LUZZUL — Hotel in Chocó

We came to Luzzul for the beauty of Colombia’s Pacific coast and left with unforgettable memories of jungle treks, breaching whales, and the sounds of nature. Whether you’re after adventure or tranquility, for those who make it here, it’s something truly special.

Getting There

We flew with Clic Air from Medellin to Nuquí. Upon landing, there’s a small tourist fee (20,000 to 30,000 COP, or $5 to $8 USD). Most hotels, including Luzzul, are further down the coast, requiring a public boat from the dock. The fare is 60,000 COP per person each way (about $15 USD), or around 240,000 COP ($60 USD) in total for a round trip for two—bring enough cash as cards payments is not a thing out here. Important: Wear quick-drying clothes and sturdy water shoes or sandals since you’ll jump directly into the water on arrival. You’ll pay the operator while standing in the water. The boat ride took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes with multiple stops. We also spotted whales breaching—a breathtaking surprise.

Return boats to Nuqui leave between 6-7am; coordinate with the hotel staff. Private boats are available but more expensive.

Packing Essentials:

• Portable battery • Flashlight or headlamp • Bug spray • Quick-drying clothing (humidity is high) • Sunscreen (reapply often) • Sunglasses (essential for ocean spray on the boat) • Motion sickness pills • Snacks like M&M’s trailmix (stored carefully to avoid bugs) • Hydrocortisone cream (1%)

Energy is unpredictable, so keep devices on low power mode. You can charge them in the open-air kitchen. Room outlets don’t work reliably. Cell signal is available during the day but the tower goes offline at night. Wi-Fi (via Starlink) worked for most of our stay but went down on the last day—it’s likely back up now.

Optional Excursions

We arranged excursions via WhatsApp.

Here’s what we chose:

• Whale Watching: Brings you close to breaching whales—always at a safe distance. We saw multiple breaches; it was worth every second. If you’re there from July to October, don’t miss it. • Jungle Hike: Highly recommended but not for beginners. You canoe down the Arusi River and hike through dense jungle to a remote waterfall and beach. Luzzul provides rubber mud boots for knee-deep mud in spots. Our guide, Jimmy, even cut bamboo hiking sticks. • Sea Turtle Beach Excursion: Watching baby sea turtles head into the ocean is magical. This experience depends on hatching times—don’t miss it. • Termales (Hot Springs): Nice, but you might want to skip it if you’ve visited other hot springs. • Canoe River Trip: Includes a swim in the Arusi River. Scenic but somewhat redundant if you do the jungle hike.

Room and Comfort

Our room was comfortable, with a cozy mosquito net for easy sleeping. It had enough privacy to relax. The structures are designed and built using local material and methods. A strong storm rolled through one night, but the room stayed dry. Always close up before sunset to avoid bugs. The bathroom and shower offer open-air jungle views, which feel private. The shower has no light, but soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided. A flashlight was useful.

Dining and Atmosphere

The communal dining experience at Luzzul is a highlight. Speaking some Spanish helps, as most guests spoke Spanish. The food is exceptional, cooked fresh daily by a team of local cooks who bring out the best regional flavors. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Fresh juice, coffee, and filtered drinking water are available.

Final Thoughts

Luzzul is more than just a remote escape—it’s a chance to experience the beauty of Colombia’s Pacific coast. From the excursions to the rhythm of ocean life, it’s a place that stays with you.

A Special Thank You

A big thank you to Rafael, Candelaria, Mateo, Jimmy, and the entire groundskeeping, and cooking team at Luzzul. Your hospitality made our stay extraordinary. We leave with deep gratitude for such a unique and...

Luzzul is a magical, remote place on the edge of the mangrove jungle and the beach.

It consists of 3 cabins with each their own open but private bathroom, a bigger open kitchen and dinner cabin as well as a smaller open bathroom cabin.

You will sleep heavenly here: your room is open, with no windows. You're basically sleeping in the jungle by the sea. You can hear the ocean waves, the jungle birds and crickets and the occasional tropical rain with low thunder.

You have a private beach to relax at and in general it is a very intimate place since there will be max. 6-12 people around.

The staff is super sweet. Maria and Elisabeth, the lovely chefs of Luzzul, will cook 3 healthy and local meals for you in the big open kitchen house. With Juancho you can sit into later hours and talk, find out more about the area and he will help you organize your next day.

To make sure you can do everything you want, plan some of the activities a few days in adavance by asking Luzzul staff for their activities PDF and letting them know what you would...

Evertytime I think of Ecohotel Luzul, I start to smile. What a magical place! The boat trip and encounter with whales and dolphins, the tasty meals made with love, the lounge sessions at the private beach, the hike through the lush (and slippery) jungle, our walk through the lively village of Arusi, our stay in the window less villa surrounded by the sounds of nature, et cetera, et cetera. We will treasure each moment of the 4 days we have spent there for the rest of our lives. Co-owner Juancho and his team really created something special at the wonderful coast of Nuqui. The charming and funny Juancho has an answer to all the questions you might have and is more than willing to give you tips for exploring the area. We loved to talk to him. He is one of the rare persons that really listens to what people say. Together with his lovely staff he manages to create superb vibes in this unique hotel. Check-in, you won’t get...