Bahia Solano is a small Colombian holiday
resort popular for it's nearby beach resorts, deep sea fishing and
scuba diving. Bahia Solano doesn't have any decent beaches itself -
most tourists choose to stay at a resort closeby. Playa Huina,
Playa Potes and Playa
de la Paridera are nearby beaches and all have accommodation
options.
Alternatively, travel along the road south
to Bahia Solano's smaller neighbour El Valle,
which has great beaches sincluding the nearby Playa El
Almejal, as well as great surfing possibilities and
rainforest nature walks nearby. The two/three hour walk from El Valle
to the Cascada del Tigre waterfall is
recommended. From September to December El Valle is a good spot to see
nesting turtles on the nearby beaches (especially at Playa Cuevita).
To travel to Bahia Solano, there are flights
from Bogota and Medellin with Satena and Ada, or cargo boats from
Buenaventura (a long long journey - the service is relatively
infrequent and rather unscheduled, and costs about 100,000 pesos one
way). It's also possible to travel by boat North to Jaque in Panama
(about 10 hours travel time, costing 150,000 pesos per person). See the
travelling
onwards to Panama section for more details.
Bahia Solano
& El Valle Hotels
Almost all hotels can arrange
transportation from Bahia Solano for you. Some also offer packages
including flights from Medellin or Bogota.
El Almejal "Ecolodge"
- found on Playa El Almejal, this "ecolodge" has 12 basic cabins, a
whale watching tower, pleasant communal areas and a butterfly garden.
Rooms are in cabins and with private terrace. This is the most
expensive and luxurious hotel near Bahia Solano - El Almejal is found
on the road between Bahia Solano and El Valle.
Playa de Oro Lodge - located on a
long beach, this is one of Bahia Solano's longest established hotels.
There are four blocks, each with eight rooms with balcony and hammock,
some of which have a sea view, while others a rainforest view. Playa de
Oro Lodge is on Playa Huina, 20 minutes by boat from Bahia Solano. This
is a family orientated resort.
Mapara
Crab Hotel - a secluded small resort with cabins right on the
beach at Playa de Paridera, to the North of Bahia Solano. Great sea
views from all the cabins.
Choibana - a lodge on a private
beach with beautiful views, surrounded by jungle.
Playa Alegre Cabins
- beach front cabins, and a good option for surfing bear El Valle. This
is a well established hotel, operating for over 10 years. Found on
Playa Almejal, and next door to the more expensive El Almejal Ecolodge.
The best budget hotels around Bahia Solano
are probably Cabanas Brisas del Mar (at Playa
Huina) and Hotel Valle (in El Valle).
