Ladrilleros and Juanchaco, located just one hour from Buenaventura by boat, are two small, primarily Afro-Caribbean fishing villages known for their natural beauty, culture, and whale-watching.
Located in the Bay of Malaga, this area attracts humpback whales between July and October, which brings many tourists to the area.
Apart from whale-watching, mangrove swamp tours and a visit to La Sierpe– a 65 m waterfall cascading into the sea– are both popular activities for tourists. Many visitors hire a boat to explore the coast.
Juanchaco is reached by boat directly from Buenaventura, and has quite a few dining and hotel options very close to the beach. Ladrilleros, a more serene community set atop steep cliffs overlooking the ocean, is 5 minutes away by motorcycle taxi, or a 45 minute walk.
At high tide, the beach in Ladrilleros is overtaken by the water, and sunbathers must plan their time accordingly.