Discover Tumaco: Beach, Culture and Cacao

If you’re looking for a hotel in Tumaco, choosing your destination can start with the question of what you want your stay to revolve around: a beach close to the town centre, community music traditions, cacao, or exploring the surrounding area. Tumaco brings these different themes together without requiring them all to be part of the same itinerary.

Playa El Morro and the sea

Playa El Morro is close to the town centre and is known for its rocky islet and calm waters. The beach is suitable for swimming and relaxing, and you can also watch the sunset there. This makes it a specific point of reference if you want to spend time at the beach during your stay. The distinctive combination of a rocky islet and calm waters sets this beach apart from a mere location listing: it describes both a landscape feature and a possible activity by the water.

Music, celebrations and cultural experiences

In the Tumaco community, marimba music, currulaos, a cappella songs and drums are part of community celebrations. Cultural groups and the oral transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next help keep these traditions alive. Musical forms and the sharing of knowledge thus come together in a cultural life that is not limited to a single festival.

A cultural experience at Fundación Tumaco includes a workshop on making traditional clothing from the Pacific region, building Pacific musical instruments, and a marimba and currulao performance. It also includes a spiritual ritual attributed to the traditions of Mother Africa. For those interested in music, crafts and oral traditions, this experience brings several themes together. Check the specific visiting and booking conditions in advance.

The Carnaval del Fuego is also part of Tumaco’s cultural identity. The festival lasts four days, and marimbas, cununos, bombos and guasás welcome visitors. The Carnaval del Fuego also showcases the fusion of African and Andean cultures. A separate religious date is January 31: on this day, the community holds processions and devotions in honour of the Milagro Eucarístico de Tumaco. If you want to plan your trip around this date, check the specific event information in advance.

Birdwatching and the Ruta de Cacao

Birdwatching trips with professional ornithologists from Fundación Guandal can take you through the urban or rural area. These two possible routes provide different geographical settings for birdwatching, without implying a fixed itinerary. If you’re interested in birds, this activity offers another perspective on Tumaco alongside the beach and culture. Ask in advance about current dates and booking options.

The Ruta de Cacao offers a look at several stages of cacao cultivation and processing. Visitors can learn about cultivation, sowing and harvesting in the vereda Juan Domingo, as well as the processing of cacao beans into various products on Avenida La Playa. The route begins at Parque Taguera, near Parque Colón. Its stops therefore span the process from growing cacao to the products made from it. The route is a distinct theme alongside the cultural offerings and the beach; check current availability before planning your visit.

Cuisine from the Tumaco community

The cuisine of the Tumaco community uses seafood such as shrimp, langostinos, piangua, jaiba, octopus and fish in traditional dishes. Coconut, plantain, wild herbs and ají round out the ingredients. The dishes mentioned include encocado de piangua, tapao de pescado, arroz marinero and ceviche afro. The combination of seafood and other ingredients gives you specific names to look out for when exploring the regional cuisine; it is not a claim about any particular restaurant or menu.

Whale watching nearby

In the area around Tumaco, not in the town itself, Cabo Manglar is a reference point for whale watching in July, August and September. The observation point is said to be 20 minutes from Bocagrande Island. This seasonal opportunity therefore differs from experiences in Tumaco in both timing and location. If it matters to your travel plans, check specific dates and visiting options in advance.

Mangrove protection

A cleanup at Playa El Morro in 2025 removed glass bottles, plastic bags and containers. The purpose of the cleanup was to protect mangroves. Mangroves are considered important ecosystems for marine life and essential to mitigating climate change. This describes the purpose of the cleanup and the importance of mangroves without claiming that they are located on the beach.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ipiales, Potosi, Pasto, La Unión, El Tablón, Don Diego, El Charco, Génova.

For the overview of the wider region, see Nariño.