Capurganá, Colombia, is truly a hidden gem along the country’s Caribbean Coast. Sporting white sand beaches and transparent turquoise water, it’s like Cartagena without the crowds or San Andres without the cost. If you’re looking for a truly local paradise – look no further.
But getting to Capurgana is part of the adventure itself. This small seaside town is located on a small peninsula on the northern coast of the department of Chocó, nearly in the jungles of Panama!
That means getting there often involves planes, buses, and boats, or a combination of all three! Luckily, in this article I’ll be breaking down exactly how to get to Capurganá, from the most direct route to the most adventurous.
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Colombia Quick Links
✈️ Flights – Use Kiwi.com or WayAway to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Colombia
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Want to spend more time in Colombia? Check out my full 3-week itinerary!
Where is Capurganá Located?
Capurganá is actually located on one of the northernmost points of Colombia, right by the Panama border. The town is located off the Gulf of Urabá, nestled between the Atlantic ocean and the jungles of the Darien.
The town of Capurganá is actually located in the department of Chocó, a department typically associated with Colombia’s Pacific coast. However, Capurganá is located on a small piece of Chocó located on the Atlantic coast, so you’ll find an interesting mix of Pacific and Caribbean cultures completely unique to the region.
Capurganá is a way off the typical gringo trail, but that adds to its charm. The most close comparison I can draw is the island of Providencia near San Andres – a truly tranquil piece of island life. Trust me – it’s worth the trek to make it there!
Want to explore more of the Colombian Caribbean? Check out my 1-week Caribbean itinerary!
Getting to Capurganá by Boat
Taking a boat to Capurganá is certainly part of the adventure if you’re up for it. Sea spray in the air, the adrenaline of passing over waves, the sweeping hills of the Darien Mountain Range getting closer by the minute.
It’s a breathtaking experience – but many times, quite literally! I’ll be honest, if you get easily seasick, this is probably not the route for you. The waves can be rough at times, and in our case, we got caught in a crazy storm! But it all made for part of the adventure – certainly one of my favorite memories from our trip.
If you’re up for the adventure, here’s exactly how to travel to Capurganá by boat:
From Necoclí, Colombia (The Main Port)
The city of Necoclí, Colombia is often considered the gateway to Capurganá. The major port is located here, providing tourist transportation between Capurganá and other locations across the Gulf of Urabá such as Playa Soledad and Acandí. It’s a great place to spend a day or two before heading to Capurganá, enjoying the tourist beach or picking up some handmade Kuna Mola textiles from the region!
There are a number of different boat companies that service the route, but the prices are fixed regardless of company. At the time of writing (2025), the round trip ticket from Necoclí is $190,000 COP ($45 USD). Many companies will only sell the round-trip ticket to visitors – this is unfortunately due to the high amount of migrants passing through the region.
Boats leave in the morning, usually between 7AM and 8AM. During the high season, you can usually count on a few departures a day, but during the low season, there may only be one departure a day, so it’s best to book in advance. This can be done directly at the port, or many hotels and hostels in Necoclí can also help you book your ticket. The price is the same regardless.
From the Necoclí port, the ride to Capurganá is about 1.5 hours. If you’re traveling during the wet season (December to April) you may want to consider paying an extra 3,000 COP for a plastic bag for your items to keep them dry on the ride over!
We traveled with Caribe S.A.S and felt very safe on our boat ride – even when we faced the storm! You can contact them directly on Whatsapp at +57 316 535 7675
Alternate Boat Routes to Capurganá
FROM TURBO | This coastal city is located about an hour south of Necoclí and also provides boat transportation across the Gulf of Urabá. The boat ride is longer than coming from Necoclí – about 2.5 hours. I’ve also heard the ride of Necoclí is much smoother – I’d really only encourage leaving from Turbo if you’re wanting to cut down on land transportation time coming from Medellín.
