Colombiafrank’s Quibdo Colombia Travel Guide

Last updated on March 14, 2024

Dear readers
My name is Frank and I run a tour operator in Bogota, specializing in custom-made and Colombia luxury travel.
At the end of this guide you will find a list of many other helpful travel guides for Colombia.

Why visit Quibdó?

Quibdó is the capital of the Chocó department and is located on the banks of the Atrato River. It is also located in one of the rainiest areas in the world.

This beautiful city is very hospitable because the people are very friendly and cheerful.

You will find a mix of different cultures such as Afro-Colombians, indigenous communities and settlers from other parts of the country.

Facts about Quibdó

Quibdó is 43 meters above sea level.
The average temperature in Quibdó is 28° C.
Half destroyed by fire, Quibdó was rebuilt by its residents in 1966.
Quibdó has around 130,000 inhabitants.
The main economic sectors in Quibdó are agriculture and artisanal and industrial mining.
Quibdó was founded on July 1, 1664 by Francisco de Otra, Manuel Cañizales and Pedro Cáceres.
Quibdó consists of 195 districts, which are divided into 6 municipalities.

Tourist attractions in Quibdó

Here are some of the city’s top attractions:

Malecon de Quibdo

In front of the Cathedral and Centennial Park is the Malecón de Quibdó, an ideal place to watch the sunset over the Atrato River.

This square is about 180 meters long and invites you to walk, bike, inline skate and of course enjoy the aphrodisiac drinks and other typical dishes of the region that are usually offered by the vendors.

Centennial Park

If you’re interested in history, don’t miss the Parque Centenario, inaugurated in 1910 as the Parque de la Independencia.

The park has been a meeting place for the residents of Quibdó for many years, as various gatherings and celebrations are held here.

The importance of this place is such that in 2002 it was declared Quibdó Cultural Heritage by the Chocó government.

San Francisco de Asis Cathedral

In the heart of the city center is the Cathedral of San Francisco de Asís, the main temple for religious ceremonies in Quibdó.

The cathedral, dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, houses a wooden effigy of the missionary and peacemaker, as well as a mural and various works by Maxi Lio Barreco depicting the evangelization of the Chocó department.

Pacurita

If you love nature, you cannot miss Pacurita.

This incredible place is only 5 km (3 miles) from Quibdó and offers the possibility of various activities such as sport fishing, canoeing and hiking.

You can also visit natural pools and streams.

City Palace

Built in 1923, it features a Greek-style portico and a Colombian coat of arms on the pediment.

Quibdó Marketplace

Located on Carrera 1 in front of the Fiscalía building, the Plaza de Mercado is a colorful place where you can find many different foods.

Jotaudó Botanical Garden

Just 45 minutes from Quibdó is the Jotaudó Botanical Garden, which covers 42 hectares of tropical rainforest with fruit trees, palm trees and exotic flowers.

Aeropark

Aeropark is located near El Caraño Airport. Athletes from various sports such as volleyball, baseball, micro-soccer, athletics and basketball meet there.

The Aeroparque also has a civic center belonging to the Quibdó Mayor’s Office and an events hall.

Best time to visit Quibdó

The best time to visit Quibdó is between December and April, when the weather conditions are more favorable to visit and enjoy the city’s various tourist attractions.

Events in Quibdo

Here are the main events that take place in Quibdó throughout the year and not to be missed.

Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

The feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, also known as the feast of San Pacho, is celebrated in Quibdó with various religious expressions and artistic events such as floats and traditional dances of the Chocó.

This festival is organized by 12 districts of Quibdó, which have to organize everything for the festival, which usually takes place from September 20th to October 4th.

The importance of this festival is such that in 2012 it was declared Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Nightlife in Quibdo

In Quibdó there are a few places where you can enjoy music and dancing, here are some of them:

Matimba Estanquillo Bar

Calle 26 # 9-58

https://www.facebook.com/barmatimba/

If you like partying and dancing, you should not miss this bar. There is great music and a large selection of beers.

Dolce Club Official

Carrera 1a # Calle 31

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069579104753

One of the best places to dance and enjoy guest artists.

La casona parrilla events

Carrera 1 # 30-17 zona pink

https://www.facebook.com/lacasona.parrilla.18

There is a great atmosphere here that you can share with friends and family.

Typical food in Quibdó

These are some of the typical dishes that you can find in the city of Quibdó.

Arroz clavado

A dish where small cubes of cheese are added to rice as it dries.

Jujú

This dish consists of fried plantain balls and cheese.

Borojó juice

This is a very traditional drink in Quibdó and Chocó in general.

It has a sour taste and is high in protein, vitamins and minerals.

Cheesesoup

A soup made from pasta, cheese and potatoes, seasoned with onions, garlic and a cube of chicken broth.

Corn rice with crayfish

This dish consists of rice with ground corn and river prawns.

Fried fish

This is a fried fish prepared with fish species such as bocachico, fósforo and shad.

This dish is served with fried plantains, coconut rice and salad.

Arroz atollado

A dish of very watery rice, beef, and pork seasoned with tomatoes, garlic, salt, onions, and cheese.

Chocoano cake

It is a cake of vegetables, rice and spiced meat cooked in a leaf called katuga, which gives it flavor and smell.

Accommodation in Quibdó

If you’re looking for hotels in Chocó, I can tell you that the area near the Malecón and the zone around the airport are known for their convenience and proximity to local attractions. These areas are ideal for those who want to explore the city and enjoy their stay in strategically located places.

How to get to Quibdó?

The city of Quibdó is located about 297 kilometers from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. There are several ways to get from Bogotá to Quibdó.

Airplane

The quickest way to reach Quibdó is by plane. El Caraño Airport is connected to Bogotá and the main cities in the country. This airport is only 2 km (1.2 miles) from Quibdó. You can fly with different airlines like Avianca, Satena and Easyfly.

The airlines that offer connections are as follows:

Bus

Quibdó has a bus station at Carrera 8 #26 – 1 to 26 – 127 so you can travel by bus with companies like Expreso Bolivariano, Velotax, Flota Occidental and Flota La Macarena.

The journey takes about 17 hours.

The easiest way to buy tickets is via Pinbus.

By car

Another alternative is to travel by car, although it can be quite long, taking 16 to 17 hours depending on traffic jams and speed.

Please note that you have to pay around 6 tolls on the route.

The following companies rent cars in Colombia:

hertz
advice
ABC

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About Author

Frank

Hello! I'm Frank Spitzer, the founder and the heart behind Pelecanus, a specialized tour operator for Colombia travel. My journey in travel is vast and rich – I've explored over 60 countries, absorbing cultures, experiences, and stories along the way. Since 2017, I've been channeling this wealth of global experience into creating unforgettable travel experiences in Colombia. I'm recognized as a leading authority in Colombian tourism, with a deep-seated passion for sharing this beautiful country with the world. You can catch glimpses of my travel adventures and insights around Colombia on my YouTube channel. I'm also active on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, where I share the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Colombia. For professional networking, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. Join me on this incredible journey, and let's explore the wonders of Colombia together!