Last updated on December 19, 2023.

Buenaventura is not a place you want to stick around in for too long. It’s a loud, dirty, ugly, dangerous port city on Colombia’s Pacific coast

Why would anyone want to go there? Buenaventura is the gateway to the beach town of Ladrilleros, which is only accessible by boat.

 

What to See

There’s almost nothing to see in the city. On our short overnight stay, we were hoping to visit the seaside park, which is considered the most scenic part of the city. It was completely gutted in preparation for a major renovation.

Seaside park in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Seaside park
Seaside park in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Seaside park

In front of the park is the city administration building, which has a huge mural on the side. The rest of the few streets we walked on were nothing special.

Administration building in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Administration building
Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
A street in Buenaventura
Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Buenaventura
Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Looking down a street in Buenaventura

 

Tourist Wharf

The place in Buenaventura that sees the most tourists is the Tourist Wharf (Muelle Turístico), which handles all the boat traffic to towns on the Pacific. Again, it’s nothing special. At the beginning of the pier are offices for many companies offering boat service to different places. In the mornings, especially on weekends, it’s quite hectic.

Muelle Turístico in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Tourist Wharf

Further along there’s a row of ramshackle restaurants sitting on wooden piles and a partially collapsed concrete pier. I can’t speak for the quality of the food, but if this is touristic, I’m definitely missing something.

Muelle Turístico in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Tourist Wharf
Muelle Turístico in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Tourist Wharf

The pier ends where all of the boats are waiting to take passengers to their destinations on the Pacific. Boats typically leave at 8am, 10am, 1pm, and 4pm to Juanchaco (for Ladrilleros), but there are more departures during weekends and holidays when Caleños escape to the coast.

Muelle Turístico in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Tourist Wharf

 

Ofihotel Plazamar (Permanently Closed)

For a hotel, we chose Ofihotel Plazamar. It’s located right in front of the seaside park and next to the administration building, just a short walk from the Tourist Wharf. It’s a beacon of hope in an otherwise dreary city.

Ofihotel Plazamar in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
The lobby of Ofihotel Plazamar

The rooms were spacious and bright with comfortable beds and big bathrooms. Wifi was excellent, staff was attentive, and there are plenty of restaurants a few steps from the door. It was a great deal for the price.

Ofihotel Plazamar in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Ofihotel Plazamar
Ofihotel Plazamar in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Ofihotel Plazamar

 

Palo Alto

For dinner on the night we arrived, we ate across the street from the hotel at Palo Alto. This very informal and simple restaurant serves excellent smoked meats at reasonable prices. We shared a picada of chorizo, lamb, and ribs with two beers and a bottle of water for a very low price.

Palo Alto in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Palo Alto
Palo Alto in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Palo Alto
Picada at Palo Alto in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Picada at Palo Alto

 

Faro

For breakfast the next morning (the hotel didn’t include breakfast), we at a block away at Faro. They have a nice variety of egg dishes and combos including coffee or hot chocolate. Service was fast and friendly. We both had a combo with huevos llaneros, which is two fried eggs and two chorizos.

Huevos llaneros at Faro in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Huevos llaneros at Faro

 

Getting There and Away

To get to Buenaventura, the easiest way is to go through Cali. Buses leave every 10 to 15 minutes and have three levels of service. Camionetas are the fastest and most comfortable, but also the most expensive.

On the way back to Cali, taxi drivers will offer shared rides as you return from the boats at the Tourist Wharf. We had already purchased our return tickets but next time we’ll use the taxi because it’s definitely faster and more comfortable than any of the bus options.

The run-down bus terminal isn’t too far from the Tourist Wharf. We arrived from Cali at about 8pm to see the terminal completely shuttered. A sign indicated that it closes daily at 6pm. When going to your hotel or the Tourist Wharf, it’s best to take a taxi.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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