FROM PUERTO OBALDÍA | If you’re coming from Panama (most likely from the San Blas Islands) you can also get to Capurganá from Puerto Obaldía in southern Panama. The ride takes about 1 hour.
Did you know? Just 4 kilometers north of Puerto Obaldía is the town of Armila, home to the Marine Turtle Festival held every May. This unique Colombian festival celebrates the leatherback and green turtles that call this area home, and you might even get a chance to see them lay their eggs!
Getting to Capurganá by Air
It is possible to skip the boat ride altogether and visit Capurganá by air. The town is home to a tiny airport right outside of town. We actually walked through on an off day and saw a number of kids playing soccer on the landing strip!
The easiest and quickest route to Capurganá is direct from Medellín’s Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport. Flights only operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so it’s important to take this into consideration when planning your trip. The only operator that flies to Capurganá is Pacifica Travel.
An alternate option is to take a flight with Satena Airlines from Medellín to Acandí , a town located a few kilometers south of Capurganá. From Acandí, it’s about a 25 minute boat ride up the coastline to Capurganá, much more peaceful than the 1.5 hour boat trip across the Gulf of Urabá.
Getting to Capurganá by Bus
While there is no way to reach Capurganá totally by bus, you’ll likely have to take a bus at some point in your trip! The closest city accessible by bus is Necoclí, where you can then take a boat across the Gulf of Urabá to Capurganá (as outlined above!)
Most travelers are coming to Capurganá from the major cities of Medellín (8-10 hours), Bogotá (14-16 hours), or Cartagena (7-8 hours). Luckily, there are direct bus routes from all three of these major cities to Necoclí. We personally took Transportes Gomez Hernandez from Medellín to Necoclí and had a great experience.
However, if you’re coming from another city, like Santa Marta, you may have to take a few connections in order to make it to Necoclí. I personally recommend staying a night or two in the coastal city of Montería, in my opinion, a total hidden gem along the Colombian coast!
Tips for Visiting Capurganá
Capurganá is truly one of the most incredible places to visit in Colombia! With it’s tropical beaches and uniquely isolated culture, there is truly no other place in the world quite like it.
But before you head off to Capurganá by boat, plane, or bus, here are a few important things to note! Want even more info about planning a trip to Capurganá? Check out my ultimate guide to all the best things we did on our trip!
WHEN TO VISIT | The weather in Capurganá is warm and sunny year-round, but there is a distinct wet season (from December to April) and dry season (from May to November). We traveled to Capurganá in March and experienced some rainy mornings, but the sun always came out! We did get caught in a storm on our way back to Necoclí however – that was certainly an adventure!
WHAT TO PACK | You’ll be lounging on some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, so best not forget your swimsuit! A durable sun hat and lightweight beach coverup can also come in handy, alongside your sunscreen of course.
I also HIGHLY recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent. We used an anti-mosquito soap for the entire time we travelled in Capurganá and it was a game changer. Having some seasickness meds on hand can also be useful for boat rides.
STAYING SAFE | Capurganá is one of the safest places on the Colombian coast – many locals even told us we could leave our things out on the beach without worry! However, I do encourage you to not totally let your guard down, always better safe than sorry. Check out my Ultimate Colombian Safety Guide for more info, and consider investing in travel insurance for your trip.
What to Pack for Colombia
Planning a trip to Colombia? Consider adding some of these essentials to your suitcase for a truly epic trip!
💧 Filtered Water Bottle – Save on the single-use plastic and protect from parasites!
🧥 Heavy-Duty Rain Jacket – For the ever-changing Colombian weather!
🎒 Anti-theft Backpack – Perfect for exploring big cities or trekking in the jungle
🧖♀️ Microfiber Travel Towel – A go-to travel essential anywhere in the world!
🔌 Portable Charger – Keep your phone charged out on the go
🔐 Mini Padlock – Perfect for securing your backpack or locking up your items at the hotel
🔋 Universal Travel Adapter – Charge all your devices anywhere in the world!
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.