Major city · Colombia
Ladrilleros
Two nights: one for the beach and surf, a second for whale watching (Jul–Sep) or the waterfalls. A day trip from Buenaventura is tight but possible.
Ladrilleros and its neighbour Juanchaco are fishing villages on the Pacific coast, 40 km north of Buenaventura. They draw surfers for consistent waves and visitors for whale watching from July to September. The area is safe, with a navy base and an airstrip nearby. Most travellers come for two nights, though a day trip from Buenaventura works if you skip the longer tours.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Jul–Sep (whale watching), Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid Oct–Nov (rainy season, boats may not run)
- Airport
- BUN
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ladrilleros123 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ladrilleros, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyLadrilleros and Juanchaco are safe, with a navy base and airstrip nearby.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance, fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBUN Buenaventura Airport (Small airport with limited flights; most travellers fly into Cali (CLO) and take a bus to Buenaventura.).
- Getting aroundMoto-taxis connect Juanchaco and Ladrilleros (COP 5,000).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)COP 4,000–6,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Moto-taxi Juanchaco ↔ LadrillerosCOP 5,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 30,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomCOP 120,000
- High-end bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomCOP 200,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 60,000 · Mid COP 120,000 · High COP 200,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BUN Buenaventura Airport (Small airport with limited flights; most travellers fly into Cali (CLO) and take a bus to Buenaventura.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jul–Sep, Dec–Apr. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (20 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ladrilleros: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Moto-taxis connect Juanchaco and Ladrilleros (COP 5,000). Walking is fine within each village. Boats are the only way to reach the waterfalls and mangroves.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Buenaventura
goDoor to door: 1 hour
Fast boat from Muelle Turistico, about 1 hour
Return fare COP 90,000, valid 15 days. Last boat times vary; check at the dock.
San Cipriano
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 hours
Boat to Buenaventura, then bus and 'brujita' (makeshift rail taxi)
A full day; the river pools are worth it if you have time.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ladrilleros beachfront
Closest to surf breaks and restaurants; basic hostels and guesthouses.
Juanchaco
Quieter, near the boat dock and whale-watching tours; cheaper options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 60,000–90,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 90,000–150,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 150,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (guesthouse)1 × 2 nights × COP 120,000 | COP 240,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × COP 120,000 | COP 480,000 |
| Boat return from Buenaventura2 × COP 90,000 · Valid 15 days | COP 180,000 |
| Whale-watching tour (Jul–Sep)2 × COP 25,000 | COP 50,000 |
| Cascada La Sierpe tour2 × COP 25,000 | COP 50,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 150,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 287,500 per person per day, bed included | COP 1,150,000 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Moto-taxi Juanchaco ↔ Ladrilleros | COP 5,000 |
| Boat return BuenaventuraValid 15 days | COP 90,000 |
| Whale-watching tour | COP 25,000 |
| Cascada La Sierpe tour | COP 25,000 |
| Coco loco (viche in coconut) | COP 10,000–15,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | COP 4,000–6,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boats stop running in bad weather: you may be stuck an extra day.
- No ATM in Ladrilleros or Juanchaco: bring enough cash from Buenaventura or Cali.
- Whale-watching tours are capped at 30 minutes to protect the animals.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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LadrillerosLadrilleros
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para Ladrilleros, por favorTo Ladrilleros, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Buenaventura → Ladrilleros/Juanchaco: COP 90,000 return, about 1 hour (check)
- Moto-taxi Juanchaco → Ladrilleros: COP 5,000
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el barco? — Where is the boat? (DON-de es-TA el BAR-ko)
- Necesito un mototaxi — I need a moto-taxi (ne-se-SEE-to un mo-to-TAK-see)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
No ATM in Ladrilleros or Juanchaco; bring cash from Buenaventura or Cali.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ladrilleros. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jul–Sep (whale watching), Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid Oct–Nov (rainy season, boats may not run) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Ladrilleros
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