Bahía Solano Overview

By Richard McColl

Bahía Solano is poised to take advantage of its beneficial location and become the Colombian Pacific coast’s tourism destination. Located and protected by a vast bay, during the whale watching and sports fishing seasons the town is descended upon by hundreds of tourists.

Beyond these times, however, you can have the city to yourself. Hindered by a lack of transport links, it’s only accessible by air or sea, there are many facets that make the journey worthwhile:

• Plunge into one of the waterfalls bursting with agua dulce located near the town.

• Watch from the shore as a whale breaches.

• Take a dive to the Sebastian de Belalcazar wreck.

• Or, stroll down the uninterrupted and unspoilt natural beaches.

The town itself is similar to other towns on the pacific coast; the touristy aspect is separate from that of the locals. All hotels in Bahia Solano are located at the southern end of the town, use the massive Hotel Balboa Plaza as a reference point and you’ll never go wrong. There are a few restaurant options and places to stay, so a great deal of holiday makers head to the next beach along the coast - Huina.

The polite and captivating populace pf Bahía Solano dedicate themselves to various industries: fishing, cattle, agriculture, tourism and a more sinister industry – cocaine fishing. The DAS office and military have a significant presence here. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to photograph military installations or involve yourself in any way in the drugs trade.

(Altitude: 5 meters, Population: 10,000, City Code: 4)