb the stairs to La Miel and discover this beautiful Panamanian village. If you have the strength, you can walk back again, but the most comfortable way is to take a boat from La Miel’s pier.
Where to eat in Capurgana Colombia?
- Josefina’s Restaurant: A quiet and pleasant restaurant near the sea serving delicious dishes of fresh, local produce, such as ceviche and seafood tapas.
- Kukamba Bar & Grill: Another fantastic seafood restaurant in Capurganá, with hearty dishes from the catch of the day. In addition to seafood and fish they have other equally tasty dishes such as pasta with pesto or pork or beef steaks with potatoes and salad.
- Restaurante El Arca De Noe: A good restaurant to try the local cuisine. Serving hearty dishes with lots of flavour and cheap prices.
Where to stay in Capurgana Colombia?
- Casa Alma: Casa Alma guesthouse is one of the best rated accommodations in Capurgana. It is located on the beachfront, in a very quiet area and overlooking the sea. The rooms are in cosy wooden huts, the bathrooms are shared and the breakfast is exquisite. Both double rooms and single beds can be booked in shared rooms. Please book well in advance if you want a private room. Prices: 40€ private room/ 28€ double bed in 3-bedded room / 14€ single bed in 3-bedded room.
- Cabañas Los Almendros: Elegant and comfortable wooden cabins with private bathroom with shower. 3.8 km from Sapzurro. Prices: 30-50€ per night for two people.
- Bahia Lodge: a 3 star hotel 5 minutes from the beach. It has a swimming pool, sea view rooms and a fantastic breakfast. Average price per night: 73€.
What do I need to know before a trip to Capurgana?
- The official currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso.
- The official language is Spanish.
- Don’t forget to bring cash as most establishments in Capurgana do not accept credit cards.
- Cover yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
- Capurganá is a safe destination, but be careful with your belongings.
- Remember to wear comfortable hiking shoes and light, breathable clothing.
- Tap water is generally not drinkable, but some lodges have drinking fountains available for guests.
- Respect the environment as well as the flora and fauna of Capurganá.
How to organise what to do in Capurgana?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all the things to do in Capurganá, Colombia.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Capurgana Colombia
Capurganá has a very hot and humid climate with stable year-round temperatures of around 30ºC, and frequent rainfall throughout the year.
There really is no one time of year better than another to travel to Capurganá as far as the climate is concerned. This small town in Colombia does not have a dry season, as is the case in other destinations, but rather every month is very rainy. That said, the least rainy months are January and February with an average of 5 dry days per month.
This remote village has no land connection with the rest of the country. Therefore, you must first get to the municipalities of Necoclí, Turbo or Acandí and from there hire a boat at the same dock in these places.
A second option is to travel from Medellín by plane.
As you know, Capurgana is a village that is isolated by road, so the best option to get around the village is to walk or rent a bicycle. To get to other areas such as La Miel or Sapzurro you have to take a boat to these destinations.
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