Major city · Colombia
Necoclí
Stop in Necoclí only to cross the Darién Gap by boat to or from Capurganá; one night is enough, skip it as a destination.
Necoclí is a small port town on the Gulf of Urabá, the Colombian side of the Darién Gap crossing. Most travellers pass through in a single night, arriving by boat from Capurganá or by bus from Medellín. The town has a mud volcano, a beach and basic services, but no reason to stay longer than the crossing requires.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rough seas for boats)
- Airport
- MDE
- Nights
- 1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Necoclí123 ▾
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 Necoclí, 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
- SafetyNecoclí is generally safe for travellers during the day, but the Darién Gap route is used by irregular migrants and smugglers…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police · 123 fire and ambulance (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.
- AirportMDE José María Córdova International (Medellín) (About 4–5 h by bus from Necoclí; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable (about 1 km (0.6 mi) end to end).The town is walkable (about 0.6 mi (1 km) end to end).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi within townCOP 3,000–5,000
- Metro or bus rideBus to MedellínCOP 70,000–75,000 (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 30,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomCOP 100,000
- High-end bedPrivate room (guesthouse), a night, per roomCOP 180,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 70,000 · 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
- MDE José María Córdova International (Medellín) (About 4–5 h by bus from Necoclí; the nearest major airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (14 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Necoclí: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 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
The town is walkable (about 1 km end to end). Mototaxis (COP 3,000–5,000) cover the short distances to the mud volcano or beach.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Capurganá
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Boat from Necoclí dock, about 1 h
The main reason to be in Necoclí; boats run frequently in good weather, COP 85,000 (2024 price, check).
Turbo
skipDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or colectivo, about 30 min
Larger port town with no tourist attractions; only useful for onward bus connections.
Medellín
goDoor to door: About 7–8 h
Bus from Necoclí terminal, about 6–7 h
Direct buses every 30 min until 9 PM, COP 70,000–75,000 (check); a full-day journey.
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.
Town centre near the main park
Hostels and basic hotels within a few blocks of the dock and bus stop; easiest for a one-night stop.
Beachfront east of town
A few eco-lodges and guesthouses; quieter but a 10–15 min walk or mototaxi from the centre.
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
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × COP 30,000 | COP 30,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × COP 70,000 | COP 70,000 |
| Boat Necoclí → Capurganá, one way1 × COP 85,000 · check | COP 85,000 |
| Bus Necoclí → Medellín, one way1 × COP 75,000 · check | COP 75,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 26,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 286,000 per person per day, bed included | COP 286,000 |
2026 estimate in Colombian pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat to Capurganá2024 price; may vary with season. | COP 85,000 (check) |
| Bus to Medellín | COP 70,000–75,000 (check) |
| Mototaxi within town | COP 3,000–5,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | COP 12,000–20,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | COP 2,000–3,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat schedules depend on weather; in the rainy season (May–Nov) crossings may be cancelled at short notice.
- No ATMs outside the main park area; bring enough cash for the crossing and bus fare.
- The path to the mud volcano crosses private cattle fields with gates; ask locals for directions or use an offline map.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 123
- Fire and ambulance
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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NecoclíNecoclí
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police123
- Fire and ambulance123
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Necoclí → Capurganá: about COP 85,000, about 1 h (check)
- Bus Necoclí → Medellín: COP 70,000–75,000, about 6–7 h (check)
- Mototaxi centre → mud volcano: COP 5,000–8,000
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el barco a Capurganá? — Where is the boat to Capurganá? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAR-koh ah kah-pur-gah-NAH)
- Necesito un tiquete — I need a ticket (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon tee-KEH-teh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
Cash is king in Necoclí; the only ATM is at the main park and may run out.
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 Necoclí. 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: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rough seas for boats) · 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
- 3 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 Necoclí
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